Empowering Working Families: A Year-End Reflection and Brand Evolution for 2024 Unveiled

In the ever-evolving landscape of early childhood education, 2023 marked a pivotal year for Lightbridge Academy, underlining our steadfast dedication to delivering quality care to working families and communities when it is needed most. Lightbridge Academy’s growth over the past year is nothing short of impressive but it reminds us that the need for quality care for children remains at an all-time high within our communities. In response to the pressing challenges faced by families nationwide, our team has expanded significantly to pave the way for Lightbridge Academy’s influence in new markets. With this strategic growth, we are not merely keeping pace with the demands of our communities but positioning ourselves at the forefront of shaping the future of early childhood education for generations to come.

As Lightbridge Academy continues to meet the needs of families across the country, I wanted to take a moment to highlight the impressive growth in 2023 and how our brand is evolving to meet the changing needs of the families we serve.

Accolades and Achievements in 2023

• It was a year of momentous growth for Lightbridge Academy which allowed us to award 20 new franchises for a total of 35 units, expanding into new markets such as Dallas, TX, and Colorado Springs, CO.
• The brand completed a corporate lease acquisition that brought Lightbridge Academy’s first center to Irving, TX. This acquisition demonstrates Lightbridge Academy’s power as an ally to other child care centers that are looking to transfer their legacy to a brand that illustrates like-minded core values and dedication to supporting the community.
• We celebrated achieving a new milestone of 75 open locations with grand openings in three states.
• Lightbridge Academy was also honored to receive industry recognition, ranking #192 on Entrepreneur Magazine's 2023 Franchise 500, moving up 25 spots from 2022 and #296 on the Franchise Times 2023 Top 400, moving up 58 spots from 2022.
• All new Lightbridge Academy centers are opened to accreditation standards, and we are moving toward systemwide accreditation with 49% either accredited or in the process of achieving accreditation.

Factors Contributing to Growth

This remarkable success can be attributed to various growth tactics including the strategic expansion into new markets, securing second-generation sites and resources that expedite opening timelines for investors, including our partnership with Single Tenant Net Lease (STNL). By implementing these initiatives that expedite openings, franchisees can achieve a faster return on investment and play a vital role in meeting the growing demand for quality educational child care. Our team plans to expand into additional regions this year and continue our mission to be the preferred franchise choice for investors and operators interested in growing their portfolios.

Evolution of Brand Positioning in 2024

Having been deeply ingrained in the communities we serve, our journey has been marked by a profound understanding of the evolving needs of our customers. As a result, I am thrilled to reinforce our decision to strategically redefine our brand positioning as The Solution for Working Families?. In today’s modern family, we recognize that parents are no longer the only caregivers for children. This is reflected in the faces we interact with every day as we continue to serve a growing number of grandparents, extended family members, stepparents, and foster parents. Drawing from my personal experience as a working mother of four, I intimately grasp the critical importance of parents fostering a robust community of support for both themselves and their children.

As we look ahead to 2024 and beyond, Lightbridge Academy and its growing community of franchisees are dedicated to building momentum and creating a trusted Circle of Care. We eagerly anticipate welcoming new communities and families into our care, fortifying our commitment to providing unparalleled educational experiences and support for generations to come. The future is bright, and we are excited to continue shaping it together with our extended family of staff, parents and, most importantly, the children we have the privilege to nurture and inspire.