What You Can Expect in Terms of Our Preschool Franchise Cost

When evaluating franchising opportunities in the US childcare sector, it’s essential to consider the full scope of preschool franchise costs. 

At Willowbrae Academy, we’ve structured our investment model to give franchisees the best chance at success, combining industry-leading educational programs with a proven business infrastructure. The required financial criteria for our franchisees are as follows: 

• Net Worth: $2M to $2.5M
• Liquid Capital: Between $500K and $1.5M 
• Franchise Fee: $85K

We’ve provided you with a bird’s eye view of our investment opportunity, covering initial and ongoing costs, factors that impact your total expenditure, financing options, and the long-term benefits of owning a Willowbrae Academy franchise.

Breaking Down the Preschool Franchise Cost for Willowbrae Academy

Willowbrae Academy’s business model and preschool franchise costs are designed to set our franchisees up for operational excellence and profitability. Our financial benchmarks aid qualified candidates—those with the financial capacity and long-term vision—to position themselves to grow successful locations.

We require a net worth of $2M to 3M and at least $1.5M in liquid capital. These thresholds reflect a prospective franchisee’s overall financial stability, as well as their ability to cover operational costs, staff salaries, and early marketing expenses. At the same time, your academy is able to build up its enrollment potential.

At Willowbrae Academy, our learning environments are built on high-quality early childhood education and our ethos of building lasting, impactful childcare businesses across the US. Our strong focus on high-growth markets such as Texas and other strategically targeted regions  positioned for expansion, including Colorado and Arizona, supports these efforts.

Initial Franchise Fee: A Key Investment in Your Early Learning Center Franchise

The initial franchise fee of $85K includes a deposit for your early learning center franchise, which encompasses site selection, design support, onboarding, and access to franchising resources and proprietary Willowbrae products, including:

• Our SEEDS curriculum
• Training resources
• The Braeview app for monitoring operations remotely

Our comprehensive franchising package supports our early childhood education model, which emphasizes hands-off ownership with our non-operator CEO structure. This approach empowers you, as a franchise owner, to lead strategically while your Academy Director oversees day-to-day operations.

Ongoing Costs: Royalty Fees and Marketing Contributions for Your Preschool Franchise

In addition to the franchise fee, our franchisees pay a 6% royalty fee and a 1% marketing fee derived from their academy’s monthly gross income, essentially funding: 

• Ongoing system enhancements
• Training updates
• National and local marketing campaigns
• Corporate team’s support 

These franchising payments also help maintain brand consistency, ensuring that every preschool franchise in our network meets the high expectations associated with the Willowbrae Academy brand.

Additional Expenses You Should Plan for When Owning a Preschool Franchise

Beyond the fixed fees, franchisees should anticipate the following additional expenses:

• Facility Buildout: This is a leasehold improvement tailored to our overall classroom design. This expense ensures that the learning environment is safe, functional, and meets Willowbrae Academy’s high standards of educational excellence.
  
• Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment (FF&E): Specified FF&Es are designed to align with our safety and educational guidelines, providing a nurturing and stimulating environment for young learners at each of our academies.
  
• Technology Packages: Willowbrae’s franchising technology package streamlines operations and includes access to our biometric and security camera systems, ensuring the safety of children and staff.
  
• Licensing and Permits: Procuring the requisite licenses and permits ensures compliance with local and state regulations for your preschool operations. Meeting these critical legal requirements can help you open and run your franchise smoothly.
  
• Staff Recruitment and Training: Funding will be required to recruit and hire top-notch educators and personnel for administrative roles. This can help you build a highly qualified and well-trained team that provides exceptional early childhood education at your learning center.

Each of these expenses is a direct investment in building a trusted, high-performing preschool franchise that stands out from competitors in your community.

Factors That Influence Preschool Franchise Cost: Location, Size, and More

Not every early learning center franchise costs are the same, even within our own system. Variables like location, facility size, and local labor rates can all influence and determine your total investment in the following aspects:

• Real Estate Costs: While urban areas may have higher rental costs, they can attract larger student populations more quickly.
  
• Academy Size: A larger facility accommodates more students and staff, potentially boosting revenue but can increase upfront expenses.
  
• Demographics: Markets like Texas and other targeted regions with booming populations and increasing demand for premium childcare facilities and early childhood education, are ideal for franchise expansion. By establishing your franchise in these larger markets, the demand for your services can potentially offset the higher labor costs associated with them.

Willowbrae’s existing success in the Fort Worth and McKinney areas is a testament to the value of selecting the right community for your academy.

Financing Options to Help You Fund Your Childcare Franchise for Sale

Financing a childcare venture isn’t a one-size-fits-all process. At Willowbrae Academy, we help qualified candidates with buying a childcare franchise for sale by guiding them through a diverse range of funding methods:

• Small Business Administration (SBA) Loans: Many franchisees secure SBA financing through trusted lenders, which allows them to benefit from lower interest rates and extended repayment terms.
  
• Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOC): A HELOC lending option is ideal for individuals with strong real estate portfolios, offering flexible financing solutions that tap into home equity.
  
• Investor Partnerships or Joint Ventures: Leveraging investor partnerships or joint ventures is particularly advantageous for multi-unit operators. They can help each owner share financial responsibility and greater scalability over their shared business.

Franchise candidates can request a Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) from our corporate team to learn more about the dedicated resources available to support their financial planning.

The Long-Term Benefits of Investing in One of the Best Preschools in the USA

Franchising with Willowbrae Academy means joining one of the best preschools in the USA. Our brand has an outstanding reputation for both business performance and positive community impact.

Here are just a few stats that demonstrate the profitable value of our franchise opportunities:

• We achieved a 96.4% enrollment capacity as of Q4 2024.
• We currently have more than 7,000 children enrolled in our preschool franchises across North America.
• We’ve grown to over 40 franchise locations across Canada and the US over time, with more territorial acquisitions currently in development for Texas, Colorado, and Arizona.

With a proprietary curriculum, operational transparency through Braeview, and a strong reputation, our franchising brand offers a legacy of early childhood education that you can build upon.

Willowbrae Academy’s preschool franchise costs reflect our commitment to excellence, from our innovative curriculum to our proven franchise model. With competitive fees, robust support, and high market demand, our system supplies franchisees with a scalable and meaningful business opportunity.Ready to invest in your own preschool franchise? Contact us today for more details on getting started with Willowbrae Academy!