--- title: "Celebree School Kicks Off 2026 With Expansion Momentum, Top Franchise Rankings, and a Focus on Responsible Growth" url: https://burnaze.com/article/14f0ba8b-f346-4a80-81fd-b59ad02d8106 source: "Franchising.com" original_url: https://www.franchising.com/news/20260127_celebree_school_kicks_off_2026_with_expansion_momentum_top_franchise_rankin.html category: "Childcare & early learning" industry: "Education & Childcare" segment: "Childcare & early learning" topics: ["Development & multi-unit"] published: 2026-01-27T12:00:00.000Z modified: 2026-10-31T17:14:58.579Z image: https://imgs.franchising.com/brands/social/celebreeschool.jpg --- # Celebree School Kicks Off 2026 With Expansion Momentum, Top Franchise Rankings, and a Focus on Responsible Growth **TL;DR:** Celebree School expanded its U.S. footprint with 16 new franchise agreements and 15 openings in 2025, and was ranked No. 305 on Entrepreneur's Franchise 500. The brand is focusing on responsible growth, operational excellence, and unit economics in 2026. *originally published in Franchising.com on 2026-01-27. [Read the original](https://www.franchising.com/news/20260127_celebree_school_kicks_off_2026_with_expansion_momentum_top_franchise_rankin.html).* ## Key facts - 16 new franchise agreements in 2025 - 15 new locations opened in 2025 - Ranked No. 305 on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 ## Story ## Expansion momentum - ***Expanded U.S. footprint with 16 new franchise agreements and 15 openings in 2025*** - ***Ranked No. 305 on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500®, highlighting franchisee satisfaction and system strength*** - ***Advancing operational excellence with a focus on unit economics and responsible franchising*** “Our goal for this year is to continue to grow in ways that matter; thoughtfully, strategically, and with purpose,” said Richard Huffman, Founder and CEO of Celebree School. “In 2026, we’re strengthening our franchise system, improving operational standards, and ensuring that every school reflects the quality, consistency, and attention to detail that families expect. By supporting our franchisees with best-in-class tools, training, and resources, we’re building a foundation for sustainable growth that benefits children, families, and communities alike.” In 2025, Celebree School awarded 16 new franchise agreements and opened 15 new locations across key markets, including Illinois, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, Oklahoma, and New Jersey. The brand also celebrated its first locations in Wisconsin and Washington, D.C., reflecting a targeted, strategic approach to expansion. ## Awards and recognition Celebree School’s performance and leadership were recognized through a combination of 2025 honors and early 2026 industry rankings, reflecting the brand’s continued momentum and growing national profile. Notably, the brand earned a No. 305 ranking on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® in 2026, jumping from No. 418 the previous year. - Franchise Dictionary Magazine Top 100 Game Changers - Richard Huffman’s EY Mid-Atlantic Recognition - Richard Huffman featured as a Baltimore Business Journal’s 2025 Power 10 CEO - FCXC Franchise Innovation Award - 2026 Franchise Times Fast & Serious List (No. 37) - OnCon Icon Awards Top 50 Marketing Teams - FLDC STAR Awards: Best Online Lead Form Submission and Telephone Follow-Up - Franchise Times Top 400 - 2025 Fran-tastic Brand from FranServe ## Responsible growth plans Internal operational improvements, including technology enhancements and leadership appointments, also positioned the brand for continued success and prepared the system for accelerated growth. As Celebree School looks forward, the brand is taking a disciplined, forward-focused approach to growth. The year ahead will prioritize strategic unit expansion rooted in responsible franchising, alongside a continued emphasis on strengthening unit economics to support long-term franchisee profitability. Targeted growth in both new and existing markets will be balanced with an unwavering commitment to operational excellence and high-quality care. “Our focus is on growing responsibly, strengthening our franchisees’ capabilities, and ensuring every school delivers the highest-quality education and care, building a foundation for children, families, and communities to thrive,” added Huffman. Celebree School offers franchisees a proven business model, comprehensive training, ongoing operational support, and access to proprietary technology and marketing resources. As the brand continues its national expansion, Celebree School is seeking qualified, engaged individuals for both single- and multi-unit ownership opportunities. **Current target markets include:** Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Austin, and Philadelphia. With prime territories available, franchisees can join a growing system built for long-term success while making a meaningful impact by bringing high-quality early childhood education to their communities. Founded in 1994, Celebree School is a leader in early childhood education that provides infant and toddler care, preschool, before and aftercare, and summer camp programs. With a mission to Grow People Big and Small™, Celebree School believes success in early childhood development is equal parts curriculum and connection. Each school employs a customized program that addresses the physical, social, emotional, and academic needs of children and follows applicable state guidelines. In 2019, Celebree School launched its franchise offering. In 2024, Celebree School’s founder, Richard Huffman, launched a new parent company called Huffman Family Brands, merging Celebree affiliated concepts under one multi-brand company structure. Learn more about how we grow confident children who are prepared for school and life at Celebree. At Celebree School, our child care franchise delivers a safe, nurturing, friendly, state-of-the-art learning environment that fosters a solid foundation for lifelong success. ## Entities - Franchising.com (publication) - unit expansion (topic) - Entrepreneur (publication) - Florida (location) - Education (sector) - new jersey (location) - Georgia (location) - Tennessee (location) - Illinois (location) - Wisconsin (location) - massachusetts (location) - Oklahoma (location) --- Originally reported by Franchising.com (https://www.franchising.com/news/20260127_celebree_school_kicks_off_2026_with_expansion_momentum_top_franchise_rankin.html). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/14f0ba8b-f346-4a80-81fd-b59ad02d8106).