Celebree School celebrates 50 locations, ownership move

Celebree School, a franchise focused on early childhood education, has reached a new milestone.

The Nottingham, Maryland-based franchise announced that it has opened its 50th location. The new Celebree School of Marietta at Shallowford in Georgia, located in Marietta, is owned by franchisees Rajesh and Jyoti Solanki. Situated about 20 miles north of Atlanta, the latest Celebree School is also the franchise’s third location in the metro market.

“Opening our 50th franchise location is an exciting milestone that reflects the strength of the Celebree School franchise opportunity and the incredible owners who bring our mission to life in their communities,” said Richard Huffman, founder and CEO of Celebree School. “As more families seek high-quality early childhood education, we’re continuing to grow alongside passionate entrepreneurs who want to make a meaningful impact while building successful businesses. Rajesh and Jyoti embody everything we look for in franchise owners, and we’re thrilled to welcome them to the Celebree family.”

Jyoti Solanki has more than a decade of experience in childhood education, having served as a kindergarten teacher, assistant director, and education director. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Delhi University and a diploma in Early Childhood Education, Celebree School said.

Rajesh Solanki brings more than 20 years of business leadership experience. A graduate of the Indian Institute of Technology with an MBA from Georgia State University, he has built a successful career in sales leadership, specializing in strategic planning, team development, and organizational growth.

The Solankis moved to the United States in 2001 with their daughter, Ayushi, and have built lives in metro Atlanta while raising their two children, Ayushi and Arnav.

“After spending years building our careers and raising our family in the Atlanta area, we wanted to invest in something that would make a lasting difference in our community,” said Jyoti Solanki. “Celebree School’s commitment to children, families, and educators aligned perfectly with our values, and we’re excited to create a place where every child feels supported, inspired, and prepared for the future.”

Franchise model

The franchise offers infant and toddler care, preschool, and summer camp programs with a mission to “Grow People Big and Small.”

Celebree School was founded in 1994 and launched a franchising program in 2019. The company says its system provides comprehensive training, operational support, and a mission-centered culture that empowers franchise owners to build thriving businesses while making an impact in the communities they serve.

“As we celebrate our 50th franchise location, we’re equally excited about what’s ahead,” said Huffman. “This milestone is just the beginning as we continue expanding into new markets with franchise partners who are passionate about changing lives through early childhood education.”

A change in Pennsylvania

Ownership changes

Celebree School also announced that its Thorndale, Pennsylvania location, roughly 40 miles west of Philadelphia, has new ownership.

The school will now be owned and operated by Wayne Viener, Mason Viener, and Kelly Washington.

With 19 years of experience at Celebree, Washington has served as a teacher, school director, licensing specialist, franchise business consultant, and, most recently, a franchise owner.

“As someone who has spent nearly my entire career with Celebree, becoming a franchise owner feels like a natural next step,” said Washington, co-owner of Celebree School of Thorndale. “I’ve had the privilege of supporting schools from so many different perspectives, and now I’m excited to work directly with the children, families, and educators in Thorndale as a business owner to continue delivering the exceptional experience that defines the Celebree Promise.”

Wayne Viener has served as a chief information officer within the organization, while his son Mason has specialized in technology rollout, adoption, and business intelligence across the Celebree system.

The new ownership group said that it plans to maintain the current management team during the transition, providing continuity for families while building upon the school’s strong foundation.

“For more than a decade, our family has helped support every Celebree School behind the scenes through technology,” said Mason Viener, co-owner. “Now, we’re excited to be even more connected to the mission by serving families directly. We know this community, we know this school, and we’re committed to helping it continue to thrive.”

According to its franchise disclosure document, Celebree School company-operated locations saw an average unit volume of $2.26 million last year. The brand also recently launched a 0% royalty incentive program for new franchise owners.