Lightbridge Academy Targets Florida for Brand Expansion

Early education and child care franchise system Lightbridge Academy is eyeing Florida as one of its top three key expansion states outside of the Mid-Atlantic. The New Jersey-based company is planning to open 19 locations across the state within the next five years, specifically looking to areas surrounding Orlando, Miami and Tampa. Team members will be at The Franchise Show at the Hyatt Regency Orlando from October 20th to 21st to meet with franchise candidates and talk with prospects about the benefits the brand offers to its franchisees and local communities.

According to Lightbridge Academy Senior Vice President of Franchise Sales Mark Mele, the targeted areas in Florida offer the brand a promising opportunity for growth due to the growing business market and family-friendly demographics.

“In the specific regions we’re targeting for growth in Florida, we’re seeing a favorable increase in the market as well as a higher demand for child care centers,” said Mele. “There’s a significant population of working families in each of these areas, and we pride ourselves on living up to our slogan as The Solution for Working Parents®. We know that families in these areas will substantially benefit from our presence in their marketplace.”

According to Mele, Lightbridge Academcy stands apart from competing early childhood education centers in two primary ways. First, the developmentally appropriate learning programs have been carefully selected to create a well-rounded curriculum designed to positively impact all aspects of the child’s development, and secondly, they manage each child care center based on a system of core values that create a truly supportive culture of care.

“We have a high quality curriculum and advanced technology that keep families connected. But what really makes the company special is the foundation of core values we are based on and our Circle of Care philosophy. It is used to guide how we manage and interact with our customers.

The culture that is created within our child care centers is unique and it deeply resonates with the families we serve,” said Mele. “Everyone touched by our company, from the franchisees, to the staff, the children, the parents and even the local community, are treated like family. They know we are here to offer them support whenever and however possible.”

Mele hopes to showcase this philosophy and unique child care opportunity to potential investors at The Franchise Show. Prospective franchisees will have the chance to connect with Lightbridge Academy, learn more about the brand and discuss the Florida territories open for development.

Mele has already confirmed several meetings with prospective franchisees and believes the extensive growth the company has experienced throughout the Northeast has just begun to emerge in the Florida area.

“What’s great about The Franchise Show is not only do we get to educate potential investors about our brand and the support and service we offer to our franchise owners, but they also learn crucial information about the franchising industry in general,” said Mele.

The company currently has over 90 child care centers either open, under construction or in development, and it has major expansion plans across Florida. For more information on Lightbridge Academy franchising opportunities, visit