Amit Varma, a long-term hotel operator who has always been driven to serve, has ventured into a new field. His hotel industry began 25 years ago, from which time Varma has endeavored to provide quality customer service. He provides this quality service through his brands: Marriott, IHG, Hilton, and Hyatt. Recently, to continue providing excellent service to his customers, he entered childcare with Lightbridge Academy. Lightbridge Academy is a vast childcare center that provides early childhood education.
His Inspiration for Becoming a Lightbridge Academy Franchise
He became a Lightbridge Academy franchisee because he was looking for a childcare center that could provide his children with quality education. He wanted early childhood education for his five- and fourteen-year-old children. He realized that becoming a childcare center franchisee is an excellent business, as he always took his kids to childcare centers. With the help of Franchise.Law and other resources, they took the leap.
Therefore, in 2022, he discussed the idea with Bud and Chinmay Patel, his business partners. Meanwhile, Bud Patel indicated that he was familiar with Lightbridge Academy already, and the plan was good. Thus, the three businessmen became franchisees by opening seven Cab Childcare Group units in Orlando.
About the Lightbridge Academy
Lightbridge Academy began franchising in 2011, but this deal with Varma is the brand’s largest and Orlando’s first franchise agreement. Initially established as Rainbow Academy in 1997 in New Jersey, Lightbridge Academy has evolved over the years. The academy’s average size is between 10,500 and 14,000 square feet, with each academy able to take up to 180 students.
Lightbridge Academy CEO Gigi Schweikert says the brand is about the sixth largest childcare provider in the US. Since they began working with Westerly and Elmsley, a private equity firm, they have had the capital to grow as desired.
Lightbridge Academy Centers
Lightbridge Academy has 71 centers open and at least 70 still under construction. Many of those still in the developmental stages will go into markets in places where the brand is yet to have a presence. There has always been a thought process to ensure the brand’s growth was geographically centric to its location. Schweikert said they had to fill in up and down the East Coast.
However, since there is a high demand for early childhood education, Lightbridge is endeavoring to provide it in places that need its services. According to Schweikert, the demand is driven by a higher emphasis on education for young children.
There has always been a demand for younger children’s education, but women have worked harder than ever. They have had to provide the care a grandparent, friend, or someone related would have, in the past, provided for a child. However, with a better understanding of early childhood education, the system realizes that the child’s brain is ever fertile. More so, children from ages zero to five are at the most incredible time for setting a systematic learning pathway.
The Expansion Results
Lightbridge’s decision has led the brand to expand into new markets, such as Orlando. Beyond that, it has also pushed west into states like Colorado, Ohio, and Texas. In addition, Schweikert expressed an especially high need for childhood education in the Sunshine State.
According to Schweikert, Florida is terrific for the brand, being one of the top ten places with the highest demand for accessible quality childhood education. Additionally, Varma agreed, stating that families are moving to the whole area without enough childcare providers. Hence, they came up with the vision to continue focusing on service and caring for families.
Conclusion
Lightbridge Academy accepts children between six weeks and six years old, with cams available for children up to twelve years. Varma and his business partners plan to open the first childcare unit with Lightbridge Academy in December. A harmonious alignment of Varma’s vision with the franchise standards, coupled with strategic considerations for expansion, will establish a robust and mutually beneficial partnership.
