Established
1994
Franchise Units
39
Minimum Investment
$922,500
Franchise Fee
$75,000
Total Investment Range
$3,323,500
Home Based
No
Description
Imagine owning a franchise where every day you help shape futures, invest in your community, and run a business with proven stability. That’s what a Celebree School franchise offers. As a leader in early childhood education in the U.S., Celebree provides high-quality infant, toddler, preschool, before/after care, and summer camp programs. Its reputation rests on a foundation of nurturing learning environments, strong academic outcomes, and deep community connections. Positioned in a market with consistent demand—because families will always seek excellent care and education for their children—Celebree stands apart by combining a well-honed curriculum, rigorous operational standards, generous support systems, and meaningful brand values (“Grow People Big and Small™”). Investing in Celebree is more than financial: it’s deeply personal, allowing franchisees to make a measurable impact on children’s lives, while building a scalable, respected, and profitable business in the expanding early learning sector.
Why Own a Celebree School?
Founded in 1994, Celebree School is a recognized leader in early childhood education, offering infant and toddler care, preschool, before and after school care, and summer camp programs. Today, the brand cares for more than 3,000 children and has over 70 schools open or under development.
Built around the philosophy to Protect, Educate, and Nurture®, Celebree School believes success in early childhood development comes from the right balance of curriculum and meaningful connection. Each school employs top talent and follows a customized program designed to meet the physical, social, emotional, and academic needs of children while adhering to applicable state guidelines.
The franchise opportunity was launched in 2019 as part of the company’s commitment to Grow People Big and Small®. With a Celebree School franchise, entrepreneurs can invest in their financial future while making a positive impact in their communities, supported by an established business model and trusted brand.
Background
Established: 1994
First Unit Franchised: 2019
Franchised Units: 39 open and operating, 100+ under development
Company-Owned Units: 28
States Registered In: Alabama (AL), Arizona (AZ), Arkansas (AR), Connecticut (CT), Delaware (DE), Florida (FL), Georgia (GA), Illinois (IL), Indiana (IN), Iowa (IA), Kentucky (KY), Louisiana (LA), Maine (ME), Massachusetts (MA), Michigan (MI), Missouri (MO), Nevada (NV), New Hampshire (NH), New Jersey (NJ), New York (NY), North Carolina (NC), Ohio (OH), Oklahoma (OK), Oregon (OR), Pennsylvania (PA), Rhode Island (RI), South Carolina (SC), Tennessee (TN), Texas (TX), Vermont (VT), Virginia (VA), West Virginia (WV), Wisconsin (WI)
Canada Franchises: No
International Franchises: No
Support Training
Financial Assistance Provided: Yes
Site Selection Assistance: Yes
Lease Negotiation Assistance: Yes
Recruiting Assistance: Yes
Cooperative Advertising: Yes
Training: 101 hours of pre-opening training (22 hours online, 39 in person at our home office, 40 hours in a school)
Ideal Candidate
Celebree is looking for leaders, not necessarily educators. You do not need a background in teaching to be successful here.
Professional Background: Successful franchisees often come from corporate leadership, project management, or operations. The ability to manage a team of 25–30 employees is critical.
The "Heart" Factor: While this is a business, it involves children. An ideal candidate is someone who is community-minded and passionate about making a positive impact on families.
Investor Type: Celebree attracts both single-unit "owner-operators" and sophisticated multi-unit developers looking to diversify their portfolios with high-performing real estate assets.
Financial Capability: Candidates should have a minimum liquid capital of $250,000 and a net worth of $750,000 to $1,000,000.
Location Preference: Suburban or urban-fringe areas with a high density of dual-income families and a shortage of high-quality preschool options.
Financial Detail
Cash Investment: $200,000 - $350,000
Net Worth Requirement: $750,000 minimum, $1M preferred
Total Initial Investment: $922,500 - $3,323,500
Minimum Net Worth: $750,000
Initial Franchise Fee: $75,000 at signing
Site Selection Fee: $30,000 at signing
Training Fee: $30,000 at training
Royalty: 7% of gross revenue
Ad: 2%
Item 19: Yes
Average Number of Employees: 25
Visa Candidates: No
Passive Ownership: No. Owners gain schedule flexibility around 6 months after opening and meeting milestones.
Home-Based: No
B2B: No
Master Franchise Opportunities: No
Veteran Discount: Yes