Established
2018
Franchise Units
20
Minimum Investment
$450,000
Franchise Fee
$50,000
Total Investment Range
$650,000
Home Based
No
Description
Little Kitchen Academy is redefining the way children learn, grow, and build life skills through hands-on culinary education. Positioned at the intersection of food education, experiential learning, and child enrichment, this franchise has quickly established itself as one of the most innovative concepts in the youth education market. Families today are seeking meaningful, screen-free activities, and Little Kitchen Academy delivers exactly that: a safe, inspiring, and empowering environment where children learn practical cooking skills, develop confidence, and cultivate independence.
Built around a proprietary Montessori-inspired approach, Little Kitchen Academy offers students ages 3–18 the chance to explore real cooking techniques, work with fresh ingredients, understand sustainability, and experience the pride of creating something from scratch. As a franchise, it stands out for its premium brand positioning, strong mission-driven culture, and rapidly expanding footprint across North America. For investors looking to enter a high-growth, purpose-driven industry, Little Kitchen Academy represents a rare opportunity to combine passion, profitability, and long-term scalability.
Why Invest in This Franchise?
Investing in Little Kitchen Academy means aligning with one of the fastest-growing segments in the education and enrichment sector: experiential learning for children. Parents are increasingly prioritizing real-world skills, social development, and creative learning opportunities for their children. The brand’s unique “Joy of Learning” philosophy, combined with a structured curriculum and a polished studio environment, creates a product that parents love and students return to regularly.
Key investment advantages include:
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High demand & recession-resistant category – Parents consistently invest in enrichment programs regardless of economic cycles.
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Proven Montessori-inspired curriculum backed by strong operational systems.
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Premium pricing model that supports healthy unit economics.
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Strong brand partnerships that elevate credibility and marketing impact.
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Recurring revenue streams from memberships, seasonal programs, workshops, and special events.
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Community-driven mission that appeals to conscious consumers and modern parents.
Background
Founded: 2018
Founders: Brian & Felicity Curin
Current Franchise Active Units: 20+ locations across the USA and Canada (continuing to expand rapidly)
Industry Category: Children’s Education, Culinary Enrichment, Youth Development, Experiential Learning
Headquarters: Vancouver, Canada
Little Kitchen Academy emerged from the founders’ desire to blend Montessori principles with practical real-life education. Their goal was to give children a space where they could learn by doing—measuring, chopping, cooking, cleaning, tasting, and understanding the value of nutrition and self-sufficiency.
Since launching, the brand has attracted widespread attention from parents, educators, and the franchising community. Its franchise model is built for scalability: streamlined operations, strategic site selection guidance, and a distinctive studio design that creates a premium and memorable experience.
The brand continues to enter major U.S. markets, with strong demand in cities known for family-focused communities such as Los Angeles, Dallas, Miami, Chicago, Atlanta, Phoenix, and Denver.
Support Training
Little Kitchen Academy offers an exceptionally structured support system designed to prepare franchise owners for long-term success. Franchisees receive guidance at every step—from securing their first location to scaling into multiple units.
Pre-Launch Support
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Real estate selection and demographic analysis
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Studio layout, design guidance, and brand-approved buildout plans
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Vendor sourcing, equipment purchasing, and supply chain setup
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Comprehensive business planning and pre-opening marketing roadmap
Initial Training Program
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Multi-day onboarding at headquarters or a flagship location
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Leadership training focused on operations, curriculum delivery, and safety protocols
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Staff hiring support and role-specific training modules
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Brand standard implementation and customer service protocols
Ongoing Operational Support
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Dedicated franchise performance team
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Technology systems for scheduling, enrollment, payments, and communication
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Access to updated curriculum content and seasonal lesson plans
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Marketing support including digital campaigns, PR, social media templates, and local marketing strategies
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Continuous coaching on retention strategies, event programming, membership management, and community partnerships
Marketing & Growth Support
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National marketing initiatives and strategic brand partnerships
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Grand opening marketing support and launch campaigns
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Localized advertising playbooks
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Ongoing analytics, KPI review, and business optimization assistance
This end-to-end support system ensures franchisees feel confident and equipped from day one.
Ideal Candidate
Little Kitchen Academy is perfectly suited for investors who are passionate about education, children’s development, and creating meaningful impact in their community. You do not need a culinary background—only a passion for empowering the next generation.
Ideal candidates include:
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Entrepreneurs with a passion for youth development or education
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Owners/operators comfortable managing small teams and customer interactions
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Investors seeking a mission-driven, experiential business opportunity
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Parents or community leaders wanting to bring valuable programming to their local area
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Multi-unit owners looking to expand with a scalable, high-demand brand
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Individuals with experience in retail, education, hospitality, fitness, or franchising
Strong organizational skills, community engagement, and the ability to deliver exceptional customer experiences are key to thriving with this brand.
Financial Detail
| Category | Amount (USD) |
|---|---|
| Total Investment Required | $450,000 – $650,000 |
| Minimum Liquid Capital | $150,000 – $200,000 |
| Franchise Fee | $50,000 |
| Studio Buildout & Infrastructure | $200,000 – $350,000 |
| Equipment & Supplies | $40,000 – $60,000 |
| Initial Marketing Budget | $25,000 – $40,000 |
| Leasehold Improvements | $100,000 – $180,000 |
| Technology & Software Setup | $5,000 – $10,000 |
| Initial Inventory | $5,000 – $12,000 |
| Working Capital | $30,000 – $60,000 |
| Royalty Fee | 6% of Gross Revenue |
| Marketing Fund Contribution | 1% – 2% |
| Expected ROI | 24 – 36 months |
| Break-Even Timeline | 12 – 18 months |
| Revenue Streams | Multiple |