With record-breaking franchisee success and a demographic perfectly aligned with its mission, Children’s Lighthouse is targeting Austin, Texas, as a key market for expansion. The early learning school franchise, which already has four successful schools in the area and has nearly sold out in nearby markets like Houston, sees room for at least six more centers in Austin.
“There is some major growth in that market — there are a lot of tech companies that moved there and the city is still growing,” said Matt Kelton, Vice President of Development. “Kyle, Texas, set our record for the fastest growing location in terms of grand opening. It really meets our demographic of upscale families looking for our services. It’s a highly educated market and they are looking for premier education — they want the best for their kids and they have the money to do that. Dual-income families, highly skilled and educated, looking for what we offer.”
Austin’s booming economy, driven in large part by an influx of tech companies and remote-working professionals, has brought in thousands of young, educated families. With both parents often working full time, the demand for high-quality childcare has soared.
Children’s Lighthouse is uniquely positioned to meet that demand with its values-based Lighthouse Pathways® curriculum and high-end educational experience. Franchisees benefit from the opportunity to enter a growing, yet still underpenetrated market with strong income levels and a population that prioritizes early childhood education.
One of the most compelling reasons to expand in Austin? The success stories of franchisees like Bradley Fink, who opened his Children’s Lighthouse location in Kyle — just south of Austin — in April 2024. In less than a year, Fink’s school became the fastest-growing in the franchise’s history.
“I come from a consulting background,” Fink said. “I’ve been consulting on large-scale projects for the last 12 years, which was a great experience for me. But I always wanted to own my own business and explore what entrepreneurship looked like. I considered a range of options — from franchising to non-franchising — across different industries.”
A friend introduced him to the childcare industry, and after extensive research and discovery calls with various brands, Children’s Lighthouse emerged as the clear choice.
“What really drove my decision was Children’s Lighthouse’s Texas-based, family-oriented structure,” Fink said. “They’re big enough to have national recognition and great people on staff with excellent curriculums, but they’re not so big that you feel like just another number. The trust they built with me during the due diligence process was key.”
His instincts paid off. “Within five weeks of opening, we had the highest and strongest growth rate in Children’s Lighthouse history,” Fink said. “We enrolled over 100 kids within our first four weeks. For me, it’s exciting to enter a relatively fresh market where I can help establish the reputation of Children’s Lighthouse in this area. I don’t have to worry about the reputation built by other owners or schools — I get to set the premier brand expectation here. Building that local trust in the brand at a community level was really important to me as well.”
Fink’s long-term goals are equally ambitious. “From a metrics standpoint, I aim to be a top 10 school in terms of revenue across the brand,” he said. “I’m incredibly excited that we’re already achieving that within our first year.”
Fink’s story exemplifies the entrepreneurial freedom and mission-driven impact that Children’s Lighthouse provides. “I’ve always loved kids, and I feel education is incredibly important,” he said. “Opening a childcare business was a great way to provide a community benefit while also achieving my goal of owning a business — essentially hitting the best of both worlds.”
Franchisees also value the extensive support the brand provides, from pre-opening training to ongoing curriculum and operations assistance. Fink admits he initially had concerns about royalty fees but quickly realized the return on investment.
“For example, with Children’s Lighthouse, the value I get from the brand is incredible — whether it’s the curriculum, marketing support, operational support, or all the tools and processes they provide,” he said. “For me, the royalty fee is worth it, hands down.”
Fink’s success has inspired him to give back, mentoring prospective and new franchisees who are entering the system.
“I’ve built strong relationships with franchisees who are behind me in the process,” he said. “I try to be a mentor to them, offering the same support I received during my opening process.”
With four thriving locations and at least six more territories available in booming areas like Georgetown and Leander, Children’s Lighthouse is bullish on Austin’s potential. The brand is actively seeking franchisees who want to combine purpose and profit in one of the nation’s fastest-growing cities.
“Austin is the kind of market where you can really build a flagship location and long-term wealth,” said Kelton. “It’s a smart play for franchisees who want to get in early and grow with a community that values education and family.”
For entrepreneurs who want to make a difference, build a legacy and tap into a market bursting with potential, Austin offers the perfect foundation — and Children’s Lighthouse is ready to help them build.
To learn more about franchise opportunities in Austin, visit: https://1851franchise.com/childrens-lighthouse/info.
Children's Lighthouse
SPONSORED
Austin’s strong economy fuels demand for quality childcare, making it ideal for Children’s Lighthouse, as shown by the record-setting success of its Kyle, Texas, location.
With record-breaking franchisee success and a demographic perfectly aligned with its mission, Children’s Lighthouse is targeting Austin, Texas, as a key market for expansion. The early learning school franchise, which already has four successful schools in the area and has nearly sold out in nearby markets like Houston, sees room for at least six more centers in Austin.
“There is some major growth in that market — there are a lot of tech companies that moved there and the city is still growing,” said Matt Kelton, Vice President of Development. “Kyle, Texas, set our record for the fastest growing location in terms of grand opening. It really meets our demographic of upscale families looking for our services. It’s a highly educated market and they are looking for premier education — they want the best for their kids and they have the money to do that. Dual-income families, highly skilled and educated, looking for what we offer.”
Austin’s booming economy, driven in large part by an influx of tech companies and remote-working professionals, has brought in thousands of young, educated families. With both parents often working full time, the demand for high-quality childcare has soared.
Children’s Lighthouse is uniquely positioned to meet that demand with its values-based Lighthouse Pathways® curriculum and high-end educational experience. Franchisees benefit from the opportunity to enter a growing, yet still underpenetrated market with strong income levels and a population that prioritizes early childhood education.
One of the most compelling reasons to expand in Austin? The success stories of franchisees like Bradley Fink, who opened his Children’s Lighthouse location in Kyle — just south of Austin — in April 2024. In less than a year, Fink’s school became the fastest-growing in the franchise’s history.
“I come from a consulting background,” Fink said. “I’ve been consulting on large-scale projects for the last 12 years, which was a great experience for me. But I always wanted to own my own business and explore what entrepreneurship looked like. I considered a range of options — from franchising to non-franchising — across different industries.”
A friend introduced him to the childcare industry, and after extensive research and discovery calls with various brands, Children’s Lighthouse emerged as the clear choice.
“What really drove my decision was Children’s Lighthouse’s Texas-based, family-oriented structure,” Fink said. “They’re big enough to have national recognition and great people on staff with excellent curriculums, but they’re not so big that you feel like just another number. The trust they built with me during the due diligence process was key.”
His instincts paid off. “Within five weeks of opening, we had the highest and strongest growth rate in Children’s Lighthouse history,” Fink said. “We enrolled over 100 kids within our first four weeks. For me, it’s exciting to enter a relatively fresh market where I can help establish the reputation of Children’s Lighthouse in this area. I don’t have to worry about the reputation built by other owners or schools — I get to set the premier brand expectation here. Building that local trust in the brand at a community level was really important to me as well.”
Fink’s long-term goals are equally ambitious. “From a metrics standpoint, I aim to be a top 10 school in terms of revenue across the brand,” he said. “I’m incredibly excited that we’re already achieving that within our first year.”
Fink’s story exemplifies the entrepreneurial freedom and mission-driven impact that Children’s Lighthouse provides. “I’ve always loved kids, and I feel education is incredibly important,” he said. “Opening a childcare business was a great way to provide a community benefit while also achieving my goal of owning a business — essentially hitting the best of both worlds.”
Franchisees also value the extensive support the brand provides, from pre-opening training to ongoing curriculum and operations assistance. Fink admits he initially had concerns about royalty fees but quickly realized the return on investment.
“For example, with Children’s Lighthouse, the value I get from the brand is incredible — whether it’s the curriculum, marketing support, operational support, or all the tools and processes they provide,” he said. “For me, the royalty fee is worth it, hands down.”
Fink’s success has inspired him to give back, mentoring prospective and new franchisees who are entering the system.
“I’ve built strong relationships with franchisees who are behind me in the process,” he said. “I try to be a mentor to them, offering the same support I received during my opening process.”
With four thriving locations and at least six more territories available in booming areas like Georgetown and Leander, Children’s Lighthouse is bullish on Austin’s potential. The brand is actively seeking franchisees who want to combine purpose and profit in one of the nation’s fastest-growing cities.
“Austin is the kind of market where you can really build a flagship location and long-term wealth,” said Kelton. “It’s a smart play for franchisees who want to get in early and grow with a community that values education and family.”
For entrepreneurs who want to make a difference, build a legacy and tap into a market bursting with potential, Austin offers the perfect foundation — and Children’s Lighthouse is ready to help them build.
To learn more about franchise opportunities in Austin, visit: https://1851franchise.com/childrens-lighthouse/info.
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