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<a href="https://lightbridgeacademyfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=lightbridge-academy-closes-out-2021-with-record-breaking-center-openings-plans-to-hit-75-units-open-mark-in-2022-2718461" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Lightbridge Academy</a>, one of the nation’s leading providers of early education and child care, experienced impressive growth, opening nine new locations in 2021, completing&nbsp;10 signings, and plans to leverage that momentum to open 11 new locations before the end of 2022. To help meet this goal in the new year,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-dirugeris-cfe-6226151a/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=lightbridge-academy-closes-out-2021-with-record-breaking-center-openings-plans-to-hit-75-units-open-mark-in-2022-2718461" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Jim DiRugeris joined the Lightbridge Academy leadership team late in 2021 as</a> senior vice president of franchise sales.&nbsp;“Over the years the concentration has been on building out concentrically from New Jersey, to Pennsylvania and New York, and really becoming operationally strong,” said DiRugeris. “We wanted to build close to home, build out the infrastructure and make sure that we could deliver our Gold Standard in health and safety known as&nbsp;<a href="http://lightbridgeacademy.com/promise?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=lightbridge-academy-closes-out-2021-with-record-breaking-center-openings-plans-to-hit-75-units-open-mark-in-2022-2718461" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">The Lightbridge Promise®&nbsp;</a>before expanding further from the home base. Now we’re more than ready for that expansion, and so are our franchisees.”According to DiRugeris, Lightbridge Academy is targeting growth in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas and Florida. He also noted that the brand, in addition to crossing the 75-unit mark in 2022, also has plans to award at least 12 unique licenses.&nbsp;With more than 120 centers open, under construction or in development in markets across the U.S, the brand blazed a path of expansion in 2021. Additionally, the franchise recently announced plans to expand its system to more than 150 centers by 2026.&nbsp;“Since the beginning of the pandemic, it has been challenging for working parents to be able to get their jobs done while also caring for their children during the day,” said Gigi Schweikert, CEO of Lightbridge Academy. “We are so honored to be The Solution for Working Parents®, gaining the trust of families in all the communities we are serving. We are looking forward to continuing to open in new markets across the U.S. throughout 2022.”The fuel for this accelerated growth plan was an infusion of capital in early 2021 from investment partners&nbsp;<a href="https://www.westerlygroup.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=lightbridge-academy-closes-out-2021-with-record-breaking-center-openings-plans-to-hit-75-units-open-mark-in-2022-2718461" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Westerly Group</a> (Westerly) &amp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.elmsleycapital.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=lightbridge-academy-closes-out-2021-with-record-breaking-center-openings-plans-to-hit-75-units-open-mark-in-2022-2718461" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Elmsley Capital</a> (Elmsley). Unlike traditional private equity investors, who invest from funds with limited holding periods, Westerly &amp; Elmsley invest on behalf of a small handful of families without a requirement to sell.&nbsp;This permanent capital makes Westerly &amp; Elmsley the ideal partners for Lightbridge Academy, whose core commitment to providing a high quality of care and early education in a safe and trusted environment has played a critical role in the lives of thousands of families for nearly 25 years. This shift combined Lightbridge Franchise Company with Jule Holdings, the owner of the corporately operated child care centers, under a new company — Lightbridge Holdings Group.In addition to growing its number of units, Lightbridge Academy has continued to invest in franchisee support. In 2021, it launched Lightbridge Journey®, a new center management software that&nbsp;provides a 360-degree, centralized system for franchisees, providing increased operational efficiency, reduced operational costs and ultimately improving communication between staff and parents.&nbsp;During the initial rollout of the Lightbridge Journey app,&nbsp;the platform proved its value, saving 28 centers approximately 336 hours of time over nine months, providing them almost an entire day per week to spend on relationship-building with center families.DiRugeris reflected on what it means for the brand to be growing at such a phenomenal rate and on the quality that Lightbridge Academy continues to add to families’ daily lives.&nbsp;“We are not selling licenses; we are awarding franchises — and there's a huge difference,” said DiRugeris. “For me, it's about building relationships and bringing like-minded individuals into the system who are going to share our core values, support the other franchisees and execute on the Circle of Care to show our care for children, parents, team members, franchise owners and the communities in which we’re located. There is no greater compliment than to have your existing franchisees seeking to grow with you and open more locations. It is foundational to a strong brand, and we are grateful for the opportunity to grow this amazing brand with them.”&nbsp;Learn more about franchise opportunities at&nbsp;<a href="https://lightbridgeacademyfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=lightbridge-academy-closes-out-2021-with-record-breaking-center-openings-plans-to-hit-75-units-open-mark-in-2022-2718461" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://lightbridgeacademyfranchise.com/</a>.About Lightbridge Academy:&nbsp;Established in 1997, the company was founded as a family business based on core values and a Circle of Care philosophy that places equal importance on the needs of children, their families, teachers, center owners and the community. Lightbridge Academy provides quality early education and child care programs to children aged six weeks through kindergarten. The company currently has over 120 child care centers either open or in development throughout Florida, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Virginia. In response to COVID-19, Lightbridge Academy launched The Lightbridge Promise as the Gold Standard for health &amp; safety in the child care industry. In 2022, Lightbridge Academy was featured on Entrepreneur Magazine's Franchise 500 following ranking the previous year. In 2020, the company was featured on the Inc. 5000 ranking, Franchise Times Top 200+ awards, and on Newsweek’s 2021 list of America’s Best Customer Service.

Lightbridge Academy® Closes Out 2021 with Record-Breaking Center Openings; Plans to Hit 75-Units Open Mark in 2022

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The rapidly growing early education and child care franchise plans to open11 new locations in 2022 with a goal to open 150 by 2026, and Jim DiRugeris, SVP of franchise sales, recently joined the brand to help meet these goals. 

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KKR to Acquire Nothing Bundt Cakes in $2 Billion Deal

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How much can franchisees make? It’s a question many prospective owners ask before investing in a franchise. While earnings tend to be driven by variables such as industry, location and general management skills, a proper understanding of the key factors driving profitability can help franchise owners develop expectations that are realistic.&nbsp;Multi-unit franchisee&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mangesh-patel-9368569/">Mangesh Patel</a>, who’s readying the launch of six&nbsp;<a href="https://www.beefobradysfranchise.com/">Beef ‘O’ Brady’s</a> restaurant locations in the Macon, Georgia area, shares insights from his franchising experience.<h2>Understanding Franchise Income</h2>Keeping operational costs in check can have a major impact on overall earnings. Taking a proactive approach to expenses such as food and labor, as well as payroll and scheduling, can help align actual franchise income with general expectations for the business.“I just had a meeting with a couple of people, and they said, ‘You talked about a 25% profit margin, but I’m only doing 12%.’ So, I looked at the figures they sent me,” Patel said. “Their&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/calculate-restaurant-franchise-profit-2730476">restaurant</a> food cost was running at 37%, which should be around 30%. The national average is about 32%. If I do things correctly, my average food cost needs to be at or below 30%. And payroll should run around 18%. But many people run 25 to 28%.”So,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/unraveling-franchise-earnings-how-much-can-you-really-make-2723935">how much can franchisees make</a>? Here are five areas to consider.<h2>Practical Tips for Prospective Franchisees</h2><ol><li>Control Costs From Day One:&nbsp;It’s important to monitor payroll, food and supply costs closely. Overstaffing and inefficiencies can quickly reduce profits.</li><li>Plan For The Opening Surge:&nbsp;Traffic within the first few months of opening is likely to be higher. It’s important to adjust staffing and inventory accordingly, and pay close attention to how those levels change as time goes on.</li><li>Invest In Training:&nbsp;Properly trained workers can help reduce waste and improve overall service, which has a direct effect on net income.</li><li>Understand Your Market:&nbsp;Each market is unique and revenue potential will vary depending upon location, demographics and competition.</li><li>Track Metrics Regularly:&nbsp;Food cost percentages, labor ratios and weekly sales data act as key indicators operations may need to be adjusted.</li></ol><h2>What Profitability Really Comes Down To</h2>Patel notes that if franchise owners manage labor and costs properly, it’s not impossible to achieve strong cash flow even in the first year, bucking some franchising trends.So,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/how-much-can-you-make-as-a-franchise-owner-2724761">how much can franchisees make</a>? While results tend to vary, careful planning, disciplined operations and a proactive approach to assessing initial costs are essential. But by grasping and guiding the elements that drive franchise profitability, franchise owners can maximize overall business earnings, scaling a business that’s sustainable financially over the long term.Want to learn more about franchise opportunities on 1851 Franchise? Be sure to visit our&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/power-rankings">Power Rankings</a> to read more on brands making moves.

How much can franchisees make? This guide explains what drives franchise earnings and how to manage costs, with expert tips from multi-unit owner Mangesh Patel on maximizing your franchise income.

How Much Can Franchisees Make? A Guide for Prospective Franchise Owners

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Franchising has long proven an attractive prospect for independent-minded entrepreneurs seeking ownership. Delivering a proven system – one properly-marketed and tweaked over time – has long been one of the single most powerful franchising hallmarks. But diving into the deep end before learning to swim is risky.&nbsp;Choosing the right option takes preparation and work. So, what is the best franchise to buy for beginners?“There's so much to consider,” says franchise attorney&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mario-l-herman-b9258112a/">Mario Herman</a>. “A big part of my practice is reviewing FDDs and franchise agreements for prospective franchisees. I look for 50 separate things, including inconsistencies between disclosure documents and franchise agreements. And there's a lot of work involved. So, I’d say hire competent counsel with franchise experience.”<h2>Due Diligence</h2>For over three decades as a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.franchise-law.com/mario-l-herman-esq.shtml#">franchise attorney</a>, Mario Herman has represented clients from more than 150 franchise systems, further testifying as an expert witness, and stresses the importance of the due diligence process when pondering the question of what’s the best franchise to buy into for beginners.Before diving in, there’s a number of questions to ponder. What kind of capital, or access to it, do you realistically have? Perhaps a low initial investment is crucial. How involved do you want to be in the daily operation of the franchise – hands-on or semi-absentee? Do you want to build an office or retail setting? Maybe a remote opportunity is best.&nbsp;Performing strong due diligence can go a long way toward ensuring prospective franchisees select the right opportunity.&nbsp;“Yeah, I mean, that's franchising for beginners. There have been books, podcasts and all kinds of stuff written about that,” Herman said. “From issues involving future royalties to the liquidity and capitalization of the franchise – how long they've been in business and how many franchises in the past have terminated or gone out of business. When doing due diligence, contact those who are still in the system and those who are no longer part of it. There are multiple parties, and due diligence with all of them is important. The process typically takes three to six months or more for bigger deals.”<h2>Where To Look</h2>So what is the best franchise to buy for beginners? It’s a big question. Luckily, there’s answers.<h3>Health &amp; Wellness</h3>If it’s the idea of aligned values that makes franchising an attractive opportunity, there are opportunities in the health and wellness sector that play out in a number of settings, ranging from traditional brick and mortar to remote or mobile opportunities, allowing the potential franchisee to deliver a valuable service at the local level. Recovery studios offer the idea of escape in a private, stress-free setting while fitness franchises continue to grow following the pandemic.<a href="https://1851franchise.com/top-10-gym-and-fitness-franchises-the-best-investment-opportunities-for-2025-2729614#stories">Pure Fitness</a> offers a high-value, low-price model in a 24/7 setting which helps build a diverse clientele while delivering health benefits within the community.<h3>Home &amp; Maintenance Services</h3>Touting a recession-resistant nature, home and maintenance services continue to flourish due to aging infrastructure and technological advancements that can protect valuable home investments.With a lower overhead and a more flexible, scalable business model, home and maintenance service franchises offer potential franchise owners a greater work-life balance, boasting home-based options. And unlike other industries,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/the-top-10-home-service-franchises-to-consider-2727601#stories">home services</a> draw consistent demand, allowing for stability while reducing startup costs.&nbsp;The unique combination of stability, lower investment risk and the ability to scale fast can offer a more accessible path to franchise ownership. Access Garage Doors maintains a specialized model, focusing on the installation and repair of garage doors with a low initial investment of about $50,000.<h3>Sustainable, Eco-Friendly</h3>Aligned values have driven many a beginner toward the idea of sustainable, eco-friendly franchise options.In the cleaning sphere, residential and commercial cleaning/janitorial services offer largely remote-based opportunities with lower overhead that provide a valuable, largely recurring revenue stream that’s safe and dependable.Solar energy franchises often require an initial investment starting under six figures, a drastic departure from the nationally-marketed brands that tend to define the idea of franchising for the beginner. Focused on the installation of solar panels for homes and businesses, this rapidly growing realm helps reduce reliance on fossil fuels, encouraging sustainability.<a href="https://1851franchise.com/ecomaids">Ecomaids</a> features professional, non-toxic and eco-friendly home and commercial cleaning services in a primarily mobile setting which lowers overall costs.<h3>Tech-Driven Food &amp; Retail</h3>The quick onset of tech like AI, robotics and automation has begun to upend the restaurant industry experience, increasing efficiency while delivering crucial data to the astute franchise owner – as well as franchisees looking to assess the best franchises to buy in 2026.Some restaurants have experimented with concepts like AI drive-thrus while other franchised chains, especially in the pizza sector, have toyed with the concept of fully automated kitchens, lowering overhead while addressing the tricky idea of staff retention.Domino’s Pizza has utilized robotics to drive consistent production of pizza while enlisting automation as a significant part of the delivery process. Elsewhere, Donato’s has experimented with fully automated kitchens.&nbsp;POS systems simplify while delivering data and in the retail setting while AI can assist with real time inventory and supply chain management, improving logistics while reining in costs.<a href="https://1851franchise.com/batteries-plus-bulbs-community-driven-approach-and-proprietary-products-continue-to-bring-in-returning-customers-2712298">Batteries Plus</a> uses tech to manage an extensive product selection while many chains use it to encourage ideas like ordering online or curbside delivery.<h2>The Takeaway</h2>So, what is the best franchise to buy for beginners? The answer to that question requires a proactive look within, honestly assessing ideas like available funds, desired work-life balance, and preferred location.&nbsp;Proper due diligence can help the prospective franchisee accurately assess opportunities in franchising realms ranging anywhere from health and wellness to eco-friendly cleaning or even the restaurant industry.But as the old adage goes, buyer beware. Teaming with qualified counsel to take a deep dive into any opportunity can go a long way toward properly assessing the best franchises to buy in 2026.“There’s an old saying in franchising: ‘If you can fog a mirror, you can buy a franchise,’” Herman said. “Many people think buying a franchise is like a cookie-cutter system where everything will be done for them – including marketing, basic P&amp;L skills and operations. But you have to maintain costs, labor and compliance with rules and regulations. You really have to be careful.”Want to learn more about how 1851 helps franchisees find the right franchise opportunity? Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.1851growthclub.com">www.1851growthclub.com</a> and start your journey.

What is the best franchise to buy for beginners?

What is the best franchise to buy for beginners? Franchise attorney Mario Herman shares expert tips on due diligence, top sectors and avoiding common mistakes.

Lightbridge Academy® Closes Out 2021 with Record-Breaking Center Openings; Plans to Hit 75-Units Open Mark in 2022

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