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The best part of achieving your goals is the ability to set another, higher goal. Early education and child care franchise <a href="http://lightbridgeacademyfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=lightbridge-foundation-awards-68000-in-20th-anniversary-year-2709078" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Lightbridge Academy</a> can attest to this on multiple fronts thanks to a wildly successful year celebrating two decades in business. Giving back has been a part of the brand&rsquo;s DNA from the beginning; founder and CEO Guy Falzarano created the <a href="https://lightbridgeacademy.com/foundation?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=lightbridge-foundation-awards-68000-in-20th-anniversary-year-2709078" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Lightbridge Foundation</a> as an extension of the brand&rsquo;s Circle of Care philosophy in 2001, just three years after its first center opened.

To date, the Lightbridge Foundation has given away nearly $450,000 to those in need -- including a whopping $68,000 awarded in grants and support this year.

Dina Duffy, the foundation&rsquo;s executive director, explained her team&rsquo;s original goal was to grant 20 wishes with $20,000 in celebration of <a href="https://1851franchise.com/lightbridgeacademy" target="_blank">Lightbridge Academy&rsquo;s</a> 20th anniversary. The Lightbridge Foundation raised funds through a variety of activities and events, including its inaugural Field Day, an event full of fun games and friendly competition challenges--including a baby race-- that Duffy said had &ldquo;phenomenal&rdquo; participation from kids, their families and Lightbridge staff across all of its locations.

Field Day and several other events helped the foundation raise nearly $40,000 over the year, which when coupled with funds reserved from prior years, allowed for a record $68,000 in donations being awarded by the Lightbridge Foundation. For Duffy, being able to support the greater community in such a substantial way holds great personal meaning.

&ldquo;I lost my son two years ago, and if it wasn&rsquo;t for my Lightbridge family, I don&rsquo;t know what I would have done,&rdquo; Duffy said. &ldquo;When you go through something like that, you want to reach out to others to help them with what they&rsquo;re going through.&rdquo;

The Lightbridge Foundation prides itself on supporting anyone who falls within the company&#39;s Circle of Care philosophy: children, families, staff, franchisees and the greater community regardless of their affiliation with Lightbridge. Duffy detailed the variety of community members the foundation granted wishes to over the course of the year, from a staff member who needed medical equipment in order to come home from the hospital, to children diagnosed with cancer in need of expensive support, to a community member with nine children who lost everything in a fire.

&ldquo;We work very hard to find some way to help,&rdquo; Duffy said. &nbsp;&ldquo;Whether it is through active participation in community events, volunteering or providing financial support, there&rsquo;s heart involved. For us, it&rsquo;s all about demonstrating that we care deeply for those families in need and are here to support them through their journey.&rdquo;

One beneficiary of the Lightbridge Foundation was Lisa Hayward, a longtime Lightbridge Academy staff member who began her career while still in college as a teacher&rsquo;s assistant located in Rutherford, New Jersey. Hayward eventually received a full-time teaching position at another Lightbridge center in nearby Clifton where she has worked ever since. When Hayward&rsquo;s triplet daughters were born prematurely, the foundation stepped in to help.

&ldquo;When my daughters were born at 29 weeks, we didn&rsquo;t know what to expect,&rdquo; Hayward said. &ldquo;Lola and Delilah spent 66 days in the NICU, while Stella spent 113 days there. I was on a lengthy maternity leave, some of which was unpaid. The Lightbridge Foundation&rsquo;s grant helped us pay for expenses for travel to NYC to see our girls daily, as well as help us make ends meet before I could go back to work.&rdquo;

For Hayward, Lightbridge&rsquo;s impact on her family goes far beyond the tangible support they received during an extremely difficult time.

&ldquo;The family at Lightbridge has been part of our lives for a long time,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;Not having to stress about financial issues, being able to focus on our girls getting stronger and enjoying our time together. I was completely taken aback and didn&rsquo;t expect such generosity.

Now happy and healthy, Hayward&rsquo;s daughters are enrolled in Lightbridge Academy. &ldquo;The staff is extremely supportive of us as parents and our girls, and we know that their time there will be well spent,&rdquo; she said.

After an incredible year of giving, Duffy is already motivated and ready to kick into high gear for next year&rsquo;s efforts to support deserving individuals within the Circle of Care like Hayward and her family.

&ldquo;There is never a lack of families needing support,&rdquo; Duffy said. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s my job as executive director to raise the funds and resources to help the foundation meet that demand. We are reaching out to larger companies and conducting bigger fundraising events than just inside our centers. I know the difference we make and am passionate about continuing to build&nbsp;the Lightbridge Foundation in order to support the families in the communities we serve.&rdquo;

<div>&nbsp;</div>

Lightbridge Foundation Awards $68,000 in 20th Anniversary Year

1851 Franchise

Lightbridge Academy’s philanthropic arm was seeking to award $20,000 to grant 20 wishes to celebrate its anniversary. To say the team exceeded its goal is an understatement.


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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.

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Building&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/how-do-you-build-a-franchise-business-plan-2717037">a business plan</a> is a crucial operational step for any entrepreneur. But how do I build a business plan for a franchise that complements the franchisor’s system while addressing the unique needs of a given location? In this guide with expert tips, you’ll learn how to craft a thoughtful, actionable franchise business plan.<h2>Start With The Franchisor’s System In Mind</h2>So, how do I build a business plan for a franchise? Well, avoiding repetition is a good start.“You specifically don’t want to duplicate what your franchisor is doing,” said long-time multi-unit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.solafranchising.com/">Sola Salons</a> franchise owner,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/haynes-chidsey-6a36a06/">Haynes Chidsey</a>. “There’s a reason why you join a franchise system and why you pay the fees and costs associated with it.”A strong franchise business plan should take advantage of the resources, marketing and operational systems that the franchisor provides (while utilizing daily experiences at the local level to help fine-tune what matters locally).<h2>Focus On Local Priorities</h2>A franchise business plan should be&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/strategicfranchising/how-to-build-a-strong-franchise-brand-presence-in-your-local-community-2729771">locally focused</a>. It should reflect the unique characteristics and needs of each local market. It’s essential to identify opportunities to attract local customers, build relationships within the community at the local level and tailor services to the regional preferences required by each market.“Be complementary to what your system provides,” said Chidsey. “Stay locally focused. That’s what I would say is key. Avoid mistakes by focusing on the magic.”<h2>Practical Steps For Building Your Plan</h2><ol><li>Assess Both Market And Competition – Build a thorough understanding of local demand, competitors and potential customer base. This will lead to more informed projections. &nbsp;</li><li>Define Financial Goals – Include startup costs, ongoing fees and revenue expectations in the business plan. Staffing, rent, marketing and working capital should all be factored in. &nbsp;</li><li>Leverage Franchisor Resources – Incorporate the systems, training and support offered by the franchisor (instead of reinventing processes). &nbsp;</li><li>Set Operational Priorities – Decide which areas require hands-on local management (as opposed to areas guided by the franchisor). Focus energy where it’s most impactful. &nbsp;</li><li>Review And Adjust – A business plan shouldn’t be static. So, track performance, adjust strategies and refine priorities as the franchised business scales.</li></ol><h2>The Takeaway</h2><a href="https://1851franchise.com/chapter-3-developing-a-franchise-business-plan-2722586">Creating a franchise business plan</a> is about balance. With a clear plan that integrates franchisor resources and local insight, franchisees can confidently move forward, knowing their businesses are structured to thrive. Leveraging a proven franchisor system to make smart, locally relevant decisions is key. By slowing down to go fast, and catering to the local trends or demands unique to each market, zees can more effectively build a roadmap and franchise business plan capable of delivering long-term success.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 do I build a business plan for a franchise?

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Lightbridge Foundation Awards $68,000 in 20th Anniversary Year

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