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ISELIN, NJ — The year 2020 started strong for <a href="https://1851franchise.com/lightbridgeacademy/info">Lightbridge Academy</a>. In February, the early education and child care brand saw its strongest numbers ever serving 7,000 families across four states.&nbsp;“Our finances were great. Our growth was going very well,” said <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/guy-falzarano-62308713/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=lightbridge-academy-continued-to-shine-bright-in-2020-plans-for-an-even-more-impressive-2021-2715096" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Guy Falzarano</a> Founder and CEO of the New Jersey-based brand. “Basically, we were at the pinnacle, the very top of our game.”Then the pandemic hit, sending shockwaves through the industry. Uncertainty reigned, states forced closures and lockdowns, and parents were forced to juggle at-home remote learning with their careers.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Despite these challenges, in many ways, 2020 turned out to be a banner year for Lightbridge Academy: The 24-year-old brand signed agreements for seven new locations and opened 10 new centers — a record for the company.&nbsp; The new openings have also already shown strong, better-than-anticipated enrollment.&nbsp;&nbsp;In addition to the milestone <a href="https://1851franchise.com/lightbridgeacademy/lightbridge-academy-celebrates-the-opening-of-its-50th-location-in-hampton-township-pennsylvania-2713754">opening of its 50th location in August in Hampton Township</a>, Pennsylvania, a new Lightbridge location <a href="https://1851franchise.com/why-ram-and-joanne-jagadeesan-went-from-lightbridge-academy-customers-to-franchisees-2713269">opened in Westchester, New York in October</a>, and has seen consistent increases in enrollment. By the end of February, Westchester’s owners Ram and Joanne Jagadeesan believe all 11 of the classrooms at the facility will be in use. A franchise husband/wife team also <a href="https://1851franchise.com/lightbridgeacademy/lightbridge-academy-plans-to-open-its-first-locations-in-north-carolina-2706800">opened the brand’s first location in North Carolina</a>, setting records for the highest level of opening enrollment.In the end, Lightbridge finished 2020 strong, with 15 company centers and 38 operating franchises, across five states. “We have placed tremendous focus on helping our franchisees overcome challenging times by hosting systemwide calls, making them aware of available operational and financial resources and with ongoing outreach from dedicated business coaches. The results are evident,” said Falzarano.The 2021 landscape looks even better than ever for the brand. Lightbridge Academy will open new locations on 57th Street in New York City as well as multiple centers in Brooklyn, New York, among others.&nbsp;Falzarano projects the company will be ready for post-pandemic growth as the brand is able to provide services to fill the gaps in the marketplace where other child care providers have been unable to endure the COVID-19 storm.&nbsp;<h4>A Dilemma for Parents and A Challenge for Growth</h4>“Parents were forced to deal with a difficult situation,” Falzarano said. “They needed to earn an income in order to provide for their families but were nervous to go into work. What a terrible dilemma for a young family to face.”In fulfillment of their commitment to be The Solution for Working Parents®, Lightbridge Academy, looked for more ways to create peace of mind. In addition to limiting class sizes, playground disinfection, revised visitation policies, and offering online and pod-based learning programs for school age children, the company spearheaded an initiative to install a best-in-class air purification and filtration system in all child care centers. Together, these protocols and policies in addition to the major system-wide investment set the Gold Standard in health &amp; safety for the child care industry known as The Lightbridge Promise.Falzarano attributes some of that enrollment growth to the brand’s approach to cleanliness and sanitation. “We did a really great job of instituting an elevated health and safety program,” Falzarano said. “Parents have expressed how much they appreciate it.”<h4>An Unprecedented Child Care Investment Landscape in 2021</h4>“Now, as vaccines begin to roll out, parents are returning to normal work schedules, whether that is remotely or in the office, and they are starting to send their children back to school,” Falzarano said. He believes that in the spring, Lightbridge will see a quick escalation in enrollment, and by September, the brand will be back to operating at pre-COVID numbers.“One of the things that has been proven to be true is that child care is an essential service. It is fundamental to a healthy economy,” he said. “Unfortunately, it is estimated that 40 - 50%&nbsp; of the small local providers that make up over 90% of the childcare industry<a href="https://time.com/5886491/covid-childcare-daycare/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=lightbridge-academy-continued-to-shine-bright-in-2020-plans-for-an-even-more-impressive-2021-2715096" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"> are not expected to recover</a>.”“While it’s terrible for the industry, for corporate child care providers and franchisors who are in a strong financial position, it presents an opportunity to fill the void. The economy at large cannot operate without child care providers.”Child care has long been a growing sector because of the increasing demand. Current market conditions support growth for new franchisees wanting to leverage the brand recognition, resources and support that Lightbridge offers.&nbsp;<h4>Lightbridge Academy Remains a Brand That Continues To Live Its Values&nbsp;</h4>And while the numbers paint a picture of a resilient company in the face of a crisis, the company’s core philosophy— to provide a Circle of Care for all family members— held true. The Circle of Care includes parents, staff, the community, and the franchise owners coming together to create a nurturing and supportive learning environment for every child.This philosophy and their core values help to establish very high levels of brand loyalty. Lightbridge uses the Net Promoter Score survey to measure their success. Last year, the company had an overall score of 78, an already high score. This year, they achieved world-class levels at 82, placing Lightbridge in the top 10% of the child care industry. Already in 2021, Lightbridge has been recognized on Newsweek’s 2021 list of America’s Best Customer Service and on Entrepreneur Magazine's Franchise 500.To learn more about franchising with Lightbridge Academy, visit <a href="http://www.lightbridgeacademyfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=lightbridge-academy-continued-to-shine-bright-in-2020-plans-for-an-even-more-impressive-2021-2715096" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.lightbridgeacademyfranchise.com</a>.About Lightbridge Academy:&nbsp; Established in 1997, Guy and Julia Falzarano founded the company 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 early education and child care to children ages six weeks through kindergarten, as well as special programming for children up to 10 years old for summer camp and a new school age remote learning program. The company franchised in 2011 to expand their distinctive concept throughout the Mid-Atlantic region; it currently has over 119 child care centers either open, under construction or in development throughout Florida, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Virginia. In response to COVID-19, Lightbridge Academy rolled out The Lightbridge Promise as the gold standard in child care health protocols prioritizing the safety of everyone in the company's Circle of Care. In 2020, the company was featured on the Inc. 5000 ranking, Franchise Times Top 200+ awards, and Entrepreneur Magazine's Franchise 500. Lightbridge Academy was also recognized on Newsweek’s 2021 list of America’s Best Customer Service and on the Entrepreneur Magazine's 2021 Franchise 500.

Lightbridge Academy Continued to Shine Bright in 2020;  Plans for an Even More Impressive 2021

1851 Franchise

With new centers, new franchisees and new safety protocols, the child care and early education franchise was able to thrive in its mission to provide a Circle of Care for working parents and busy families.

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Aloha State Daily: Griswold Caregiver in Hawaii Awarded National Scholarship While Pursuing Social Work Degree

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With Three Brands, FSC Realizes Food Cost Savings Through Scale

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Screenmobile Finishes 2025 by Entering 13 New Territories and Earning Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 Recognition for the 27th Consecutive Year

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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 Continued to Shine Bright in 2020; Plans for an Even More Impressive 2021

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