Lightbridge Academy Opens First of Two Pittsburgh Locations; Brings State Total to Nine Schools

Lightbridge Academy, the children’s education brand with more than 100 locations in development, has recently furthered its Pennsylvania expansion with the opening of its first Pittsburgh location. 

“We have done a nice job at growing in concentric circles,” said Guy Falzarano, CEO of Lightbridge Academy. “I am excited to not only continue our Pennsylvania expansion through the leadership of our new franchisees.”

New franchisees, sisters-and-father-trio, Cara Clayton, Mia Fidei and Ted Yannotti are getting ready to open their franchise location in Hampton Township, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Pittsburgh. The Gibsonia location is one of two that the brand plans on developing in greater Pittsburgh. The new locations will provide about 80 new jobs to the area. 

“Expanding Lightbridge Academy’s Pennsylvania presence is certainly the right move for our brand,” said Lightbridge Academy Chief Operating Officer Gigi Schweikert. “We’ve seen great success since we started operating in Eastern Pennsylvania in 2016, so it only made sense that we continued to expand to other communities in the state. We are a values-driven brand with a focus on adding people to our family that are committed to delivering the high-quality care we’re known for. We are more than excited to continue to add teachers, children and families to our Circle of Care community.”

In addition to the Pittsburgh area, Lightbridge Academy has locations in many other cities across the state including Fort Washington, Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, Garnet Valley, Montgomeryville, Willow Grove and Jenkintown. Furthermore, a location in Mechanicsburg has officially a signed agreement and in the early stages of development. Also, Lightbridge Academy is considering three- to- six new prospects for franchise agreements throughout the state of Pennsylvania. 

Lightbridge Academy has been providing unparalleled child care services to the communities it serves through its core values and Circle of Care philosophy for over 20 years. Guided by a commitment to being The Solution For Working Parents® and placing equal importance on the needs of children, their families, teachers, center owners and the community, Lightbridge Academy has been able to expand its footprint to over 100 centers either open, under construction or in development in markets across the U.S.

Additionally, Lightbridge Academy recently achieved major industry recognition, where it received accreditation by the National Accreditation Commission (NAC) for it’s flagshipcenter in Iselin, New Jersey, thus, further solidifying its position as a major player in the early education and child care industry. 

Because of its position as a major player in the industry, the brand has significant goals for expansion—which it undoubtedly will achieve. Back in 2016, Lightbridge Academy identified Eastern Pennsylvania as a key target market due to the lack of higher quality educational programs that also offer support for working parents. Since then, the brand has seen much success in that specific area and has identified even more Pennsylvania markets it plans to conquer. 

Lightbridge Academy is recognized as the leader in the child care category as it provides unmatched early education and child care to children ages six weeks through kindergarten, as well as special programming for children up to 10 years old during school holidays, breaks and summer camp. Also contributing to the brand’s leading position in the category is that it ensures programs are kept up to the high standards families have come to expect by providing numerous training programs to encourage franchisees to learn about the various circumstances that come with providing care for young children. 

Lightbridge Academy also currently operates locations throughout Florida, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio and Virginia. 

The startup cost for a Lightbridge Academy franchise range from $549,228 to $737,635, with an initial franchise fee of $40,000. To learn more about franchising with Lightbridge Academy, please visit http://lightbridgeacademyfranchise.com/.