Kiddie Academy
Kiddie Academy offers early childhood learning and child care programs for children aged six weeks to 12 years under the brand name Kiddie Academy®. Known for educational enrichment programs, it operates in the child care and early education franchise industry.
About Kiddie Academy
Kiddie Academy Educational Child Care is an American franchise system of early learning centers with over 300 franchised academies in 33 states and the District of Columbia. Kiddie Academy is headquartered in Abingdon, Maryland.
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Kiddie Academy franchise FAQ
How much does it cost to open one — the total initial investment?
The total initial investment required to open a Kiddie Academy Franchise ranges from $590,000 to $1,010,000 if you are leasing your facility, and from $4,935,000 to $8,530,000 if you are purchasing the facility [p.1]. This estimate includes various costs but does not include financing charges or interest [p.37].
What is the initial franchise fee?
The initial franchise fee (Initial Fee) is $125,000 and it is payable in installments as specified. [p.212]
What are the ongoing royalty and advertising fees?
The ongoing royalty fee is 7% of Gross Revenues, as defined in Section 7.5 [p.132]. This rate applies after the first six months of operation, when it was temporarily reduced to 3.5%. Additionally, there may be a Brand Building Fund fee and Local Annual Advertising Expense, which can differ from those specified in this Agreement but cannot exceed what is required systemwide by Franchisor's newest franchisees [p.112, p.151].
How long is the initial franchise agreement, and can I renew it?
The initial term of the franchise agreement isn't specified in the excerpts. However, you have the right to enter into a successor franchise agreement for an additional 10 years upon expiration of the original agreement, provided you meet certain conditions [p.111].
Can I sell or transfer my franchise, and what does that require?
The franchise agreement permits a transfer only for good cause as determined by the franchisor in its sole discretion [p.5]. Good cause includes but is not limited to specific criteria outlined by the franchisor. This provision also allows the franchisor to exercise a right of first refusal if you wish to sell your franchise [p.5].
On what grounds can the franchisor terminate the agreement?
The franchisor can terminate the franchise agreement if there is good cause, which includes the failure of the franchisee to comply with any lawful provision of the franchise agreement and not curing such failure after being given written notice and a reasonable opportunity (no more than 30 days) to do so. [p.5]
What financial requirements — net worth and liquid capital — do I need to qualify?
This isn't specified in the excerpts. The FDD focuses on startup expenses, site selection criteria, and franchisee obligations but does not provide specific details on net worth or liquid capital requirements for qualification as a franchisee.
Do I get an exclusive or protected territory?
Yes, you receive an exclusive territory based on the resident population within a one-mile radius of your Academy. This protection does not depend on achieving a certain sales volume or market penetration [p.59]. However, this exclusivity is subject to the conditions regarding the population size in the area [p.57].
What training and ongoing support does the franchisor provide?
The franchisor provides a Franchisee Training Program to be completed before the opening date [p.263], along with other training programs deemed appropriate [p.206]. Additionally, the franchisor offers IACET Continuing Education Units for compliance with ANSI standards [p.56]. Ongoing support includes making training available as needed and at various locations [p.263] and charging reasonable fees for refresher or additional training outside of normal schedules [p.263].
How many franchised outlets are there, and how many have closed or been terminated?
As of December 31, 2025, there were 363 franchised Academies. However, the number of closed or terminated outlets is not directly specified in the provided excerpts. The information given indicates that 23 out of these 363 Academies had been open for less than 12 full months and thus were excluded from the reporting period data set, but it does not specify how many have been completely terminated. [p.68]
Does the franchisor share any financial performance or earnings information?
The franchisor shares actual historic financial performance information for existing Franchisee-owned outlets, but this information is not audited and may vary significantly among different locations. This information is provided for reference only and should be used in conjunction with an independent analysis [p.68].
What am I restricted to selling, and where must I buy supplies?
You are required to offer only those services approved by the franchisor [p.64] and all services designated as mandatory for all franchisees [p.64]. You must also abide by any additional criteria for acceptable sites that the franchisor may impose at its discretion [p.47]. Regarding supplies, you may have to buy or lease items from the franchisor or a limited group of suppliers it designates, which could be more expensive than other options [p.3].