Childrens Lighthouse vs Lightbridge Academy
Childrens Lighthouse vs Lightbridge Academy: Childrens Lighthouse costs $940K to $1.2M to open; Lightbridge Academy costs $590K to $3.1M. Childrens Lighthouse has 73 units, Lightbridge Academy has 43. SBA loan history: Childrens Lighthouse = 111 loans (0.0% default); Lightbridge Academy = 50 loans (0.0% default). The franchise with more SBA funded units, a lower SBA default rate, and a lower royalty load is the safer financing bet; see the comparison below.
Childrens Lighthouse vs Lightbridge Academy: Capital, Scale & Lending Analysis
Analysis based on FDD filings and SBA 7(a) loan level data. Each pairing reflects a unique combination of capital intensity, system scale, and financing path.
Capital Intensity
Lightbridge Academy requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($590K vs $940K for Childrens Lighthouse), a 59% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $85K for Childrens Lighthouse versus $50K for Lightbridge Academy, Lightbridge Academy has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 7% for Childrens Lighthouse and 7% for Lightbridge Academy, equal royalty drag.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Childrens Lighthouse operates 73 units to Lightbridge Academy's 43. Lightbridge Academy has been operating 29 years (founded 1997) versus 29 for Childrens Lighthouse (founded 1997), a 0-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Childrens Lighthouse has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 111 7(a) approvals compared with 50 for Lightbridge Academy. Childrens Lighthouse's peak SBA year was 2020 (9 loans); Lightbridge Academy's peak was 2019 (11 loans). Childrens Lighthouse's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Childrens Lighthouse has the most SBA funded units in TX, with 65. Lightbridge Academy leads in NJ, with 14. Borrowers should pick the brand whose strongest SBA state matches their own state for warmer lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded Childrens Lighthouse deals is $1.9M vs $1.5M for Lightbridge Academy, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 0.0% for Childrens Lighthouse and 0.0% for Lightbridge Academy. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 61 (Moderate) for Childrens Lighthouse and 71 (Strong) for Lightbridge Academy, giving Lightbridge Academy the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 61/100 | 71/100 |
Health Tier | Moderate | Strong |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Stable |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 111 | 50 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Peer Tier | major | established |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $940K to $1.2M | $590K to $3.1M |
Franchise Fee | $85K | $50K |
Royalty Rate | 7% | 7% |
Ad Fund | 0.5% | 2% |
Liquid Capital | N/A | N/A |
Net Worth Required | N/A | N/A |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Disclosed | Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 73 | 43 |
Franchised Units | 73 | 43 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | 20 yrs | 15 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1997 | 1997 |
Franchising Since | 1960 | 2011 |
Years Franchising | 66 yrs | 15 yrs |
Headquarters | Fort Worth, TX | HOBOKEN, NJ |
Category | Child Day Care Services | Child Day Care Services |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2023 | 2025 |
Which Is Better, Childrens Lighthouse or Lightbridge Academy?
Lower upfront capital required
Lightbridge Academy
Childrens Lighthouse: $940K starting · Lightbridge Academy: $590K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Childrens Lighthouse
Childrens Lighthouse: 111 SBA loans · Lightbridge Academy: 50 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Tie
Childrens Lighthouse: 0.0% · Lightbridge Academy: 0.0%
Larger system & brand presence
Childrens Lighthouse
Childrens Lighthouse: 73 units · Lightbridge Academy: 43 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Tie
Childrens Lighthouse: 7% · Lightbridge Academy: 7%
More lender financing options
Childrens Lighthouse
Childrens Lighthouse: 46 unique lenders · Lightbridge Academy: 16 unique lenders
Decision matrix uses publicly disclosed FDD and SBA loan data. Not a recommendation. Your best franchise depends on capital, market, operating capacity, and risk tolerance.
Need Funding for Childrens Lighthouse or Lightbridge Academy?
PeerSense connects you with 500+ SBA lenders and capital sources. Our referral fee is established upfront and paid at closing.
SBA Lenders & Capital Sources
Retainers or Consulting Fees
10% Down Franchise Loans
About These Franchises
Childrens Lighthouse vs Lightbridge Academy: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Childrens Lighthouse and Lightbridge Academy is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $590K to $3.1M.
Childrens Lighthouse has 111 SBA loans on record and Lightbridge Academy has 50. Those totals are cumulative history rather than a measure of current appetite. Recent lending activity is trending down for at least one of these brands, so current lender appetite has to be checked deal by deal rather than assumed from the totals.
SBA 7(a) loans are the most common franchise funding vehicle, offering up to $5M with as little as 10% down. PeerSense connects franchise buyers with the specific lenders who have approved loans for these brands, not generic referrals, but lenders with actual franchise lending track records.
Data sourced from SBA loan records, Franchise Disclosure Documents, and public filings. Updated regularly. Not financial advice, consult with a lending professional before making investment decisions.
Childrens Lighthouse vs Lightbridge Academy, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Childrens Lighthouse or Lightbridge Academy?
How much does a Childrens Lighthouse franchise cost compared to Lightbridge Academy?
Can I finance Childrens Lighthouse or Lightbridge Academy with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Childrens Lighthouse or Lightbridge Academy?
Talk to PeerSense
Tell us which brand and your budget. We source capital from lenders who have already funded deals in these systems.
Franchise / SBA 7(a): PeerSense will reach out. No obligation.
Page Review
Reviewed by Edward L. Freeman, Founder and Managing Director, PeerSense
- PeerSense is a capital advisory firm that places commercial financing with direct capital sources; the capital source sets final terms.
- Edward L. Freeman founded PeerSense in January 2020.
- He is a Registered Franchise Consultant with Business Alliance, Inc., a credential issued in March 2022, and worked as a franchise consultant there from March 2022 to May 2023.
- His recorded experience includes a $22 million SBA construction loan, with about $16 million funded on the deal.
- In the 12 months through September 30, 2026, PeerSense tracked 912 publicly announced financings with a disclosed size of $361.32 billion. PeerSense Capital Data Report · Methodology page
Last reviewed LinkedIn profileAbout Edward Freeman