Kids R Kids vs Lightbridge Academy
Kids R Kids vs Lightbridge Academy: Kids R Kids costs $595K to $5.0M to open; Lightbridge Academy costs $590K to $3.1M. Kids R Kids has 199 units, Lightbridge Academy has 43. SBA loan history: Kids R Kids = 326 loans (4.0% 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.
Kids R Kids 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 $595K for Kids R Kids), a 1% spread. Ongoing royalty load is 6% for Kids R Kids and 7% for Lightbridge Academy, giving Kids R Kids the lighter per-unit drag on operating income.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Kids R Kids operates 199 units to Lightbridge Academy's 43, roughly 5× the system size. Kids R Kids has been operating 41 years (founded 1985) versus 29 for Lightbridge Academy (founded 1997), a 12-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Kids R Kids has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 326 7(a) approvals compared with 50 for Lightbridge Academy. Kids R Kids's peak SBA year was 2019 (19 loans); Lightbridge Academy's peak was 2019 (11 loans). Lightbridge Academy's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Kids R Kids has the most SBA funded units in TX, with 64. 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 Kids R Kids deals is $2.6M vs $1.5M for Lightbridge Academy, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 4.0% for Kids R Kids and 0.0% for Lightbridge Academy, Lightbridge Academy has the cleaner SBA loss record by 4.0 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 51 (Moderate) for Kids R Kids 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 | 51/100 | 71/100 |
Health Tier | Moderate | Strong |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Stable |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 326 | 50 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 4.0% | 0.0% |
Peer Tier | major | established |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $595K to $5.0M | $590K to $3.1M |
Franchise Fee | N/A | $50K |
Royalty Rate | 6% | 7% |
Ad Fund | N/A | 2% |
Liquid Capital | N/A | N/A |
Net Worth Required | N/A | N/A |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Not Disclosed | Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 199 | 43 |
Franchised Units | 199 | 43 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | 25 yrs | 15 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1985 | 1997 |
Franchising Since | 1960 | 2011 |
Years Franchising | 66 yrs | 15 yrs |
Headquarters | Cypress, TX | HOBOKEN, NJ |
Category | Child Day Care Services | Child Day Care Services |
Website | ||
FDD Year | N/A | 2025 |
Which Is Better, Kids R Kids or Lightbridge Academy?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
Kids R Kids: $595K starting · Lightbridge Academy: $590K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Kids R Kids
Kids R Kids: 326 SBA loans · Lightbridge Academy: 50 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Lightbridge Academy
Kids R Kids: 4.0% · Lightbridge Academy: 0.0%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
Kids R Kids: 199 units · Lightbridge Academy: 43 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Kids R Kids
Kids R Kids: 6% · Lightbridge Academy: 7%
More lender financing options
Kids R Kids
Kids R Kids: 77 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.
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About These Franchises
Kids R Kids vs Lightbridge Academy: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Kids R Kids 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 $5.0M.
Kids R Kids has 326 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.
Kids R Kids vs Lightbridge Academy, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Kids R Kids or Lightbridge Academy?
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Which has a lower SBA default rate, Kids R Kids or Lightbridge Academy?
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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