Lightbridge Academy vs Primrose Schools
Lightbridge Academy vs Primrose Schools: Lightbridge Academy costs $590K to $3.1M to open; Primrose Schools costs $743K to $8.6M. Lightbridge Academy has 43 units, Primrose Schools has 389. SBA loan history: Lightbridge Academy = 50 loans (0.0% default); Primrose Schools = 554 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.
Lightbridge Academy vs Primrose Schools: 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 $743K for Primrose Schools), a 21% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $50K for Lightbridge Academy versus $80K for Primrose Schools, Lightbridge Academy has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 7% for Lightbridge Academy and 7% for Primrose Schools, equal royalty drag.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Primrose Schools operates 389 units to Lightbridge Academy's 43, roughly 9× the system size. Primrose Schools has been operating 44 years (founded 1982) versus 29 for Lightbridge Academy (founded 1997), a 15-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Primrose Schools has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 554 7(a) approvals compared with 50 for Lightbridge Academy. Lightbridge Academy's peak SBA year was 2019 (11 loans); Primrose Schools's peak was 2021 (57 loans). Primrose Schools's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Lightbridge Academy has the most SBA funded units in NJ, with 14. Primrose Schools leads in TX, with 97. Borrowers should pick the brand whose strongest SBA state matches their own state for warmer lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded Lightbridge Academy deals is $1.5M vs $2.3M for Primrose Schools, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 0.0% for Lightbridge Academy and 0.0% for Primrose Schools. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 71 (Strong) for Lightbridge Academy and 70 (Strong) for Primrose Schools, giving Lightbridge Academy the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 71/100 | 70/100 |
Health Tier | Strong | Strong |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Stable | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 50 | 554 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Peer Tier | established | major |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $590K to $3.1M | $743K to $8.6M |
Franchise Fee | $50K | $80K |
Royalty Rate | 7% | 7% |
Ad Fund | 2% | 2% |
Liquid Capital | N/A | $1.2M |
Net Worth Required | N/A | $1.2M |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Disclosed | Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 43 | 389 |
Franchised Units | 43 | 389 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | 15 yrs | 10 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1997 | 1982 |
Franchising Since | 2011 | 1988 |
Years Franchising | 15 yrs | 38 yrs |
Headquarters | HOBOKEN, NJ | FRISCO, TX |
Category | Child Day Care Services | Child Day Care Services |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2025 | 2025 |
Which Is Better, Lightbridge Academy or Primrose Schools?
Lower upfront capital required
Lightbridge Academy
Lightbridge Academy: $590K starting · Primrose Schools: $743K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Primrose Schools
Lightbridge Academy: 50 SBA loans · Primrose Schools: 554 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Tie
Lightbridge Academy: 0.0% · Primrose Schools: 0.0%
Larger system & brand presence
Primrose Schools
Lightbridge Academy: 43 units · Primrose Schools: 389 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Tie
Lightbridge Academy: 7% · Primrose Schools: 7%
More lender financing options
Primrose Schools
Lightbridge Academy: 16 unique lenders · Primrose Schools: 106 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
Lightbridge Academy vs Primrose Schools: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Lightbridge Academy and Primrose Schools is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $590K to $8.6M.
Lightbridge Academy has 50 SBA loans on record and Primrose Schools has 554. 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.
Lightbridge Academy vs Primrose Schools, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Lightbridge Academy or Primrose Schools?
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Which has a lower SBA default rate, Lightbridge Academy or Primrose Schools?
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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