Lightbridge Academy vs The Goddard School
Lightbridge Academy vs The Goddard School: Lightbridge Academy costs $590K–$3.1M to open; The Goddard School costs $704K–$8.5M. Lightbridge Academy has 43 units, The Goddard School has 453. SBA loan history: Lightbridge Academy = 50 loans (0.0% default); The Goddard School = 687 loans (1.2% default). The franchise with more SBA-funded units, lower default rate, and lower royalty load is the safer financing bet — see the comparison below.
Lightbridge Academy vs The Goddard School — Capital, Scale & Lending Analysis
Data-driven differentiation pulled from 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 $704K for The Goddard School), a 16% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $50K for Lightbridge Academy versus $135K for The Goddard School — Lightbridge Academy has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 7% for Lightbridge Academy and 7% for The Goddard School — equal royalty drag.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, The Goddard School operates 453 units to Lightbridge Academy's 43 — roughly 11× the system size. The Goddard School has been operating 38 years (founded 1988) versus 29 for Lightbridge Academy (founded 1997) — a 9-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
The Goddard School has the deeper SBA lending track record with 687 historical 7(a) approvals versus 50 for Lightbridge Academy. Lightbridge Academy's peak SBA year was 2019 (11 loans); The Goddard School's peak was 2019 (69 loans). The Goddard School's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Geographically, Lightbridge Academy concentrates in NJ (14 SBA-funded units) while The Goddard School leads in TX (85) — pick the brand whose strongest state matches yours for warmest lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded Lightbridge Academy deals is $1.5M vs $1.8M for The Goddard School — useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 0.0% for Lightbridge Academy and 1.2% for The Goddard School — Lightbridge Academy has the cleaner historical loss profile by 1.2 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 71 (Strong) for Lightbridge Academy and 65 (Strong) for The Goddard School, giving Lightbridge Academy the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 71/100 | 65/100 |
Health Tier | Strong | Strong |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Stable | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 50 | 687 |
SBA Volume | — | — |
Default Rate | 0.0% | 1.2% |
Peer Tier | established | major |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $590K – $3.1M | $704K – $8.5M |
Franchise Fee | $50K | $135K |
Royalty Rate | 7% | 7% |
Ad Fund | 2% | 4% |
Liquid Capital | N/A | $150K |
Net Worth Required | N/A | $2.0M |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Not Disclosed | Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 43 | 453 |
Franchised Units | 43 | 453 |
Company-Owned | — | — |
Term Length | 15 yrs | 15 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1997 | 1988 |
Franchising Since | N/A | 1988 |
Years Franchising | N/A | 38 yrs |
Headquarters | HOBOKEN, NJ | King of Prussia, PA |
Category | Child Day Care Services | Child Day Care Services |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2026 | 2026 |
Which Is Better — Lightbridge Academy or The Goddard School?
Lower upfront capital required
Lightbridge Academy
Lightbridge Academy: $590K starting · The Goddard School: $704K starting
More SBA lender confidence
The Goddard School
Lightbridge Academy: 50 SBA loans · The Goddard School: 687 SBA loans
Lower historical default rate
Lightbridge Academy
Lightbridge Academy: 0.0% · The Goddard School: 1.2%
Larger system & brand presence
The Goddard School
Lightbridge Academy: 43 units · The Goddard School: 453 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Tie
Lightbridge Academy: 7% · The Goddard School: 7%
More lender financing options
The Goddard School
Lightbridge Academy: 16 unique lenders · The Goddard School: 135 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 The Goddard School: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Lightbridge Academy and The Goddard School is about more than brand preference — it's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $590K to $8.5M.
Both brands have active SBA lending histories — Lightbridge Academy with 50 SBA loans and The Goddard School with 687. This means proven lender acceptance and established underwriting paths for franchise buyers.
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.