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Ivybrook Academy®

Children's Services Year: 2025
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What Is Ivybrook Academy?

Ivybrook Academy is a franchise for operating comprehensive preschools providing early childhood education, including half‑day preschool programs and optional private kindergarten. The operational model is brick-and-mortar, with typical Schools operated in leased space (freestanding or otherwise) on or near main thoroughfares. It serves individual consumers-families with children ages 1 to 6 (B2C)-and its core service bundle and key assets include a proprietary curriculum and distinctive learning environment governed by the Confidential Brand Standards Manual, required training and operational procedures, and mandated school management/payment software (The Student Hub).

Ivybrook Academy Franchise: Pros and Cons

The franchise has a remarkably clean legal and regulatory record-zero disclosed lawsuits, zero franchisee-initiated judgments or settlements, and no government penalties-well below industry norms, but there are 42 signed-but-not-open units, a high backlog that may signal the franchisor is selling faster than it can support openings or facing buildout delays.

Pros

Zero disclosed lawsuits, zero franchisee-initiated judgments/settlements, and no government penalties-well below what's common in Children's Services-indicating a clean legal and regulatory record.
The Item 7 shows $0 for maximum total investment, fees, assets, reserves, and training-well below the industry upper-end-so your worst-case startup and reserve exposure should be modest.
A $15,000 estimated minimum for initial training is higher than typical in Children's Services, suggesting a more comprehensive onboarding program that can reduce ramp time and operational mistakes.

Cons

There are 42 signed-but-not-open units, a figure well above typical for this category, which can indicate the franchisor is selling agreements faster than it can support openings or that there are site/buildout delays.
One outlet termination is reported, which is unusually high for Children's Services (top quarter) and suggests at least one past operator exited the system.
The manager is required to hold equity (10% required), an uncommon mandate that can complicate financing and increases the capital you or your manager must contribute.

Territory Protection

43/100
NORMAL

Ivybrook Academy grants an exclusive, site-specific protected Territory-typically the lesser of a 3-mile radius or 125,000 population-and prevents other Ivybrook schools inside that area. The franchisor retains rights to solicit and sell via alternative channels (including e-commerce), to develop nearby units without ROFR, and contingent on meeting performance quotas.

Training & Support

69/100
NORMAL

Ivybrook Academy provides a robust 80-hour training curriculum designed to prepare three managerial staff members for launch. The program includes on-site launch support for operational readiness; travel and lodging expenses are the franchisee's responsibility, and on-site support carries additional fees.

Franchisee Stability

74/100
Good

Ivybrook Academy earns a Good Stability Score. Three-year turnover of 2.63% is well below the typical Children's Services franchise (around 4%) and sits more toward the lower end of what peers report than the high end. Out of 2 total exits, ceased operations dominated with 2, alongside no terminations, no non-renewals, and no franchisor buybacks.

The dominance of ceased operations suggests location-level economics: operators chose to close or locations underperformed, rather than widespread franchisor-franchisee friction. Beyond its industry-relative position, a 2.63% three-year turnover rate is genuinely exceptional in absolute terms across all of franchising. That pattern is observed across the three reported years. For prospective franchisees, carefully examine unit-level economics in the geographies where closures have concentrated and speak with local owners about market demand, staffing and cost pressures before committing.

Unit Growth Analysis

Unit Growth Chart

This franchise expanded from 19 units in 2022 to 41 in 2025 (a 115.8% increase), adding +8 units in 2023 and +7 units in both 2024 and 2025; absolute additions are steady but YoY growth has decelerated from 42.1% (2023) to 25.9% (2024) to 20.6% (2025). For investors this indicates healthy, predictable expansion with sustained double‑digit growth, but the falling percentage growth suggests the need to increase annual unit openings or accelerate recruitment to maintain earlier growth rates as the base grows.

How Much Do Ivybrook Academy Franchise Owners Make?

Ivybrook Academy franchise locations reported average gross sales of $858,259 and median gross sales of $838,581 in 2025, based on financial performance data disclosed in Item 19 of the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Average Gross Sales:
$858,259
Median Gross Sales:
$838,581
Sample Size:
24
Percent Attaining Average:
45.8%
Audit Status:
Unaudited
Franchise vs Corporate Performance: Franchised schools (2 Years+ sample) show an average gross revenue of 858,259 in 2024, which is below the single affiliate-owned school's 1,487,947 gross revenue, and none of the 24 franchised schools reached the affiliate's revenue level.
Performance Variability Analysis: There is meaningful variability within the franchised sample: the average gross revenue (858,259) and median (838,581) are close, but the 2 Years+ sample had only 11 of 24 schools (45.83%) meeting or exceeding the average, indicating a spread in individual outcomes.
Data Scope and Limitations: The representation covers only 2024 and excludes newer or noncompliant schools; several desired metrics (explicit high/low gross revenues and COGS) are not stated, and EBITDA is provided and used here as the available profit measure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ivybrook Academy a good franchise to own?

Whether Ivybrook Academy is a good franchise depends on your goals, experience, and local market. Key factors from the 2025 FDD: Ivybrook Academy operates 41 locations, received a legal risk score of 100/100, a training and support score of 69/100. Financial performance data is disclosed in Item 19. Prospective franchisees should review the full Franchise Disclosure Document and consult with a franchise attorney before making any investment decision.

Is an Ivybrook Academy franchise worth the investment?

The value of an Ivybrook Academy franchise investment depends on factors such as location, operator experience, and market demand. The initial investment ranges from $540,700 to $0. Ivybrook Academy disclosed average gross sales of $858,259 in 2025. The system reported 1 terminated units in 2025. Franchise investments carry inherent risk, and prospective buyers should conduct thorough due diligence before committing capital.

What is the failure rate of Ivybrook Academy franchises?

In the 2025 FDD, Ivybrook Academy reported 1 terminated franchises and 0 non-renewals out of 41 total locations. Franchise closures can result from many factors including market conditions, operator decisions, lease expirations, and franchisor enforcement actions. The FDD's Item 20 provides the most detailed unit turnover data.

How long does it take to break even with an Ivybrook Academy franchise?

Break-even timelines for Ivybrook Academy franchises are not disclosed in the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document. Break-even periods vary significantly based on initial investment level, local market conditions, operating costs, and revenue ramp-up speed. Prospective franchisees should build a pro forma financial model using Item 7 cost estimates and, where available, Item 19 financial performance data from the FDD.

Is Ivybrook Academy a franchise or a corporate-owned business?

As of the 2025 FDD, Ivybrook Academy operates 40 franchised locations and 1 company-owned locations. Franchise opportunities are available through the franchisor's disclosure process.

Interested in Ivybrook Academy?

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