Willowbrae Academy is a premium early childhood education franchise operating on a non-operator CEO model — pairing franchise owners with experienced Academy Directors to deliver exceptional childcare through proprietary curriculum, enterprise-grade technology, and a science-based approach to child development.
At a Glance
- Liquid Capital Required: $500,000 (Liquid Capital refers to readily available cash or cash-equivalent assets that can be accessed without borrowing, selling a primary residence, or relying on future income.)
- Ownership Model: Non-operator CEO — franchise owner provides strategic oversight while a hired Academy Director manages daily operations
- Location Type: Retail — dedicated academy facility
- Time Commitment: Semi-absentee once Academy Director is in place
- Experience Required: None — executive leadership, financial management, or multi-unit investment background preferred
Top 5 Reasons to Invest in a Willowbrae Academy Franchise
- Child services fastest-growing franchise segment at 3.2% in 2026
- 96.4% network capacity filled Q4 2024
- Non-operator CEO model — Director runs daily operations
- Revenue potential of $1.9M–$3.6M depending on capacity and size
- Proprietary SEEDS curriculum and Braeview technology platform
About Willowbrae Academy
Founded and franchising since 2011, Willowbrae Academy has grown to 50+ locations with 7,000+ children currently enrolled. The brand was built on a clear conviction — that early childhood education should do more than provide supervised care. The proprietary SEEDS framework (Standards of Excellence, Education & Resources, Exercise & Life Skills, Delivery & Operation, Safety & Security) sets a quality standard that consistently outperforms what independent daycare and preschool operators can deliver.
Network performance validates the model. Willowbrae Academies reached 96.4% capacity in Q4 2024 — a metric that reflects genuine community demand, not promotional enrollment. The brand’s revenue matrix projects gross revenue of $1.9M to $3.6M per location depending on academy size and enrollment capacity, supported by predictable enrollment-based billing and real-time performance reporting through the Braeview platform.
Why Franchise With Willowbrae Academy?
- Non-operator CEO model — Willowbrae helps each franchisee recruit and hire an experienced Academy Director who manages daily operations, allowing owners to focus on business performance and growth strategy rather than classroom management.
- Proprietary Braeview software — real-time dashboards deliver revenue tracking, enrollment data, staff ratios, and parent communication tools in a single platform — giving owners full visibility without requiring daily on-site presence.
- Enterprise-grade infrastructure — biometric access control, high-definition security cameras, and Cisco-certified cloud technology create a safety and transparency standard that independent operators cannot match.
- Six-phase launch methodology — Introduction, Due Diligence, Academy Design, Academy Build, Academy Open, and Optimize provides a structured path from signing to full enrollment with corporate support at every stage.
- Full-scale marketing support — demographic-targeted campaigns, social media advertising, open house programs, and enrollment-driving strategies are provided by corporate to support strong launch results.
ABF Advisory Perspective
Market Analysis: Child services is the fastest-growing franchise segment in the U.S. in 2026 at 3.2% per FRANdata and the IFA, driven by working families, limited quality supply, and growing recognition of early education’s long-term developmental impact. Premium childcare concepts with proprietary curriculum and technology infrastructure are increasingly difficult for independent operators to compete against on quality or trust.
ABF Timing Insight: Most childcare franchises require hands-on owner involvement. Willowbrae’s non-operator CEO model opens the category to experienced executives, portfolio investors, and multi-unit operators who want exposure to recession-resistant childcare demand without stepping away from their existing careers or businesses. At 96.4% network capacity in Q4 2024, the demand signal is not theoretical.
Training & Support
- Comprehensive franchisee training — covers all aspects of startup, operations, financial management, and systems implementation for both the franchise owner and Academy Director.
- Academy Director recruitment support — corporate team works alongside franchisees to identify and hire qualified Directors before opening, ensuring operational leadership is in place from day one.
- Commercial real estate and design support — experienced brokers assist with site identification and lease negotiation; a designer with 28+ years of childcare facility expertise optimizes floor plans for compliance, capacity, and operational efficiency.
- Braeview technology training — hands-on instruction in the proprietary software platform covering revenue reporting, enrollment management, staff ratios, and parent communication tools.
- Ongoing coaching and QA program — dedicated franchise development team provides one-on-one coaching, group best practice calls, and a formal Quality Assurance review process that exceeds state licensing requirements.
Who Are We Looking For?
- Experienced executives comfortable in a strategic CEO role overseeing a Director-led operation
- Portfolio investors seeking recession-resistant childcare exposure with strong revenue predictability
- Multi-unit operators who understand financial management across multiple locations
- Entrepreneurs ready to implement a proven system with full corporate support
- Community-minded investors who value the long-term developmental impact of quality early education
Who Is NOT a Good Fit for Willowbrae Academy:
- Candidates seeking a hands-on, owner-operated daily management role
- Investors uncomfortable with the capital requirements of a premium childcare build-out
- Anyone expecting a short ramp period — childcare academies build enrollment over 12–18 months
- Candidates who cannot meet the $500,000 liquid capital requirement
Franchisor Authority Disclosure: America’s Best Franchises provides guidance and introductions. Final approval criteria, financial thresholds, territory decisions, and all investment figures are determined exclusively by Willowbrae Academy. Refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document for complete details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Do I need experience in early childhood education or childcare operations?
A. No. Willowbrae Academy’s non-operator CEO model is designed for experienced business leaders and investors — not educators. The Academy Director manages curriculum and daily operations. Corporate training prepares both owner and Director for their respective roles.
Q. What is the SEEDS curriculum?
A. SEEDS stands for Standards of Excellence, Education & Resources, Exercise & Life Skills, Delivery & Operation, and Safety & Security. It is Willowbrae Academy’s proprietary framework for delivering consistent, high-quality early childhood education across every location in the network.
Q. What does the revenue potential look like?
A. Willowbrae’s revenue matrix projects gross revenue of $1.9M to $3.6M per location depending on academy size and enrollment capacity. With network-wide capacity at 96.4% in Q4 2024, existing locations are demonstrating strong enrollment demand across markets.
Next Steps
By submitting this form, you confirm that you meet the liquid capital requirement of $500,000 established by the franchisor — meaning you have access to cash or cash-equivalent assets without borrowing, selling your primary residence, or relying on future income.
Complete the form below to request a qualification review and discuss territory availability for Willowbrae Academy.
This profile represents general franchise information compiled from publicly available sources. Individual results may vary. Refer to the current Franchise Disclosure Document for complete disclosures before making any investment decision.