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communities across the country. For example,<br />
Primrose Schools has seen an all-time high<br />
enrollment this year, with average full-time<br />
occupancy at mature schools open at least three<br />
years reaching 85.1 percent (as of June). Growth<br />
isn’t expected to slow anytime soon. IBISWorld<br />
indicates the child-care industry will continue<br />
to grow as disposable income increases for<br />
families, allowing parents and guardians to<br />
spend more on high-value services such as early<br />
education.<br />
of the top five fastest growing franchise sectors. The child<br />
care industry as a whole is growing as well. As of May, the<br />
industry was valued at $45 billion, according to research<br />
firm IBISWorld.<br />
Historically, Primrose Schools and other early education<br />
providers have found greater demand in suburban markets;<br />
younger Americans have traditionally moved away from<br />
urban areas as they settle down and start families. Over the<br />
past few years, however, city growth in the United States<br />
has been outpacing that of suburban markets, and now<br />
both areas are growing steadily. Urban markets are now<br />
positioning themselves as live, work, play communities.<br />
According to experts from the Urban Land Institute, many<br />
families are making the decision to stay in the city with their<br />
children. This “urban migration” isn’t limited to the United<br />
States; it is affecting as many as 2.5 billion people around<br />
the world.<br />
This shift has caused an increase in demand for highquality<br />
early education and care in both urban and rural<br />
FAST FACTS<br />
• According the latest U.S. Census report, there are<br />
approximately 25 million preschool-aged children in<br />
the U.S.<br />
• In Entrepreneur’s latest annual Franchise 500 ranking,<br />
children’s services placed among the top five fastest<br />
growing franchise sectors.<br />
• IBISWorld indicates the $45 billion child care industry<br />
will continue to grow as disposable income increases<br />
for parents and guardians, allowing families to spend<br />
more on high-value services such as early education.<br />
• According to Forbes, 88 percent of millennials are<br />
seeking work with a greater purpose, and more than 4.5<br />
million people ages 50 to 70 have left their first career<br />
for an “encore career” in a business that combines<br />
personal and social impact with continued income.<br />
• Between 2010 and 2014, 75 percent of all children’s<br />
services franchises have achieved positive net growth.<br />
FINANCIAL AND PERSONAL REWARDS<br />
Increasing demand is not the only factor<br />
attracting entrepreneurs to early education.<br />
The financial and personal rewards from owning<br />
a children’s services franchise are proven and<br />
abundant. According to a 2015 Franchise Grade<br />
report, 75 percent of all children’s services<br />
franchises have achieved positive net growth<br />
between 2010 and 2014 and have generated more than $450<br />
million in revenue per year. Additionally, the children’s services<br />
sector provides favorable terms compared to other industry<br />
sectors, including lower initial terms of agreement, longer<br />
renewal terms and a greater number of renewal options. The<br />
result is an overall term that is longer than industry averages<br />
at 20.1 years.<br />
While many franchise sectors provide financial return to<br />
the investing franchisees, few also offer broad impact and<br />
personal reward. Research shows that many entrepreneurs<br />
are now looking for more meaningful franchise opportunities,<br />
including opening early education and care schools.<br />
According to Forbes magazine, 88 percent of millennials<br />
are seeking work with a greater purpose, and more than 4.5<br />
million people ages 50 to 70 have left their first career for<br />
an “encore career” in a business that combines personal and<br />
social impact with continued income.<br />
Moreover, unlike other franchise sectors, children’s<br />
services offer franchisees the unique opportunity to build<br />
long-lasting relationships with the families they serve while<br />
making a greater positive impact on their community and the<br />
next generation.<br />
There has certainly been a spotlight on the children’s<br />
services franchise sector over the past couple of years, but it’s<br />
not fading anytime soon. A growing number of entrepreneurs<br />
are seeing this franchise opportunity as a means to invest<br />
in a more meaningful and personally gratifying business.<br />
Early education and care franchises continue to provide an<br />
essential service to American families and communities — a<br />
service that will continue to be in demand for many years to<br />
come. <br />
Chris Goethe, CFE, is vice president of franchising<br />
for Primrose School Franchising Co. Find him at<br />
fransocial.franchise.org.<br />
FRANCHISING WORLD NOVEMBER 2015 63