Celebree School Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2025)
Celebree School is an educational childcare franchise that nurtures children's development and prepares them for school in a supportive environment.

Celebree School is a rapidly growing franchise in the early childhood education sector, founded in 1994 by Richard Huffman in Maryland. Initially established as a single preschool, Celebree School has expanded significantly and began offering franchise opportunities in 2019.
The franchise is headquartered in Lutherville, Maryland, and has quickly gained traction.
Celebree School specializes in providing high-quality care and education for children ranging from infants to school-age, offering a comprehensive curriculum that is adaptable to meet various state standards.
Their programs emphasize not only academic growth but also the social and emotional development of each child. This holistic approach, combined with a strong focus on community involvement and parental engagement, sets Celebree School apart from other early education franchises.
Initial investment
Here's what you would need to invest if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.
Celebree School offers 3 types of franchises:
Franchise Option |
Initial Investment |
Celebree School (leasehold improvements paid by franchisee) |
$3,885,500 to $5,624,500 |
Celebree School (leasehold improvements constructed by landlord) |
$922,500 to $1,293,500 |
Celebree School for a remodel of an existing space |
$2,627,700 to $3,323,500 |
We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a Celebree School where you pay for leasehold improvements franchise.
For more information on the various types of franchises and its costs, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).
Celebree School where you pay for leasehold improvements
Type of Expenditure |
Amount |
Initial Franchise Fee |
$75,000 |
Site Development Assistance Fee |
$30,000 |
Training Assistance and Opening Support Fee |
$30,000 |
Centralized System Initial Fee |
$7,500 |
Architectural, Civil Design, Permitting, Construction and Leasehold Improvements |
$75,000 to $300,000 |
Pre-Opening Temporary Welcome Center Expenses |
$8,000 to $13,000 |
Furniture, Fixtures, Equipment, and Toys |
$160,000 to $200,000 |
Start-Up Supplies and Inventory |
$19,000 to $25,000 |
Outdoor Playground Equipment & Surfacing |
$140,000 to $190,000 |
Transportation Vehicle and Associated Expenses |
$9,000 to $15,000 |
Information Technology Equipment and Software |
$45,000 to $65,000 |
Security & Electronic Access System |
$20,000 to $30,000 |
Exterior and Interior Signs |
$12,000 to $25,000 |
Professional Fees |
$40,000 to $50,000 |
Training Expenses |
$2,000 to $5,000 |
Pre-Opening Enrollment and Grand Opening Marketing |
$60,000 to $80,000 |
Insurance |
$3,000 to $5,000 |
Licenses and Permits |
$4,000 to $25,000 |
Land Purchase, Sitework, and Shell Costs |
$2,700,000 to $3,850,000 |
Utility Deposits |
$2,000 to $4,000 |
Financing Costs |
$269,000 to $350,000 |
Pre-Opening Working Capital |
$50,000 to $75,000 |
Additional Funds – 3 Months (Working Capital) |
$125,000 to $175,000 |
Total |
$3,885,500 to $5,624,500 |
Celebree School offers 3 types of franchises:
Franchise Option |
Initial Investment |
Celebree School (leasehold improvements paid by franchisee) |
$3,885,500 to $5,624,500 |
Celebree School (leasehold improvements constructed by landlord) |
$922,500 to $1,293,500 |
Celebree School for a remodel of an existing space |
$2,627,700 to $3,323,500 |
We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a Celebree School where you pay for leasehold improvements franchise.
For more information on the various types of franchises and its costs, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).
Celebree School where you pay for leasehold improvements
Type of Expenditure |
Amount |
Initial Franchise Fee |
$75,000 |
Site Development Assistance Fee |
$30,000 |
Training Assistance and Opening Support Fee |
$30,000 |
Centralized System Initial Fee |
$7,500 |
Architectural, Civil Design, Permitting, Construction and Leasehold Improvements |
$75,000 to $300,000 |
Pre-Opening Temporary Welcome Center Expenses |
$8,000 to $13,000 |
Furniture, Fixtures, Equipment, and Toys |
$160,000 to $200,000 |
Start-Up Supplies and Inventory |
$19,000 to $25,000 |
Outdoor Playground Equipment & Surfacing |
$140,000 to $190,000 |
Transportation Vehicle and Associated Expenses |
$9,000 to $15,000 |
Information Technology Equipment and Software |
$45,000 to $65,000 |
Security & Electronic Access System |
$20,000 to $30,000 |
Exterior and Interior Signs |
$12,000 to $25,000 |
Professional Fees |
$40,000 to $50,000 |
Training Expenses |
$2,000 to $5,000 |
Pre-Opening Enrollment and Grand Opening Marketing |
$60,000 to $80,000 |
Insurance |
$3,000 to $5,000 |
Licenses and Permits |
$4,000 to $25,000 |
Land Purchase, Sitework, and Shell Costs |
$2,700,000 to $3,850,000 |
Utility Deposits |
$2,000 to $4,000 |
Financing Costs |
$269,000 to $350,000 |
Pre-Opening Working Capital |
$50,000 to $75,000 |
Additional Funds – 3 Months (Working Capital) |
$125,000 to $175,000 |
Total |
$3,885,500 to $5,624,500 |
Franchise Disclosure Document
Number of units
Training
Celebree School provides a thorough training program designed to equip franchisees with the knowledge and skills necessary to operate a successful early childhood education center. The training is structured in several key phases:
- Initial Franchise Training: This training lasts for three weeks and combines classroom learning, web-based sessions, and on-site training. It is conducted at the Celebree Excellence in Education center in Lutherville, Maryland. This phase covers essential topics such as business operations, educational curriculum, and customer service to ensure franchisees are well-prepared to manage their centers effectively.
- Pre-Opening Support: Celebree School offers additional in-territory training support for up to eight days, either in one or two sessions, as the franchisee prepares to open their school. This hands-on training is designed to assist with the final preparations and ensure that the center is fully operational by opening day.
- Ongoing Development and Support: Celebree School emphasizes continuous learning and development for both franchisees and their staff. Franchisees receive ongoing support from the corporate team, including assistance from the Director of Curriculum and Training, who provides guidance on implementing the school’s proprietary curriculum and maintaining high educational standards.
Territory Protection
Celebree School franchise offers territory protection to its franchisees, ensuring that each franchisee has a designated area where they can operate without direct competition from other Celebree School franchises.
This protection is typically outlined in the franchise agreement and is designed to help franchisees build their business with confidence, knowing that their market area is secured.
This territorial exclusivity allows franchisees to focus on growing their business within a defined region, fostering stronger community ties and ensuring that the franchisee's investment is protected.