Ivybrook Academy Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2026)
Ivybrook Academy is an educational childcare franchise that provides a comprehensive curriculum, promoting early childhood development and learning.
KEY FRANCHISE STATS
Franchisees
?
40
+
54%
54%
Franchise fee
?
$50,000
Investment
?
$541,000 - $870,000
Revenue (AUV)
?
Undisclosed
$839,000
+
0.1%
0.1%
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Ivybrook Academy is a premier early childhood education franchise that offers a unique blend of Montessori and Reggio Emilia educational approaches, focusing on nurturing each child's individual learning style.
Founded in 2007 by Jennifer McWilliams, a public-school teacher looking for a better work-life balance, Ivybrook Academy started its journey in Waxhaw, North Carolina. The academy is now headquartered in Weddington, North Carolina, and began franchising in 2016.
The franchise differentiates itself from typical daycare centers by providing a half-day preschool model that emphasizes a discovery-based, multi-sensory curriculum.
This approach respects children's interests and encourages them to explore and express their ideas creatively. Ivybrook's balanced curriculum combines elements from Montessori, Reggio Emilia, and collaborative learning, ensuring a comprehensive early education that prepares children for future academic success.
Initial investment
The initial investment required for a Ivybrook Academy franchise is
$541,000 - $870,000.
That is the total cost you would need to finance if you were to start this franchise.
These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.
Type of Expenditure
Amount
Initial Franchise Fee
$50,000
Training & Opening Support Fee
$15,000
Real Estate and Facility Coordination Fee
$10,000
Construction, Leasehold Improvements
$277,300 – $518,860
Furniture, Fixtures, Classroom Equipment, and Decor
$75,000 – $105,000
Outdoor Classroom (playground equipment)
$10,000 – $25,000
Signage (interior and exterior)
$8,000 – $14,000
Computer Hardware and Software
$1,000 – $2,500
Rent Deposit
$15,000 – $25,000
Utility Deposits
$1,000 – $2,500
Insurance Deposits and Premiums
$3,000 – $5,000
Pre-opening Travel Expense
$400 – $2,000
Grand Opening Advertising
$20,000 – $25,000
Professional Fees
$25,000 – $35,000
Additional Funds – 3 Months
$30,000 – $35,000
Total
$540,700 – $869,860
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Type of Expenditure
Amount
Initial Franchise Fee
$50,000
Training & Opening Support Fee
$15,000
Real Estate and Facility Coordination Fee
$10,000
Construction, Leasehold Improvements
$277,300 – $518,860
Furniture, Fixtures, Classroom Equipment, and Decor
$75,000 – $105,000
Outdoor Classroom (playground equipment)
$10,000 – $25,000
Signage (interior and exterior)
$8,000 – $14,000
Computer Hardware and Software
$1,000 – $2,500
Rent Deposit
$15,000 – $25,000
Utility Deposits
$1,000 – $2,500
Insurance Deposits and Premiums
$3,000 – $5,000
Pre-opening Travel Expense
$400 – $2,000
Grand Opening Advertising
$20,000 – $25,000
Professional Fees
$25,000 – $35,000
Additional Funds – 3 Months
$30,000 – $35,000
Total
$540,700 – $869,860
Franchise Disclosure Document
Below is Ivybrook Academy's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document. Upgrade to Pro or purchase the FDD to view and download the document.
Number of units
Ivybrook Academy had 41 total units in 2025, of which 40 were franchised-owned and 1 company-owned.
Ivybrook Academy provides comprehensive training to its franchisees, designed to ensure that they are well-equipped to successfully operate their preschools.
Initial Onboarding Training: This includes classroom instruction and hands-on experience that covers curriculum implementation, daily operations, marketing strategies, and staff management.
Site Selection and Setup Assistance: Ivybrook Academy guides franchisees through choosing the right location, managing construction, and ordering the necessary equipment and materials.
Ongoing Training and Support: After the initial launch, franchisees receive continuous training, including curriculum updates, marketing support, and operational guidance.
Lesson Planning and Educational Techniques: A dedicated team provides ongoing support for lesson planning and educational methods to ensure franchisees deliver the Ivybrook learning experience effectively.
Territory Protection
Ivybrook Academy offers territory protection to its franchisees. When you become an Ivybrook Academy franchisee, you are granted an exclusive territory, which ensures that no other Ivybrook Academy franchise can be opened within a certain geographic radius around your location.
This exclusive territory is designed to protect your investment and allow you to fully capitalize on the market potential in your designated area. The specific size and boundaries of the territory are determined based on various factors, including population density, demographics, and market potential.
This protection helps franchisees establish and grow their business without the concern of direct competition from another Ivybrook Academy location nearby, allowing them to focus on delivering quality early childhood education and building their brand presence in the community.
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