Little Kitchen Academy (LKA) is a pioneering, Montessori-inspired cooking academy designed for children aged 3 to 18. Founded in 2018 by Felicity Curin, Brian Curin, and Praveen Varshney, the first location opened in June 2019 in Vancouver, British Columbia, which remains the brand’s headquarters.
Franchising began shortly after, in 2019, with the goal of expanding its unique educational model globally. LKA offers structured, hands-on cooking classes that teach children practical life skills, confidence, and independence.
Each three-hour session enables students to prepare meals from scratch, while developing healthy eating habits and food literacy. The curriculum also integrates core academic skills, including math, science, and social development, creating a comprehensive and engaging learning experience.
What differentiates Little Kitchen Academy is its commitment to the Montessori method, focusing on self-directed learning in a thoughtfully prepared environment. Its philosophy of "freedom within limits" allows children to explore at their own pace, guided by experienced instructors.
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.
Little Kitchen Academy provides a structured training program to ensure that franchisees and their teams are fully equipped to operate their facilities successfully. The training is mandatory and is delivered under the guidance of experienced instructors, primarily in Vancouver, British Columbia. The key training components include:
Little Kitchen Academy grants franchisees a defined Protected Area where no other Little Kitchen Academy facility will be established during the term, as long as the franchisee remains in compliance. This territory is set out in the agreement and is based on factors like demographics and population density.
However, the franchisor retains significant rights. They may advertise in the area, operate in Reserved Areas like airports and schools, and use other marks or systems nearby. The territory is protected but not exclusive.
KEY FRANCHISE STATS
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