The Learning Experience Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2026)

Early education and childcare franchise offering a curriculum-based approach to early childhood development and school readiness.

KEY FRANCHISE STATS

Franchisees

326

21%

Franchise fee

$60,000

Investment

$686,000 - $5,609,000

Revenue (AUV)

$2,038,000

42.0%

Founded in 2002, The Learning Experience (TLE) has established itself as a prominent provider of early childhood education and childcare services. Headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida, TLE began franchising in 2003 and has since expanded to over 600 centers across the United States.

TLE offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to foster cognitive, social, and emotional development in children from six weeks to six years old.

The proprietary L.E.A.P. (Learning Experience Academic Program) curriculum integrates advanced technology and enrichment programs, including philanthropy, yoga, and foreign languages, to provide a holistic educational experience.

What sets TLE apart is its commitment to creating a nurturing and engaging environment that encourages learning through play. The centers are equipped with vibrant classrooms and indoor and outdoor play areas, promoting active exploration and discovery.

Initial investment

The initial investment required for a The Learning Experience franchise is $686,000 - $5,609,000. 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.

The Learning Experience offers 3 types of franchises:

Type of Center	Initial Investment Range
New Centers with SDSC Addenda	$685,799 – $1,477,299
New Centers with SC Addenda	$2,154,799 – $5,608,799
Acquisition of Existing Center Only	$837,300 – $3,318,000

We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a New Center with SC Addenda franchise. For more information on the various types of franchises and its costs, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).

Type of Expenditure	Amount
Franchise Fee	$60,000
Site Coordination Fee	$75,000 – 20% upon execution, 80% at closing
Lease Security Deposits	$15,000 – $150,000
Insurance Premiums	$3,500 – $18,000
Organizational Expenses	$1,000 – $2,500
Software Service Fee (6 months)	$3,150
Computer Hardware and Microsoft Office	$14,000
Pre-paid Rent for up to 3 months	$0 – $150,000
Opening Marketing Efforts	$30,000 – $55,000
Computer Set-Up Fee	$2,999
Payments/Security Deposits to Utility Provider	$500 – $5,000
Local and State Licenses and Permits	$400 – $2,000
Travel/Lodging for Staff Training	$2,500 – $15,000
Initial Employee Salaries (6 Months)	$100,000 – $175,000
Curriculum	$500 – $3,850
Food/Paper/Expendables	$1,250 – $3,500
Miscellaneous	$0 – $70,000
Signage	$5,000 – $45,000
Improvements (including Playground)	$1,500,000 – $4,000,000
Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment	$50,000 – $125,000
Architectural Fees	$35,000 – $100,000
Proprietary Products	$50,000 – $100,000
Additional Funds (operating expenses for 6 months)	$200,000 – $400,000
L.E.A.P. Interactive Setup Fee	$5,000 – $8,800
Total	$2,154,799 – $5,608,799

The Learning Experience offers 3 types of franchises:

Type of Center	Initial Investment Range
New Centers with SDSC Addenda	$685,799 – $1,477,299
New Centers with SC Addenda	$2,154,799 – $5,608,799
Acquisition of Existing Center Only	$837,300 – $3,318,000

Type of Expenditure	Amount
Franchise Fee	$60,000
Site Coordination Fee	$75,000 – 20% upon execution, 80% at closing
Lease Security Deposits	$15,000 – $150,000
Insurance Premiums	$3,500 – $18,000
Organizational Expenses	$1,000 – $2,500
Software Service Fee (6 months)	$3,150
Computer Hardware and Microsoft Office	$14,000
Pre-paid Rent for up to 3 months	$0 – $150,000
Opening Marketing Efforts	$30,000 – $55,000
Computer Set-Up Fee	$2,999
Payments/Security Deposits to Utility Provider	$500 – $5,000
Local and State Licenses and Permits	$400 – $2,000
Travel/Lodging for Staff Training	$2,500 – $15,000
Initial Employee Salaries (6 Months)	$100,000 – $175,000
Curriculum	$500 – $3,850
Food/Paper/Expendables	$1,250 – $3,500
Miscellaneous	$0 – $70,000
Signage	$5,000 – $45,000
Improvements (including Playground)	$1,500,000 – $4,000,000
Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment	$50,000 – $125,000
Architectural Fees	$35,000 – $100,000
Proprietary Products	$50,000 – $100,000
Additional Funds (operating expenses for 6 months)	$200,000 – $400,000
L.E.A.P. Interactive Setup Fee	$5,000 – $8,800
Total	$2,154,799 – $5,608,799

Franchise Disclosure Document

Below is The Learning Experience's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document. Upgrade to Pro or purchase the FDD to view and download the document.

Number of units

The Learning Experience had 366 total units in 2024, of which 326 were franchised-owned and 40 company-owned.

Frequently Asked Questions

Competitors

Below are some of

The Learning Experience

key competitors in the

Preschool

sector.

Franchise

326

New

21%

7.00%

$686,000

$5,609,000

$2,038,000

16.7%

Safari Kid

$200K - $500K

New

-10%

7.00%

$377,000

$1,273,000

n.a.

Creative World School

Over $500K

New

5% - 7%

$4,825,000

$9,208,000

$2,194,000

28.7%

Ducklings Early Learning Center

Over $500K

New

57%

3%–6%

$993,000

$2,154,000

$1,783,000

17.5%

Jovie

$100K - $200K

168

New

-9%

5.00%

$107,000

$163,000

$662,000

n.a.

Tierra Encantada

Over $500K

New

7.00%

$1,542,000

$3,658,000

$2,902,000

23.4%

KidsPark

$200K - $500K

New

-5%

5.00%

$299,000

$527,000

$493,000

n.a.

Training

The franchisor provides extensive training to franchisees to ensure proper operation of their centers. This includes:

Foundations Training:
- Provides a critical overview of development timelines and standard operating procedures.
- Delivered through virtual sessions, live in-person training, and e-learning courses.
TLE Essentials Training:
- Up to ten business days of training at the corporate headquarters.
- Covers essential aspects of operating a center under the franchisor's system, including operational and management techniques.
Initial On-Site Training:
- Conducted at the franchisee's center before opening.
- Focused on ensuring compliance with brand standards for center personnel.
Supplemental Training:
- Additional training sessions offered periodically at the franchisee's center, nearby centers, or the corporate headquarters.
- These sessions may include weekends, evenings, and regular working hours.

Territory Protection

The franchisor provides a "Protected Territory" where franchisees can operate without direct competition from other franchisees or company-owned centers.

However, this protection does not include competition from online sales, catalog distribution, or other channels controlled by the franchisor. The continuation of the territory is not performance-dependent, but it is not exclusive, leaving room for indirect competition within the broader market.