The Learning Experience

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The Learning Experience

The Learning Experience Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2025)

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

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

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.

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

Franchise Disclosure Document

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Competitors

Below are some of

The Learning Experience

key competitors in the

Preschool

sector.

Started franchising
Franchisees

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Franchise fee

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Royalty fee

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Investment

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Revenue (AUV)

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Gross Profit

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EBITDA

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Home-based

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Passive investment

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FDD
The Learning Experience
2003
326
+
21%
21%
$60,000
7.00%

$686,000

-

$5,609,000

n.a.

$2,038,000

Upgrade

n.a.

n.a.

Upgrade

16.7%

n.a.

Upgrade
No
Upgrade
No
No
Upgrade
No
2006
18
+
-10%
-10%
$70,000
7.00%

$377,000

-

$1,273,000

Upgrade

n.a.

$0

n.a.

n.a.

Upgrade

n.a.

n.a.

Upgrade
No
Upgrade
No
Yes
Upgrade
Yes
2013
19
+
58%
58%
$64,500
7.00%

$562,000

-

$1,139,000

Upgrade

n.a.

$1,169,000

n.a.

n.a.

Upgrade

18.0%

n.a.

Upgrade
No
Upgrade
No
Yes
Upgrade
Yes
2019
2
+
0%
0%
$60,000
7.00%

$1,542,000

-

$3,658,000

Upgrade

n.a.

$2,902,000

n.a.

n.a.

Upgrade

23.4%

n.a.

Upgrade
No
Upgrade
No
Yes
Upgrade
Yes
1988
627
+
9%
9%
$135,000
7.00%

$704,000

-

$8,514,000

Upgrade

n.a.

$2,132,000

n.a.

n.a.

Upgrade

20.4%

n.a.

Upgrade
No
Upgrade
No
No
Upgrade
No
1988
505
+
9%
9%
$80,000
7.00%

$743,000

-

$8,595,000

Upgrade

n.a.

$2,622,000

n.a.

n.a.

Upgrade

16.4%

n.a.

Upgrade
No
Upgrade
No
No
Upgrade
No
2011
62
+
24%
24%
$50,000
4% - 7%

$1,040,000

-

$7,625,000

Upgrade

n.a.

$2,607,000

n.a.

n.a.

Upgrade

15.8%

n.a.

Upgrade
No
Upgrade
No
No
Upgrade
No

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$49 / month
Total investment

?

Revenue (AUV)

?

Revenue growth (last 3 years)

?

Profit margin

?

Franchise Disclosure Documents
Advanced filtering and sorting
Watchlist

?

Priority support

?

A comprehensive and transparent look at franchising finances. The inclusion of profit margins and disclosure documents offers insights you can’t find elsewhere. Essential for anyone considering a franchise investment.

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Training

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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Initial On-Site Training:
    • Conducted at the franchisee's center before opening.
    • Focused on ensuring compliance with brand standards for center personnel.
  4. 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.

Number of units

2024
Franchised units

269

301

326

Company-owned units

33

38

40

Total units

302

339

366

Competitors

Safari Kid

Franchisees

?

18
+
-10%
-10%
Investment

?

$377,000 - $1,273,000

Montessori Kids Universe

Franchisees

?

19
+
58%
58%
Investment

?

$562,000 - $1,139,000

Tierra Encantada

Franchisees

?

2
+
0%
0%
Investment

?

$1,542,000 - $3,658,000

The Goddard School

Franchisees

?

627
+
9%
9%
Investment

?

$704,000 - $8,514,000

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