Lightbridge Academy to Bring Early Child Care to South Carolina

Lightbridge Academy®, The Solution for Working Families® and one of the fastest-growing early childhood education franchises with over 150 centers either open or in development, announces its latest franchise signing in South Carolina with experienced franchise owners Alison and Joe Friedman. The signing marks the duo’s third Lightbridge Academy center, bringing Lightbridge Academy’s Circle of Care philosophy and innovative programs to the South Carolina community.

The Friedman’s share Lightbridge Academy's Circle of Care® philosophy and are thrilled to be making an impact within the community bringing their first Lightbridge Academy location in South Carolina, and are currently seeking sites in the Clover area. With two thriving locations in Huntersville and Steele Creek, which marked the first two Lightbridge Academy centers in the Charlotte, NC area, the Friedman’s have demonstrated their commitment to providing high quality care and education to families in the region.

The pair also goes above and beyond through unique offerings and thoughtful services at their Lightbridge Academy locations, catering to the needs of their community. From dry cleaning services to easing the burden of weeknight dinners with meal pickups on Thursday evenings, Alison and Joe understand the daily challenges faced by busy families.

“We are delighted to extend Lightbridge Academy's Circle of Care philosophy to South Carolina with the opening of our third center,” said Alison and Joe Friedman. “This milestone not only reflects our dedication to offering innovative programs and nurturing environments to the community, but also underscores our commitment to serving working families. We were very eager to sign for this third location, and we're honored to make a difference and contribute to the enrichment of the local residents.”

Lightbridge Academy is filling the local need for high-quality educational child care, as the industry continues to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 4.18%, according to Grand View Research. In 2024, Lightbridge Academy has celebrated 9 franchise signings for a total of almost 80 open locations, entering new markets such as Arizona and South Carolina while continuing to grow in existing markets like Pennsylvania. As an industry leader in educational child care franchising, Lightbridge Academy is making significant strides in expanding its presence nationwide, bringing The Solution for Working Families® to vibrant communities in need of high-quality educational child care across the nation. With a commitment to providing exceptional care and fostering a nurturing environment, Lightbridge Academy is poised to make a positive impact on the local Clover area, supporting families in their pursuit of a balanced work-life dynamic.

"We're excited to once again be working with Alison and Joe to bring high-quality early childhood education to families in South Carolina," said Chief Executive Officer, Gigi Schweikert. "This latest agreement speaks volumes about our unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional early childhood education programs to working families. Alison and Joe mirror the essence of our brand daily and are rooted in a foundation of respect and trust. Our unparalleled franchisee relationships are the cornerstone of our success. I have full confidence that they will further elevate their business, nurturing it from the inside out."

Ranked as one of the fastest-growing franchises in the essential child care education industry, Lightbridge Academy leads with visionary business-minded innovation and technological advancements, provides ongoing support infrastructure and trainings, and collaborates with dedicated franchisees to transform the child care education space.

To learn more about Lightbridge Academy’s early childhood education programs in South Carolina, visit, LightbridgeAcademy.com. To learn more about franchising opportunities, visit LightbridgeAcademyFranchise.com.