Kiddie Academy® Named a Fastest Growing Franchise for 2016

National child care learning company identified as "fastest growing" on list of 100 top franchises

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Feb 11, 2016, 08:03 ET

ABINGDON, Md., Feb. 11, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Kiddie Academy^®, a nationally recognized provider of comprehensive education-based child care programs, was recently named a "Fastest Growing Franchise for 2016" by Franchise Gator, a leading internet directory of franchise and business opportunities for entrepreneurs.

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Kiddie Academy was ranked fifth on the Franchise Gator's third annual Top 100 list, which ranks franchise systems currently expanding and considered to be the best buys for individuals looking to purchase a franchise. The company was then identified as a "Fastest Growing Franchise" among 50 others. The online franchise directory developed the rankings as a way for prospective franchisees to identify opportunities with strong growth potential that are also affordable investments for the average franchise buyer.

Kiddie Academy, founded in 1981, began with the idea to combine learning with child care. The company will celebrate its 35^th birthday in 2016 with a reputation as a national leading provider of education-based child care programs, and as a trailblazer in the child care and education industries. The company serves families and their children ages 6 weeks to 12 years old, offering full time care, before- and after-school care and summer camp programs. Kiddie Academy's proprietary Life Essentials^® curriculum, supporting programs, methods, activities and techniques help prepare children for life.

"We plan to grow from 147 to 175 Kiddie Academy locations this year, and that stellar growth positions us as a fastest growing franchise for 2016," said Kiddie Academy President Greg Helwig. "It's great to be a Top 100 franchise, but it's even better to be one of the top five."

The Franchise Gator Fastest Growing list spotlights brands that are experiencing rapid expansion coming into the New Year. "We identified 50 franchises this year for our Fastest Growing category," said Eric Bell, General Manager of Franchise Gator. "The list is developed based on the number of opening and operating units a franchise has had over the past several months in addition to their track record for building a solid customer base and gaining the trust of investors."

Kiddie Academy Domestic Franchising is based in Maryland and has almost 150 academies located in 24 states. Approximately 60 additional academies are currently in development, with more than 20 new locations slated to open in 2016 nationwide. The company also noted a 45 percent increase in staffing at their corporate headquarters in the last five years.

"Almost 20 percent of our growth was with our existing franchisees, a real statement about the strength of the industry and how excited our franchisees are about their businesses," said Helwig. "We're excited about our year-over-year growth. It's a good time to be an entrepreneur and it's smart to invest in a business that offers the work-life harmony many are seeking in the 21^st Century."

About Kiddie Academy^®

Since 1981, Kiddie Academy^® has been a leader in education-based child care. The company serves families and their children ages 6 weeks to 12 years old, offering full time care, before- and after-school care and summer camp programs. Kiddie Academy's proprietary Life Essentials^® curriculum, supporting programs, methods, activities and techniques help prepare children for life. Kiddie Academy is using the globally recognized AdvancED accreditation system, signifying its commitment to quality education and the highest standards in child care. For more information, visit www.kiddieacademy.com.

About Kiddie Academy^® Franchising

Kiddie Academy Domestic Franchising is based in Maryland and has more than 146 academies located in 24 states. Approximately 30 additional academies are in development, with more than 20 new locations slated to open in 2016. For more information, visit http://www.kiddieacademyfranchising.com/.

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SOURCE Kiddie Academy