Education Franchise Industry News & Announcements

SAN FRANCISCO, May 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Gymboree Corporation today announced it will hold a conference call and webcast to review first fiscal quarter 2012 financial results. The call will be held on Wednesday, June 6, 2012, at 1:00 p.m. Pacific/4:00 p.m. Eastern.
To listen live over the internet, please log on to www.gymboree.com, click on "Company Information" at the bottom of the page, go to "Investor and Media Relations" and then "Conference Calls & Webcasts." A replay of the call will be available two hours after the broadcast through midnight PT, Tuesday, June 12, 2012, at 855-859-2056, passcode 80621956.
About The Gymboree Corporation
The Gymboree Corporation's specialty retail brands offer unique, high-quality products delivered with personalized customer service...

Student Bands from Elementary through High School Showcase Talent & Compete to Win in Semi-Annual Event
BETHESDA, Md., May 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Bach to Rock (B2R), America's music school for students of all ages, announced today that the B2R Battle of the Bands X will kick-off at the Fillmore Silver Spring on June 10, 2012, before heading back to the 9:30 Club on June 23-24, 2012, for a jam band showdown. Hundreds of local students will showcase their incredible talent, performing a mix of original music and popular hits, for a chance to win professional studio recording time.
"Bach to Rock's 'Battle of The Bands' continues to grow in popularity thanks to our dedicated students and faculty," said Brian Gross, president of Bach to Rock...

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Creative Learning Corporation (OTCBB:CLCN), owner and developer of Bricks 4 Kidz®, the highly-popular children’s education and enrichment program, is pleased to announce record revenues and profits for the quarter ending March 31, 2012. The Company generated revenues of $802,227 with a pre-tax profit of $221,211. CEO Brian Pappas attributes the quarterly results to a substantial increase in lead flow from franchise seekers and higher closing rates as well as to the performance of the Company’s franchisees. Pappas stated, “You don’t sell franchises in any franchise system unless the franchisees are doing well. We focus tremendous energy on our franchisees through our support system and are constantly seeking ways to assist them in their local businesses...

Entrepreneurs Looking Beyond the Cookie Cutter Franchise Model
BALTIMORE, MD--(Marketwire - May 22, 2012) - Pursuing a franchise concept can be attractive for a variety of reasons: proven business model, layers of support and resources in place to achieve success. Entrepreneurs were once after a consistent formula -- the cookie cutter franchise. However, today's franchisees want the satisfaction of integrating their personal opinion or style into the development and future of their business.
Flexibility in franchising isn't new, says Sue Hilger, vice president of franchise development for Kiddie Academy, an educational child care franchise organization. "Flexibility used to mean the opportunity to own a business and have a better work-life balance...

Fred Astaire Franchised Dance Studios (FADS) announced this week the opening of their Beirut, Lebanon dance studio.
LONGMEADOW, MA, May 05, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Fred Astaire Franchised Dance Studios (FADS), headquartered in Longmeadow, Massachusetts (USA) announced this week the opening of their Beirut, Lebanon dance studio. For more information on location, hours and lessons visit: www.fredastairelebanon.com or call +961 71 941472.
CEO and President Jack Rothweiler said the opening "marks an important milestone for both the company and Beirut." As the capitol and cultural center of Lebanon, the city has a thriving night life and a vibrant social and ballroom dance scene (as evidenced by the numerous independent ballroom dance studios) which the fastest-growing dance studio franchise would like to tap into...

World's Largest After-School Enrichment Program Looks to Further Expand in Central Region of the US
TEANECK, N.J., May 8, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In an economic climate where most businesses are scaling back or closing down completely, many business owners are learning the hard way what consumers consider disposable. Luckily for Kumon and other companies in the $5 billion tutoring industry, education isn't one of them.
According to the Education Industry Association, supplemental education continues to be one of the fastest-growing franchise segments. At the forefront of this growth, Kumon, the world's largest after-school enrichment program specializing in math and reading for students ranging from preschool to high school, recently announced expansion plans to further position itself as the segment leader...

Music-Minded Entrepreneurs to Open A Chain of New Locations in New York and Connecticut
BETHESDA, Md., May 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Bach to Rock, America's music school for students of all ages, announced today that it has signed its first-ever franchise agreement with Amplified Capital Partners, LLC to open a chain of Bach to Rock schools in Nassau County, NY, Westchester County, NY and Fairfield County, CT. The first location is slated to open in the fall of 2012.
"At Bach to Rock, we've experienced tremendous success serving the greater Washington D.C. area, and we are excited to expand our footprint in Connecticut and New York," said Brian Gross, president of Bach to Rock. "With interest in playing music at an all-time high, we are confident that a musical hotbed like the New York metropolitan area will embrace the teaching methodology and philosophy of Bach to Rock, which is learning to play music while having fun...

New Infographic Examines the Industry, Trends and What's to Come
BALTIMORE, MD--(Marketwire - May 1, 2012) - To celebrate their 20 years in franchising, Kiddie Academy created an infographic that examines the growth of the educational child care industry, the factors that influence the need for their services and trends to watch.
The child care industry is consistently growing as the number of working parents increases, along with their preference for higher-quality child care focused on education and early childhood development. As a result, this business is on a rapid rise, as more and more parents opt for the superior services of a child care learning center over a conventional preschool.
Some factors influencing the industry include:

More than 11 million children under the age of 5 are in some form of child care every week
58% of those children are in a center or full time preschool
The most important factors when choosing a child care are: 1...

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Creative Learning Corporation (OTCBB:CLCN) , owner and developer of Bricks 4 Kidz®, the highly-popular children’s education and enrichment program, is pleased to announce that the Company has reached its 145th franchise, a milestone that was not projected to be achieved until August, 2012. The 145th franchise is located in Bourg, Louisiana (outside of New Orleans). Creative Learning now has franchises in 29 states plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and 4 foreign countries.
The closing of the 145th franchise clearly indicates a large demand for the Bricks 4 Kidz® program. “We are thrilled to be announcing our 145th franchise 3 months ahead of our projected schedule,” commented Brian Pappas, CEO of Creative Learning...

SAN FRANCISCO, April 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Gymboree Corporation (the "Company") today reported consolidated financial results for the fourth fiscal quarter and the fiscal year ended January 28, 2012 ("fiscal 2011"). The results for the fourth fiscal quarter and the fiscal year ended January 29, 2011 ("fiscal 2010") presented herein reflect the Company's performance for the "combined period" consisting of the period (the "predecessor period") prior to the November 2010 acquisition of the Company by Giraffe Holding, Inc., an entity controlled by investment funds sponsored by Bain Capital Partners, LLC (the "Acquisition"), as well as the period after completion of the Acquisition (the "successor period"). The addition of the predecessor and successor period amounts is not consistent with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP") and may yield results that are not strictly comparable on a period-to-period basis due to the changes of accounting basis during these periods...

SOUTHBURY, CT--(Marketwire - Apr 26, 2012) - Most entrepreneurs work hard for every dollar earned. Business owners know all too well that business growth often goes hand-in-hand with a growth in operating expenses. As National Small Business Week approaches (May 21st), Brian Miller, president and COO of Expense Reduction Coaching® (ERC), wants business owners to know that, typically, the gradual increase in operating costs stems primarily from inadequate oversight.
"To ensure growth, business owners need to work 'on' the business and not 'in' the business," says Miller. "By focusing on profit-making efforts, they should leave the day-to-day operational support to staff and other experts. Having a cost-cutting expert on staff or as a coach is one very effective way to manage operating costs and positively affect the bottom line...

SOUTHBURY, CT--(Marketwire - Apr 26, 2012) - When you stop to think about the characteristics that typify the entrepreneur in today's oftentimes unpredictable, ever changing world, risk taking, decisiveness, creativity, and most of all perseverance are just a few traits that come to mind. With the National Small Business Week beginning on May 21st, Brian Miller, COO and president of AdviCoach®, says, "With more and more people choosing business ownership as a means to make a living and secure their financial future, let's all look for ways to invest in making our community service providers succeed."
"AdviCoaches work with many small business owners who are hard-working, community-conscience people who enjoy contributing to their community by providing a well-needed product or service," says Miller...

Tips From Child Care Experts Help Parents Focus the Search for the Right Program
 BALTIMORE, MD--(Marketwire - Apr 24, 2012) - With school and after-school activities still in full swing, it's easy for parents to postpone thinking about summer camp programs for their children. But Claire Haas, vice president of education for Kiddie Academy, an educationally focused child care provider, says parents should act now to select and register their children, before popular camp programs fill up.
Haas suggests that parents begin their summer camp search by identifying key factors like schedules, interests, aptitudes and friends. She offers the following tips to help narrow down the choices:

Keep your needs in mind. Extended hours are important to busy two-working-parent families...

Second capital infusion since 2009 investment will further expand growth in U.S. and Mexico
April 20, 2012 // Franchising.com // Burr Ridge, Ill. – For the second time since receiving an initial investment from private equity firm Sterling Partners in 2009, School of Rock, the U.S. leader in performance-based music education, received an additional capital investment from its current investors. The $5 million investment was led by Sterling – whose nearly $5 billion of assets under management concentrates on growth-oriented companies – and will help School of Rock further expand its growth initiatives in North America while accelerating its franchise development efforts.
“We are building something special here, and I am inspired every day by the talented professional musicians who share our vision and chose to be instructors at our schools, the stories of the students who have been impacted in such a positive way from their involvement in our system, and the amazing performances our students are delivering on some of the world’s best stages,” said Chris Catalano, School of Rock’s CEO...

Children Create Poems for the Chance to win $500 and Trip to NYC
April 18, 2012 // Franchising.com // TEANECK, N.J. — Kumon has launched its first ever children’s poetry contest on Facebook. Students, 18 and under, across North America are invited to write an original poem in celebration of Earth Day. The six students whose poems receive the most votes win an all-expense-paid trip to New York City and a private lunch with Kumon North America’s president, Akira Hamanaka, at the company’s headquarters. Parents must submit their children’s original poetry beginning April 17 through May 4, 2012 at: www.facebook.com/kumon.
“Children are very perceptive of colors, sounds and feelings in nature. Kumon wants to encourage children to use their creativity and imagination to interpret the environment through poetry,” said vice president of Kumon University, Matthew Lupsha, who leads Kumon North America’s Green Initiative...

TEANECK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kumon, the world’s largest after-school math and reading enrichment company, earned the No. 1 tutoring ranking by Entrepreneur magazine’s 2012 Franchise 500 issue for the 11th consecutive year. The company exceeded industry expectations, growing by 13 percent in the past year and surpassing an enrollment milestone of 336,000 students.
“Our leadership position in the industry is as a result of our highly dedicated franchisees. We are extremely proud of their role in helping North American children experience the benefits of self-learning,” said chief operating officer, Savio Rebelo of Kumon North America. “After 54 years, Kumon is a time-tested learning method to help children reach their maximum potential...

SAN FRANCISCO, April 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --The Gymboree Corporation today announced it will hold a conference call and webcast to review fourth quarter and fiscal 2011 financial results. The call will be held on Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. Pacific/4:00 p.m. Eastern.
To listen live over the internet, please log on to www.gymboree.com, click on "Company Information" at the bottom of the page, go to "Investor and Media Relations" and then "Conference Calls, Webcasts & Presentations." A replay of the call will be available two hours after the broadcast through midnight PT, Wednesday, May 9, 2012, at 855-859-2056, passcode 71019106.
About The Gymboree Corporation
The Gymboree Corporation's specialty retail brands offer unique, high-quality products delivered with personalized customer service...

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Creative Learning Corporation (OTCBB:CLCN), owner and developer of Bricks 4 Kidz®, the highly-popular children’s education and enrichment program, is pleased to announce that the Company has recently closed on Master Licenses in Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates.
“The closing of the two Master Licenses clearly indicates a significant demand internationally for the Bricks 4 Kidz® program considering that we’re now operating in five countries and in Puerto Rico”
“The closing of the two Master Licenses clearly indicates a significant demand internationally for the Bricks 4 Kidz® program considering that we’re now operating in five countries and in Puerto Rico,” commented Brian Pappas, CEO of Creative Learning...

Appleton Learning Awards $5,000 Scholarship To Sparkman High SeniorRecipient increased his ACT score 10 points from a 23 to a 33.
April 09, 2012 // Franchising.com // Appleton Learning recently announced their $5,000 Hometown Scholarship recipient. Corban Swain, a senior at Sparkman High School, was awarded the scholarship based on his ACT score increase.
The scholarship challenged area juniors and seniors to increase their ACT score as much as possible. Applications were judged on the total point increase from the applicants’ first test or baseline score and their final test score. Swain, a self-studied student, increased his ACT score 10 points from a 23 to a 33.
“Appleton believes every college bound student has the potential to excel and exceed their college admission exam goals,” said Jason Garey, a Market Director at Appleton...

Former Competitive Swimmer, Author & Founder of British Swim School Franchise Rita Goldberg Sets Out to Decrease Disparity of Drownings among Minority Populations through Education, Instruction
[xtart] SUNRISE, Fla. – Every year around this time, Rita Goldberg’s thoughts turn to pools and beaches, but not the kind of “fun-in-the-sun” visions that fill most people’s heads as the spring and summer break seasons roll in. Instead, the former competitive swimmer, children’s author, lifelong swimming educator and founder of a growing swim school franchise, turns her attention to alarming statistics showing rates of fatal drowning among African American children notably higher than other populations.
In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, the fatal drowning rate of African American children ages 5 to 14 is more than three times that of white children in the same age range...