Photo courtesy of Lightbridge Academy.
General Business
On Apr 3, 2026
Iselin-based Lightbridge Academy, one of the fastest-growing early childhood education franchises with more than 200 centers either open or in development, has been featured in Financial Times’ Americas’ Fastest Growing Companies 2026 list at #194, marking the second consecutive year the brand has been included in the ranking.
“We are incredibly honored to be recognized in Financial Times’ Americas’ Fastest Growing Companies 2026 list,” said Gigi Schweikert, chief executive officer of Lightbridge Academy. “This recognition is a testament to the dedication of our franchisees, our staff, and the families who trust us to care for and educate their children. Our growth is driven by a relentless focus on delivering exceptional early childhood education, investing in our team, and equipping our franchisees with the tools and support they need to thrive. As we continue to expand our footprint, we remain grounded in our mission to ensure every child in our care has the foundation they need to learn, grow, and flourish.”
The Americas’ Fastest Growing Companies 2026 ranking identifies organizations that achieved the strongest revenue growth between 2021 and 2024. Companies were evaluated based on having a revenue of at least $100,000 generated in 2021, a revenue of at least $1,500,000 generated in 2024, and for the company to operate as an independent organization. Data was collected through official sources like publicly available earning presentations, investor relations, websites, and annual reports.
This latest recognition is announced as Lightbridge Academy has received multiple distinguished industry accolades for the brand. Most recently, Lightbridge Academy earned a place in the 2026 Inc. Regionals: Northeast list, received the Franchise Business Review’s Franchise Satisfaction Award, and ranked #129 on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 list.
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