Everything You Need to Know About Owning an AEA

A franchise model in which AEA GP LLC licenses its proprietary STEAM Investigation™ curriculum, brand, and support systems to franchisees, who own and operate purpose-built Amazing Explorers Academy locations.

Amazing Explorers Academy has been in operation for over 10 years, growing consistently — with a focus on high-quality education and company culture — to 27 units today, with more in the pipeline.

At Amazing Explorers Academy, we believe children learn best by doing. Our proprietary STEAM Investigation™ Curriculum is hands-on and project-based — through open-ended projects, imaginative play, and guided challenges, children build the confidence to ask questions, think critically, and explore the world around them.

That same philosophy carries through our signature STEAM Cuisine and STEAM Sports programs, in-classroom cameras with remote parent viewing, and one Academy spanning Infant through Summer Camp so families never have to leave for a bigger-kid program. Our monthly community events also give families real opportunities to connect, celebrate learning, and build lasting school culture.

Our STEAM Investigation™ Curriculum is proprietary and project-based. Children engage in hands-on projects that build critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Working together on real-world challenges helps them explore, create, and communicate with confidence. The curriculum is extended through signature programs STEAM Cuisine and STEAM Sports.

Yes — franchise ownership requires U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident (green card) status. If you finance your investment through an SBA loan, additional citizenship or residency requirements may apply.

AEA is currently offering franchises in: Arizona, Colorado, Indiana, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, the western portion of Florida, Kansas, and Nevada. Contact our franchise development team to learn more about specific available territories.

The U.S. child care market was valued at USD 65.13 billion in 2025, projected to reach USD 99.23 billion by 2035 (4.3% CAGR) — a growing, resilient industry with strong demand from families across all economic segments.

Total estimated initial investment: $1,150,500 – $6,553,000 (single Academy)

Key fee items:
• Franchise fee: $100,000
• Royalty: 7% of gross sales
• Ad Fund: 1% + required Local School Marketing 0.5% of gross sales
• Monthly Technology Fee: $1,000
• Real Estate Fee: $25,000 (if applicable)
• Area Development Fee (multi-unit): $150,000 – $500,000

Average annual gross revenue: $2,120,699 (median $2,088,527), based on 12 mature company-affiliated Academies for FY2025. High: $3,830,915 · Low: $1,145,146. EBITDA, occupancy rate, and NPS are not disclosed in AEA's current FDD Item 19.

Yes — Amazing Explorers Academy is an SBA-approved franchise system. New franchise buyers and location owners are pre-eligible to apply for SBA financing (such as 7(a) loans) to help cover startup costs, real estate, and working capital.

AEA's SBA-approved status means the system is pre-registered with the SBA, which can streamline 7(a) loan applications for prospective franchisees. Contact our franchise development team for details on lender networks and the application process.

Yes — multi-unit Area Development agreements are available. Area Development Fee: $150,000 (3 units) to $500,000 (10 units), or $50,000 per additional unit. The Initial Area Development Fee equals 50% of the Franchise Fee.

Yes — a selection of established schools is available for sale in specific markets. Contact our franchise development team to learn which locations may be available.

Incentive availability (such as multi-unit development pricing) is evaluated case by case — contact AEA GP's franchise development team to discuss your specific situation.

No formal background in early childhood education is required. The Director overseeing day-to-day operations completes AEA GP's initial training program — up to 80 hours of instruction plus up to 10 days of on-site opening support — covering curriculum, operations, and management.

Initial Training (up to 80 hours): curriculum/programs (24 hrs), lesson planning (16 hrs), operations & policies (8 hrs), personnel & staffing, financial management, health & safety/crisis management, sales/marketing, computer & POS systems, and more — at an AEA GP-designated facility at no charge (franchisee covers travel/lodging).

Pre-Opening: Two AEA GP-trained representatives provide up to 10 days of on-site pre-opening and opening supervision and assistance.

Ongoing: Continuing advisory assistance, periodic inspections and written evaluations (Standard of Excellence Report), telephone/email support during business hours at no charge, and additional training programs as needed.

Yes — AEA's FDD includes a Real Estate Fee of $25,000 payable if AEA GP provides site selection and feasibility support, indicating this assistance is available for qualifying franchisees.

Every Amazing Explorers Academy must always be under the direct, full-time, day-to-day supervision of a qualified Director. If you're an individual franchisee, AEA GP may require you to serve as the Director yourself; if you're a business entity, you designate a Director to fill this role full-time.

Amazing Explorers Academy® measures success using both financial results and operational KPIs. Through our proprietary school management platform, franchisees have access to real-time dashboards tracking enrollment, capacity, revenue, profitability, labor, family satisfaction, and more. We review these KPIs together every month, benchmark performance across the network, and set annual and quarterly goals to drive continuous improvement.

Becoming an AEA franchise owner follows these milestones:

1. Introductory conversation to get acquainted
2. Formal application
3. Review of our FDD
4. Financial qualification check
5. Discovery Day at one of our academies — meet the team and see the model firsthand
6. Sign the Franchise Agreement

Typically 12–18 months or more from initial interest to opening day, depending on site selection, permitting, construction, and licensing timelines in your market.