BALTIMORE, Dec. 3, 2024 – Celebree School, a leader in early childhood education, has been honored with the International Franchise Association’s (IFA) first-ever Emerging Franchisor Award. The recognition highlights the school’s responsible franchise growth and promising future as it expands its national presence with qualified, passionate franchisees.
The award was presented to Celebree School’s founder and CEO Richard Huffman, along with his wife Dawn and other executive team members, at the IFA’s annual Emerging Franchisor Conference in Austin, Texas. Celebree was recognized for its outstanding performance as a young franchisor with fewer than 10 years in the business. The school, which began in Ellicott City, Maryland, in 1994, is proud to bring the prestigious award to its home state.
Today, Celebree School operates 55 locations across 19 states, with 73 franchisees and more than 160 sites. The company enrolls over 7,200 children weekly.
Matt Haller, President and CEO of the IFA, emphasized the award’s focus on brands with a strong foundation for long-term growth, responsible franchising practices, and a positive community impact. “Celebree School has consistently stood out for its commitment to responsible franchising and its positive influence on families and communities,” Haller said. “As franchising continues to grow as a path to small business ownership, Celebree serves as a model for other emerging brands.”
Celebree School began franchising in 2019, offering entrepreneurs the chance to spread its mission to “Grow People Big and Small™.” The school’s growth has been marked by careful expansion and a focus on community involvement. The company’s approach prioritizes selecting franchisees who align with its core values of education, integrity, and community engagement.
In the past year alone, Celebree opened seven new schools and signed 23 new franchise agreements, many of which were multi-unit deals. This growth strategy reflects the brand’s ability to scale while maintaining high standards.
“This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team,” said Huffman. “When we started franchising, our goal was to provide quality early childhood education to communities nationwide. We’re excited to see the positive impact we’ve made on our franchisees, teachers, and families—and we look forward to continued growth in the years to come.”
About Celebree School
Founded in 1994, Celebree School offers a wide range of early childhood education services, including infant and toddler care, preschool, before and aftercare, and summer camp programs. The school’s mission is to “Grow People Big and Small™,” focusing on the physical, social, emotional, and academic development of children. Celebree launched its franchise model in 2019 and, in 2024, introduced Huffman Family Brands, a parent company that consolidates Celebree-affiliated concepts under one umbrella. Learn more at Celebree
About the International Franchise Association
The International Franchise Association (IFA) is the world’s oldest and largest organization representing the franchising industry. Celebrating over 60 years, the IFA advocates for franchising through government relations, media outreach, and educational programs. The IFA supports over 800,000 franchise establishments that generate nearly $860 billion in economic output and provide 8.7 million direct jobs in the U.S.
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