News Summary
Harvest Partners has acquired a majority share in The Learning Experience, an early childhood education chain based in Florida. CEO Richard Weissman will remain to lead the company, which has over 430 locations across the U.S. and U.K. This acquisition aims to bolster TLE’s growth plans, including the opening of new centers in Central Florida, while maintaining a strong focus on innovative educational platforms.
Florida – Harvest Partners has successfully completed a majority acquisition of The Learning Experience (TLE), a prominent early childhood education chain based in Deerfield Beach, Florida. This acquisition, executed by funds managed by Harvest Partners, marks a significant milestone for TLE, which provides education for children aged six weeks to six years.
Following the acquisition, Richard Weissman, Co-Founder and CEO of TLE, will remain at the helm to guide the company in its next phase of growth. In this transition, TLE’s management team will continue to hold substantial ownership in the company. Golden Gate Capital, TLE’s previous owner, will maintain a minority interest in the company as part of the transaction. Specific financial details of the acquisition have not been disclosed.
Founded in 2001, TLE has established itself as one of the leading franchisors and operators of early childhood education schools in the United States and the United Kingdom. TLE currently operates over 430 locations, providing state-of-the-art educational facilities and a proprietary curriculum designed to develop essential academic and life skills in young children. This curriculum aims to prepare children for success in kindergarten and beyond.
Innovative Educational Platforms
In addition to its core educational services, TLE features an innovative platform called Bubbles and Friends. This platform includes characters, original music, animated videos, and an interactive app aimed at promoting age-appropriate learning. Bubbles and Friends enhances in-center education and facilitates continuous learning at home, ensuring that children benefit from a comprehensive educational experience.
Strong Growth Trajectory
Under Golden Gate Capital’s stewardship, TLE has successfully scaled its operations, more than tripling systemwide sales over the investment period. The new partnership with Harvest Partners is expected to further support TLE’s growth ambitions through enhanced financial and strategic resources, allowing for continued expansion and innovation within the early childhood education sector.
Expansion Plans
Looking ahead, TLE plans to expand its presence in Central Florida by opening ten new locations over the next three years. Two of these new centers will be located in Pasco County, specifically in the cities of Odessa and Zephyrhills. Each center will occupy a 10,000-square-foot building, complemented by a 5,000-square-foot playground, with the potential to employ up to 30 staff members and teachers, catering to approximately 180 children.
The average cost to construct each new school is estimated to be between $3.2 million and $3.5 million. Once these new locations are operational, TLE will operate a total of eleven centers in the Central Florida region, consisting of both corporate and franchisee-owned establishments. TLE carefully evaluates various factors when selecting new locations for expansion, including the daytime population, the number of children ages six and under in the vicinity, and the average household incomes.
Advisory Teams
During this acquisition process, Harris Williams acted as the financial advisor to TLE and Golden Gate Capital, while Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison served as their legal counsel. Harvest Partners was supported by the advisory firms Ropes & Gray and Kirkland & Ellis.
With a commitment to providing quality early childhood education and a strong focus on strategic growth, The Learning Experience is poised to enhance its reach and impact in the education sector across the United States.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Pulse 2.0: Harvest Partners Completes Majority Acquisition of The Learning Experience
- WFTV: Childcare Chain Learning Experience Plans Major Central Florida Expansion
- Business Observer: Learning Experience Day Care Chain Expands Pasco
- Wikipedia: Early Childhood Education
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Early Childhood Education
