Primrose Schools Enters Period of Expansion

The preschool years are a formative time in the lives of children, and private early education provider Primrose Schools is going through a growth period itself. This past winter, the Atlanta-based company identified a number of markets it sees as prime areas for expansion. Connect Media spoke with Bill Pierquet, SVP of school development at Primrose, for more insights into the selection process.

Q: Earlier this year, Primrose identified several markets, including Chicago and Orange County, as prime areas for expansion based on demographics. What do these markets have in common that make them especially well-suited for launching new franchises?

A: When we think about areas to develop, what we’re really looking at is communities across the country with a need for high-quality early education and care. We analyze various data points, like the number of children and families in the area, and also conduct competitive research to ultimately determine how many Primrose schools a market can sustain.

We then go even deeper to see what a Primrose development would mean to the community, and how it would help serve the families living there. We are currently focused on many markets like Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, Orange County, San Diego and Miami/Fort Lauderdale. All of these markets have a need for early education and care, as well as the community frameworks in place to sustain our schools. We’re looking forward to bringing our exclusive Balanced Learning® approach to more children and families through our expansion in these and many more markets across the country.

Q: At a neighborhood level, what characteristics does Primrose take into account that mark these areas as good sites for schools?

A: When evaluating potential communities for our schools, we review demographics within a three-mile radius of the site to see how many children could be immediately served by a new Primrose school, and also what competitors are in the area. Once a neighborhood is found, our School Development Team members consider potential sites based on land size and the accessibility of the school. Our schools need access to parking, room for playgrounds, and an easy way in and out for busy parents dropping off and picking up their children.

We have developed schools in suburban, business park and urban locations all across the country. Our Franchise Owners and the Primrose Development Team are very creative in our approach to growth, and providing service where parents need our premium care.

Q: What considerations should Franchise Owners bring to opening a school in terms of tailoring it to the community it will serve?

A: Typically, our Franchise Owners are longtime residents of the communities they plan to build their schools in, and because of their commitment to their communities, they have realized the need for high-quality early education in their markets. Each Primrose Franchise Owner brings his or her unique background and skillset, to combine with the training and business support that the Primrose School Franchising Company provides. Our Franchise Owners know their communities best, and work with us to design an outstanding school to serve the community.

Q: Anything else you’d like to add?

A: This is an exciting time of growth for Primrose Schools, and we’re looking forward to bringing high-quality early education and care to more communities across the country.

For comments, questions or concerns, please contact Paul Bubny