Children’s Lighthouse Early Learning Schools has named Matt Kelton vice president of franchise development. Kelton’s appointment follows the retirement of COO Stephen Dixon, who dedicated 14 years to the organization. Kelton brings more than 25 years of professional experience to the role.
Like Children’s Lighthouse President Michael Brown, Kelton grew up in a franchise family that instilled in him a passion for entrepreneurship. When working with prospects, Kelton said he mentions that the early childhood education franchise is one of the few brands in the industry that isn’t owned by private equity and that Brown will pass Children’s Lighthouse on to his kids in the future. “Our prospects are attracted to our brand because they understand the potential of generational wealth building, and they want to leave a legacy for their families,” Kelton said.
Other attractive aspects of Children’s Lighthouse include that it is well-capitalized and has a solid model and potential for growth, he added. “We have four different proprietary curriculums that are a major differentiator for us. We are also a family-first culture and have been able to build unique communities in our schools all over the country,” Kelton said.
Brown celebrated Kelton’s addition to the leadership team. “As we move forward, we couldn’t have found a better person to bring on board than Matt Kelton to fulfill the role of vice president of franchise development. His expertise in driving business growth will reinforce our aggressive development goals and ultimately create rewarding ownership opportunities for new and existing franchisees for years to come,” Brown said.
Discovering Entrepreneurship
Kelton said he had two choices following his graduation from Texas Christian University: go back to school or open a franchise. He went the entrepreneurial route, becoming a multi-unit ColorTyme Rent-to-Own franchise owner. He later served as president and COO of Computer Renaissance and COO of Showhomes Home Services. Ready for a change, he researched different industries and discovered Children’s Lighthouse.
“We had our kids in early education schools, and we saw the impact it could produce for our kids. It was also a huge solution for two working parents. “The reality is that it will be incredibly difficult for households to manage without two incomes. Parents will need a solution that isn’t just babysitting and playtime. Children’s Lighthouse fills a massive void in the market, and the demand has no end in sight.”
About Children’s Lighthouse Early Learning Schools
Established in 1997 in Fort Worth, Texas, Children’s Lighthouse Early Learning Schools has expanded to almost 70 franchised schools in operation and 25 additional franchised locations in development. Its proprietary curriculum helps children of all ages develop healthy brains, bodies and best behaviors.
