Early Education School Group Sold in South Florida
HINGE Advisors is pleased to announce the sale of an early education school portfolio in South Florida. This successful multi-site deal was the culmination of strategic growth and valuation optimization efforts.
Planning for a Successful Sale
Focused on innovative, child-centered preschool programs, the school’s owners expanded their footprint thoughtfully over the years with multiple schools dedicated to high-quality care and curriculum. While furthering their mission, they simultaneously began planning for their eventual exit from the business.
“Every business owner will step away from what they’ve built at some point in time — and for childcare owners, that decision often carries extra emotional weight. However, taking a proactive approach to exit planning is one of the smartest things you can do to ensure a future transition happens on your terms,” says HINGE Transaction Advisor Laurie Denny, who led this transaction on behalf of the sellers.
The Starting Point: ECE Business and Real Estate Valuation
After connecting with HINGE at an industry event and better understanding the importance of having a current view of their business and real estate value for both growth and selling, the owners tapped HINGE for a comprehensive ECE-specific valuation. After the initial valuation, HINGE helped them monitor their value, advising on operational strategies, various scenarios, and acquisitions to maximize their EBITDA and market multiple.
“There’s a very strong seller’s market out there for ECE owners, but ‘now’ isn’t always the right time to exit. As advisors, it’s our job to get our sellers the best and highest value for their schools. This deal is a great example of how planning can really pay off,” Laurie adds.
Catching the Eye of Strategic and Financial Buyers
HINGE Transaction Advisor Laurie Denny successfully led the school transaction on the seller’s behalf.
Due to the size and nature of the organization, the HINGE team recognized an opportunity to position and confidentially market the schools to both strategic and financial buyers. This approach garnered interest from more than 50 pre-qualified education buyers and investors, driving a competitive bidding process that ultimately landed the sellers a significantly higher sale price.
Additionally, HINGE was instrumental in ensuring the sellers entered into competitive market-based real estate leases with the new buyer.
The full team of HINGE’s ECE experts that supported this transaction includes Transaction Advisor Laurie Denny, Financial Analyst Marnie Rhen, Diligence Manager Carrie Pergerson, Transaction Marketing Director Annie Nicholson, and others.
“Working with the sellers was a true partnership,” says Laurie. “All of us are tremendously proud to have helped them move confidently into their next chapter, knowing their schools are set up for continued success.”
Selling a Childcare Center in Florida
Selling a childcare center in Florida presents unique opportunities that require specialized expertise. Strong population growth, consistent demand for early childhood education, and an active buyer market make Florida an extremely attractive environment for school owners considering a sale. At the same time, licensing requirements, regulatory oversight, and the deeply personal nature of childcare businesses mean that owners benefit from careful planning and experienced guidance throughout the process.
HINGE Advisors specializes in helping childcare owners navigate the sale of their schools with a proven process that has enabled the firm to close more school transactions than any other advisor in the nation. From ECE-specific valuation and confidential marketing to transaction, due diligence, and closing support, the HINGE team is well-versed in the nuances of selling childcare centers in Florida.
“With the right representation, doing an ECE M&A deal in Florida can be a fairly seamless process,” Laurie shares. “If you’re a school owner, buyers are likely knocking on your door with offers that may feel too good to pass up. Having a relationship with a trusted advisor and knowing your value ahead of time is the best way to avoid surprises. This allows you to maximize your value and achieve a transition with a buyer that is aligned with you and your long-term goals.”
Ready to start planning your exit and exploring your options?
Contact HINGE Advisors confidentially to learn more.