Our track record – going back 30 years – shows a school and daycare dedicated to fostering positive relationships in all our communities.
About Celebree School
Celebree School is a recognized leader in providing the best childcare and early education for infants, preschoolers, and school-age children. Our daycare franchise opportunities create a new kind of neighborhood: one where owners, educators, parents, and children unite in support of one another.
Our Mission is to empower franchisees to achieve personal and financial goals through steadfast support and delivery of proven, innovative, and educational programs that inspire and enrich the lives of families served and the communities they support.
Celebree School is driven by our core values:
This is what we want. We want to be the recognized leader in providing the best care for infants, preschoolers, and school-age children.
Richard Huffman opened his first childcare location in Ellicott City, Maryland. Known as Enchanted Childcare, the site had a staff of 25 people
Richard opens his second location in Parkville, MD, known as the “Carney” location, representing the neighborhood it serves. This location fills up so quickly, Richard knows he is on to something. He begins to build a team that could support multiple locations.
Richard expands his footprint into his third and fourth Maryland counties opening two new locations in Bel Air and Frederick. He now employs over 100 employees and provides care to over 400 children! A successful model is in place and ready for accelerated growth.
With 11 locations in operation, Enchanted Childcare is rebranded as Celebree Learning Centers. The company’s core values to “Protect, Educate & Nurture” are defined.
Celebree Learning Centers opens its 13th location and is now located in five Maryland counties. At this point, the company has 420 employees and provides care to over 1000 children! Celebree has now established their business model around three key areas: Talent, Brand, and Operations.
Celebree opens its first location outside of Maryland, in Bear, Delaware.
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The Celebree corporate infrastructure has really taken shape. A call center has been established on behalf of the Celebree locations. A sales touch point process is established, and CRM tools are enabled. Most importantly, employee development methodologies are beginning to have a big impact on employee satisfaction and the quality of care. At this point, Celebree Learning Centers is caring for over 2,100 children.
The need for high-quality early education isn’t going away. We’re looking for franchise owners who are ready to lead, make an impact in their communities, and build a business with long-term potential.
Financial Requirements
To be considered for a Celebree School franchise, prospective owners should meet or have access to the following minimum financial qualifications:
If you meet these qualifications and are ready to explore whether Celebree is the right opportunity for you, we’d love to start the conversation.
Let’s talk. We’re here when you’re ready.
Richard O. Huffman is the founder, President, and CEO of Celebree Schools. Richie founded Celebree in 1994, growing our brand from a single preschool into the company we are today. In his current role, Richie shares his expertise, insights, and leadership with Celebree School franchisees, while continuing to shape Celebree’s short-term and long-term vision.
Over the course of more than two decades, Richie has grown Celebree from a single location into Maryland’s largest privately held chain of childcare centers. With Celebree’s entry into the franchise sector, Richie now shares the secrets to his success with Celebree franchisees. In his work with Celebree School franchise owners, Richie shares more than 20 years of industry experience and entrepreneurial expertise. He offers direct support to franchisees as they develop their locations while challenging assumptions that could impede their business. He is committed to the success of every franchisee and is available on a daily basis for one-on-one support.
As the President and CEO of Celebree Schools, Richie continues to guide the core vision of our brand: a vision that embraces change, innovation, and the constant pursuit of self-improvement. Thanks to Richie’s combination of leadership and experience, Celebree continues to set industry standards within the early childhood education sector. Richie has also shaped Celebree’s dynamic corporate culture, helping us attract some of the most forward-thinking leaders and executives in our industry.
Allan J. Greenberg joined Celebree in 2017, where he is currently the Chief Financial Officer. Allan works directly with Celebree franchise owners, helping them navigate the entrepreneurial side of franchise ownership. Allan’s leadership skills, financial expertise, and experience in business management are an invaluable resource for Celebree franchise owners.
Prior to joining Celebree, Allan worked for 25 years in the rapid expansion retail sector. Allan’s career includes extensive C-level experience, with a track record of success across several areas of business management, such as finance, operations, mergers, acquisitions, and process improvement. His resume includes an Executive MBA from Loyola University, and he is a graduate of Georgetown University’s Franchise Management Certificate Program.
As our Chief Financial Officer, Allan translates his professional experience into guidance and support for Celebree franchisees. Allan works closely with new franchise owners, offering one-on-one advice at every stage of business development. Allan’s guidance helps franchisees build an effective business plan, grow their operations sustainably, and fine-tune the Celebree system for their local community.In addition to helping franchisees in the early stages of business ownership, Allan is eager to offer his support to established franchisees when they are facing new obstacles or looking to expand their business. In these situations, Allan works with franchise owners to develop creative solutions to their problems or adopt a forward-thinking strategy for growth.As part of the Celebree team, Allan is proud to be part of a brand that is making a meaningful impact in the lives of families, parents, and children. Outside of Celebree, Allan is active in his community, including serving on the Board of Directors and acting as Treasurer for his local synagogue.
Mark Lubin joined Celebree in 2024. He is an experienced operations executive with a proven history in managing large-scale operations, driving growth, and improving profitability across diverse industries. Recently, Mark was Senior Vice President of Operations at Kelly Benefits in Sparks, MD, where he led operational and administrative functions, ensuring exceptional service to clients, carriers, brokers, and suppliers.
Mark spent more than two decades in leadership for Taco Bell Corporation and Franchise operations, including serving as Director of Operations for Taco Bill and Affiliates, where he managed twenty-four stores across Baltimore and Northern California, as well as various management positions throughout the Mid-Atlantic/Eastern region. Mark also functioned as Vice President of Operations for Aarsand & Company, a Taco Bell franchisee, where he managed 35 Baltimore-area restaurants and achieved $60 million in net sales as a result of five years of positive sales and profit growth. Mark received the YUM AWARD from the former Chairman and CEO of YUM BRANDS, which is given to recipients who “walk the talk” of leadership. He is also a former franchisee of the Great Harvest Bread Company, where he managed day-to-day operations, including production, marketing, human resources, financial management and customer service.
As the Chief Development Officer, Mark is responsible for leading and overseeing the Marketing, Sales, Real Estate, and Construction teams with the goal of expanding the franchise network.
Mark has served on various boards. He was on the Advisory Board of Directors for Celebree, he was also a member of the Board of Directors for the Metropolitan Baltimore Boys and Girls Clubs. Mark also served as the former President of the Calvert Hall College High School Ice Hockey Booster Club.
Allison Tsomos joined Celebree in 1999. She has been a school director, District Director, Vice President of Operations, and is now Chief Operating Officer. Over the past 20 years, Allison has been a part of the growth of the company by contributing to the opening and operation of 20 of the 26 corporate-owned schools.
As Chief Operating Officer, Allison is responsible for every aspect of fully functioning schools. She develops strategies that keep Celebree at the forefront of the curriculum, ensuring that every child will be ready for kindergarten. Allison is committed to assisting franchisees in reaching their financial plan. From analyzing lead conversion to customer satisfaction to revenue trends and expense control, Allison will provide guidance and suggestions to optimize the profitability of a Celebree School.
Allison’s commitment to being a thought leader in the early childhood industry overlaps with her personal and professional goal of mentoring others and contributing to her community. She is a member of the Maryland Childcare Association and National Association for the Education of Young Children as well as serving on advisory boards.
Lisa Bricker has been working with Celebree for more than a decade. Lisa joined our team in 2004, spending her first 11 years as Celebree’s Director of Human Resources, followed by her current role as Chief Talent Officer. Over her time at Celebree, Lisa has played an integral role in talent development, helping us become the brand we are today.
Throughout Lisa’s tenure at Celebree, she has carefully documented our talent development efforts, creating a set of tools, processes, and best practices for our company. These resources are easily accessed by new franchise owners, giving them the guidance and support they need to recruit, train, and motivate the best people for their business.
As the Chief Talent Officer at Celebree, Lisa is responsible for all aspects of talent development within our organization. Her expertise guides our overall strategy for talent development, and she takes an active role in the creation, implementation, and oversight of our recruitment and training initiatives.
In her role as the leader of our HR and Training Departments, Lisa provides new franchise owners with detailed training programs, covering everything from business development to talent acquisition to industry, state, and federal regulations. Lisa has also designed a “Train the Trainer” platform, giving franchisees the knowledge and resources they need to train their own team members.
Lisa’s passion for her work is reflected in her industry involvement, which includes membership in the Society of Human Resources Management, the Chesapeake Human Resources Association, the Association of Talent Development, and the Human Capital Institute. She has been certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources by the Human Resources Certification Institute and as a Senior Certified Professional by the Society for Human Resources Management. She was named the VIP Woman of the Year in 2014 by the National Association of Professional Women.
Adam Redd brings more than twenty years of experience in franchise sales and marketing, working with brands and franchise owners who want steady, sustainable growth. His career in franchising began at the childcare industry, where he partnered closely with franchisees and focused on the practical side of local marketing. It gave him a front row look at how enrollment grows, how trust is built in each community, and why every market behaves differently, no matter how similar they appear on paper.
His leadership roots stretch back to college, when he served as the Front of House Manager at Bennigan’s. The role came with real responsibility, often earlier than expected, and it taught him how to lead teams, stay composed under pressure, and handle a wide mix of personalities. Those lessons still influence his leadership style today.
Over the course of his career, Adam has worked across both brand and agency environments. He has overseen development marketing for new openings, led consumer campaigns designed to strengthen retention, and guided teams through digital strategy, CRM improvements, and market level growth initiatives. He’s known for bringing structure to complex situations, aligning teams around shared goals, and helping organizations create a more unified approach between sales and marketing.
Adam earned his MBA from Georgia State University and his BBA in Marketing from the University of Georgia. Beyond his professional work, he serves on the PTF Board at his daughter’s school and remains active in the parent community. Across every setting, he leads with clarity, consistency, and a people first mindset that helps teams and franchise owners move forward with confidence.
Chris Kelleher joined Celebree in 2016, bringing a first-class track record in franchise development to our team. As Chief Development Officer, Chris is responsible for developing the Celebree franchise, offering and giving franchisees the resources they need as business owners.
A long-time member of the International Franchising Association, Chris is recognized by the IFA as a Certified Franchise Executive (CFE). His educational qualifications include a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Towson University and a Certificate in Franchise Management from Georgetown University.
Chris also boasts more than 16 years of experience in business development and franchise operations. Before arriving at Celebree, Chris served as Director of Operations for one of the country’s fastest-growing weight-control franchise brands. In this role, Chris oversaw all aspects of franchise operations, including franchise development, ongoing business operations, and strategic planning. Under Chris’s leadership, the brand more than doubled its number of franchised locations in a five-year period. As part of the Celebree team, Chris has translated his franchise development skillset into the childcare sector. Since joining Celebree, he has made it his mission to build Celebree into our industry’s premier franchise system. Through Chris’s tireless efforts, our franchisees enjoy one of the most attractive, sustainable, and successful franchise systems in the business.
In addition to developing the Celebree franchise offering, Chris oversees our corporate-level resources and infrastructure for franchisees. To ensure franchisees receive world-class support, Chris has helped construct a rigorous support structure, providing franchisees with the information, tools, and resources they need to build a thriving business. Chris is thrilled to be a member of the Celebree team, building a brand that gives back to local communities. Away from the office, Chris acts as commissioner for his local rec soccer league, through which he coaches both of his sons’ teams.
Kristen Miller became part of the Celebree team in 2015, joining our organization as a School Director. In 2016, she became our Director of Accreditation and worked to ensure that each school was offering the highest quality of care for its families and children. In 2022, Kristen became the Director of Education, managing the curriculum cycle and maintaining fidelity in the classrooms. In 2026, she was promoted to Vice President of Education, where she continues to enhance Celebree’s educational programs, strengthen classroom quality, and support the continued growth and development of schools across the system.
Kristen brings over 20 years of classroom and back-office experience to her work, along with an unbending commitment to excellence in early childhood education. Before moving into a management position, Kristen spent more than a decade working in classrooms.
Kristen works directly with Celebree franchise owners and location managers, helping them achieve above-and-beyond quality standards. Her work includes direct collaboration with owners and managers, ensuring they have the knowledge and resources to meet Celebree’s rigorous brand standards, as well as federal and state regulations. Kristen is an invaluable resource to new franchise owners during the early stages of business development. She guides franchisees through the educational journey, conducts evaluations to ensure all locations meet brand standards, and helps franchise owners understand industry grading systems, including CLASS (Classroom Assessment Scoring System) and ERS (Environment Rating Scales).
Keith has over 10 years of experience in the franchise industry, half of which was spent as a multi-unit franchisee of a leading children’s soccer brand. He joined Celebree Schools in May of 2024 and has a diverse background in franchising. Over the past 10 years, Keith has supported franchisees as they launch their businesses and assisted prospective franchisees as they evaluate entrepreneurship through franchising.
In Keith’s role as the Franchise Sales Director, he serves as a guide and resource that assists potential franchisees as they travel through the discovery process. As a former franchise owner, Keith has a unique understanding of what is most important to a potential franchisee when evaluating the opportunity to own a Celebree School.’
Keith is thrilled to be part of the team that has been responsible for the incredible growth of the Celebree brand. With a career that’s been built around building relationships, Keith is excited to use his collaborative approach to help Celebree and its future franchise partners make a difference in the communities they represent.
Lauren Moran has been a Celebree team member since 2013. As our Director of Marketing, Lauren is responsible for Celebree’s branding and messaging efforts. Lauren’s skills and knowledge as a marketing specialist are bolstered by her cutting-edge approach to social media, digital marketing, and customer outreach.
Before starting her career, Lauren earned a degree in Applied Science & Photography, followed by an apprenticeship with Webmechanix Academy. Lauren joined Celebree following her apprenticeship, starting as an Enrollment Advisor. Over the years, her marketing savvy and demographic insights proved essential to growing the Celebree brand, helping us reach more members of our target demographic and form stronger connections with clients.
Lauren’s work as Director of Marketing is driven by a combination of operational know-how and creative insights. She is a skilled project manager with an intuitive grasp of modern marketing practices. As the head of Celebree’s marketing efforts, Lauren works directly with corporate partners, vendors, and the rest of the Celebree team. She also works closely with Celebree franchisees, helping them develop and implement a targeted marketing strategy for their area.
