KING OF PRUSSIA, PA (Feb, 9, 2023) — Goddard Systems, LLC (GSL), manager of The Goddard Schoolfranchise system, has appointed Matt Zaia as senior vice president, chief development officer, effective immediately. In his new role, Zaia is responsible for growing the Goddard footprint across the country by leading franchisees through site selection, real estate development, design, construction and obtaining a certificate of occupancy for new schools.

With more than 15 years of franchise experience, Zaia has guided first-rate global brands with expanding their portfolios and leading teams across market planning, real estate, construction and facilities management. 

“I’m thrilled to welcome Matt and his wealth of leadership and expertise as we extend the footprint of Goddard Schools in key markets and beyond,” said Dennis R. Maple, chairman and CEO of GSL. “As the need for high-quality early childhood education continues to grow across the country, so does the demand for the Goddard brand and services. Backed by Matt’s significant expertise in growing national brands, we’re excited to take Goddard Schools to the next level of excellence in early childhood development.”

Zaia joins GSL from Restaurant Brands International (RBI), where he developed the first development analytics team and new franchise sales team, as well as launched a new market planning technology for the US and Canada. Most recently, he served as vice president of development and franchising at Firehouse Subs, part of RBI. Prior to joining Firehouse Subs, Zaia was vice president of development at Domino’s Pizza, where he oversaw facets of corporate and franchise domestic store growth, resulting in the opening of more than 1,400 Domino’s locations and remodeling of 4,800 locations. While at Domino’s Pizza, Zaia also oversaw all supply chain growth efforts throughout North America, led the development efforts of a 31,000 square foot innovation lab and developed the largest new corporate store pipeline and opens since 1988.

“The Goddard School is one of the nation’s fastest growing franchise systems, and I’m proud to join the brand at this exciting time to further accelerate this growth,” said Zaia. “As part of the Goddard family, I look forward to partnering with our dedicated professionals, franchisees, partners and industry groups to continue to expand Goddard’s reach across the country, offering our high-quality educational programming to even more families.”

Zaia holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in architecture, both from Lawrence Technological University.

For more information about The Goddard School, please visit goddardschool.com, and to learn about Goddard Systems and how to become a franchisee, go to goddardschoolfranchise.com.

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ABOUT GODDARD SYSTEMS, LLC

Established in 1988, Goddard Systems, LLC, the franchisor of The Goddard School, is the acknowledged leader in the premium early childcare and education market segment. Headquartered in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, Goddard Systems has been consistently named one of the top childcare franchises in the United States by Entrepreneur magazine and one of the Top 200 Franchise Systems (in worldwide sales) by Franchise Times. Goddard Systems currently licenses 600 Goddard School franchises that serve more than 75,000 students in 37 states and Washington, D.C. For more information, visit goddardschoolfranchise.com.

ABOUT THE GODDARD SCHOOL® 

Learning for fun. Learning for life.®  

Children learn best through experience. The Goddard School uses current, academically endorsed methods to ensure that children have fun while learning the skills they need for long-term success in school and in life.  

The distinctive structure positions schools to support the needs of families and helps ensure that children are known and appreciated for their individual talents and personalities. The Goddard School’s F.L.EX.® Learning Program (Fun Learning Experience) helps children explore and discover their interests in a safe, nurturing environment. And a team of acknowledged experts in various fields of early childhood education guides the course of study.  

Additionally, this program has earned AdvancED Corporation Accreditation and Middle States Corporate Accreditation for creating policies, programs and standards that help franchised locations meet high standards in early learning, child development and childcare. The Goddard School serves more than 75,000 students from six weeks to six years old in 600 Goddard Schools in 37 states and Washington, D.C. To learn more about The Goddard School, please visit GoddardSchool.com.  

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