Leader in Early Childhood Education Taps Franchise Development Veteran to Guide National Strategy

BALTIMORE, MD — Celebree School, a leader in early childhood education offering infant and toddler care, preschool, before and aftercare, and summer camp programs, appoints John Palumbo as VP of Franchise Development.

A seasoned franchise development leader, Palumbo brings over 20 years of experience to the brand, including roles with prominent franchise brands such as A&W Restaurants, H&R Block, and Primrose Schools, before founding Palumbo Consulting Group. Focused on leading national development strategies, building non-traditional growth programs, managing multi-brand pipelines and partnering closely with real estate, construction, and operations teams, Palumbo’s experience lies in laying a strong foundation for franchisees to grow and excel in their communities.

Strengthened Franchise Development Operations for Expanded Reach

In his role as VP of Franchise Development, Palumbo is focused on refining Celebree School’s franchise development strategy to streamline the most effective approach for growth. Ensuring the brand partners with qualified candidates who align with its mission and values allows for responsible growth as the brand scales nationwide.

“Stepping into this role, I am eager to help Celebree School lay the foundation for continued responsible growth,” said Palumbo. “As a father of four, I’ve seen firsthand how specialized education benefits children in their academic careers. There is real value in early childhood education when it’s done right, and the Celebree School team really embody their mission of growing people big and small, ensuring their franchisees feel supported so their team can give 100% to their students every day.”

Celebree School continues to make internal operational improvements as the system prepares for accelerated growth, including technology enhancements to strengthen unit economics to support long-term franchisee profitability.

“As we continue to emphasize growing responsibly, tapping into John’s expertise allows us to make the appropriate enhancements necessary to scale,” said Richard Huffman, Founder and CEO of Celebree School. “Not only does he understand the early childhood education landscape, but his innate understanding for franchising combined with his consulting experience provides a new perspective on scaling sustainably.”

Scaling with Intention: Continued Investments in Responsible Franchising Growth Mechanisms

As Celebree School continues to build off a momentous 2025, the brand is focused on growing thoughtfully, strategically, and with purpose. With future development planned in target markets including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Austin, and Philadelphia, Celebree School is building a foundation for sustainable growth that benefits children, families, and communities nationwide.

The brand’s recent achievement ranking on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® in 2026 is a testament to its unwavering commitment to operational excellence and high-quality care.

Celebree School offers franchisees a proven business model, comprehensive training, ongoing operational support, and access to proprietary technology and marketing resources. As the brand continues its national expansion, Celebree School is seeking qualified, engaged individuals for both single- and multi-unit ownership opportunities.

With prime territories available, franchisees can join a growing system built for long-term success while making a meaningful impact by bringing high-quality early childhood education to their communities.

For more information about Celebree School franchise opportunities, please visit https://franchise.celebree.com/.

About Celebree School

Founded in 1994, Celebree School is a leader in early childhood education that provides infant and toddler care, preschool, before and aftercare, and summer camp programs. With a mission to Grow People Big and Small™, Celebree School believes success in early childhood development is equal parts curriculum and connection. Each school employs a customized program that addresses the physical, social, emotional, and academic needs of children and follows applicable state guidelines. In 2019, Celebree School launched its franchise offering. In 2024, Celebree School’s founder, Richard Huffman, launched a new parent company called Huffman Family Brands, merging Celebree affiliated concepts under one multi-brand company structure. Learn more about how we grow confident children who are prepared for school and life at Celebree.com. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

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