Local Powerhouse Couple Will Open LKA Edmonton, the First Little Kitchen Academy Location in the Province of Alberta
Today, Little Kitchen Academy (LKA), the key ingredient for an independent child and the first-of-its-kind, Montessori-inspired cooking academy for kids ages three through teen, announced its expansion into Alberta, with the first location in the province to open in Edmonton in Fall 2022. Local business owners, husband and wife team, and proud parents, Roshani Pawar and Chetan Bahl will open LKA Edmonton. The couple has strong experience with franchising and supporting their community as owners of Heart to Home Meals in Edmonton since 2016, for which they won a bronze medal from the Canadian Franchise Association in 2020, and partners in STEAM-centric childcare centre in Stony Plain. This new deal in Alberta begins the company’s expansion into its third Canadian province, with a target of 15 locations across the province by 2025.
“We are so excited to be bringing the gift of Little Kitchen Academy to Edmonton,” said Roshani Pawar, mother of two, partner in a STEAM-centric childcare centre in Stony Plain, and franchise partner for LKA Edmonton. “When we heard about Little Kitchen Academy, we knew it was something we wanted to share with families in Edmonton. With my experience in childcare, I immediately understood how Little Kitchen Academy’s empowering environment could have a profound impact on children in the area for many years to come, and that my husband, Chetan, and I were the right people to bring the concept to Alberta.”
LKA has more than 140 locations open or in development across 3 Canadian provinces and 4 U.S. states, with presence now in each of the three Canadian provinces it has targeted for development.
“We are thrilled to have found such wonderful, purpose-driven franchise partners to open our first location in Alberta,” said Brian Curin, co-founder/co-CEO and president of Little Kitchen Academy. “Roshni and Chetan are an amazing couple who exemplify our core beliefs and purpose. I’m confident that their passion for Little Kitchen Academy will inspire more leaders in the province to bring the gift of LKA to Alberta and join us on our journey in changing lives from scratch.”
LKA is currently seeking multi-unit franchise partners across the province of Alberta, particularly in Calgary, the province’s largest city. Outside of Alberta, Little Kitchen Academy is focused on expanding further into select markets in B.C. and Ontario. In the U.S., LKA is currently seeking like-minded multi-unit franchisees and development partners based exclusively in Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, North Carolina, Oregon, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin. Globally, Australia, Japan, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, MENA region, Singapore, Spain, and the U.K. are markets available for development.
About Little Kitchen Academy
Little Kitchen Academy is the key ingredient for an independent child. The first-of-its-kind, Montessori-inspired cooking academy for kids ages three through teen is focused on providing a safe, inspiring, and empowering space for children to identify, develop, and refine their senses. Based in Vancouver, Canada, the concept was co-founded by proven global brand and franchise expert and serial entrepreneur Brian Curin, his wife, Montessori-trained, culinary expert, and visionary Felicity Curin, and social impact investor and entrepreneur Praveen Varshney, on the belief that by empowering children with practical life skills and knowledge in a positive and joyful environment, they and their company will effect positive lifestyle changes that result in a healthier world. True to its mission, LKA lives to create a more educated, able, and healthy society through mindful, healthy eating choices, and is committed to changing lives, from scratch to consumption. Part of that mission includes empowering students to learn how they can make the world a better place through How Can I Help by Little Kitchen Academy, LKA’s signature philanthropic program, supporting Chefs for Humanity, The Global FoodBanking Network, and Kids Help Phone. In addition to charitable partnerships, LKA has forged strategic global brand partnerships with Iron Chef Cat Cora, AeroGarden, BIRKENSTOCK, ChefWorks, Emeco, ChopValue, Welcome Industries, PRISE Inc., KitchenAid Canada, and Trail Appliances. Little Kitchen Academy’s flagship venues are located in Vancouver, B.C., and Los Angeles, Calif.
For a taste of Little Kitchen Academy, visit littlekitchenacademy.com or join its communities on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.