Author: aliraza

Young Chefs franchise owners Chris and Elizabeth McKelvey opened their first location in The Woodlands, TX in early 2024, on the heels of the COVID pandemic. While it may have seemed an unlikely time to start a business, they were eager to start sharing what they had learned as new YCA owners with the youth in … Continued

Since 2004, Young Chefs® Academy has been perfecting the recipe for franchise owner success, blending a love for culinary education with a proven business model designed for scalability, community impact, strategic partnerships, and a strong, values-driven culture. Whether you’re passionate about empowering young minds through cooking or looking for a rewarding business opportunity, YCA™ offers … Continued

The start of a new year is the perfect time to reflect on the previous year, and what an incredible year 2024 was for Young Chefs® Academy! We welcomed valuable new partnerships, incredible new franchisees, and new key staff members. We also launched several new locations, exciting new program offerings, and new branding. Overall, 2024 … Continued

Sarah and Jim Gagliardi joined the Young Chefs® franchise family in 2024. In May, they assumed ownership of Young Chefs Academy of San Antonio, and in September they opened a new location, Young Chefs Academy of Austin Southwest. With a degree in Psychology and Sociology, Sarah first gained experience as a pre-school teacher, then pursued a career … Continued

Welcome to the reimagined journey of culinary excellence! ou may have noticed that Young Chefs Academy has a fresh new look. As part of our recent rebranding initiative, we’ve retired our previous multi-color scheme and logo for a simple and bold reimagining. But we haven’t changed our core vision and mission to make a positive … Continued

The unknown is scary business! While pride and a sense of accomplishment can come with opening your own business, there can also be a sense of uncertainty as you encounter hurdles along the way. You’re checking off the boxes to get your project off the ground: Everything seems to be slowly, but surely, going your … Continued

Young Chefs® Academy, the nation’s premier children’s cooking school, reported record-breaking sales in 2021, demonstrating strategic success fueled by high consumer demand and strong brand recognition. This past year alone marked the highest revenue increase in the brand’s history. When compared to 2020, same store sales for the brand climbed by more than 100% in … Continued

Young Chefs Academy franchise owners are more than just an extension of the business. They’re part of a dedicated team who defines our culture. Each year, we share new experiences and life celebrations – treating each new day as an opportunity to grow, evolve, and strengthen the brand and the culture that surrounds it. This … Continued

Julie Burleson’s inspiring journey as Young Chefs® Academy’s Founder and CEO “A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the equality of his actions and … Continued

The mission of Young Chefs Academy to teach the Joy and Value of Cooking has always been the foundation of YCA’s wide popularity with students across the US and beyond. That mission is carried through the Young Chefs Academy Code of Values connecting with families and inspiring a new generation of chefs. Young Chefs Academy … Continued