After a Massively Successful Year, Big Blue Swim School Is Bigger and Better Than Ever

Big Blue Swim School, one of the nation’s fastest-growing swim school franchises, is a mission-driven business focused on creating big, life-changing moments for kids and families. The brand has differentiated itself by creating a semi-absentee business model that supports franchise partners with proprietary technology, top-tier franchisor support, and strong unit-level economics. Backed by Level 5 Capital Partners and a strategic growth plan to reach 150 signed units by 2021, the brand is offering excellent franchising opportunities in key trade areas across the country. With recent signings in major markets including Chicago, Denver, Salt Lake City, Minneapolis, Raleigh, and Atlanta, 2019 was a huge year for Big Blue.

Swim lessons fill a critical need for families because drowning is the second-leading cause of death among children ages one to four-years-old, according to the CDC. Big Blue provides a durable consumer need that can only be offered locally, by having children in the water with an instructor. 

“Our economy is services oriented, and we provide a service that is needed by every parent in America,” said Big Blue Swim School CEO Chris Kenny. “Other swim school brands have created awareness of the industry, but it’s a fragmented industry without a strong, dominant, national player. With best-in-class consumer offerings, a deep bench of experience on its leadership team, proprietary enterprise technology, and a strategic growth plan, Big Blue Swim School is uniquely positioned to be the leader in this underserved category.”

The Big Blue investment opportunity and proven business model is ideal for multi-unit and semi-absentee franchise partners looking to maximize their time and their capital. The company’s cloud-based enterprise system LessonBuddy™ is designed so franchise partners can operate successful pools without needing a daily presence. “This has been a key selling point for all of our current multi-unit partners,” said Scott Thompson, Big Blue’s Chief Development Officer. “They need to know a strong program is in place so they can operate multiple locations simultaneously, regardless of where they are located. Our proprietary, cloud-based ERP allows us to run a high-scale, high-margin model at a market price point.”

When it comes to real estate, new franchise partners are never tasked with choosing and building out a location. Instead, Big Blue leverages a team of professionals to assist in real estate location, construction, and facilities management to identify prime real estate in prime trade areas across the country. Each location is analyzed to fit the brand’s member profile.

“Big Blue Swim School's facility layout, proven business model, and leadership support, coupled with its best-in-class consumer offerings, set us apart from the rest,” said Thompson. “Everything we do is data-driven and Big Blue has more than 10 years of customer data to inform our decision-making process. Most early-stage franchises can’t claim that. We are analytically focused on ensuring each location is set up for the best possible avenue to success so franchise partners can focus on creating lasting relationships with the consumer.”

This year, Big Blue has also refined a proven pre-sales campaign that aims to generate revenue prior to opening. Big Blue provides franchisor-operated marketing that optimizes customer acquisition and retention strategies before the doors are even open. 

The average Big Blue location in operation for five years as of the end of the 2018 fiscal year reports EBITDA between 23% and  36%*, with an average EBITDA per location of nearly 30%, according to the brand’s 2019 FDD.

“Coupling our semi-absentee business model with the recession-resistant aspect of the learn-to-swim space makes Big Blue a no-brainer for anyone looking to invest in a passion project with proven results,” said Kenny. “With our growing network of multi-unit franchise partners, our consumer value proposition and proven business opportunity, Big Blue is positioned to dominate.”

Multi-unit opportunities are available for qualified candidates looking for their next big opportunity, and veterans can receive a 10 percent discount on the $75,000 franchise fee. The total investment for one Big Blue Swim School ranges from $1,825,500 to $3,687,000 (see item 7 in the FDD). To learn more or inquire about Big Blue Swim School, visit https://www.bigblueswimschool.com/franchising/

*Figures reflect the actual annual gross revenue and annual EBITDA range for one affiliate-owned and operated BIG BLUE Swim School (operational for at least 5 full years as of December 31, 2017) during its 4th and 5th full 12 months of operation. These figures are published in Item 19 of our September 7, 2018, Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD). Item 19 of our FDD includes actual average and median annual gross revenue, annual expense, annual EBITDA, and other annual financial performance information for 3 affiliate-owned and operated BIG BLUE Swim Schools (operational for at least 1 full year as of December 31, 2017) during their 1st full 12 months of operation, for 2 of those 3 Swim Schools during their 2nd and 3rd full 12 months of operation, and for 1 of those 3 Swim Schools during its 4th and 5th full 12 months of operation. A new franchisee’s results may differ from the represented performance. There is no assurance that you will do as well, and you must accept that risk.