Big Blue Swim School Franchise Grows Amidst COVID-19

Founded just over a decade ago, Big Blue Swim School has expanded rapidly to become one of the fastest-growing players in the swim school industry. The swim school franchise’s operational model combines well-trained instructors, a proprietary software platform and curriculum, and exceptional family-centric facilities to have successfully created unparalleled brand affinity. In recent months, despite the economic challenges of COVID-19, Big Blue has leveraged their uniquely effective operational model to continue its impressive growth streak.

Big Blue signed seven new franchise partner groups since March, with two happening at the onset of COVID-19, for six units across Pittsburgh and Michigan. In June, the brand opened a new pool in Atlanta. According to founder Chris DeJong, now is an opportune time for new franchise partners to invest in Big Blue.

“Despite the pandemic, we continue seeing demand from parents who want to enroll their kids in swim lessons,” said DeJong. “Regardless of what is going on in the global economy, parents understand that this is an essential like-skill that can not be put on the backburner. We have taken all the necessary measures in relation to COVID-19, meeting and oftentimes exceeding the safety protocol recommended by the CDC.”

As a business model, swim lessons fill a vital need for safety that cannot be outsourced or automated, making swim instruction less susceptible to downturns in the economy. From day one, the state-of-the-art swim school has used both a proprietary enterprise system, known as LessonBuddy™, and an advanced curriculum that employs only full-time swim associates, to set children, and the schools, up for success.

To promote re-openings following COVID-19 restrictions, the corporate pools in Chicago rolled out “Back to Big Blue” promotions and have worked hard to get children back in the water.

“All of our pools were able to reopen by June, all with proper social distancing in place, increased sanitation, mask and face-shields, contactless check-in, and more,” said Big Blue CEO Scott Sanders. “We’ve seen incredibly strong feedback from customers about how safe they feel at our pools and the joy of being able to come back to swim lessons.”

The Big Blue team has noted the COVID-19 pandemic may result in an increase in real estate opportunities for prospective franchise owners. As the growing online marketplace makes it increasingly difficult for commercial retailers to bring foot-traffic to their facilities, Big Blue offers a particularly attractive solution, especially in economically tumultuous periods. That value proposition helps Big Blue secure and negotiate premier locations on behalf of franchise owners. Big Blue leverages an experienced team of real estate pros to support franchise partners through site location, construction, and facilities management. The team has a tested, proactive, data-driven real estate strategy designed to place every pool in an optimal location.

When it comes to franchise development, Big Blue has also adapted its process to appeal to prospects in the COVID landscape. For example, the brand’s socially-distanced discovery day — called Dive-In Day — helps candidates experience the opportunity while putting minds at ease through heightened safety measures, branded masks and more. 

“We’ve had great feedback from the socially-distanced Dive-In Day in Atlanta,” said DeJong. “It is a great opportunity to get to know all the candidates interested in becoming franchise partners with us. We look forward to these monthly events and we are seeing tremendous demand on the franchise development side.” 

The swim school brand currently has six units operating with 122 in development and a goal to have 150 locations committed by the end of 2021. With strong unit-level economics, an aggressive growth plan, and a data-driven approach to site selection, Big Blue has emerged as one of the leading players in the fragmented, $3 billion per year swim school industry, and it shows no signs of slowing down. 

Multi-unit franchise opportunities are available for qualified candidates looking for their next big opportunity, and veterans can receive a 10 percent discount on the $80,000 franchise fee. The total investment necessary to begin operation of a new Big Blue Swim School is $2,329,223 to $3,636,998 (refer to item 7 in FDD) To learn more or inquire about Big Blue Swim School, visit https://www.bigblueswimschool.com/franchising/.