Pool Scouts, a premier pool cleaning and maintenance franchise, has wrapped up an impressive 2024 marked by growth, profitability and major milestones. With a sharp focus on franchisee success and customer satisfaction, the brand is preparing to build on its achievements with ambitious goals for the coming year.

Pool Scouts achieved several significant milestones in 2024, emphasizing operational improvements and franchise system growth. Pool Scouts recruited six new franchisees, bringing the total to 40 franchisees operating across 70 territories in 18 states. While system growth was not the primary focus for the year, Pool Scouts prioritized strengthening the performance of its existing franchisees, a move that laid the groundwork for future expansion.

The year also brought a notable leadership change. Michael Wagner, the founding president of Pool Scouts, stepped down in May, and Dave Mele officially stepped into the role in June.

Looking ahead to 2025, Pool Scouts has set its sights on expanding its franchise system and diversifying its service offerings. “For 2025, we plan to focus more on growing the system and bringing on new franchisees compared to 2024,” said Mele. The brand is also preparing to introduce new services beyond its core offerings of pool cleaning and basic repairs. “This includes services like pool resurfacing and safety covers, which are high-ticket items and in demand among pool owners,” he said.

To support these new services, Pool Scouts is launching enhanced training programs designed to equip franchisees with the necessary tools and knowledge. “We’re rolling out new training programs to support our move into additional services, such as pool resurfacing and safety covers. These services require specialized knowledge, so we’re preparing our franchisees with the tools and expertise they’ll need to succeed,” said Mele.

The brand’s comprehensive training approach has been a key factor in maintaining consistency and quality across its locations. “Our training begins with a robust library of on-demand materials and virtual sessions,” said Mele. “Next, we offer hands-on technical training at our headquarters in Virginia Beach. This includes working with chemicals, understanding pool equipment and gaining field experience with actual pools. Finally, we have a team of technical coaches available daily to assist franchisees and technicians in the field. If someone encounters an unfamiliar situation, they can use FaceTime to connect with a coach for real-time guidance.”

Customer acquisition and retention remain critical components of Pool Scouts’ strategy. Mele emphasized a multi-channel marketing approach to attract new customers, including direct mail campaigns and robust digital marketing efforts. “For customer retention, it’s all about delivering an excellent customer experience,” he said. “Our Scout Guarantee promises that if a pool isn’t serviced to the customer’s satisfaction, we’ll return and fix it for free.”

The brand’s commitment to supporting franchisees extends to those who manage multiple territories. “Expanding into new territories requires strong marketing support and additional staffing,” said Mele. “We provide franchisees with tailored marketing programs to generate leads in new areas, including direct mail and localized online campaigns. We also support hiring and training new technicians through our virtual and hands-on programs to ensure consistency in service quality as the business grows.”

The pool cleaning and maintenance industry continues to present significant opportunities for Pool Scouts. “There’s tremendous demand for a professional, premium service provider in this industry,” said Mele. “The pool cleaning and maintenance industry is an $8 billion-a-year market, with 10 million pools in the U.S. A building boom during COVID has only increased demand.”

As the brand gears up for another year of growth and innovation, its core values remain at the heart of its operations. “Local connections are critical to our success,” said Mele. “Franchisees are encouraged to network within their communities, join local business groups, sponsor sports teams and engage with swim clubs. Our core value is exceeding customer expectations, and this commitment drives everything we do, from our marketing programs to our Scout Guarantee.”

Reflecting on the year, Mele said, “2024 was a strong year, with significant achievements in profitability and revenue growth. For 2025, we’ll stay committed to those goals while focusing on system growth and investing in additional services to drive more revenue for our franchisees.”

With a clear vision for the future and a commitment to franchisee success, Pool Scouts is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for its services and continue its upward trajectory.

The start-up costs for a Pool Scouts franchise range from $102,805 - $134,830. To learn more about franchising with Pool Scouts, visit https://poolscoutsfranchise.com.

To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit https://1851franchise.com/poolscouts.