LAST UPDATED: June 2026

FRANCHISE WEBSITE: https://swimmingschoolfranchise.com/ 

1851 GROWTH CLUB WEBSITE: https://1851franchise.com/growth-club/urswim-swimming-school-franchise 

1851 NEWSROOM: https://1851franchise.com/urswim

NUMBER OF LOCATIONS: 6

REPORTED COST TO GET IN: $88,760 - $119,350

REPORTED ROI (Item 19): See below

urSwim is a swim instruction and aquatics management brand founded to improve water safety and expand access to high-quality swim education. The company delivers customized swim programs through at-home lessons, partnerships with indoor swimming facilities and turnkey services for camps, beach clubs, municipalities and residential communities.

1. What Is the Brand Overview for urSwim?

About the Brand

urSwim was founded by Marina Mentzel to address the fragmented and seasonal nature of traditional swim programs and to combat alarming childhood drowning statistics. The concept was built around teaching children to swim in the pools where they spend the most time, using highly trained instructors and personalized instruction. The brand gained early traction serving thousands of clients across Long Island before expanding through strategic partnerships with indoor pool facilities to offer year-round programming. Today, urSwim operates as a growing franchise system with locations in New York and Connecticut.

Mission: urSwim’s mission is to promote water safety and help individuals of all ages become confident, capable swimmers.

Vision: The brand aims to become a leading provider of swim education in underserved communities while helping change drowning statistics nationwide.

Unique Selling Points (USPs)

2. What Are the Franchise Opportunity Details?

Why Franchise With urSwim?

Available Territories

urSwim franchise opportunities are available in select markets. Prospective franchisees are encouraged to inquire directly through the brand’s website for territory availability.

Investment Overview

Initial Costs: The estimated initial investment required to begin operation of a urSwim franchise ranges from $88,760 to $119,350. The 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) breaks these costs down as follows:

Type of Expenditure

Min

Max

Initial Franchise Fee

$49,500

$49,500

License/Lease Deposit

$7,500

$10,000

Equipment

$2,400

$2,750

Signage

$1,400

$3,500

Computer, Software & Business Management System

$900

$1,100

Service Vehicle

$0

$2,500

Grand Opening Marketing

$10,000

$10,000

Initial Inventory

$1,750

$3,800

Insurance Deposits (3 Months)

$760

$2,800

Travel for Initial Training

$1,200

$3,900

Initial On-Site Hosted Pool Acquisition Support Fee

$3,000

$3,000

Professional Fees

$2,500

$4,500

Licenses & Permits

$50

$500

Additional Funds (3 Months)

$7,800

$21,500

Initial Franchise Fee: When signing a franchise agreement, franchisees pay a non-refundable $49,500 initial franchise fee for a single territory. Qualified existing swim instructors who owned, managed, and operated a swim instruction business generating at least $75,000 in annual gross sales during the prior year may be eligible for a 50% discount on the initial franchise fee for their first territory, if requested at the time of application.

Ongoing Fees: According to the 2026 FDD, urSwim franchisees are responsible for the following ongoing payments and fees:

Type of FeeAmount
Royalty8% of gross sales/week
Brand Development FundUp to 2% of gross sales/week
Technology Up to $450/month for the first territory, plus an additional $50/month for each additional territory
Contact Center$50 per booked trial lesson

ROI Potential: The 2026 FDD provides gross sales for two of its company-owned outlets for 2023, 2024 and 2025:

Outlet

2023 Gross Sales

2024 Gross Sales

2025 Gross Sales

Long Island, New York

$875,586

$1,143,176

$1,228,354

New Haven, Connecticut*

$126,729

$85,505

$86,474

*The New Haven outlet relocated from its original Fairfield, Connecticut third-party pool location after that site permanently closed in 2023 but continued operating without interruption from another third-party pool within the New Haven market. The Fairfield territory was sold to a franchisee in late 2023, and as of January 1, 2024, operates as a franchise location, while the company-owned outlet continues to operate in the New Haven market from the relocated third-party pool site.

3. What Franchisee Support Does urSwim Provide?

Pre-Opening Support

urSwim provides a structured onboarding process that includes guidance on business setup, safety procedures, marketing preparation and operational planning prior to launch.

Training Programs

Franchisees participate in a one-week pre-opening training program conducted in Huntington, New York. Training covers daily operations, swim instruction standards, safety protocols, marketing, financial management and customer experience.

Operational Support

The brand offers ongoing on-site support, operational guidance and assistance with marketing execution, staffing strategies and service delivery.

Technology and Tools

urSwim provides franchisees with access to its proven systems, swim instruction methodologies and operational processes designed to support consistent service delivery.

4. What Are the Franchise Requirements for urSwim?

urSwim seeks franchisees with strong interpersonal skills, customer service experience, a passion for education and an interest in swimming and children’s services.

Operational Commitments

Franchisees are responsible for hiring, training and managing aquatics staff and overseeing daily operations. Semi-absentee ownership is not explicitly discussed as an option.

Funding Assistance

urSwim does not provide direct or indirect financing to franchisees and does not guarantee any notes, leases or other financial obligations.

5. Are There Franchisee Success Stories?

“Once [Marina Mentzel] told me that she was franchising, I knew that I wanted to be part of it. What really kept me with urSwim was hearing the stories from our swimmers, from our pool partners, about what a valuable business we’re building and what we’re offering to the community.”

– Brenna Dowd, urSwim chief operating officer and franchisee in Suffolk East, New York (Read her story here)

6. What Is the Market Potential for Swim Instruction?

The swim instruction industry continues to see steady growth, driven by rising demand for water safety education, increased participation in aquatic activities, and a growing focus on structured, professional training programs.

The global swimming training and lessons market was valued at approximately $5.5 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach $9.5 billion by 2033, reflecting a CAGR of about 7.5% over the forecast period.

Competitor Analysis

urSwim competes in the swim instruction and aquatics services sector by offering a flexible delivery model that includes at-home lessons, partnerships with indoor facilities for year-round programming, and turnkey services for camps, beach clubs and municipalities, all while maintaining a strong emphasis on water safety and customized instruction. Primary competitors in the swim instruction and swim school space include brands such as Goldfish Swim School, British Swim School, SafeSplash Swim School, Aqua-Tots Swim Schools, and local independent swim schools.

7. What Is the Application Process for urSwim Franchisees?

  1. Dive Into a Phone Call: Start with a call to ask questions, learn the basics of the model and decide whether urSwim feels like the right fit.
  2. Request the Franchise Disclosure Document: Ask for the FDD to review the business model, investment requirements and support structure in detail.
  3. Visit and See the Model in Action: Schedule a visit to meet the team, learn more about ownership and observe a urSwim lesson when it’s in season.
  4. Complete the Approval Process: Fill out the Confidential Questionnaire so the team can review your background, experience and qualifications as part of the approval process.
  5. Begin Official Training: Once approved, you’ll start urSwim’s official training program covering instruction methods, operations and marketing so you’re ready to launch.

Want to learn more about franchise opportunities on 1851 Franchise? Be sure to visit our Power Rankings to read more on brands making moves. 

Want to learn more about how 1851 helps franchisees find the right franchise opportunity? Visit www.1851growthclub.com and start your journey.

Disclaimer: This content is for information only. You should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial or other advice. Nothing contained on this site constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, endorsement or offer to buy or sell any franchises, securities or other financial instruments in this or in any other jurisdiction in which such solicitation or offer would be unlawful under the franchise and/or securities laws of such jurisdiction. 

All content in this article is information of a general nature and does not address the detailed circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Nothing in the article constitutes professional and/or financial advice, nor does any information in the article constitute a comprehensive or complete statement of the matters discussed or the law relating thereto. You alone assume the sole responsibility of evaluating the merits and risks associated with the use of any information or other content in this article before making any decisions based on such information or other content.

FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITY INFORMATION

urSwim Experts Investment Range$76,260 - $106,850

ABOUT URSWIM FRANCHISE

No. of Units Currently Open6
No. of Units Expected to Open this Year1-2 Corporate | 3 Franchised
Franchise Fee$44,500
Royalty8%
Brand Development Fund1%
Multi-Unit Discount50% discount on the second and subsequent franchise fees.
Notice Regarding Franchise Offers and Sales. This information is not intended as an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, a franchise. It is for information purposes only. Currently, the following states regulate the offer and sale of franchises: California, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. If you are a resident of or want to locate a franchise in one of these states, we will not offer you a franchise unless and until we have complied with applicable pre-sale registration and disclosure requirements in your state. Franchise offerings are made by Franchise Disclosure Document only.

Available urSwim Territories

LAST UPDATED: June 2026

FRANCHISE WEBSITE: https://swimmingschoolfranchise.com/ 

1851 GROWTH CLUB WEBSITE: https://1851franchise.com/growth-club/urswim-swimming-school-franchise 

1851 NEWSROOM: https://1851franchise.com/urswim

NUMBER OF LOCATIONS: 6

REPORTED COST TO GET IN: $88,760 - $119,350

REPORTED ROI (Item 19): See below

urSwim is a swim instruction and aquatics management brand founded to improve water safety and expand access to high-quality swim education. The company delivers customized swim programs through at-home lessons, partnerships with indoor swimming facilities and turnkey services for camps, beach clubs, municipalities and residential communities.

1. What Is the Brand Overview for urSwim?

About the Brand

urSwim was founded by Marina Mentzel to address the fragmented and seasonal nature of traditional swim programs and to combat alarming childhood drowning statistics. The concept was built around teaching children to swim in the pools where they spend the most time, using highly trained instructors and personalized instruction. The brand gained early traction serving thousands of clients across Long Island before expanding through strategic partnerships with indoor pool facilities to offer year-round programming. Today, urSwim operates as a growing franchise system with locations in New York and Connecticut.

Mission: urSwim’s mission is to promote water safety and help individuals of all ages become confident, capable swimmers.

Vision: The brand aims to become a leading provider of swim education in underserved communities while helping change drowning statistics nationwide.

Unique Selling Points (USPs)

  • Offers both at-home and indoor swim lessons, providing flexibility and convenience.
  • Emphasizes water safety skills such as survival floating, treading water and safe water entry.
  • Authorized provider of American Red Cross training and certifications.
  • Provides turnkey swim instruction, lifeguard staffing and pool management services.
  • Delivers customized programs for children, adults, camps, beach clubs and municipalities.

2. What Are the Franchise Opportunity Details?

Why Franchise With urSwim?

  • Proven and scalable business model.
  • Comprehensive pre-opening and ongoing training.
  • Ongoing on-site and operational support.
  • Low initial investment compared to traditional brick-and-mortar concepts.
  • Multiple revenue streams including instruction, staffing and certifications.

Available Territories

urSwim franchise opportunities are available in select markets. Prospective franchisees are encouraged to inquire directly through the brand’s website for territory availability.

Investment Overview

Initial Costs: The estimated initial investment required to begin operation of a urSwim franchise ranges from $88,760 to $119,350. The 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) breaks these costs down as follows:

Type of Expenditure

Min

Max

Initial Franchise Fee

$49,500

$49,500

License/Lease Deposit

$7,500

$10,000

Equipment

$2,400

$2,750

Signage

$1,400

$3,500

Computer, Software & Business Management System

$900

$1,100

Service Vehicle

$0

$2,500

Grand Opening Marketing

$10,000

$10,000

Initial Inventory

$1,750

$3,800

Insurance Deposits (3 Months)

$760

$2,800

Travel for Initial Training

$1,200

$3,900

Initial On-Site Hosted Pool Acquisition Support Fee

$3,000

$3,000

Professional Fees

$2,500

$4,500

Licenses & Permits

$50

$500

Additional Funds (3 Months)

$7,800

$21,500

Initial Franchise Fee: When signing a franchise agreement, franchisees pay a non-refundable $49,500 initial franchise fee for a single territory. Qualified existing swim instructors who owned, managed, and operated a swim instruction business generating at least $75,000 in annual gross sales during the prior year may be eligible for a 50% discount on the initial franchise fee for their first territory, if requested at the time of application.

Ongoing Fees: According to the 2026 FDD, urSwim franchisees are responsible for the following ongoing payments and fees:

Type of FeeAmount
Royalty8% of gross sales/week
Brand Development FundUp to 2% of gross sales/week
Technology Up to $450/month for the first territory, plus an additional $50/month for each additional territory
Contact Center$50 per booked trial lesson

ROI Potential: The 2026 FDD provides gross sales for two of its company-owned outlets for 2023, 2024 and 2025:

Outlet

2023 Gross Sales

2024 Gross Sales

2025 Gross Sales

Long Island, New York

$875,586

$1,143,176

$1,228,354

New Haven, Connecticut*

$126,729

$85,505

$86,474

*The New Haven outlet relocated from its original Fairfield, Connecticut third-party pool location after that site permanently closed in 2023 but continued operating without interruption from another third-party pool within the New Haven market. The Fairfield territory was sold to a franchisee in late 2023, and as of January 1, 2024, operates as a franchise location, while the company-owned outlet continues to operate in the New Haven market from the relocated third-party pool site.

3. What Franchisee Support Does urSwim Provide?

Pre-Opening Support

urSwim provides a structured onboarding process that includes guidance on business setup, safety procedures, marketing preparation and operational planning prior to launch.

Training Programs

Franchisees participate in a one-week pre-opening training program conducted in Huntington, New York. Training covers daily operations, swim instruction standards, safety protocols, marketing, financial management and customer experience.

Operational Support

The brand offers ongoing on-site support, operational guidance and assistance with marketing execution, staffing strategies and service delivery.

Technology and Tools

urSwim provides franchisees with access to its proven systems, swim instruction methodologies and operational processes designed to support consistent service delivery.

4. What Are the Franchise Requirements for urSwim?

urSwim seeks franchisees with strong interpersonal skills, customer service experience, a passion for education and an interest in swimming and children’s services.

Operational Commitments

Franchisees are responsible for hiring, training and managing aquatics staff and overseeing daily operations. Semi-absentee ownership is not explicitly discussed as an option.

Funding Assistance

urSwim does not provide direct or indirect financing to franchisees and does not guarantee any notes, leases or other financial obligations.

5. Are There Franchisee Success Stories?

“Once [Marina Mentzel] told me that she was franchising, I knew that I wanted to be part of it. What really kept me with urSwim was hearing the stories from our swimmers, from our pool partners, about what a valuable business we’re building and what we’re offering to the community.”

– Brenna Dowd, urSwim chief operating officer and franchisee in Suffolk East, New York (Read her story here)

6. What Is the Market Potential for Swim Instruction?

The swim instruction industry continues to see steady growth, driven by rising demand for water safety education, increased participation in aquatic activities, and a growing focus on structured, professional training programs.

The global swimming training and lessons market was valued at approximately $5.5 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach $9.5 billion by 2033, reflecting a CAGR of about 7.5% over the forecast period.

Competitor Analysis

urSwim competes in the swim instruction and aquatics services sector by offering a flexible delivery model that includes at-home lessons, partnerships with indoor facilities for year-round programming, and turnkey services for camps, beach clubs and municipalities, all while maintaining a strong emphasis on water safety and customized instruction. Primary competitors in the swim instruction and swim school space include brands such as Goldfish Swim School, British Swim School, SafeSplash Swim School, Aqua-Tots Swim Schools, and local independent swim schools.

7. What Is the Application Process for urSwim Franchisees?

  1. Dive Into a Phone Call: Start with a call to ask questions, learn the basics of the model and decide whether urSwim feels like the right fit.
  2. Request the Franchise Disclosure Document: Ask for the FDD to review the business model, investment requirements and support structure in detail.
  3. Visit and See the Model in Action: Schedule a visit to meet the team, learn more about ownership and observe a urSwim lesson when it’s in season.
  4. Complete the Approval Process: Fill out the Confidential Questionnaire so the team can review your background, experience and qualifications as part of the approval process.
  5. Begin Official Training: Once approved, you’ll start urSwim’s official training program covering instruction methods, operations and marketing so you’re ready to launch.

Want to learn more about franchise opportunities on 1851 Franchise? Be sure to visit our Power Rankings to read more on brands making moves. 

Want to learn more about how 1851 helps franchisees find the right franchise opportunity? Visit www.1851growthclub.com and start your journey.

Disclaimer: This content is for information only. You should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial or other advice. Nothing contained on this site constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, endorsement or offer to buy or sell any franchises, securities or other financial instruments in this or in any other jurisdiction in which such solicitation or offer would be unlawful under the franchise and/or securities laws of such jurisdiction. 

All content in this article is information of a general nature and does not address the detailed circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Nothing in the article constitutes professional and/or financial advice, nor does any information in the article constitute a comprehensive or complete statement of the matters discussed or the law relating thereto. You alone assume the sole responsibility of evaluating the merits and risks associated with the use of any information or other content in this article before making any decisions based on such information or other content.

FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITY INFORMATION

urSwim Experts Investment Range$76,260 - $106,850

ABOUT URSWIM FRANCHISE

No. of Units Currently Open6
No. of Units Expected to Open this Year1-2 Corporate | 3 Franchised
Franchise Fee$44,500
Royalty8%
Brand Development Fund1%
Multi-Unit Discount50% discount on the second and subsequent franchise fees.
Notice Regarding Franchise Offers and Sales. This information is not intended as an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, a franchise. It is for information purposes only. Currently, the following states regulate the offer and sale of franchises: California, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. If you are a resident of or want to locate a franchise in one of these states, we will not offer you a franchise unless and until we have complied with applicable pre-sale registration and disclosure requirements in your state. Franchise offerings are made by Franchise Disclosure Document only.

Available urSwim Territories

franchise opportunity information

urSwim Experts Investment Range
$76,260 - $106,850

about urswim franchise

No. of Units Currently Open
6
No. of Units Expected to Open this Year
1-2 Corporate | 3 Franchised
Franchise Fee
$44,500
Royalty
8%
Brand Development Fund
1%
Multi-Unit Discount
50% discount on the second and subsequent franchise fees.
Notice Regarding Franchise Offers and Sales. This information is not intended as an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, a franchise. It is for information purposes only. Currently, the following states regulate the offer and sale of franchises: California, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. If you are a resident of or want to locate a franchise in one of these states, we will not offer you a franchise unless and until we have complied with applicable pre-sale registration and disclosure requirements in your state. Franchise offerings are made by Franchise Disclosure Document only.

Don’t Miss the Next Big Franchise Story

Sign up for the 1851 Franchise newsletter to get our biggest stories before everyone else

By signing up, you agree to our user agreement (including class action waiver and arbitration provisions), and acknowledge our privacy policy.

Victoria Campisi

About the Author

Victoria Campisi

Follow

All Articles

No related articles found