Why Big Blue Swim School is Targeting Richmond, Virginia, for Growth

Big Blue Swim School, one of the fastest-growing players in the $3 billion swim school industry, has already opened five pools in northern Virginia, so it’s setting its sights beyond the D.C. metro area, targeting Richmond, Virginia, for franchise expansion.

“All of our northern Virginia pools are thriving,” said Dennis Campbell, vice president of franchise development at Big Blue.  “The business model is incredibly resilient, and we see Richmond as an underserved market with the number of kids we can serve.”

The Richmond metro area has a population of more than 1.28 million, according to Census Reporter. With 12% of the population under 9 years old, the market provides a significant opportunity for Big Blue. With more than 150,000 kids fitting that demographic, Big Blue is looking to sign agreements for three locations in the Greater Richmond Area, adding to the momentum Big Blue has already built so far in 2022.

“Big Blue pools that are opening across the country have been overachieving our benchmarks,” Campbell said. “The presales across these markets have been incredible, and we expect more of the same in the Richmond market.”

Big Blue Swim School was founded by U.S. National Champion swimmer Chris DeJong. Growing up swimming from a young age, DeJong found most swim instruction to be outdated and ineffective. After he retired from competitive swimming, he began teaching swimming lessons, which led him to found Big Blue in 2009 to provide a more intuitive and effective learning experience. Big Blue helps instill confidence by celebrating big moments in the pool and showing students that they can do anything by unlocking their full potential in the water. 

“For many people, learn-to-swim experiences are not positive memories,” DeJong said. “And I realized it doesn't have to be that way. In fact, it can be a very positive memory that not only results in the child learning how to swim and be safer in the water, but also help them develop a sense of confidence that they can take with them outside of the pool, into the classroom and into all aspects of their lives.”

Big Blue plans to open nearly 400 locations, which would address one-third of the 48 million children 12 and under in the U.S. The brand has already signed agreements for 227 locations in 25 states and is currently seeking franchise partners in multiple markets across the U.S., including Richmond.
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 is $2,475,200 to $3,966,700 (refer to item 7 in FDD) To learn more or inquire about Big Blue, visit https://www.bigblueswimschool.com/franchising/.