How much does it cost to open a Goldfish Swim School franchise?

The total initial investment for a Goldfish Swim School franchise ranges from $1,663,263 to $3,746,733. This includes the franchise fee of $50,000, buildout costs, equipment, and initial working capital.

What are the ongoing fees for a Goldfish Swim School franchise?

Goldfish Swim School franchisees pay a 6.0% royalty fee and a 2.0% advertising/marketing fund contribution. These are typically calculated as a percentage of gross revenue.

How much money can you make with a Goldfish Swim School franchise?

Based on Item 19 financial performance data, the median Goldfish Swim School franchise generates $1,851,920 in annual revenue. Estimated owner profit is approximately $222,230.

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Education & Tutoring 177 Units

Goldfish Swim School Franchise Cost Breakdown

Complete investment analysis based on official FDD data

Total Investment

$1,663,263 – $3,746,733

Franchise Fee

$50,000

Royalty Rate

6.0%

Initial Investment Range

Low: $1,663,263 High: $3,746,733

The total initial investment to open a Goldfish Swim School franchise ranges from $1,663,263 to $3,746,733, as disclosed in their Franchise Disclosure Document. This includes the one-time franchise fee of $50,000.

Midpoint estimate: $2,704,998

Franchise Fee

$50,000

One-time initial fee

The Goldfish Swim School franchise fee is a one-time upfront payment made to the franchisor when you sign the franchise agreement. This fee grants you the right to operate under the Goldfish Swim School brand and is included in the total initial investment range above.

Ongoing Fees

Royalty Fee

6.0%

of gross revenue

Ad/Marketing Fund

2.0%

of gross revenue

Total Ongoing Fee Burden: 8.0% of gross revenue

Combined royalty and advertising fund contributions before any other fees.

Other Ongoing Fees

Fee Type	Rate	Type	Notes
Royalty Fee	6.0	PCT	First 90 days: greater of $1,250/month or 6% of gross sales. After 90 days: greater of $4,000/month or 6% of gross sales. Commences on earlier of opening for business or 600 days after signing Franchise Agreement. Paid by Electronic Funds Transfer.
Brand Fund Contribution	2.0	PCT	First 90 days: greater of $450/month or up to 3% (currently 2%) of gross sales. After 90 days: greater of $1,300/month or up to 3% (currently 2%) of gross sales. Commences on earlier of opening for business or 600 days after signing. 30 days notice before increase. May increase up to 3% maximum.
Local Advertising	2.0	PCT	2% of gross sales paid directly to third party vendors with franchisor approval. If part of advertising cooperative, contribution may be up to 5% of gross sales maximum. Contributions to cooperative credit toward local advertising requirement.
Technology Fee	700.0	FIXED	Currently $700 per month. Paid by Electronic Funds Transfer. Amount prescribed in Confidential Brand Standards Manual and may increase over time.
Renewal Fee	10000.0	FIXED	Payable at time of renewal when signing Renewal Franchise Agreement, if all renewal requirements are satisfied.
Customer Sales Support Services	N/A	FIXED	Currently $0. If franchisor implements call center or customer sales support services, franchisee may be required to use and pay for such services.
Audit Expenses	N/A	VARIABLE	Approximately $1,500-$5,000. Payable only if audit shows franchisee did not spend 2% of quarterly gross sales on local advertising or underreported amounts owed by 3% or more.
Late Fees	1.5	PCT	1.5% per month or maximum rate allowed by law, whichever is less. Applies to all overdue fees and any understatement revealed by audit. Begins from date payment was due.
Approval of Products or Suppliers	N/A	VARIABLE	Actual costs incurred by franchisor for evaluation of new suppliers or products. Varies based on product samples, shipping, travel, type of product, etc.
Insurance Policies	N/A	VARIABLE	$1,000-$3,500. Amount of unpaid premiums plus franchisor's reasonable expenses. Payable only if franchisee fails to maintain required insurance and franchisor obtains coverage.
Transfer Fee	2500.0	VARIABLE	$2,500 if transferee already part of System; 50% of then-current initial franchise fee if transferee new to System; $10,000 under Area Development Agreement. Does not apply to certain assignments per Sections 18.3 and 8.C.
Relocation Assistance	1500.0	FIXED	$1,500 to reimburse franchisor's costs to assist with relocation if needed.
Customer Service	N/A	VARIABLE	Actual costs incurred. Franchisee must reimburse if franchisor determines it necessary to provide service directly to franchisee's customers. Varies based on nature of complaint, expertise needed, time involved.
Substitute or New Manager Training/Additional Training	600.0	FIXED	Currently $600 per day plus franchisee's expenses in attending. Charged if franchisee must repeat initial training. Initial training covered by franchise fee.
Ongoing Training	N/A	VARIABLE	Franchisee pays own expenses and employees' expenses. No tuition or training fees. Attendance required no more than 3 times per year, not exceeding 6 days annually.
Additional Operations Assistance	600.0	FIXED	Currently $600 per day plus franchisor's expenses. Payable for additional assistance beyond initial assistance if franchisee requests it.
Cost of Enforcement	N/A	VARIABLE	All costs including attorneys' fees. Franchisee must reimburse for all costs in enforcing obligations if franchisor prevails.
Temporary Management Assistance	600.0	FIXED	Currently $600 per day plus franchisor's expenses. Each month that it applies. If franchisee breaches Agreement or following death/incapacity of owner, franchisor may temporarily manage franchised swim school.
Annual Convention Fee	N/A	VARIABLE	$500-$2,500. Franchisor may impose annual convention registration fee.
Liquidated Damages for Loss of Future Royalties (Franchise Agreement)	N/A	VARIABLE	Lesser of: (1) 3 times total Royalty and Brand Fund Contributions for preceding 12 months, or (2) Royalty and Brand Fund Contributions for remaining term. Reasonable approximation of damages on termination due to franchisee default.
Liquidated Damages for Loss of Bargain (Area Development Agreement)	80000.0	FIXED	$80,000 for each undeveloped swim school. Reasonable approximation of damages on termination of Area Development Agreement due to franchisee default.
Indemnification	N/A	VARIABLE	All costs including attorneys' fees. Franchisee must defend lawsuits at own cost and hold franchisor harmless. Franchisor also provides indemnification to franchisee for lawsuits arising from authorized use of Marks.

What You Get

Financial Performance (Item 19)

Median Revenue

$1,851,920

per year, per location

Profitability Estimate

Estimated Owner Profit

$222,230

per year

Profit Margin

12.0%

of revenue

Estimation method: benchmark

Estimated ROI (Simple Payback): 12.2 years

Based on midpoint investment of $2,704,998 and estimated annual owner profit of $222,230.

Unit Growth & Failure Rate

Avg. Annual Closure Rate

0.0%

Low risk — below industry average

Net Unit Growth

+51 units

From 2022 to 2024

Unit Activity History

Year	Start	Opened	Closed	Transfers	End
2022	121	+16	—	—	137
2023	137	+19	—	—	155
2024	155	+17	—	—	172

Is a Goldfish Swim School Franchise Worth It?

Based on the FDD data, here is a data-driven snapshot of the Goldfish Swim School franchise opportunity:

Overall Score

95/100

Strong opportunity

Est. Payback Period

12.2 yrs

Longer payback

Risk Level

Low

0.0% annual closure rate

Goldfish Swim School scores well across our evaluation criteria, indicating a strong franchise system. With median unit revenue of $1,851,920 and a combined fee burden of 8.0% of gross revenue, prospective franchisees should model their own financial projections carefully. For a complete analysis including risk factors, deal-breaker flags, and detailed financial modeling, see the full report.