FRANCHISE RESALES

Buy a Goldfish Swim School Franchise

Goldfish Swim School, founded in 2006 by Jenny and Chris McCuiston in Birmingham, Michigan, is a premier learn-to-swim franchise focused exclusively on children aged 4 months to 12 years. Jenny, a former collegiate All-American swimmer with a degree in early childhood development, designed Goldfish to provide a safe, fun, and effective swim learning environment using warm, 90-degree pools and a proprietary curriculum called The Science of SwimPlay®. The first location quickly grew from 500 to over 2,000 weekly students, leading to franchising in 2008. Today, Goldfish boasts over 190 locations across the U.S. and Canada, teaching more than 200,000 children weekly and projected to deliver over 11 million lessons in 2025. The brand is family-owned, emphasizing a close-knit franchisee community and a culture of safety, skill-building, and fun. Goldfish’s proven systems, strong national brand fund, and consistent growth make it a standout in the swim school industry.

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Why buy a Goldfish Swim School Franchise?

Investing in Goldfish Swim School offers entry into a nationally recognized, rapidly growing franchise with a proven business model and proprietary curriculum. Franchisees gain access to extensive support, a strong brand fund, and a close-knit franchise community. The focus on children’s safety and skill development, combined with a fun, colorful environment, creates strong customer loyalty and recurring revenue. Goldfish’s leadership in the swim school industry and ongoing expansion present a compelling opportunity for entrepreneurs seeking a meaningful, scalable business in a recession-resistant market.

Goldfish Swim School Franchise Costs & Information

Based on 2025 data reported in the 2026 FDD

  • Brand Profile

    • Year Founded

      2005

    • Franchising Since

      2008

    • New Startup Cost

      $1,663,263 – $3,746,733

    • Avg. Resale Price

      Contact us for details

  • Franchise Fees

    • Initial franchise Fee

      $40,000 – $50,000

      for new territories

    • Transfer Fee

      50%

      of the then-current Initial Franchise Fee

    • Royalty Fee

      6%

      of Gross Sales or Minimum Royalty Fee

    • Marketing Fee

      2%

      of Gross Sales

  • Unit Performance

    • Total Units *

      199

    • New Units Opened *

      23

    • Units Transferred *

      8

    • Avg. Unit revenue *

      $1,994,169

    * Based on 2025 data reported in the 2026 FDD

Goldfish Swim School – Additional  Information

  1. Training & Support

    Goldfish Swim School provides extensive franchisee support including initial and ongoing training, operational guidance, marketing assistance, and access to proprietary curriculum and technology. Franchisees benefit from regional management, a national brand fund, collaborative networking, and a family-oriented culture focused on helping them succeed.

  2. Ideal Owner

    The ideal Goldfish Swim School franchisee is a passionate entrepreneur committed to children’s safety and education, with strong community engagement skills. No prior swim or business experience is required due to comprehensive training and support. Owners should value a family-oriented culture and be dedicated to delivering exceptional service.

  3. Recognition & Awards

    Goldfish Swim School has been ranked No. 1 in the swimming lessons category by Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® for eight consecutive years and placed No. 74 overall in 2024. It is recognized by Franchise Business Review and Franchise Times as a top franchise brand, reflecting its strong reputation and franchisee satisfaction. They were also recognized by Franchise Business Review as one of the Top 200 Franchises in 2026.

  4. Industry / Market

    The children’s swim lesson industry is growing steadily, driven by increasing awareness of water safety and demand for quality swim education. Goldfish’s unique curriculum and family-friendly approach position it well to capitalize on this expanding market, with over 350 locations open or in development.

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