British Swim School Franchise
Audited FinancialsRisk Score
Pending analysis
Investment Range
$94,570 - $403,660
Franchise Fee
$31,600
Total US Locations
258
Business Summary
British Swim School businesses operate a swimming and water-survival instruction program primarily focused on survival skills, stroke development, breathing techniques, and skill coordination. British Swim School offers private and group lessons for individuals of all ages, though lessons are mainly for children aged 10 and under. These businesses also provide pool facility rental, pool parties, and other special events and activities that British Swim School approves, operating under the British Swim School name and marks.
Corporate History
British Swim School's brand and business concept began operating as a non-franchise business in the United Kingdom and the United States for almost 30 years prior to 2011, suggesting its origins are around 1981. British Swim School Franchising, LLC's predecessor, British Swim Centers Franchising, LLC (BSCF), was formed in 2011 and began offering franchises for British Swim School businesses in May 2011. The current franchisor entity, British Swim School Franchising, LLC, was organized on March 21, 2019, and started offering franchises on June 12, 2019. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BSS Acquisition Holdings, LLC, which is controlled by Buzz Franchise Brands, LLC.
Financial Overview
Investment Range
$94,570 - $403,660
Franchise Fee (Low)
$31,600
Franchise Fee (High)
$59,500
Royalty %
10%
Marketing %
2%
Equipment Costs (Low)
$3,300
Equipment Costs (High)
$10,350
Working Capital
$12,000
Audited Financials
Yes
Offers Financing
Yes
Audit Opinion
Unqualified opinion
Financial Health Notes
British Swim School Franchising, LLC's financial condition, as shown in its financial statements, raises questions about its ability to provide services and support to franchisees. The company had a negative Member's (Deficit) Equity of ($1,900,687) as of December 31, 2024, compared to positive equity of $500,340 in 2023. This significant change to a negative equity position indicates a decline in financial health.
Financing Details
British Swim School Franchising, LLC or its affiliates may, at their discretion, finance up to half of a franchisee's initial investment or operating capital. The availability and amount of financing depend on factors like fund availability, franchisee creditworthiness, market conditions, and compliance with existing agreements. The annual interest rate is typically 12% but can vary. Repayment is usually over 1-3 years through monthly payments, and British Swim School may require daily credit card receipts or a security interest in the franchised business's assets. Franchisees or their principals must personally guarantee the debt. Prepayment is allowed without penalty. However, British Swim School Franchising, LLC does not offer any financing in California. The franchisor does not receive payments for placing third-party financing, but it may accept referral fees in the future and may assist franchisees in seeking third-party financing.
Performance Metrics
Total US Locations
258
Franchised Units
258
Corporate Units
0
Franchising Since
2011
Legal & Compliance Analysis
Recent Litigation
No
Bankruptcy
Yes
Litigation Summary
British Swim School Franchising, LLC has no litigation to disclose in Item 3 of its Franchise Disclosure Document. Item 4, however, does disclose a personal Chapter 13 bankruptcy filing by Dave Warn, British Swim School Franchising, LLC's Vice President of Franchise Development, on April 24, 2014. The plan was confirmed on August 20, 2014, and the bankruptcy court entered a judgment for a standard discharge of the debts on January 27, 2020.
Bankruptcy History
British Swim School Franchising, LLC itself has no bankruptcy history. However, Dave Warn, who serves as British Swim School Franchising, LLC's Vice President of Franchise Development, along with Karen Denise Warn, jointly filed a personal Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Petition on April 24, 2014. A plan for this bankruptcy was confirmed on August 20, 2014, and a standard discharge of the debts was entered by the bankruptcy court on January 27, 2020.
Agreement Terms
Initial Term
10 years
Renewal Term
5 years
Renewal Conditions
To renew their franchise agreement, British Swim School franchisees must provide prior written notice of their election to renew within 6-12 months before expiration. They must be in full compliance with the Franchise Agreement and all System Standards at the time of notice and at the start of the new term. Franchisees are required to add, update, or replace Operating Assets as requested by British Swim School and maintain substantial compliance throughout the initial term. They must also sign British Swim School's then-current franchise agreement, which may have materially different terms, and maintain the right to use their pools or secure new approved pools with appropriate agreements. Additional training required for new franchisees must be completed at the franchisee's expense, and a general release and other ancillary agreements must be signed if permitted by state law.
Training & Support Program
Franchisor Assistance
Before opening, British Swim School assists with criteria for swimming pools, helps with initial pool location efforts, and approves proposed pools. They also consent to Pool Rental Agreements or Pool Sublicense Agreements, identify required Operating Assets (including computer systems), provide training requirements for swim instructors, and grant access to their Operations Manual. After opening, British Swim School advises on business operations based on reports and inspections, provides updated System Standards and Operations Manual access, allows the use of their Marks and copyrighted materials, and continues to provide training requirements for swim instructors. British Swim School may also suggest pricing for services and products. Optional assistance includes modifying the System, periodic on-site visits (for a fee and expenses if requested), maintaining a Marketing Fund, and holding mandatory national or regional conferences.
Initial Training Hours
101
Training Location
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Ongoing Support
After opening, British Swim School provides ongoing support by advising franchisees on their business operations based on reports or inspections, and by providing updated System Standards and continued access to their Operations Manual. Franchisees retain the right to use British Swim School's Marks and copyrighted materials. The franchisor also provides mandatory and suggested criteria for additional pools and consents to Pool Agreements. British Swim School identifies required Operating Assets, including the Computer System, and continues to provide training requirements and criteria for swim instructors. While British Swim School may suggest pricing, franchisees ultimately determine their own prices. Optionally, British Swim School may modify or update the System, conduct periodic on-site visits to assist with operations and management (for a fee if requested), maintain and administer a Marketing Fund, and hold periodic national or regional conferences which franchisees are required to attend.
Franchise Requirements
Ideal Candidate Profile
British Swim School seeks individuals or entities where one owner, who is a natural person with at least a 50% ownership interest and voting power, acts as the "Designated Manager." This Designated Manager is responsible for the day-to-day management, direction, and full-time supervision of the British Swim School Business, continuously exerting best efforts to promote and enhance it. If the franchisee will not personally train and manage swim instructors, an "Aquatics Manager" must be hired who is a lead swim instructor, fully trained on British Swim School's aquatics program, and responsible for training new instructors. Candidates must be committed to the direct, full-time supervision of the business, either personally or through a Designated Manager, and ensure adherence to British Swim School's aquatics program standards.
Industry Experience Required
No
Management Experience Required
No
Sales Experience Required
No
Technical Skills Required
No
Operational Details
Location Type
Hybrid
Owner Participation
Full-Time
Territory Type
exclusive
Territory Size Requirements
British Swim School territories are defined by the number of children under ten years of age within specific zip codes. A "Standard Territory" includes up to 25,000 children under ten, while a "Targeted Territory" contains between 8,000 and 20,000 children under ten. These child counts are estimates based on third-party data. Franchisees may also be permitted, at British Swim School's discretion, to add adjacent unsold zip codes at a cost of $2.00 per child under ten within those zip codes, which then become part of their defined territory.
Staffing Notes
British Swim School requires that the franchisee or a designated manager provide full-time, direct supervision and day-to-day management of the business. If the franchisee does not personally train and manage swim instructors, they must hire an Aquatics Manager. This individual serves as the lead swim instructor, must be fully trained on British Swim School's aquatics program, and is responsible for training all new instructors according to the System and Standards. The franchisee is responsible for hiring, training, directing, scheduling, and supervising all other employees and independent contractors for day-to-day operations. All employees must complete and pass required training before providing services, and at least one shallow water lifeguard-certified staff member must be present at each pool whenever students are in the water.