What criteria does Big Blue Swim School provide to franchisees for site selection?
Big_Blue_Swim_School Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
you (or your Approved Affiliate) sign a franchise agreement for the next BIG BLUE Swim School to be constructed and developed within the Territory, we will apply the deposit related to that Swim School (which is part of the Development Fee) toward the initial franchise fee due for that Swim School (leaving only the balance of the initial franchise fee due at signing).
5. Grant of Franchises and Site Selection/Leasing Process for BIG BLUE Swim Schools.
- (a) You must locate, evaluate, and select the Swim School's site. You must give us all information and materials we request to assess each proposed Swim School site. We will not search for or select the site for you. In granting you development rights under this DRA, we are relying on your knowledge of the real estate market in the Territory and your ability to locate and access sites.
- (b) We will give you our then-current criteria for BIG BLUE Swim School sites (including, without limitation, population density and other demographic characteristics, visibility, traffic flow, competition, accessibility, parking, ingress and egress, size, and other physical and commercial characteristics) to help in the site-selection process. We will not unreasonably withhold site acceptance if, in our and our affiliates' experience and based on the factors identified above, the proposed site is not inconsistent with sites that we and our affiliates regard as favorable or that otherwise have been successful sites in the past for BIG BLUE Swim Schools. However, we have the absolute right to reject any site not meeting our criteria or to require you to acknowledge in writing that a site you have chosen, while acceptable to us, is not recommended due to its incompatibility with certain factors bearing on a site's suitability as a location for a BIG BLUE Swim School.
We will review potential BIG BLUE Swim School sites that you identify within the Territory and may, but have no obligation to, visit the Territory once (for no additional fee) to review potential sites for each BIG BLUE Swim School to be constructed and developed under this DRA.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 76–278)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Big Blue Swim School's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are responsible for locating, evaluating, and selecting the site for their Swim School. Big Blue Swim School will provide its then-current criteria for site selection to aid franchisees in this process. These criteria include factors such as population density, demographic characteristics, visibility, traffic flow, competition, accessibility, parking, ingress and egress, size, and other physical and commercial characteristics. Franchisees must provide all requested information and materials to Big Blue Swim School to assess each proposed site.
Big Blue Swim School has the right to reject any site that does not meet its criteria or to require the franchisee to acknowledge in writing that a chosen site, while acceptable, is not recommended due to incompatibility with certain factors. However, Big Blue Swim School will not unreasonably withhold site acceptance if the proposed site aligns with favorable or successful sites based on their experience and the identified factors. Franchisees must also submit any lease or sublease agreements for written acceptance before signing, and Big Blue Swim School may offer guidance in the leasing process but will not negotiate or provide legal advice.
It is important to note that franchisees do not have the right to reject a proposed site if it has been accepted by Big Blue Swim School's real-estate committee, referred to as a "Qualified Site." Big Blue Swim School also retains the right to delay construction, development, or opening of additional swim schools if they believe it is in the best interest of the brand or franchise network, including reasons related to a lack of suitable sites or supply chain issues.