What criteria does Big Blue Swim School provide for site selection?
Big_Blue_Swim_School Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- (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.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 76–278)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 FDD, Big Blue Swim School provides franchisees with site selection criteria to aid in the location of their swim school. While the franchisee is responsible for finding and evaluating potential sites, Big Blue Swim School will provide its then-current criteria. 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.
Big Blue Swim School has the right to accept or reject any proposed site. Big Blue Swim School states that it will not unreasonably withhold site acceptance if the proposed site aligns with favorable characteristics and successful sites from the past. However, Big Blue Swim School maintains the right to reject sites that do not meet their criteria or to advise against sites that, while acceptable, may not be ideal due to certain factors. Franchisees must provide all requested information and materials for site assessment and cannot proceed with a site that Big Blue Swim School has not accepted.
Big Blue Swim School may visit the territory to review potential sites, with the franchisee potentially responsible for reimbursing out-of-pocket expenses for visits after the first one. The franchisor aims to review and either accept or reject proposed sites within 30 days of receiving all necessary information. Additionally, franchisees do not have the right to reject a site that has been accepted by Big Blue Swim School's real estate committee, known as a "Qualified Site."
Before signing any lease or sublease, franchisees must submit it to Big Blue Swim School for written acceptance, which will not be unreasonably withheld. While Big Blue Swim School may offer guidance in the leasing process, they will not negotiate leases or provide legal advice. Franchisees are responsible for meeting the lease execution deadlines outlined in the development schedule.