What are the franchisee's obligations regarding site selection for a Big Blue Swim School?
Big_Blue_Swim_School Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You must locate, evaluate, and select each School's site. We will not search for or select the site for you. We will review potential 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. We have the right to require you to reimburse our out-of-pocket expenses for each site visit after the first per-School visit. That payment is not refundable.
Source: Item 5 — INITIAL FEES (FDD pages 12–13)
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 does not take on the responsibility of site selection for its franchisees. However, Big Blue Swim School will review potential sites identified by the franchisee within their territory.
Big Blue Swim School may, but is not obligated to, visit the territory once at no additional fee to review potential sites for each swim school to be constructed and developed. After the first visit per school, Big Blue Swim School has the right to require the franchisee to reimburse their out-of-pocket expenses for each subsequent site visit. This reimbursement is not refundable.
This arrangement is fairly typical in the franchise industry, where franchisees usually bear the primary responsibility for site selection, as they are more familiar with their local market. The franchisor's review and potential site visits offer an additional layer of due diligence, helping to ensure the chosen location meets the brand's standards and has the potential for success. Franchisees should carefully consider the potential costs of additional site visits and factor them into their overall investment.