What guidelines must the design, construction, and development of a Big Blue Swim School follow?
Big_Blue_Swim_School Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You will develop the School at your expense. You or the vendors you select will supervise or oversee the School's design, construction, and development. You must pay all fees due to all service providers and vendors. We will provide you with a selection of designated and approved vendors. You may select among those vendors or hire your own, depending on whether the vendor is designated or approved.
The School's design, construction, and development will follow our guidelines and mandatory specifications and layouts for a BIG BLUE Swim School (collectively, "Plans"), including requirements for dimensions, design, interior layout, improvements, color scheme, décor, finishes, signage, and Operating Assets. You should work with your general contractor and architect, who will exercise reasonable efforts to ensure that the Plans reflect the requirements of any federal, state, or local laws, codes, ordinances, or regulations, including those arising under the Americans with Disabilities Act, and any Lease requirements or restrictions. You must inform us of any changes to the School's specifications that you believe are necessary to comply with applicable laws and lease requirements and restrictions. Your third-party vendor will adapt the Plans for the School. We own the Plans.
The School must contain all Operating Assets, and only those Operating Assets, we specify or pre-approve. You must place or display at the School (interior and exterior), according to our guidelines, only the signs, emblems, lettering, logos, and display materials we approve from time to time.
Source: Item 8 — RESTRICTIONS ON SOURCES OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES (FDD pages 29–34)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Big Blue Swim School's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the design, construction, and development of a school must adhere to specific guidelines and mandatory specifications outlined in the "Plans." These Plans encompass requirements for dimensions, design, interior layout, improvements, color scheme, décor, finishes, signage, and Operating Assets. Franchisees are expected to work closely with their general contractor and architect to ensure these Plans align with all applicable federal, state, or local laws, codes, ordinances, and regulations, including those under the Americans with Disabilities Act, as well as any lease requirements or restrictions. Any necessary changes to the School's specifications to comply with these legal and lease requirements must be communicated to Big Blue Swim School.
The franchisee's third-party vendor is responsible for adapting the Plans for the specific School location, with the understanding that Big Blue Swim School retains ownership of these Plans. The School must include all specified or pre-approved Operating Assets, and only those assets. Furthermore, the franchisee must display only approved signs, emblems, lettering, logos, and display materials, both inside and outside the School, according to Big Blue Swim School's guidelines.
These strict guidelines ensure uniformity and brand consistency across all Big Blue Swim School locations, which is a common practice in franchising. By mandating specific design and construction standards, Big Blue Swim School aims to maintain a consistent customer experience and protect its brand identity. Franchisees should carefully review the Plans and related requirements to fully understand the scope of these obligations and the potential costs involved in meeting these standards.