When is the Podium fee due for a Big Blue Swim School?
Big_Blue_Swim_School Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
| Type of Fee(1) | Amount(2) | Due Date | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brand Fund Contributions | Up to 3% of School’s Gross Revenue(3) during each Calculation Period(4); we currently charge 2% of School’s weekly Gross Revenue | Due within certain number of days after end of each Calculation Period (4) | |
| Member Services Center Fee (“MSC Fee”) | Up to 2% of School’s Gross Revenue(3) during each Calculation Period(4); we currently do not charge this fee | Due within certain number of days after end of each Calculation Period (4) | We have the right, directly or through a |
| designated source (including an affiliate), to | |||
| develop, implement, operate, maintain, and | |||
| improve a member services center for th | |||
| benefit of all BIG BLUE Swim Schools and | |||
| which all BIG BLUE Swim Schools mus | |||
| use. The MSC might perform various services | |||
| for BIG BLUE Swim Schools and their | |||
| customers, including scheduling free tria | |||
| lessons and reserving lesson times for | |||
| helping resolve customer complaints and | |||
| concerns, and maintaining a customer | |||
| database that provides management reports to | |||
| franchisees. We currently do not operate an | |||
| MSC or charge this fee. | |||
| Podium | $285 per month; optional purchase of a telephone ranging from $30-$160 | Monthly | Podium is our mandatory customer relations software. You will pay us monthly with the second invoice of the month. We have the right to increase this fee to the extent the vendor increases its charge to us. These amounts are a pass-through to you; we do not upcharge the vendor’s fees. You may (but have no obligation to) purchase a telephone for your School. |
Source: Item 6 — OTHER FEES (FDD pages 13–25)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Big Blue Swim School FDD, the Podium fee, which is $285 per month, is due monthly. Specifically, Big Blue Swim School franchisees are required to pay this fee with the second invoice of each month.
The Podium fee covers the cost of Big Blue Swim School's mandatory customer relations software. This software is essential for managing customer interactions and maintaining efficient communication within the business.
Big Blue Swim School retains the right to increase the Podium fee if the vendor raises its charges to them. However, the FDD specifies that these amounts are a direct pass-through to the franchisee, meaning Big Blue Swim School will not add any additional markup to the vendor's fees. Franchisees also have the option to purchase a telephone for their school, with costs ranging from $30 to $160.