When is the Podium fee due for a Big Blue Swim School franchise?
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 Big Blue Swim School's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the Podium fee is due monthly. Specifically, it is paid with the second invoice of the month. The fee is $285 per month.
Podium is Big Blue Swim School's mandatory customer relations software. The FDD specifies that franchisees must use this software. The franchisor retains the right to increase the Podium fee if the vendor increases its charges to them. These costs are passed directly to the franchisee without any markup from Big Blue Swim School.
In addition to the monthly Podium fee, franchisees have the option to purchase a telephone for their Big Blue Swim School location. The cost of this telephone ranges from $30 to $160. While the Podium software is mandatory, purchasing the telephone is not.