Who is responsible for obtaining the required permits for a Big Blue Swim School?
Big_Blue_Swim_School Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Before you begin operating the School, we will (directly or through a third party):
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- Provide various real estate services. (Franchise Agreement—Section 4; Development Rights Agreement—Section 5) These services do not include conforming the School's premises to local ordinances and building codes obtaining required permits, for which you will be responsible. The School always will be developed at your expense.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND TRAINING (FDD pages 37–51)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Big Blue Swim School Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchisee is responsible for obtaining the required permits for their school. While Big Blue Swim School offers real estate services before the school opens, these services do not include conforming the premises to local ordinances and building codes or obtaining the necessary permits. The franchisee bears the expense of developing the school.
This means that prospective Big Blue Swim School franchisees must budget time and money to handle the permitting process. This includes understanding local regulations, submitting applications, and potentially working with contractors to ensure the facility meets all code requirements. Failing to obtain the necessary permits can delay the opening of the school or even result in fines and legal issues.
Big Blue Swim School does provide assistance by reviewing potential sites and offering guidance on site selection criteria. However, the ultimate responsibility for ensuring the site complies with all applicable laws, codes, ordinances, and regulations rests with the franchisee. This division of responsibility is typical in franchising, where the franchisor provides the brand, system, and support, while the franchisee manages the local operations and compliance.