What training is the Managing Owner required to complete for a Big Blue Swim School franchise?
Big_Blue_Swim_School Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
amount beyond the Annual Increase to reflect increases in the third party's charges to us.
6. Training, Guidance, and Assistance
6.A. Initial Orientation and Training
If this is your first BIG BLUE Swim School, your Managing Owner must attend a two (2) day initial orientation session on the Franchise System at our principal business address (or another location we designate) before you open the School. We also will furnish without additional charge, at a designated training location of our choice (which may be our corporate headquarters, an operating BIG BLUE Swim School, and/or your School) and/or through video and other electronic means, an initial training program ("Initial Training") on operating a BIG BLUE Swim School for your Managing Owner and up to three (3) additional people. We may charge our then-current training fee for each person beyond four (4) people that you send to Initial Training. Initial Training will last for the time we specify and focuses on our philosophy, Brand Standards, and the material aspects of operating a BIG BLUE Swim School, excluding aspects relating to labor relations and employment practices. Our training program may include a "train the trainer" module so that your senior-level personnel can learn how to train your other employees to follow our Brand Standards.
The School always must have on staff at least one (1) fully-trained person (also known as a "Certified Manager"). Any general manager must be a Certified Manager. If this is your first BIG BLUE Swim School, you must have at least (2) Certified Managers for at least the first six (6) months of operations. If you have more than one (1) BIG BLUE Swim School, you may hire a Certified Manager to supervise up to ten (10) schools (a "Regional Manager"). If you replace an existing Certified Manager, the new manager must attend and satisfactorily complete Initial Training within ninety (90) days after being hired in order to become a Certified Manager. You must pay our then-current training fee to provide Initial Training to your new manager.
You are responsible for paying your employees' wages, benefits, and TRE while they attend training.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 75–76)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Big Blue Swim School's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, if this is the franchisee's first Big Blue Swim School, the Managing Owner must attend a two-day initial orientation session covering the Franchise System. This orientation takes place at Big Blue Swim School's principal business address or another designated location. Additionally, the Managing Owner must complete an initial training program ('Initial Training') on operating a Big Blue Swim School. This Initial Training is provided without additional charge at a location of Big Blue Swim School's choice, which may include their corporate headquarters, an operating Big Blue Swim School, the franchisee's own school, and/or through video and other electronic means.
The Initial Training program focuses on Big Blue Swim School's philosophy, Brand Standards, and the material aspects of operating the swim school, but it excludes topics related to labor relations and employment practices. The training program's duration is determined by Big Blue Swim School. The program may also include a 'train the trainer' module, enabling senior-level personnel to train other employees in accordance with Brand Standards.
Big Blue Swim School requires that each school has at least one fully-trained person on staff, known as a 'Certified Manager.' Any general manager must be a Certified Manager. For franchisees operating their first Big Blue Swim School, they must have at least two Certified Managers for the first six months of operation. If a franchisee replaces an existing Certified Manager, the new manager must complete Initial Training within 90 days of being hired to become certified. The franchisee is responsible for paying Big Blue Swim School's then-current training fee for the new manager's Initial Training. Furthermore, Big Blue Swim School may require the Managing Owner to attend and complete additional training courses and programs periodically during the term of the franchise agreement.