When is the initial advertising expense due for a Goldfish Swim School?
Goldfish_Swim_School Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
YOUR ESTIMATED INITIAL INVESTMENT
| Type of Expenditure | Amount | Method of Payment When Due | To Whom Payment Is To Be Made | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Franchise Fee 1 | $40,000 - 50,000 | ,000 - 50,000 Cashier's Check | Us | |
| Real Estate Fee | $0 - 2,500 | Cashier's Check | ||
| Real Estate/Rent 3 | $0 - 82,000 | As Arranged | Before and During Initial Period of Operations | Lessor |
| Architectural Fees | $34,500 – 85,000 | As Arranged | Before Beginning Operations | Architect |
| Leasehold | $1,334,230 – | As Before Beginning Arranged Operations | Contractor, | |
| Improvements 4 | 2,685,033 | Suppliers | ||
| Insurance 5 | $4,283 - 5,700 | As | Before Beginning | Insurance |
| Arranged | Operations | Company | ||
| Type of Expenditure | Amount | Method of Payment | When Due | To Whom Payment Is To Be Made |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------- |
| Training 6 | $17,250 - 37,000 | As Arranged | During Training | Airlines, Hotels & Restaurants |
| Furniture, Fixtures, Equipment, Computers, and Decor 7 | $100,000 - 126,500 | As Arranged | Before Beginning Operations | Approved Suppliers, Suppliers |
| Initial Advertising Expense 8 | $30,000 - 70,000 | As Arranged Before Beginning Operations and First 3 Months of Operation | Advertising Suppliers | |
| Licenses, Permits, & Deposits 9 | $4,500 - 80,000 | As Arranged | Before Beginning Operations | Licensing Authorities and Utilities |
| Legal & Accounting 10 | $8,500 - 35,000 | As | Before Beginning | Attorney, |
| Arranged | Operations | Accountant | ||
| Project Manager/Owner's Representative 11 | $15,000 – 45,000 | As Arranged | As Necessary | Contractor |
| Water Tap Fees 12 | $0 - 93,000 | As Arranged | As Necessary | Local Unit of Government |
| Additional Funds 13, 14 (3 months) | $75,000 - 350,000 | As Arranged | As Necessary | Employees, Utilities, Lessor & Suppliers |
| TOTAL 14</s |
Source: Item 7 — ESTIMATED INITIAL INVESTMENT (FDD pages 21–27)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Goldfish Swim School FDD, the initial advertising expense is due both before beginning operations and during the first three months of operation. This expense covers marketing, advertising, promotion, and the grand opening party. The amount required for initial advertising will be determined by Goldfish Swim School based on their assessment of advertising costs in the franchisee's specific swim school market. The FDD indicates that the franchisee may choose to spend more than the minimum required amount.
The FDD specifies that factors influencing the actual advertising spend include local media costs, site selection, competition, brand awareness, the time of year, customer demographics, and whether the franchise is the first Goldfish Swim School in that market. The initial advertising expense typically ranges from $30,000 to $70,000, as detailed in the table outlining the estimated initial investment. These amounts are generally non-refundable, and the franchisee is required to hire Goldfish Swim School's approved suppliers for local marketing and branding services.
Prospective franchisees should inquire with suppliers about their return and refund policies before making any purchases. Understanding these policies is crucial, as the FDD states that amounts spent on initial advertising are typically non-refundable. This up-front investment is a significant part of the initial costs, and franchisees need to budget accordingly to ensure a successful launch of their Goldfish Swim School.