Before opening a Goldfish Swim School, what evidence of employee certifications must be furnished to the Franchisor?
Goldfish_Swim_School Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- 5.6.1 Before opening the Franchised Swim School and commencing business, Franchisee must:
- 5.6.1.1 fulfill all of the obligations of Franchisee pursuant to the other provisions of this Section 5;
- 5.6.1.2 furnish Franchisor with copies of all insurance policies required by this Agreement, or by the lease, or such other evidence of insurance coverage and payment of premiums as Franchisor may request;
- 5.6.1.3 complete initial training to the satisfaction of Franchisor;
- 5.6.1.4 hire and train the personnel necessary or required for the operation of the Franchised Swim School;
- 5.6.1.5 furnish Franchisor with evidence that all employees, including without limitation the Designated Manager and the on-site general manager if not the Designated Manager have obtained CPR, first aid, AED, lifeguard certifications, and certified pool operations certifications. Failure to obtain and maintain current certifications may be cause for termination;
- 5.6.1.6 if Franchisee is a business entity, Franchisee has caused each of its stock certificates or other ownership interest certificates to be conspicuously endorsed upon the face thereof a statement in a form satisfactory to Franchisor that such ownership interest is held subject to, and that further assignment or transfer thereof is subject to, all restrictions imposed upon transfers and assignments by this Agreement;
- 5.6.1.7 obtain Franchisor's permission and approval of an opening date, providing a reasonable time (10 – 14 days) between the issuance of Franchisee's certificate of occupancy or similar document and Franchisee's opening date. Franchisor's approval of the opening date shall be based on Franchisor's determination that Franchisee is ready to open and satisfactorily prepared to operate;
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 77–389)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Goldfish Swim School Franchise Disclosure Document, prior to opening a franchised swim school, franchisees must furnish evidence to Goldfish Swim School that all employees, including the Designated Manager and the on-site general manager (if different), have obtained CPR, first aid, AED, lifeguard certifications, and certified pool operations certifications. Maintaining these certifications is crucial, as failure to do so may result in the termination of the franchise agreement.
In addition to providing evidence of these certifications, franchisees must also complete initial training to the satisfaction of Goldfish Swim School. This training covers various aspects of operating and administering the swim school, including sales and marketing, financial controls, quality standards, customer service, record keeping, and reporting procedures. While the initial training may include CPR, First Aid, AED, and shallow water lifeguarding certifications, it does not cover other certifications required by Goldfish Swim School or by applicable law, such as certified pool operations certifications for management staff. Franchisees are responsible for obtaining these additional certifications before opening.
Furthermore, before opening, the franchisee must fulfill all obligations outlined in Section 5 of the franchise agreement, furnish copies of all required insurance policies, and complete a certification, in a format approved by Goldfish Swim School, confirming that all requirements to open the swim school have been met. The franchisor's approval of the opening date is contingent upon determining that the franchisee is ready and adequately prepared to operate the Goldfish Swim School. These measures ensure that all Goldfish Swim School locations maintain consistent safety standards and operational readiness.