What are water tap fees for a Goldfish Swim School franchise, and are they always required?
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 | $1,663,263 – 3,746,733 |
Area Development Agreement
| Type of | Amount | Method of | When Due | To Whom Payment Is |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expenditure | Payment | To Be Made | ||
| Development Fee2 | $70,000 | Cashier |
Source: Item 7 — ESTIMATED INITIAL INVESTMENT (FDD pages 21–27)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Goldfish Swim School's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, water tap fees can range from $0 to $93,000. These fees are paid to a local government unit for access to their water and/or sewer system. The fees are paid as necessary and the specific amount depends on the locality.
Importantly, the FDD notes that some Goldfish Swim School franchisees may not be required to pay water tap fees if the developer has already covered them. Therefore, it is essential for prospective franchisees to investigate whether the location they are considering will incur a water tap fee assessment early in the process.
This wide range in potential costs highlights the importance of thorough due diligence when selecting a location for a Goldfish Swim School franchise. Franchisees should proactively engage with local government units and developers to determine the applicability and amount of any water tap fees. Understanding these costs upfront can significantly impact the initial investment and financial planning for the franchise.