Goldfish Swim School Franchisee Awarded Franchisee of the Year by the International Franchise Association

The International Franchise Association (IFA) recognized Goldfish Swim School franchisee Jake Atchoo with its annual Franchisee of the Year Award at its 2023 convention, held Feb. 28-March 1 in Las Vegas.

Nominated by their parent company, individuals are selected for their service to their communities, fostering a strong and vibrant workforce, opening the doors for career growth and entrepreneurship and supporting their fellow franchisees.

“It’s truly an honor to see one of our Goldfish family franchisees recognized for standing out in the industry and living our brand’s values,” said Chris McCuiston, CEO and co-founder of Goldfish Swim School. “Jake’s Gaithersburg school was one of the first that piloted and adopted the Golden Learners program, which is just one example of how the school celebrates, goes above and beyond, and promotes diversity, equity and inclusivity while teaching their community to be safer in and around the water.”

Jake Atchoo, who worked with Fortune 500 companies and as a licensed real estate agent before becoming a Goldfish Swim School franchisee, opened his first school in 2018 in Centereach, New York, and opened additional locations in Rockville and Gaithersburg, Maryland, in 2020.

“Five years ago, I became an entrepreneur and entered into the world of franchising with Goldfish, allowing me the opportunity to both grow as a businessman and follow my passion for swim safety and education,” said Atchoo. “As a Goldfish franchisee, I help children overcome their fears, teach them to respect the water, have fun swimming and celebrate their accomplishments along the way.”

Last year, Atchoo was honored with Goldfish’s 2022 School of the Year Award for his Gaithersburg swim school as the top in the system that embodies the brand’s core values. Those core values are: Creating a Golden Experience, Providing Wow! Customer Experience, Treating People with Integrity, Compassion & Trust, Meeting & Exceeding Expectations so you see Extraordinary Results, and Making a Big Deal Out of Life’s Accomplishments by Remembering to Celebrate.