Boston Business Journal: Big Blue Swim School Franchise Partner Gary Cohen Discusses Bringing the Company to the Boston Area for the First Time

In a recent interview with the Boston Business Journal, Big Blue Swim School franchise partner Gary Cohen discussed bringing the brand to the Boston area in light of the recent increase in drownings.

Cohen has plans to open at least nine Boston-area swim schools with the brand, one of the nation’s fastest-growing swim school franchises, with hopes to open in areas they aren't typically found. In shopping centers, for instance, it's convenient for parents to drop off and pick up their kids while getting groceries or stopping at the gym.

Cohen estimates the build-out will cost approximately $25 million. He has franchising rights to nearly all of Massachusetts and has plans to ultimately expand beyond Boston. With the uptick in recent drownings in the Boston area, Cohen hopes the first location will be up and running early 2022.

“Drowning doesn’t happen the way you see it on a movie or a TV show. It happens in an instant, without warning,” said Cohen, whose daughter had a drowning scare when she was three, something he said is inspiring him to invest in new stores with Big Blue Swim School. “Those scares stay with you as a parent.”