Goldfish Swim School Franchisee Alex Tyler Named 2026 Ifa Franchisee of the Year

Tyler, who owns and operates six Goldfish Swim School locations across Illinois, Oregon and Washington, was honored during the IFA26 Advocacy Summit in Washington, D.C., Sept. 14-16, for his excellence in entrepreneurship, community outreach, workforce development and service to others.

A Goldfish Swim School franchisee since 2013, Tyler is a former collegiate swimmer at Northwestern who turned his passion for the sport into a mission to teach children how to swim, embodying the entrepreneurial spirit and leadership the IFA award recognizes.

"Winning this award is an incredible honor, but the real reward has always been watching this work change lives, whether it's a Portland toddler swimming their first stroke or a teenager in Belize graduating high school because of the scholarship fund we built together," said Tyler. "None of this happens without the more than 200 team members across my six schools who show up every day and pour themselves into giving families a Golden Experience. This recognition belongs to them as much as it does to me.

In 2025, Tyler opened three new schools, including Goldfish's milestone 200th location, growing his portfolio to six and earning the brand's inaugural internal Franchisee of the Year Award after his new Portland schools won Best Swim Lessons in the 2026 PDX Parent Reader Favorites.

He now leads a team of 200-plus employees serving thousands of students annually and gives back through 13 years of Belize mission trips, a Gales Point scholarship foundation providing secondary school education for children in the remote Belize fishing village, and an annual "Candy Gram" fundraiser raising $15,000 to $20,000 a year for these efforts.

"Alex represents everything we hope for in a Goldfish Swim School franchisee," said Chris McCuiston, co-founder and CEO of Goldfish Swim School Franchising, LLC. "He has grown his business rapidly without losing sight of the quality and culture that defines our brand. From opening our 200th location to earning top honors in a competitive Portland market in his first year, Alex proves scale and excellence can go hand in hand. We couldn't be prouder to see him receive this well-deserved honor."

"Franchisees of the Year demonstrate what franchising is all about — individuals who have committed their lives and careers to the betterment of those around them, building something bigger than themselves," said Matt Haller, president and CEO of the International Franchise Association. "Through their leadership, they create jobs and build careers, give back to their communities and support other franchisees, all while exemplifying the entrepreneurial spirit at the heart of franchising. We are proud to recognize Alex with IFA's highest honor for individual franchisees and celebrate his commitment to making a difference both within his business and beyond."

Tyler was recognized at the Franchisee of the Year luncheon on Sept. 15.