Aqua-Tots Swim School Franchise: Costs, Fees and Profit

REPORTED COST TO GET IN: $1,525,095 to $1,950,237

REPORTED ROI (Item 19): not publicly available

Aqua-Tots Swim School offers swimming lessons to infants, children, adults and people with special needs. The brand’s goal is to save lives by teaching water safety with progressive lessons in a supportive environment.

Aqua-Tots Swim School got its start in Tempe, Arizona in 1991 when Co-Founder Ron Sciarro and his girlfriend Jane turned their lifeguarding gig into a mobile swimming lessons business. The two teenagers began offering lessons at hotel facilities and in backyard swimming pools. Sixteen years later, the couple, now married, teamed up with good friends Heather and Paul Preston to start Aqua-Tots, seeing the public desire for swim safety being taught from a young age.

The first location was opened in Mesa, Arizona, and the first franchise location was opened in 2007 in Peoria, Arizona. In 2011, the brand opened its first international location in Kuwait. Since then, Aqua-Tots Swim School has offered swim lessons in 14 countries around the world.

The brand has 107 locations across the U.S., one of which is company owned and the rest of which are franchised.

Aqua-Tots Swim School offers swimming lessons to a variety of ages and abilities. The brand offers infant and toddler lessons, children’s lessons and advanced swim lessons.

Additionally, the brand has a special needs swimming program, a competitive swim club and adult lessons. All swimming activities take place in an indoor pool heated to 90 degrees.

The brand does not make this information publicly available. Prospective owners can access this information through the brand’s most recent Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD).

The total initial investment necessary to begin operation of an Aqua-Tots Swim School franchise ranges from $1,525,095 to $1,950,237.

This includes the following costs as indicated below:

• Initial Franchise Fee: $50,000

• Initial Franchisee Travel Expenses during Training at Aqua-Tots Swim Schools University (ATU) in Arizona : $15,000 - $18,000

• Rent or Real Estate: $30,000 - $85,000

• Pool Design, Build, and Aquatic Supplies and Equipment: $300,000 - $350,000

• Tenant Improvement: $1,000,000 - $1,200,000

• Miscellaneous Opening Costs: $16,000 - $19,500

• Computer, Color Printer and Copier: $7,000 - $9,000

• Signage: $23,000 - $27,500

• Opening Inventory for Retail Lines: $15,000 - $18,800

• Advertising (three months): $25,000 - $45,000

• Aqua-Tots Swim Schools Preferred Software: $1,595 - $1,937

• Insurance: $2,500 - $10,500

• Additional Funds for Initial Three Months : $40,000 - $115,000

The franchise fee required to begin operation of an Aqua-Tots Swim School franchise is $50,000, which must be paid to the franchisor.

• Paul Preston - Co-Founder

• Ron Sciarro - Co-Founder

• Craig Wright - CEO

• John Garry - Franchise Development Director

• Christina Svendsen: Senior Manager of Field Operations and International Support

• Jonathon Martin - Chief Operating Officer

• Martin Miller - Construction Manager

• April Cauiola - Training and Franchise Support Manager

• Scott Bedard - Controller

• AQUA-TOTS SWIM SCHOOLS RANKED AMONG THE TOP FRANCHISES IN ENTREPRENEUR MAGAZINE’S HIGHLY COMPETITIVE FRANCHISE 500®

• Children’s swimming school franchise opening 1st Alabama location

• Aqua-Tots Swim Schools Kicks Off the New Year With Opening of Newest Location in West Jordan, Utah

• Aqua-Tots Swim Schools swimming to Jersey Shore with newest location coming soon to Toms River

• Aqua-Tots Swim Schools to open first franchise in Buffalo area

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