Pool Scouts Pieces Together Fragmented Pool Service Industry with Fast-Growing Franchise Opportunity

At one point or another, owning a pool has been a dream of nearly every American. For 10 million of them, that dream has come true. But with 50,929 pool service businesses to choose from, the service landscape has become increasingly fragmented, and the quality of service and products often varies drastically from market to market or even block to block.

That’s where Pool Scouts comes in. Founded in early 2016 by Buzz Franchise Brands, the franchisor of sister company Mosquito Joe, the brand was created with the mission to provide premier pool service while delivering a quality, consistent brand experience.

“Every time a customer orders a burger from McDonald’s, they expect the same ordering experience, prep time, delivery of product and taste – no matter what McDonald’s they go to,” said Kevin Wilson, CEO of Buzz Franchise Brands. “Why should pool service be any different? That expectation certainly should extend to a lifestyle luxury like a pool.”

Pool Scouts was created on the same principle as Mosquito Joe, one of the nation’s fastest growing franchises as named by Entrepreneur Magazine, and the leader in the mosquito elimination business: Customer satisfaction first.

“Our ultimate plan has been to create businesses where we can provide a first class experience for our customers,” Wilson said. “We researched many possibilities for our second brand and felt that Pool Scouts aligned nicely with our goal of providing a better quality service in a fragmented sector while also complementing the Mosquito Joe brand.”

Market and growth

In an industry rife with inconsistent business branding, practices and services, Pool Scouts is positioned to quickly take over market share. The U.S. market for swimming pool equipment and maintenance products was valued at over $3.4 billion in 2011 and climbing, according to the MarketResearch.com Swimming Pool Equipment and Maintenance Products, 2nd Edition report.

The first Pool Scouts location was created from an acquisition of a local pool construction company’s service arm, and was corporately run out of the Buzz Franchise Brands headquarters in Virginia Beach. Since then, Pool Scouts has come a long way. In just one year, the brand has built out its corporate team to include director of operations, marketing manager, manager of local operations and lead technician.

The brand has grown its network of customers from 31 to 429. It has sold a total of nine territories and successfully opened two in Texas in North Carolina. And Pool Scouts has welcomed four franchisees to its fast-growing system.

Michael Wagner, Pool Scouts’ President, said diversification of business portfolios, conversions, and methodical expansions are key factors in the Pool Scouts growth strategy.

Growth strategy and fees

“We anticipate rapid growth in 2017,” he said, noting that Mosquito Joe went from 50-plus locations in 2013 to 100-plus in 2014 and ended 2015 with more than 200 locations sold. “We expect to recruit several business-minded entrepreneurs to secure top tier territories, convert a few small pool services companies, and have a few Mosquito Joe franchisees add a Pool Scouts franchise to their portfolio.”

Similar to Mosquito Joe’s initial growth model, Pool Scouts will start franchising with the lowest franchise fee in the industry, $7,500, with a total initial all-in cost between $54,500 and $98,000. With no need for a physical retail location, a recurring revenue model, and a leadership team capable of running a 500-unit company, Pool Scouts will be a competitive force in the most active pool markets in America.

“We want to incentivize the right people to join our brand,” Wagner said. “We are going to eliminate as many obstacles as possible so that we can find the best operators who will run with the best practices, just as we have done with Mosquito Joe.”