Articles from Big Blue Swim School

Big Blue Swim School, one of the country's fastest-growing franchises in the learn-to-swim industry, celebrates another great year for the brand with 249 total units sold at the end of 2024 and momentum heading into the new year with recent awards validating franchise growth success. The swim school was recently named to the Franchise Times Fast and Serious and Top 400 lists, recognizing the brand’s strategic growth and volume.

Big Blue Swim School reminds parents of the importance of swim lessons in honor of Child Health Month in October and Child Health Day on October 7. Child Health Month is the perfect time to highlight the physical and mental health benefits of swimming for parents and caregivers who want to prioritize their child’s development.

Inc. revealed that Big Blue Swim School ranks No. 2987 on the 2024 Inc. 5000, its annual list of the fastest-growing private companies in America. The prestigious ranking provides a data-driven look at the most successful companies within the economy's most dynamic segment—its independent, entrepreneurial businesses. This recognition comes as Big Blue continues to grow nationwide with over 35 locations.

As the Fourth of July holiday approaches, families across the country are planning their patriotic festivities to celebrate Independence Day. Many will head to the pool, lake or beach to celebrate and with that, Big Blue Swim School urges parents and caregivers to plan for water safety to ensure everyone stays safe in and around the water.

Big Blue Swim School is honoring National Water Safety Month, sharing the top tips parents and caregivers should follow for a fun, safe, and confident summer by the water. Sadly, drowning remains a leading cause of death for children under 14. However, drowning is preventable by following simple safety measures.

Families are kicking off the spring season with spring break trips, traveling from across the country to warmer weather. According to AAA Travel, Florida is the top choice for a spring break destination, due to its warm weather, pools, beaches, outdoor adventures, and cruise ports. As parents tackle their packing and planning to-do lists, Big Blue Swim School reminds all caregivers to check off reviewing water and swim safety tips for the whole family.

The International Franchise Association (IFA) named Wendy and Erik Skaalerud, franchise partners of Big Blue Swim School in Centennial, Colorado, as 2023 Franchisees of the Year. The Skaaleruds were honored at the 64th IFA Annual Convention in Phoenix, Ariz., for being outstanding franchise establishment owner-operators.

Big Blue Swim School, one of the country's fastest-growing franchises in the learn-to-swim industry, looks to continue its expansion in Texas after a successful 2023 in the market. The brand, which recently announced its merger with Atlanta-based L5 Swim, currently has two locations open in Texas. Two additional locations are slated to open later this year, and six corporate locations are already confirmed for development.

Big Blue Swim School, one of the country’s fastest-growing franchises in the learn-to-swim industry, reflects on another year of growth with 250 units sold as of the end of 2023. The brand currently has 29 pools across 14 states and will celebrate its 30th location opening in Pineville, North Carolina in February.

Big Blue Swim School, one of the country’s fastest-growing franchises in the $3 billion learn-to-swim industry, announces today that it is combining with Atlanta-based L5 Swim, previously its largest franchising partner. Upon closing, all L5 pools will become Big Blue corporate locations, expanding the corporate footprint from five to 14 locations, with an additional 34 in the pipeline.

Big Blue Swim School, one of the country’s fastest-growing franchises in the $3 billion learn-to-swim industry, proudly announces that one of its owners, Peter Vanderkaay, was inducted into the University of Michigan athletic department’s 2023 Hall of Honor class. Vanderkaay is one of the most accomplished student-athletes in Michigan history, winning two Olympic gold medals, four total Olympic medals, three World Championships, five NCAA championships and 14 Big Ten Conference titles in swimming.

Olympic medalist Kristy Kowal and her family officially opened their new Big Blue Swim School location in Paoli, Pennsylvania. Kowal joins Big Blue, one of the nation’s fastest-growing swim school franchises, as a franchise owner of their first Pennsylvania location. The group plans to open four additional locations in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Big Blue Swim School, one of the country’s fastest-growing franchises in the $3 billion learn-to-swim industry, announces today the addition of its new Vice President of Franchise Operations, Stacey Cooper. Cooper, who has been in the fitness, wellness, and franchise industries for over a decade, comes to Big Blue from Exos, where she was Head of Corporate Sales and worked with brands such as Amazon, Meta, Apple and more.

Big Blue Swim School, one of the country’s fastest-growing swim school franchises in the $3 billion learn-to-swim industry, is targeting New York City for franchise development. According to the Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy, New York state is home to over 4.1 million children. With such a high population of children, Big Blue is poised for growth in the area, particularly after its extraordinary growth with 29 units sold in 2022. Within New York state, the franchise is looking specifically at New York City and the five boroughs, the Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island and Brooklyn.

October 2 is Child Health Day, and Big Blue Swim School looks to remind parents and caregivers of the importance of swimming and the numerous physical and mental health benefits it provides. Swimming is a significant milestone in a child’s life and should be prioritized with other key developmental goals.

Big Blue Swim School, one of the country’s fastest-growing swim school franchises in the $3 billion learn-to-swim industry, is targeting Texas for franchise development. As one of the top global economies, Texas is a strategic next step after Big Blue saw a year of exceptional growth with 29 units sold in 2022. Within Texas, the franchise is focusing on the Dallas, Houston, Austin and San Antonio markets.

May is National Water Safety Month and a key reminder to prepare kids and families for a summer of swimming and safe water activities. The unfortunate reality is that drowning is a leading cause of death for children under 14. However, the positive news is that formal swimming lessons from a trained instructor, school or organization can reduce the chance of drowning by 88%. In honor of National Water Safety Month, Big Blue Swim School is sharing water safety tips that are key for a safe and confident summer of swimming.

Big Blue Swim School, one of the country’s fastest-growing swim school franchises in the $3 billion learn-to-swim industry, is targeting the Midwest for franchise development. The swim school franchise is seeking qualified franchise partners to strategically develop key markets such as Kansas City, Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati.

Big Blue Swim School, one of the country’s fastest-growing swim school franchises in the $3 billion learn-to-swim industry, is targeting the northwest U.S. and northern California for franchise development. Coming off a year of unparalleled growth with 29 units sold in 2022, the swim school franchise eyes Portland, Seattle, San Francisco, and San Jose for strategic development.

Big Blue Swim School, one of the country’s fastest-growing franchises in the $3 billion learn-to-swim industry, announces today the launch of new real-time progress tracking features to its mobile application. The latest updates provide actionable data and an overall improved experience for parents, allowing them to not only follow their child’s progress in swim lessons, but also receive tips on how to help them practice skills at home.

Big Blue Swim School, one of the country’s fastest-growing franchises in the $3 billion learn-to-swim industry, announces today the launch of its new pool design meant to embody the inherent joy a child feels when reaching new heights. Big Blue’s philosophy focuses on the idea that the best way for a child to learn how to swim safely is by swimming longer distances every lesson, and this thinking plays out in the design throughout the building.

Big Blue Swim School, one of the country’s fastest-growing franchises in the $3 billion learn-to-swim industry, looks back on 2022 as the year it crossed the threshold of more than half its units sold, with 230 awarded to date, and 29 in 2022. The brand’s coast-to-coast growth includes expansion from Charleston, SC, to San Diego, CA, and features the brand’s first committed locations in New York, Connecticut, and Washington.

Big Blue Swim School, one of the country’s fastest-growing franchises in the $3 billion learn-to-swim industry, announces it has finalized a deal to bring 10 pools to the Houston area. Sport Clips and Signarama franchisee Cheston Syma partnered with JDA Advisors, LLC and Girish Capital, to diversify his portfolio and grow the Big Blue brand in Texas. This brings the total number of Houston units sold to 11, following last’s year announcement from franchise partners Menaka and Prashanth Krishnan.

Big Blue Swim School, one of the country’s fastest-growing franchises in the $3 billion learn-to-swim industry, announces plans to open three swim schools in North Carolina in 2023. Franchise partners Woody Alpern and Gerry Benjamin signed leases to open two schools in Charlotte and one in Raleigh. The nationally expanding brand provides swim lessons for families with children ages three months to 12 years old.

Big Blue Swim School, one of the country’s fastest-growing franchises in the $3 billion learn-to-swim industry, sets its sights on California for its next wave of expansion, projecting nearly 70 new schools to open in the state over the next five years.

Big Blue Swim School, one of the nation’s fastest-growing learn-to-swim franchises, announces coast-to-coast expansion with deals signed in Seattle, WA, San Diego, CA, Baltimore, MD and Charleston, SC. The addition of these 17 new schools brings Big Blue’s total units sold to 227 in 25 states.

May is National Water Safety Month and the ideal time for parents and caregivers to ensure their children are prepared for a summer of water-safe activities. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, swimming is the fourth most popular sport or activity in the U.S., and unfortunately, more than 50% of Americans either can’t swim or don’t know basic water competency skills, according to the American Red Cross. With eight out of 10 Americans planning to swim in a pool this summer, swim lessons are imperative for a safe experience for everyone. The positive news is that formal swimming lessons from a trained instructor, school or organization can reduce the chance of drowning by 88%.

Big Blue Swim School goes beyond the pool and breaks down common swim safety myths to give parents and caregivers the confidence they need to enjoy a summer around the water. The benefits of investing in young children’s swim safety are numerous and positively impact the entire family. Big Blue Swim School believes the best way for a kid to learn how to swim safely is by swimming longer distances at regular weekly lessons in a warm, welcoming, and child-centered environment.

Big Blue Swim School, one of the nation’s fastest-growing swim school franchises, announced today that it has reached its goal of 50% of locations sold within three years of beginning its franchising journey. With its aggressive growth plan, Big Blue Swim School sold 201 units in 23 states across the country. Brand investor Level Five Capital Partners contributed to the growth by purchasing 27 new locations. With a goal of reaching 100 open units by 2025, the brand is uniquely positioned to be the leader in the $3 billion learn-to-swim industry.

February is American Heart Month, and while heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women, Big Blue Swim School wants to make sure that kids (and their parents) understand the importance of creating healthy habits at a young age for prevention of heart-related issues as they age.