From the filings
The Little Gym vs Goldfish Swim School
Two franchise brands, side by side, from their filings.
More vendor edges
The Little Gym
wins 3 of 10 rows
The Little Gym is the larger system and is adding franchised locations faster.
At The Little Gym, headquarters controls purchasing; at Goldfish Swim School, owners buy from an approved list.
Evidence
Locations: 256 at The Little Gym, 199 at Goldfish Swim School.
Item 20 · 2026 filing
Evidence
Franchised location growth: +17% at The Little Gym, +11.6% at Goldfish Swim School.
Item 20 · 2026 filing
Evidence
Purchasing: Franchisor controlled at The Little Gym, Approved supplier list at Goldfish Swim School.
Item 8 · 2026 filing
Fitness
The Little Gym
3 vendor edges
Youth services
Goldfish Swim School
1 vendor edge
Total locations
256Vendor edgemore locations to sell to
199
Franchised locations
255Vendor edgemore owner-run locations
192
Franchised location growth
+17%Vendor edgemore new locations opening
+11.6%
AUV
—
$1.99M
Royalty
8%full terms unconfirmed
6%full terms unconfirmed
Ad fund
2.5%
3%
Initial fee
$60K
$50K
Investment range
$420K–$723K
$2.58M–$5.97M
Purchasing
Franchisor controlled
Approved supplier listVendor edgeowners can buy, not only headquarters
FDD year
2026
2026
Who decides, side by side
Who decides, by category
The Little Gym
Headquarters picks the POS, the card processor, supplies, the CRM and the loyalty program.
Point of saleRequired
HQPicks the vendorMulti-unitNo saySingle-unitNo say
Headquarters picks. Sell to headquarters.Item 11
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Evidence
Headquarters designates the POS every location uses.
“we require all franchisees to acquire and use the POS System that we designate, including payment of the monthly licensing requirements related to the use of such POS System, which is included in the Technology Fee.”
The Little GymItem 11 · 2026 filing
Card processingRequired
HQPicks the vendorMulti-unitNo saySingle-unitNo say
Headquarters picks. Sell to headquarters.Item 8
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Evidence
Headquarters designates the card processor.
“(9) reputation management and customer service satisfaction evaluations, and other surveys, (10) real estate brokers, (11) architect services, (12) music providers, (3) some POS System equipment and merchant processing systems, and and (14) other products and services that we require.”
The Little GymItem 8 · 2026 filing
Supplies and equipmentRequired
HQPicks the vendorMulti-unitNo saySingle-unitNo say
Headquarters picks. Sell to headquarters.Item 8
Show the evidenceHide the evidence
Evidence
Headquarters designates where supplies come from.
“You must purchase from suppliers or distributors we designate (each a “Designated Supplier”) all of your requirements for developing, constructing, and operating the Franchised Business”
The Little GymItem 8 · 2026 filing
CRMRequired
HQPicks the vendorMulti-unitNo saySingle-unitNo say
Headquarters picks. Sell to headquarters.Item 11
Show the evidenceHide the evidence
Evidence
Headquarters designates the CRM.
“You must license our proprietary office management software that includes proprietary front desk management and point of sale system, online enrollment system, automated e-mail marketing tool, customer management system, and any other technology or software and respective updates that we may implement from time to time (the “TLG Software”).”
The Little GymItem 11 · 2026 filing
LoyaltyRequired
HQPicks the vendorMulti-unitNo saySingle-unitNo say
Headquarters picks. Sell to headquarters.Item 16
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Evidence
Every location runs headquarters’ loyalty program.
“You must participate in and offer to your customers all customer loyalty and reward programs and all contests, sweepstakes, and other prize promotions.”
The Little GymItem 16 · 2026 filing
Who decides, by category
Goldfish Swim School
Headquarters picks the POS, the card processor and the CRM. Supplies come from an approved list. Headquarters sets standards for the accounting system.
Point of saleRequired
HQPicks the vendorMulti-unitNo saySingle-unitNo say
Headquarters picks. Sell to headquarters.Item 11
Show the evidenceHide the evidence
Evidence
Headquarters designates the POS every location uses.
“You must purchase and use any hardware and software programs we designate.”
Goldfish Swim SchoolItem 11 · 2026 filing
Card processingRequired
HQPicks the vendorMulti-unitNo saySingle-unitNo say
Headquarters picks. Sell to headquarters.Franchise agreement
Show the evidenceHide the evidence
Evidence
Headquarters designates the card processor.
“Franchisee may not use any Credit Card Vendors that Franchisor has not approved in writing or for which Franchisor has revoked approval.”
Goldfish Swim SchoolFranchise agreement · 2026 filing
Supplies and equipmentApproved list
HQApproves a listMulti-unitChooses from the listSingle-unitChooses from the list
Get on the approved list, then sell owner by owner.Item 8
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Evidence
Supplies come from suppliers headquarters approves.
“You must purchase all of your supplies (“Approved Supplies”) including without limitation your furniture, fixtures, equipment, including computer equipment, inventory, and signage under specifications in the Goldfish Swim School Confidential Brand Standards Manual (“Confidential Brand Standards Manual”) and through suppliers approved by us (“Approved Suppliers”).”
Goldfish Swim SchoolItem 8 · 2026 filing
CRMRequired
HQPicks the vendorMulti-unitNo saySingle-unitNo say
Headquarters picks. Sell to headquarters.Item 11
Show the evidenceHide the evidence
Evidence
Headquarters designates the CRM.
“The service level you will select will give you access to a custom email domain, Customer Relationship Management software, and Customer Scheduling/Billing/Payment software that is specific to our business, and software licenses from multiple providers of varying numbers, depending upon the level of service.”
Goldfish Swim SchoolItem 11 · 2026 filing
AccountingStandards-based
HQSets standardsMulti-unitChooses what meets themSingle-unitChooses what meets them
Meet the standard, then sell to owners.Franchise agreement
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Evidence
Owners keep books to headquarters’ requirements.
“Franchisee shall maintain full, complete, and accurate books, records and accounts in accordance with the standard accounting system and standard chart of accounts prescribed by Franchisor in the Confidential Brand Standards Manual or otherwise in writing”
Goldfish Swim SchoolFranchise agreement · 2026 filing
Common questions
The Little Gym vs Goldfish Swim School, answered
The Little Gym has 256 total locations and Goldfish Swim School has 199, so The Little Gym is the larger system.
The Little Gym grew locations +17% year over year vs +11.6% for Goldfish Swim School, so The Little Gym is growing faster.
The Little Gym: Complete royalty terms are not confirmed for the selected filing. Goldfish Swim School: Complete royalty terms are not confirmed for the selected filing. Percentage components alone do not establish the lower total payment.
The Little Gym's initial franchise fee is $60K and Goldfish Swim School's is $50K, so Goldfish Swim School has the lower fee.
The Little Gym's initial investment runs $420K–$723K and Goldfish Swim School's runs $2.58M–$5.97M, so Goldfish Swim School requires the larger investment.