4. At this time, there are no Advertising Cooperatives. Although we are not obligated to do so, we may create a cooperative advertising program for the benefit of all Goldfish Swim School franchises located in a particular region so long as at least 50% of the franchisees in the region agree to create the advertising cooperative. Your contributions to the advertising cooperative will satisfy your local advertising obligations, provided that your contributions to the advertising cooperative meet or exceed the local advertising requirements. The level of your cooperative advertising contribution will be determined by the cooperative, of which you will be a voting member, but that amount may exceed your minimum local advertising obligation under the Franchise Agreement, but in no event will it exceed 5% of gross sales. We will determine the geographic territory and market areas for each cooperative advertising program. If formed, you must participate in any cooperative advertising program established in your region. If cooperative advertising is implemented in a particular region, an advertising council of franchisees in that region will be appointed to self-administer the program. We reserve the right to dissolve or merge these program(s) and/or council(s) at any time. Goldfish Swim Schools operated by us or our affiliates in an area covered by an Advertising Cooperative will contribute to the Advertising Cooperative on the same basis as comparable franchisees and have the same voting rights as any comparable franchisee. (Section 11.4; See also ITEM 9.o.) 5. You are restricted from establishing a presence on, or marketing on the Internet or any social media, such as, without limitation, Facebook, Twitter, Four Square, Instagram, Tic Toc, Snapchat, etc., without our consent. We have an Internet website at the uniform resource locator www.goldfishswimschool.com that provides information about the System and about Goldfish Swim School franchises. We will include at the Goldfish Swim School website an interior page containing information about your franchised swim school. All information must be approved by us before it is posted. We retain the sole right to market on the Internet, including the use of websites, domain names, uniform resource locators, keywords, linking, search engines (and search engine optimization techniques), banner ads, meta-tags, marketing, auction sites, e-commerce and co-branding arrangements. You may be requested to provide content for our Internet marketing and you must follow our intranet and Internet usage rules, policies and requirements. We retain the sole right to use the Marks on the Internet, including on websites, as domain names, directory addresses, search terms and meta-tags, and in connection with linking, marketing, co-branding and other arrangements. We retain the sole right to approve any linking to, or other use of, the Goldfish Swim School website. (Section 11.5; See also ITEM 9.o.)
From the filings
Goldfish Swim School
Youth servicesSoftware purchasing at Goldfish Swim School is controlled at the franchisor level, where executives Christopher, Jennifer, and Andrew McCuiston oversee system-wide technology mandates. The brand currently requires franchisees to use mandated customer relationship management software and a mandated customer scheduling, billing, and payment platform. With 199 total units and 11.6% year-over-year unit growth, the addressable market for compliant vendors is expanding steadily.
For software vendors selling into US franchise brands.
Live signals
Ordinary royalty terms
6% component; full terms unconfirmed
Complete royalty terms are not confirmed for the selected filing.
Recorded percentage components
These are recorded percentage components. Each has its own base and conditions; the chart does not state the total payment or confirm ad-fund completeness.
1recorded components (FY2026)
15% reference
Mandated & recommended tech
The systems vendors compete with
Systems named in Item 11 of this filing. None is recorded as mandated here, which is not the same as the filing mandating nothing. Read Item 11 before treating the category as open.
4. At this time, there are no Advertising Cooperatives. Although we are not obligated to do so, we may create a cooperative advertising program for the benefit of all Goldfish Swim School franchises located in a particular region so long as at least 50% of the franchisees in the region agree to create the advertising cooperative. Your contributions to the advertising cooperative will satisfy your local advertising obligations, provided that your contributions to the advertising cooperative meet or exceed the local advertising requirements. The level of your cooperative advertising contribution will be determined by the cooperative, of which you will be a voting member, but that amount may exceed your minimum local advertising obligation under the Franchise Agreement, but in no event will it exceed 5% of gross sales. We will determine the geographic territory and market areas for each cooperative advertising program. If formed, you must participate in any cooperative advertising program established in your region. If cooperative advertising is implemented in a particular region, an advertising council of franchisees in that region will be appointed to self-administer the program. We reserve the right to dissolve or merge these program(s) and/or council(s) at any time. Goldfish Swim Schools operated by us or our affiliates in an area covered by an Advertising Cooperative will contribute to the Advertising Cooperative on the same basis as comparable franchisees and have the same voting rights as any comparable franchisee. (Section 11.4; See also ITEM 9.o.) 5. You are restricted from establishing a presence on, or marketing on the Internet or any social media, such as, without limitation, Facebook, Twitter, Four Square, Instagram, Tic Toc, Snapchat, etc., without our consent. We have an Internet website at the uniform resource locator www.goldfishswimschool.com that provides information about the System and about Goldfish Swim School franchises. We will include at the Goldfish Swim School website an interior page containing information about your franchised swim school. All information must be approved by us before it is posted. We retain the sole right to market on the Internet, including the use of websites, domain names, uniform resource locators, keywords, linking, search engines (and search engine optimization techniques), banner ads, meta-tags, marketing, auction sites, e-commerce and co-branding arrangements. You may be requested to provide content for our Internet marketing and you must follow our intranet and Internet usage rules, policies and requirements. We retain the sole right to use the Marks on the Internet, including on websites, as domain names, directory addresses, search terms and meta-tags, and in connection with linking, marketing, co-branding and other arrangements. We retain the sole right to approve any linking to, or other use of, the Goldfish Swim School website. (Section 11.5; See also ITEM 9.o.)
5. You are restricted from establishing a presence on, or marketing on the Internet or any social media, such as, without limitation, Facebook, Twitter, Four Square, Instagram, Tic Toc, Snapchat, etc., without our consent. We have an Internet website at the uniform resource locator www.goldfishswimschool.com that provides information about the System and about Goldfish Swim School franchises. We will include at the Goldfish Swim School website an interior page containing information about your franchised swim school. All information must be approved by us before it is posted. We retain the sole right to market on the Internet, including the use of websites, domain names, uniform resource locators, keywords, linking, search engines (and search engine optimization techniques), banner ads, meta-tags, marketing, auction sites, e-commerce and co-branding arrangements. You may be requested to provide content for our Internet marketing and you must follow our intranet and Internet usage rules, policies and requirements. We retain the sole right to use the Marks on the Internet, including on websites, as domain names, directory addresses, search terms and meta-tags, and in connection with linking, marketing, co-branding and other arrangements. We retain the sole right to approve any linking to, or other use of, the Goldfish Swim School website. (Section 11.5; See also ITEM 9.o.)
4. At this time, there are no Advertising Cooperatives. Although we are not obligated to do so, we may create a cooperative advertising program for the benefit of all Goldfish Swim School franchises located in a particular region so long as at least 50% of the franchisees in the region agree to create the advertising cooperative. Your contributions to the advertising cooperative will satisfy your local advertising obligations, provided that your contributions to the advertising cooperative meet or exceed the local advertising requirements. The level of your cooperative advertising contribution will be determined by the cooperative, of which you will be a voting member, but that amount may exceed your minimum local advertising obligation under the Franchise Agreement, but in no event will it exceed 5% of gross sales. We will determine the geographic territory and market areas for each cooperative advertising program. If formed, you must participate in any cooperative advertising program established in your region. If cooperative advertising is implemented in a particular region, an advertising council of franchisees in that region will be appointed to self-administer the program. We reserve the right to dissolve or merge these program(s) and/or council(s) at any time. Goldfish Swim Schools operated by us or our affiliates in an area covered by an Advertising Cooperative will contribute to the Advertising Cooperative on the same basis as comparable franchisees and have the same voting rights as any comparable franchisee. (Section 11.4; See also ITEM 9.o.) 5. You are restricted from establishing a presence on, or marketing on the Internet or any social media, such as, without limitation, Facebook, Twitter, Four Square, Instagram, Tic Toc, Snapchat, etc., without our consent. We have an Internet website at the uniform resource locator www.goldfishswimschool.com that provides information about the System and about Goldfish Swim School franchises. We will include at the Goldfish Swim School website an interior page containing information about your franchised swim school. All information must be approved by us before it is posted. We retain the sole right to market on the Internet, including the use of websites, domain names, uniform resource locators, keywords, linking, search engines (and search engine optimization techniques), banner ads, meta-tags, marketing, auction sites, e-commerce and co-branding arrangements. You may be requested to provide content for our Internet marketing and you must follow our intranet and Internet usage rules, policies and requirements. We retain the sole right to use the Marks on the Internet, including on websites, as domain names, directory addresses, search terms and meta-tags, and in connection with linking, marketing, co-branding and other arrangements. We retain the sole right to approve any linking to, or other use of, the Goldfish Swim School website. (Section 11.5; See also ITEM 9.o.)
Franchisor behaviours
What the franchisor requires
30 requirements the franchisor states in this filing, each in its own words; 2 explicit no's; 2 questions the text does not settle, which is not a no.
Accounting
Must the franchisee use an accounting or bookkeeping system designated or approved by the franchisor?
YesFranchise agreement
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
Does the franchisor have direct or independent electronic access to the franchisee's financial, sales or customer records?
YesItem 11
We have the right to independently access all information you collect or compile at any time without first notifying you.
Must the franchisee submit periodic financial statements (monthly, quarterly or annual) to the franchisor?
YesFranchise agreement
Franchisee shall supply to Franchisor on or before the twentieth (20th) day of each month, in a form approved by Franchisor, a balance sheet as of the end of the last day of the preceding month and an income statement for the preceding month and the fiscal year-to-date.
How the franchisor buys
Is the franchisor or an affiliate itself a supplier of required products, services or systems?
YesItem 8
We or our affiliate are a Designated Supplier for real estate services for which the Real Estate Fee is paid to us.
Is there a franchisee advisory council, association or committee?
YesItem 11
However, we established a “Brand Advisory Council” in which some franchisees participate that may have input on advertising or marketing initiatives.
Does the franchisor reserve the right to change designated suppliers or systems at any time?
YesItem 8
We have the right to change Designated Suppliers or add new Designated Suppliers to our System in our discretion and you must comply with such standards at your sole cost and expense.
How much revenue did the franchisor and its affiliates earn from franchisee purchases in the last fiscal year?
0Item 8
In fiscal year 2025, neither we nor our Affiliate received any amount in rebates based upon purchases by our franchisees.
Item 8 gives this proportion in one of two shapes: separate percentages for establishing the business and for operating it, or one figure covering "establishing and operating" together. Where they are separate, answer with the operating percentage; where the passage gives only the combined figure, answer with that. What percentage of the franchisee's purchases must come from designated or approved suppliers?
35Item 8
We estimate that approximately 35% to 45% of your expenditures on an ongoing basis will be for goods and services that must be purchased from either us, our Affiliate, an approved supplier or according to our standards and specifications.
Does the franchisor charge a fee to evaluate a proposed supplier?
YesItem 8
You must pay our costs for the evaluation of the goods, services or suppliers.
Can a franchisee propose a new supplier for the franchisor's approval?
YesItem 8
If you would like to use any goods or services in establishing and operating the franchised swim school that we have not approved (for goods and services that must meet our standards, specifications or that require supplier approval), you must first send us sufficient information, specifications and samples for us to…
Communications
Does the franchisor own or control the business telephone numbers, or take them over when the agreement ends?
YesItem 17
assign your telephone and facsimile numbers to us
Data and IT
Must the franchisee comply with PCI, data-security or cybersecurity standards set by the franchisor?
YesFranchise agreement
Franchisee agrees to comply with the then-current Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards as those standards may be revised and modified by the PCI Security Standards Council, LLC (see www.pcisecuritystandards.org), or any successor organization or standards that we may reasonably specify.
Franchise management
Does the franchisor conduct periodic inspections, audits or evaluations of the franchised business?
YesFranchise agreement
Franchisor or its designee has the right, during normal business hours, to examine, copy and audit the books, records and tax returns of Franchisee for the previous three fiscal years.
Can the franchisor change the operations manual and brand standards unilaterally?
YesFranchise agreement
Franchisor has the right to add to, delete from or otherwise modify or revise the Confidential Brand Standards Manual from time to time to reflect changes in the specifications, standards, operating procedures and rules prescribed by Franchisor
Must the franchisor approve the franchisee's site or location before opening?
YesFranchise agreement
Franchisee shall not locate the Franchised Swim School on a selected site without the prior written acceptance of Franchisor.
Marketing
Is the franchisee prohibited from operating its own website or social media accounts, or required to use pages the franchisor provides?
YesItem 11
You are restricted from establishing a presence on, or marketing on the Internet or any social media, such as, without limitation, Facebook, Twitter, Four Square, Instagram, Tic Toc, Snapchat, etc., without our consent.
Is a minimum grand opening advertising spend required?
YesItem 11
During the period of time prior to opening your franchised swim school through the first 3 months of operations, you must spend an amount we require (between $30,000 and $70,000) on initial advertising expenses for advertising, marketing, and promotion.
Is the franchisee required to spend a minimum amount on local advertising or marketing, as a percentage of sales or a fixed amount?
YesItem 11
Each quarter, you must spend 2% of gross sales on advertising, promotions and public relations in the local area surrounding the franchised swim school.
Must the franchisee participate in a regional advertising cooperative when one exists?
YesItem 11
If formed, you must participate in any cooperative advertising program established in your region.
Operations
Must equipment be purchased from designated or approved suppliers?
YesItem 8
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…
Payments
Must the franchisee use a payment processor or merchant-services provider designated or approved by the franchisor?
YesFranchise agreement
Franchisee may not use any Credit Card Vendors that Franchisor has not approved in writing or for which Franchisor has revoked approval.
Are royalties and other fees collected by automatic bank debit (ACH or electronic funds transfer) from the franchisee's account?
YesFranchise agreement
Franchisee shall pay all Royalty Fees, Brand Fund Contributions, software license fee, amounts due for purchases by Franchisee from Franchisor and other amounts due to Franchisor through an Electronic Depository Transfer Account.
Must the franchisee participate in a gift card program?
YesFranchise agreement
Franchisee shall also accept debit cards, stored value gift cards or other non-cash payment systems specified by Franchisor to enable customers to purchase authorized products and services.
People
Does the franchisor require minimum staffing levels or specific roles?
YesItem 15
The franchised swim school must always be under the direct, full-time, day-to-day supervision of a Designated Manager or on-site general manager if different from the Designated Manager, who is certified and approved by us.
Must employees wear uniforms specified by the franchisor?
YesFranchise agreement
Franchisee shall abide by any uniform or dress code requirements stated in the Confidential Brand Standards Manual or otherwise.
Point of sale
Must the franchisee use a specific point-of-sale system designated or approved by the franchisor?
YesItem 11
You must purchase and use any hardware and software programs we designate.
Does the franchisor have independent access to the data in the franchisee's POS or computer system?
YesItem 11
We have the right to independently access all information you collect or compile at any time without first notifying you.
Sales and CRM
Must the franchisee use a CRM system designated or approved by the franchisor?
YesItem 11
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.
Training
Can the franchisor charge the franchisee for additional, refresher or remedial training?
YesItem 11
Periodically, you, your managers or employees, including the Designated Manager and on- site general manager may be required to attend refresher-training programs to be conducted at our headquarters or another location we designate.
Is attendance at an annual convention or conference mandatory for the franchisee?
YesFranchise agreement
Franchisee and Designated Manager, on-site 29 2026 Franchise Agreement (RS) general manager if different from the Designated Manager, Control Person, or other employee or owner of Franchisee shall attend Franchisor’s annual convention and Franchisee shall be responsible for all travel costs, room and board and…
The filing answers no to 2 questions
- Does the franchisor or an affiliate receive rebates, commissions or other revenue from designated or approved suppliers?Item 8
- Must the franchisee participate in a customer-satisfaction or net-promoter survey program?Franchise agreement
The vendor opportunity at Goldfish Swim School
Goldfish Swim School operates 199 locations, 192 of which are franchised and 7 company-owned. The brand posted an average unit volume of $1,994,169 in its 2026 FDD and grew units by 11.6% year-over-year. For software vendors, that means a base of 199 existing units plus a pipeline of new openings each year — all of which must comply with franchisor technology mandates.
Who controls software purchasing
The 2026 FDD lists three employees with authority at the franchisor level: Christopher McCuiston, Jennifer McCuiston, and Andrew McCuiston. No separate CIO, CTO, or VP of Technology is named in the filing, so software purchasing decisions appear to sit with this executive group. The operator footprint shows 10 mapped operators, all single-unit, across roughly 10 located units. No multi-unit operators appear in the data, meaning franchisees are unlikely to run independent technology evaluations at scale. Vendors should expect a top-down, HQ-driven procurement process.
Mandated and current tech stack
Goldfish Swim School mandates two categories of software. The first is customer relationship management software, and the second is a customer scheduling, billing, and payment platform. Both are listed as mandatory in the FDD, which means every franchised and company-owned unit must use the systems the franchisor designates. The specific vendor names for these mandated systems are not disclosed in the 2026 filing. No other operational or back-office software mandates appear in the available data.
Procurement, renewals, and timing
The FDD does not include an Item 8 procurement extract, so the brand’s supplier model — whether designated, approved, or open — is not publicly disclosed. Renewal terms are clearer: franchisees can renew for an additional 5 years provided they meet compliance, training, and capital-expenditure conditions and pay a $10,000 renewal fee. The renewal agreement may differ materially from the original, which creates potential re-evaluation points for technology. Combined with 11.6% unit growth, new-unit openings and renewal cycles both offer windows for software vendors to engage.
How to read the Goldfish Swim School FDD
The 2026 Goldfish Swim School FDD is embedded below. It is filed with state franchise regulators and contains the full legal and operational disclosures, including Item 11 technology mandates, Item 17 renewal conditions, and Item 1 executive listings. For software vendors, the key sections are Item 11 (what tech is required), Item 8 (supplier rules, when present), and Item 17 (contract cycle timing). Reviewing these sections alongside the unit economics and operator footprint will help you qualify the account before outreach.
For a ranked target list of franchise systems matched to your software category, reach out to FranCloud.
Ordinary royalty terms
Complete royalty terms are not confirmed.
Questions vendors ask
Goldfish Swim School, answered from the filing
Read the filing itself
Read the original document for the filing figures and their terms, page by page. Buy the original PDF to download, search, and annotate it.
View only A one-time purchase: the original filing, yours to keep.
FDD alert
Tell me when this brand refiles.
Request an email alert when a newer filing for Goldfish Swim School is available.
Operator footprint
Who runs the locations
10 operators run 10 mapped locations. 0 of them are multi-unit. Aggregate counts from the filing; no names.
Operators by units owned
Top states by locations
| MI | 3 |
|---|---|
| AZ | 2 |
| PA | 1 |
| KS | 1 |
| TN | 1 |
Related Youth services brands
Primary franchise filings · updated June 2026. Read the original filing for definitions, conditions, and qualifications.