Swim Schools are essential in-demand franchises – and KIDS FIRST leads the way
Founded in 2000, KIDS FIRST Swim Schools is the largest provider of children’s swimming instruction, conducting more than 150,000 lessons annually.
Why are Swim Schools essential?
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), from 2005 through 2014 there were an average of 3,536 fatal unintentional drownings annually in the United States, equating to about 10 deaths per day. To help combat these drownings, KIDS FIRST Swim Schools is quickly becoming a prominent force in filling a void in the swim instruction industry – offering the most effective swim school curriculum in the industry.
Why is KIDS FIRST so successful?
Based on the belief that all children should know how to swim, KIDS FIRST Swim Schools was founded by long-time competitive swim coach, Gary Roth, who has more than 40 years’ aquatic experience. Having worked with swimmers ranging from toddlers in the company’s Mommy & Me programs to national level swimmers, Roth’s extensive experience proved that success in the pool boils down to three basic skills: breath control, buoyancy and propulsion. Roth used these basic skills as the foundation to form the brand’s proprietary approach, the KIDS FIRST/Kick First® Learn to Swim System. The curriculum additionally focuses on the fact that swimming is performed in 1:6 timing (wherein each arm cycle is accompanied by six leg kicks), versus most human activities which are completed in 1:1 timing.
The KIDS FIRST/Kick First® Learn to Swim System separates KIDS FIRST Swim Schools from industry competitors, providing the brand the opportunity to grow quickly in markets nationwide. Following widespread success throughout the east coast, the inherent demand for the company’s services are demonstrated through expansion thus far with 29 corporate locations and four franchised locations in operation. Eager to continue momentum, the brand is gearing up for nationwide expansion with the announcement of its franchise opportunity. By 2020, KIDS FIRST Swim Schools anticipates growing its franchise operations by opening 12 additional locations in high-growth markets, while continuing to expand its corporate locations.
Offering an attractive investment opportunity ranging from $550,000 to $750,000, KIDS FIRST Swim Schools provides a proven business model with exceptional unit-level economics poised to thrive through franchising. Each facility is approximately 7,500 square feet with the pool consuming more than half of the space. All pools are specially designed training pools maintained at 90 degrees with depths ranging from two to just under five feet – allowing for both a three-year old child and the instructor’s feet to touch the bottom throughout most of the pool.
Franchisees do not need to hire outside contractors to construct their pools and facilities. Rather, KIDS FIRST Swim Schools’ affiliated construction company, KIDS FIRST Construction Company, was established specifically to build both corporate and franchise facilities. With the experience of building more than 30 corporate and franchise facilities, KIDS FIRST Construction Company has the experience to build these facilities on time and within a cost-efficient budget.
KIDS FIRST Swim Schools has a unique development strategy targeting high-traffic strip malls and storefronts for facility placement to help generate consistent customer flow. The brand looks to partner with local entrepreneurs across the United States who share the passion of wanting to teach children how to swim, and are eager to find a personally and financially rewarding business endeavor.
AT A GLANCE
Name of Franchise: KIDS FIRST Swim Schools
Established: 2010
Locations: 33
Location of Units: United States
Investment Range: $550,000 to $750,000
Minimum Required Capital: $200,000
URL: www.kidsfirstswimschools.com or www.kidsfirstfranchisecompany.com
Contact: Sandy MacIver, Director of Franchise Development
