i9 Sports vs Goldfish Swim School Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of i9 Sports vs Goldfish Swim School including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
i9 Sports Franchise
Goldfish Swim School Franchise
Investment $59,900 - $69,900$1,370,283 - $3,230,358
Franchise Fee $24,900$50,000 - $60,000
Royalty Fee 7.5%6%
Advertising Fee 1%2%
Year Founded 20022006
Year Franchised 20032009
Term Of Agreement 7 years-
Term Of Agreement 7 years-
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
i9 Sports Franchise
Goldfish Swim School Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills
  • -

    Financing Options

     
    i9 Sports Franchise
    Goldfish Swim School Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/Yes-/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/Yes-/Yes
    Equipment No/Yes-/Yes
    Inventory No/Yes-/Yes
    Receivables No/Yes-/Yes
    Payroll No/Yes-/Yes

    Training & Support

     
    i9 Sports Franchise
    Goldfish Swim School Franchise
    Training Optional refresher training availableOn-The-Job Training: 40 hours Classroom Training: 40 hours
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesMeetings/Conventions Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Franchisee Intranet Platform
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertising-
    Operations Franchise can be run from home.

    International franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 20%% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 1

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (20% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    Absentee Ownership Allowed Number of Employees Required to Run: 45

    Expansion Plans

     
    i9 Sports Franchise
    Goldfish Swim School Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion NoYes
    International Expansion NoYes

    Company Overviews

    About i9 Sports

    i9 Sports was founded by Frank V. Fiume, Jr., in 2002 and began franchising in 2003. Franchisees operate local amateur sports leagues, tournaments, camps, clinics and special events for kids. Sports include flag football, basketball, cheerleading, and soccer. i9 Sports is the first and fastest-growing youth sports league franchise company in the United States. With more than 1,000,000 registrations in communities from New York to Hawaii, i9 Sports offers leagues, camps, and clinics for boys and girls ages 3-14 in today's most popular team sports such as flag football, soccer, basketball and baseball. A privately held company, i9 Sports was founded in 2003 by CEO Frank Fiume on the principle that the number one reason kids play organized sports is to have fun, not to become the next draft pick. Reinventing the youth sports industry, customers enjoy the i9 Sports Experience which emphasizes fun, safety and convenience as well as teaching the value of good sportsmanship. Named #1 Children's Fitness Franchise by Entrepreneur Magazine, i9 Sports has been ranked in their prestigious Franchise 500 issue the past eight years. i9 Sports has also been listed among INC Magazine's 5000 Fastest Growing Companies for the past five years and received Franchise Business Review's Top 50 in Franchise Satisfaction Award for five years.

    "Entrepreneur
    #457 in Franchise 500 for 2020.

    About Goldfish Swim School

    Goldfish Swim School is the premier learn-to-swim facility dedicated entirely to infants and children, ages four months to 12 years.
    What does our cutting-edge swim school model have that makes it a leader in the industry? You feel it the moment you walk in. Something different. It’s more than vibrant colors chosen to inspire kids. More than a curriculum crafted to not only teach kids to swim but also to build their character. More than a shiver-free pool heated to 90 degrees. There’s something more. Something unexpected. Something that propels Goldfish Swim School beyond typical. It’s passon. Not just a passon for kids or a passion for swimming…   It’s a special passion for changing - even saving lives - by teaching kids to swim. 
    The Goldfish Swim School Franchise is positioned as a leader in the thriving and profitable
    children’s education and enrichment market; consistently recognized as one of the fastest-growing companies in franchising. ·Over 65 schools open or in development in more than 23 states

    ·Teaching over 54,000 students per week ·On pace to have over 100 locations open & operating in the next five years ·Consistently recognized by Entrepreneur, Franchise Business Review, Inc. and more!


    The total investment necessary to begin operations as a Goldfish Swim School Area Developer is at least $1,390,283 to $3,250,358, depending upon the number of Swim Schools you develop. This estimate includes, as a Development fee, the Initial Franchise Fee of $50,000 for the first Swim School and one-half of the initial franchise fee for one subsequent Swim School at the reduced rate of $40,000. You would pay an additional $20,000 for each subsequent Swim School to be developed under the Area Development Agreement as part of your Development Fee and the remaining half of the Initial Franchise Fee for each additional Swim School developed when you sign each franchise agreement. In addition, if you sign an Area Development Agreement, you will also sign the Franchise Agreement for your first Swim School.


    "Entrepreneur

    #28 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #29 in Franchise 500 for 2021.