Jane McCahill was at a career crossroads before investing in this swim specialist

Swimtime’s flexible franchise delivers a compelling commercial opportunity

The 2020s is a decade that has certainly had a memorable start, to say the least. While much of the world has been thrown into turmoil, one thing is certain: it has given many of us time to pause and reflect.

Reflect on how we live our lives, the life choices we have made and what is truly important.

Special ingredient

Swimtime was established in 1998, has been franchising since 2002 and is one of the most respected learn-to-swim brands in the world. What really makes the company special is the flexibility the brand gives its franchisees.

Over the last four years Swimtime has embarked on a wide ranging, award winning digital transformation - it won three major international awards in 2019. By automating countless mundane and boring tasks, the company’s franchisees have found they have a lot more time and flexibility to work when they wish, carving a way of life that suits them best.

Enjoying support and expertise from an experienced head office team, Swimtime franchisees have the confidence that as a community they not only provide lifesaving services that make a difference to the public at large, but do that in a way that enables a genuine work-life balance.

Full support

Long-standing Swimtime franchisee Jane McCahill tells us: “I chose Swimtime because it was an opportunity to run my own business. Owning a franchise meant I would receive full support from the franchisor and central office team. This is the benefit of franchising with a company whose reputation continues to grow through a high quality, award winning, national brand.

“I was at a crossroads in my career in customer service at the time. My background was in retail and although I was new to the swimming industry, my business and customer experience was very relevant and beneficial. I’m passionate about offering the best quality swimming lessons and highest possible levels of service to every one of our customers.”

Essential life skill

With a 2020 post-COVID-19 Ernst & Young study showing expenditure on children’s education and activities seeing virtually no impact, the essential life skill Swimtime delivers is a compelling commercial opportunity, with top performing franchises earning over £100,000 per annum.

Finally, Jane has some words of wisdom for anyone considering a franchise generally:

“I would advise anyone thinking about buying into a franchise to research the market fully. Look at the company, product, technology and opportunity before investing. I’m definitely a supporter and am so glad I took the chance to do something for myself and my family.

“I’m fully focused, because it is my business. The development of my Swimtime franchise, its reputation and success is all down to me.”

At a glance Swimtime

Established:

1998

Number of franchised outlets:

28

Location of units:

UK

Investment range:

£8,000 (plus VAT)

Minimum required capital:

£10,000

Contact:

franchise@swimtime.org swimtime.org/opportunities/become-a-franchisee