Athletic Republic vs Goldfish Swim School
Athletic Republic vs Goldfish Swim School: Athletic Republic costs $300K–$674K to open; Goldfish Swim School costs $488K–$2.6M. Athletic Republic has 56 units, Goldfish Swim School has 110. SBA loan history: Athletic Republic = 16 loans (0.0% default); Goldfish Swim School = 132 loans (0.0% default). The franchise with more SBA-funded units, lower default rate, and lower royalty load is the safer financing bet — see the comparison below.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 62/100 | 67/100 |
Health Tier | Moderate | Strong |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 16 | 132 |
SBA Volume | — | — |
Default Rate | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Peer Tier | growing | major |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $300K – $674K | $488K – $2.6M |
Franchise Fee | $55K | $50K |
Royalty Rate | 6% | 6% |
Ad Fund | N/A | 4% |
Liquid Capital | N/A | $600K |
Net Worth Required | $500K | $1.5M |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 56 | 110 |
Franchised Units | 41 | 110 |
Company-Owned | — | — |
Term Length | 11 yrs | 15 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1990 | 2006 |
Franchising Since | 2005 | 1960 |
Years Franchising | 21 yrs | 66 yrs |
Headquarters | Park City, UT | Naperville, IL |
Category | Sports | Sports |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2026 | 2026 |
Which Is Better — Athletic Republic or Goldfish Swim School?
Lower upfront capital required
Athletic Republic
Athletic Republic: $300K starting · Goldfish Swim School: $488K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Goldfish Swim School
Athletic Republic: 16 SBA loans · Goldfish Swim School: 132 SBA loans
Lower historical default rate
Tie
Athletic Republic: 0.0% · Goldfish Swim School: 0.0%
Larger system & brand presence
Goldfish Swim School
Athletic Republic: 56 units · Goldfish Swim School: 110 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Tie
Athletic Republic: 6% · Goldfish Swim School: 6%
More lender financing options
Goldfish Swim School
Athletic Republic: 9 unique lenders · Goldfish Swim School: 43 unique lenders
Decision matrix uses publicly disclosed FDD and SBA loan data. Not a recommendation — your best franchise depends on capital, market, operating capacity, and risk tolerance.
Need Funding for Athletic Republic or Goldfish Swim School?
PeerSense connects you with 500+ SBA lenders and capital sources. Our referral fee is established upfront and paid at closing. No retainers.
SBA Lenders & Capital Sources
Retainers or Consulting Fees
10% Down Franchise Loans
About These Franchises
Athletic Republic vs Goldfish Swim School: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Athletic Republic and Goldfish Swim School is about more than brand preference — it's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $300K to $2.6M.
Both brands have active SBA lending histories — Athletic Republic with 16 SBA loans and Goldfish Swim School with 132. This means proven lender acceptance and established underwriting paths for franchise buyers.
SBA 7(a) loans are the most common franchise funding vehicle, offering up to $5M with as little as 10% down. PeerSense connects franchise buyers with the specific lenders who have approved loans for these brands — not generic referrals, but lenders with actual franchise lending track records.
Data sourced from SBA loan records, Franchise Disclosure Documents, and public filings. Updated regularly. Not financial advice — consult with a lending professional before making investment decisions.