Dbat vs Goldfish Swim School
Dbat vs Goldfish Swim School: Dbat costs $536K–$1.0M to open; Goldfish Swim School costs $488K–$2.6M. Dbat has 109 units, Goldfish Swim School has 110. SBA loan history: Dbat = 131 loans (3.1% 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.
Dbat vs Goldfish Swim School: Capital, Scale & Lending Analysis
Data-driven differentiation pulled from FDD filings and SBA 7(a) loan-level data. Each pairing reflects a unique combination of capital intensity, system scale, and financing path.
Capital Intensity
Goldfish Swim School requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($488K vs $536K for Dbat), a 10% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $45K for Dbat versus $50K for Goldfish Swim School, Dbat has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 8% for Dbat and 6% for Goldfish Swim School, giving Goldfish Swim School the lighter per-unit drag on operating income.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Goldfish Swim School operates 110 units to Dbat's 109. Dbat has been operating 28 years (founded 1998) versus 20 for Goldfish Swim School (founded 2006), a 8-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Goldfish Swim School has the deeper SBA lending track record with 132 historical 7(a) approvals versus 131 for Dbat. Dbat's peak SBA year was 2025 (18 loans); Goldfish Swim School's peak was 2017 (18 loans). Dbat's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Geographically, Dbat concentrates in TX (33 SBA-funded units) while Goldfish Swim School leads in IL (13). Pick the brand whose strongest state matches yours for warmest lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded Dbat deals is $780K vs $1.5M for Goldfish Swim School, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 3.1% for Dbat and 0.0% for Goldfish Swim School, Goldfish Swim School has the cleaner historical loss profile by 3.1 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 78 (Strong) for Dbat and 67 (Strong) for Goldfish Swim School, giving Dbat the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 78/100 | 67/100 |
Health Tier | Strong | Strong |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Stable | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 131 | 132 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 3.1% | 0.0% |
Peer Tier | major | major |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $536K – $1.0M | $488K – $2.6M |
Franchise Fee | $45K | $50K |
Royalty Rate | 8% | 6% |
Ad Fund | 2.5% | 4% |
Liquid Capital | N/A | $600K |
Net Worth Required | N/A | $1.5M |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 109 | 110 |
Franchised Units | 109 | 110 |
Company-Owned | – | – |
Term Length | 10 yrs | 15 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1998 | 2006 |
Franchising Since | N/A | 1960 |
Years Franchising | N/A | 66 yrs |
Headquarters | Carrollton, TX | Naperville, IL |
Category | Sports | Sports |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2025 | 2026 |
Which Is Better, Dbat or Goldfish Swim School?
Lower upfront capital required
Goldfish Swim School
Dbat: $536K starting · Goldfish Swim School: $488K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Goldfish Swim School
Dbat: 131 SBA loans · Goldfish Swim School: 132 SBA loans
Lower historical default rate
Goldfish Swim School
Dbat: 3.1% · Goldfish Swim School: 0.0%
Larger system & brand presence
Goldfish Swim School
Dbat: 109 units · Goldfish Swim School: 110 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Goldfish Swim School
Dbat: 8% · Goldfish Swim School: 6%
More lender financing options
Goldfish Swim School
Dbat: 42 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.
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About These Franchises
Dbat vs Goldfish Swim School: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Dbat 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 $488K to $2.6M.
Both brands have active SBA lending histories, Dbat with 131 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.
Dbat vs Goldfish Swim School, Frequently Asked Questions
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