Goldfish Swim School vs Powerhouse Gyms
Goldfish Swim School vs Powerhouse Gyms: Goldfish Swim School costs $488K–$2.6M to open; Powerhouse Gyms costs $48K–$788K. Goldfish Swim School has 110 units, Powerhouse Gyms has 34. SBA loan history: Goldfish Swim School = 132 loans (0.0% default); Powerhouse Gyms = 33 loans (15.2% 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 | 67/100 | 27/100 |
Health Tier | Strong | Limited |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 132 | 33 |
SBA Volume | — | — |
Default Rate | 0.0% | 15.2% |
Peer Tier | major | established |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $488K – $2.6M | $48K – $788K |
Franchise Fee | $50K | $26K |
Royalty Rate | 6% | N/A |
Ad Fund | 4% | N/A |
Liquid Capital | $600K | N/A |
Net Worth Required | $1.5M | N/A |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 110 | 34 |
Franchised Units | 110 | 34 |
Company-Owned | — | — |
Term Length | 15 yrs | N/A |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 2006 | N/A |
Franchising Since | 1960 | N/A |
Years Franchising | 66 yrs | N/A |
Headquarters | Naperville, IL | St Clair Shores, MI |
Category | Sports | Sports |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2026 | N/A |
Which Is Better — Goldfish Swim School or Powerhouse Gyms?
Lower upfront capital required
Powerhouse Gyms
Goldfish Swim School: $488K starting · Powerhouse Gyms: $48K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Goldfish Swim School
Goldfish Swim School: 132 SBA loans · Powerhouse Gyms: 33 SBA loans
Lower historical default rate
Goldfish Swim School
Goldfish Swim School: 0.0% · Powerhouse Gyms: 15.2%
Larger system & brand presence
Goldfish Swim School
Goldfish Swim School: 110 units · Powerhouse Gyms: 34 units
More lender financing options
Goldfish Swim School
Goldfish Swim School: 43 unique lenders · Powerhouse Gyms: 23 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
Goldfish Swim School vs Powerhouse Gyms: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Goldfish Swim School and Powerhouse Gyms is about more than brand preference — it's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $48K to $2.6M.
Both brands have active SBA lending histories — Goldfish Swim School with 132 SBA loans and Powerhouse Gyms with 33. 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.