Goldfish Swim School vs Powerhouse Gyms
Goldfish Swim School vs Powerhouse Gyms: Goldfish Swim School costs $488K to $2.6M to open; Powerhouse Gyms costs $48K to $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, a lower SBA default rate, and a lower royalty load is the safer financing bet; see the comparison below.
Goldfish Swim School vs Powerhouse Gyms: Capital, Scale & Lending Analysis
Analysis based on 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
Powerhouse Gyms requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($48K vs $488K for Goldfish Swim School), a 917% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $50K for Goldfish Swim School versus $26K for Powerhouse Gyms, Powerhouse Gyms has the lower entry fee.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Goldfish Swim School operates 110 units to Powerhouse Gyms's 34, roughly 3× the system size.
SBA Lending Profile
Goldfish Swim School has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 132 7(a) approvals compared with 33 for Powerhouse Gyms. Goldfish Swim School's peak SBA year was 2017 (18 loans); Powerhouse Gyms's peak was 1995 (7 loans). Goldfish Swim School's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Goldfish Swim School has the most SBA funded units in IL, with 13. Powerhouse Gyms leads in MI, with 16. Borrowers should pick the brand whose strongest SBA state matches their own state for warmer lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded Goldfish Swim School deals is $1.5M vs $341K for Powerhouse Gyms, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 0.0% for Goldfish Swim School and 15.2% for Powerhouse Gyms, Goldfish Swim School has the cleaner SBA loss record by 15.2 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 67 (Strong) for Goldfish Swim School and 27 (Fair) for Powerhouse Gyms, giving Goldfish Swim School the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
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 to $2.6M | $48K to $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 | 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 | 2025 | N/A |
Which Is Better, Goldfish Swim School or Powerhouse Gyms?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
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 SBA default rate
Goldfish Swim School
Goldfish Swim School: 0.0% · Powerhouse Gyms: 15.2%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
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.
Goldfish Swim School has 132 SBA loans on record and Powerhouse Gyms has 33. Those totals are cumulative history rather than a measure of current appetite. Recent lending activity is trending down for at least one of these brands, so current lender appetite has to be checked deal by deal rather than assumed from the totals.
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.
Goldfish Swim School vs Powerhouse Gyms, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Goldfish Swim School or Powerhouse Gyms?
How much does a Goldfish Swim School franchise cost compared to Powerhouse Gyms?
Can I finance Goldfish Swim School or Powerhouse Gyms with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Goldfish Swim School or Powerhouse Gyms?
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Page Review
Reviewed by Edward L. Freeman, Founder and Managing Director, PeerSense
- PeerSense is a capital advisory firm that places commercial financing with direct capital sources; the capital source sets final terms.
- Edward L. Freeman founded PeerSense in January 2020.
- He is a Registered Franchise Consultant with Business Alliance, Inc., a credential issued in March 2022, and worked as a franchise consultant there from March 2022 to May 2023.
- His recorded experience includes a $22 million SBA construction loan, with about $16 million funded on the deal.
- In the 12 months through September 30, 2026, PeerSense tracked 912 publicly announced financings with a disclosed size of $361.32 billion. PeerSense Capital Data Report · Methodology page
Last reviewed LinkedIn profileAbout Edward Freeman