No. 86 of the UK's Top 100 in 2022
Puddle Ducks teaches children, from birth to 10 years, to swim independently and confidently, and to love and respect the water. Essential life skills and water safety are taught to over 19,000 babies, toddlers, pre-school and primary school children across the UK, every week.
Whilst no previous experience is necessary, all franchisees start off teaching in the water, so they can fully immerse themselves in the product and truly understand their customers. But ultimately, the aim is for them to manage a team of teachers, taking ownership of their own territory and building the business upwards from there.
| Year established | 2002 |
| Year franchise established in the UK | 2007 |
| Number of units in the UK | 33 |
Financials
| Franchise fee | £24,000 |
| Minimum investment | £5,000 |
| Total investment | £24,000 |
| Royalty fee / Management fee | 10% |
| Advertising fee | 1% |
| Contract period | 5 years |
| Financing | No |
Training and support
Puddle Ducks' bespoke training programme is rigorous – it takes 6 months to become fully qualified – and they teach franchisees to the standards expected by the Swimming Teacher’s Association (STA). A total of 14.5 days classroom-based and practical training is provided, taking place in Cheshire and on-site within the franchisee’s own territory, plus additional (minimum) four shorter days where the franchisee will practice running classes at Duck HQ or a franchise local to them supported by a trained teacher. There will also be a total of around 10 days self-study during the training period. Market leading products, operations and teaching manuals, staff uniforms and swimming equipment are provided through a robust and tested business model; franchisees will be provided with an initial supply of personalised promotional leaflets and posters, e-commerce material and the head office offers centralised online advertising. A fair and open relationship between franchisor and franchisee is at the heart of the Puddle Ducks mindset.
