British Swim School, a franchised provider of swimming lessons, is adding three St. Louis-area locations.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based British Swim School operates through 84 franchisees with nearly 200 locations in 21 states as well as internationally. Through lease agreements, it offers swim classes at pools in hotels, fitness centers, rehab centers and schools.
British Swim School opened this week at Gold's Gym Manchester Meadows, 13867 Manchester Road in Ballwin, and Gold's Gym in Fenton, 635 Gravois Road. It will open a location at Gold’s Gym in Ellisville, at 15890 Manchester Road, on Tuesday.
The new locations join British Swim School local franchised operations at Best Western Plus – The Charles Hotel in St. Charles; Breeze Park senior living community in Weldon Spring; Cape Albeon senior community in Valley Park; Hilltop Hotel in Sunset Hills; and Laclede Groves senior community in Webster Groves.
Birch McMullin's NEFM LLC owns the franchise for the city of St. Louis, St. Louis County and St. Charles County. The company is named for McMullin’s younger brother, Nicholas, who died by drowning when they were toddlers.
About 37 people work for McMullin’s St. Louis-area British Swim School, most as part-time instructors or so-called “deck ambassadors,” with four full-time employees, officials said. All receive at least 40 hours of training at full pay before beginning with the company.
Additional St. Louis-area locations will be added this year, including at Gold's Gyms, officials said.
British Swim School requires an initial investment from franchisees in the range of $92,900 to $239,400, depending on the number of territories they want to operate. That includes a franchise fee of $39,500, three months’ rent, staff recruiting and training, and working capital, according to company marketing materials.
