20 Years, 200-Plus Locations: Goldfish Swim School Celebrates Platinum Anniversary

March 16, 2026 // Franchising.com // TROY, Mich., -- This March, Goldfish Swim School Franchising, LLC marks two decades of excellence in water safety, having grown from a single-location school in Birmingham, Michigan, into a nationwide authority that delivers confidence and life-saving swim instruction to children across North America.

Founded by Jenny and Chris McCuiston to disrupt a fragmented industry, the first Goldfish Swim School opened its doors on March 20, 2006, after two years of extensive research and the development of its iconic "beach house" aesthetic. The Birmingham flagship, located in a community within Metro Detroit, was an instant powerhouse, quickly attracting a strong and growing base of weekly swimmers.

"Goldfish wasn't built to be just another swim school; it was built to solve a crisis," said Goldfish Swim School co-founder and visionary Jenny McCuiston. "Our 20th anniversary is so much more than a celebration of a business. It also celebrates the more than 11 million potentially life-saving swimming lessons provided to date, with thousands of children benefiting every year from our Science of SwimPlay® curriculum and the dedication of our franchise partners."

To celebrate this milestone and express the company's appreciation for the community that first supported the Goldfish Swim School mission, the original Birmingham school will host "20 Days of Fishaways" beginning Sunday, March 1, on its local social media channels. Current, future and past members within the Metro Detroit community are welcome to participate and can enter daily online. The celebration culminates with grand-prize announcements on the official anniversary, March 20. Exciting giveaway items include:

• A Yeti Roadie® 15 Hard Cooler
• Exclusive 20th anniversary VIP swag and private lesson packs
• Gifts from local Birmingham businesses, including one month of unlimited play at Fascination Factory and yoga sessions from Born Yoga

"Growing from a single school into the leading national swim school franchise reflects the trust parents place in our mission," said Goldfish Swim School CEO and co-founder Chris McCuiston. "As we scale, we seek high-caliber, mission-driven operators who go above and beyond for every swimmer, every family and every team member because that's the Goldfish Way. The proof is in our franchisees: passionate leaders who live our values, deliver the Golden Experience and build thriving schools that make waves in their communities."

SOURCE Goldfish Swim School

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