Compare pool franchises by what you’ll actually operate, invest and pay. Then put your own numbers beside the published terms.
U.S. comparison · Sources checked September 17, 2026
01 / CHOOSE YOUR MODELService routes. Construction. Mobile + retail.
4 brands5 distinct offerings
Real sourcesFranchisor links beside every figure
Your numbersSaved notes & a live fee calculator
KNOW WHAT YOU’RE COMPARING
Find your operating model.
01Service & repair
ASP — America’s Swimming Pool Company
Mobile pool service and repairs with a territory-based franchise fee. The published investment range includes startup expenses; personal living expenses are excluded.
Is your service territory distinct from nearby construction franchises?
Who owns leads passed between service and construction?
Which software and supplier costs are additional?
Notes save in this browser.
03Pool construction
Premier Pools & Spas
The pool-construction offering. The franchise fee is included in the stated investment. Compare project cash flow and local contractor requirements separately.
What are the payment milestones and subcontractor obligations?
What licensing, bonding and warranty reserves apply locally?
Which gross-revenue definition determines royalties?
Notes save in this browser.
04Mobile + retail
Poolwerx
Start mobile, then add a retail hub. Published retail investment is an additional $171,500–$297,250. The site describes retail integration within 36 months and a two-week training program in Dallas.
Published initial investment · mobile phase$105,400–$140,525
When does the retail obligation start under your agreement?
What lease, inventory and store staffing will the hub need?
Which royalties, technology charges and advertising minimums apply?
Notes save in this browser.
05Service & repair
Puddle Pool Services
The brand advertises a $98,100 average startup cost per territory, plus training, a call center and a dedicated CRM. An average is not an investment range. Confirm U.S. terms, currency, inclusions and the current FDD before comparing totals.
Published initial investmentRequest U.S. investment range
Which costs differ between U.S. and Canadian offerings?
What does the advertised average exclude?
How are call-center, marketing and software charges calculated?
Notes save in this browser.
Published marketing figures describe different operating models and cost assumptions. A franchise fee is part of the initial investment where stated; don’t add it twice. Confirm current offering documents and territory-specific terms with each brand. CrewTend is not a franchise broker and does not rank these brands by expected earnings.
MAKE THE MATH VISIBLE
What do the recurring fees add up to?
Change the revenue and fee assumptions to see the monthly and yearly cost. These are your planning inputs, not earnings projections.
ASP starts with the upper published royalty. Premier Build starts with its upper royalty and marketing rates. Unknown fees are left blank and must be entered. Payroll, chemicals, insurance, debt, vehicles, rent and taxes are outside this fee calculation.
A DIFFERENT WAY TO OWN IT
What about staying independent?
Build your own system
You choose your brand, pricing, service area, suppliers and software. Budget for training, lead generation, operating procedures and support that a franchise might package for you.
Buy an existing route
Inspect actual customer agreements, collections, service time, route density and churn. Separate the price of customer relationships from vehicles, equipment and transition support. Model the workload account by account.
Choose support à la carte
CrewTend offers software plus marketing and bookkeeping services. Those services can be purchased without a software subscription. Compare the actual service agreement with the help your business needs.
Separate the franchise fee, total initial investment, ongoing charges and personal cash reserves. Check minimum fees and the period covered by working capital.
FDD ITEMS 8 & 11
Check operating control
Identify required suppliers, products, software, training and marketing. Ask what you may choose yourself and what must be approved.
FDD ITEMS 12
Map the territory
Request the actual territory map and exclusions. Ask how internet leads, national accounts and nearby franchisees are handled.
FDD ITEMS 17
Plan the exit
Read renewal, termination, transfer, dispute and noncompete terms before signing. Ask what happens to customer data and phone numbers when the relationship ends.
FDD ITEMS 19–21
Validate the economics
Review any disclosed financial performance with its assumptions and population. Speak with current and former franchisees; review the franchisor’s financial statements.
FDD ITEMS 22 & 23
Match the final documents
Compare every agreement and attachment with the disclosures. The FTC generally requires delivery of the FDD at least 14 calendar days before signing or paying.
What did you spend before your first paying customer? How many stops can your actual route handle? Which charges surprised you? How long did hiring take? What support did you receive when something went wrong? Would you choose this model again?
TAKE THE RESEARCH WITH YOU
A useful starting point. Already filled in.
Download the brand comparison, source links, due-diligence prompts and your notes. The PDF includes the current calculator assumptions.
