Water Wings Swim School Opens First Franchised Location, Accelerating National Growth with 54-Unit Pipeline

 First Franchise Opening in Cypress, Texas Marks Major Milestone as Brand Expands Across 16 States and Targets 25–30 New Schools in 2027

DALLAS, Sept. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Water Wings Swim School, a premier year-round swim school and part of youth enrichment platform Unleashed Brands, is celebrating a major milestone following the September 5 opening of its first franchised location in Cypress, TX. The opening marks a new chapter for Water Wings, just over a year after the brand launched its national franchise program in May 2025, and sets the pace for a development pipeline that now spans 16 states.

The new school, owned by experienced multi-unit entrepreneurs Arun and Kay Singh, brings Water Wings' proven curriculum and family-focused approach to a new community while marking an important milestone in the brand's national franchise expansion.

"We are honored to be the first franchisees to open a Water Wings location, and it marks an important next step in our growth as multi-unit, multi-brand operators," said Arun Singh. "Through our experience growing several children's enrichment concepts over the years, including Urban Air Adventure Park, Kay and I have seen the value of building businesses that serve families and become part of the communities where they operate. Water Wings is a natural addition to our portfolio, allowing us to diversify within the space while applying the operational experience we have gained as franchise owners."

First Opening Sets National Growth in Motion
The Cypress debut is the first of six franchised Water Wings Swim Schools expected to open in 2026. The next location, owned by Ali Robaei, is scheduled to open in Frisco, TX, on September 19. Additional schools are expected to open in Arlington, TX, Billings, MT, Brighton, MI and Marysville, WA by the end of the year.

Water Wings currently serves approximately 9,800 enrolled students across its system. Schools average roughly 900 students, with an average student tenure of 14 months. Its curriculum has demonstrated a success rate of more than 95%, reflecting the sustained demand for consistent, high-quality swim instruction.

The brand's growing development pipeline now includes:

• 54 franchise units awarded across 16 states
• Six franchised schools expected to open in 2026
• 25–30 openings projected for 2027
• Two five-unit development agreements for New York and New Jersey
• A nationwide goal of 100–150 locations over the next three to five years

"Since Water Wings became part of Unleashed Brands last year, the momentum behind this brand has been incredible," said Avi Shafshak, Founder and Brand President of Water Wings Swim School. "We are now helping our first wave of franchisees move toward opening day, building a strong pipeline of new locations and partnering with operators who share our passion for helping children become safer and more confident in and around the water."

Franchisees Bring Water Wings to New Communities
Water Wings' growing pipeline is attracting experienced operators from a range of professional and entrepreneurial backgrounds, driven by strong market demand, operational accessibility, and significant room for growth. For existing Unleashed Brands franchisees in particular, Water Wings provides an opportunity to diversify within a platform they already know and trust while continuing to serve children and families in a meaningful way.

Recent franchise signings include:

• Two five-unit agreements across New York and New Jersey: A local franchisee plans to bring 10 Water Wings locations to the Northeast over the next two years. His background spans banking, pharmaceuticals, computer programming and retail sales.
• First Ohio location planned for Broadview Heights: After seven years as a swim parent, first-time entrepreneur George Husary chose Water Wings for its accessible investment and market availability. He is transitioning from careers in law enforcement and transportation operations to bring the brand's first Ohio location to Broadview Heights.

Building Toward 100+ Locations Nationwide
Franchisee interest is being driven by strong consumer demand, significant open whitespace, lower startup costs than other swim school concepts and an average eight-month timeline from signing to opening. The model can also appeal to experienced multi-unit operators looking to diversify their portfolios while empowering their teams to manage day-to-day operations.

Priority development markets include Florida, Mississippi, Georgia and Arizona. Water Wings is targeting 100–150 locations nationwide over the next three to five years and seeking franchisees with strong leadership experience, business acumen and a passion for making an impact in their communities. To learn more about the Water Wings franchise opportunity, please visit WaterWingsFranchising.com.

About Water Wings Swim School
Founded in 2003, Water Wings Swim School provides year-round swim instruction for children and adults in a safe, fun, and engaging environment. With programs for all ages and skill levels, Water Wings offers group and private lessons, recreational swim teams, baby pool time, swim camps, and more. Currently operating indoor facilities across Nevada, California, Idaho, and Texas, Water Wings is dedicated to teaching lifesaving swim skills and fostering a lifelong love for swimming. For more information, visit WaterWingsSwimSchool.com.

About Unleashed Brands
Unleashed Brands currently includes portfolio brands Urban Air, The Little Gym, Sylvan Learning, Snapology, Class 101, Premier Martial Arts and Water Wings Swim School. The platform was founded to curate and grow a portfolio of the most innovative and profitable franchise brands that help kids learn, play, and grow. Over the last 15 years, the team at Unleashed Brands has built a proven platform for scaling businesses focused on serving families. Its mission is to impact the lives of every child by providing fun, engaging, and inspiring experiences that help them reach their full potential. For more information, visit UnleashedBrands.com.

Media Contact: Taylor Hefferan, Fishman Public Relations, [email protected], 847-945-1300

SOURCE Water Wings Swim School