The Emerging Brand Makes a Splash with Yearlong, High-Revenue Pool Services
Pool Scouts, while still an emerging brand, has made a splash by steadily increasing its revenue and unit count. “Franchisees are attracted to the scalable, recurring-revenue business model that has strong brand support from national marketing, technology and a dedicated franchise team,” brand President Dave Mele says. “The pool service industry itself is recession-resistant and growing as more homeowners invest in backyard pools.”
The award-winning pool services brand enjoyed a surge in demand because of COVID-19, he says. “During the lockdown, many homeowners sought to create a staycation atmosphere by installing backyard pools. Now that the boom has passed, the excitement of pool ownership has faded for many, and the upkeep — cleaning, maintenance and ensuring safety — has become more burdensome. So now an increasing number of homeowners turn to professional pool cleaning and maintenance services to keep their pools in pristine, safe and enjoyable condition.”
Conventional wisdom is that businesses succeed by solving customers’ pain points, and that was the premise behind Pool Scouts. “We wanted to bring a professional, customer-focused approach to the pool service industry. Our technicians prioritize communication, sending notifications before and after service, plus a detailed post-service report featuring before-and-after photos,” Mele says. “We saw an opportunity to provide a consistent, high-quality service backed by excellent training, strong branding and the latest in technology.”
And succeed it has. Pool Scouts made Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500 list in 2021, the first of four consecutive years. In 2023, it reached $20 million in system-system-wide revenue, and in 2024, Pool Scouts expanded its services to include repairs, vinyl liners and safety covers.
Pool Scouts franchisees don’t need pool experience, though. Mele says training takes care of that. They do need to be enthusiastic representatives of the brand, possessing leadership and analytical capabilities, a strong work ethic, adaptability, and the determination to grow and make a significant impact in their communities. “They also need communication and organizational skills. They must communicate effectively with technicians, customers, partners and all stakeholders, and be able to stay on top of everything from personnel to service calls.”
Overcoming Challenges
Franchisees will face challenges such as recruiting and retaining skilled employees, shifts in consumer preferences and economic uncertainties. “But they’re never alone in overcoming them,” Mele says. “Our business coaches provide one-on-one support to help franchisees tackle these obstacles with tailored strategies and insights. We have proven systems in place to drive efficiency and profitability, as well as strong partnerships with top job sites to streamline the hiring process and attract quality talent. By continuously learning and evolving as a system, Pool Scouts ensures that our franchisees have the resources, guidance and support they need to succeed, even in a changing economic landscape. Parent franchisor Buzz Franchise Brands also provides a foundation of franchising expertise and resources.”
Pool Scouts currently focuses on building a strong network of franchisees while giving them ways to grow their revenue, Mele adds. “We’re committed to innovating our services beyond traditional pool maintenance.” Territories are available in all states except California, South Dakota and Washington.
Beyond Seasonal
Surprise! Pool Scouts thrives in seasonal markets — not just warm climates. “In fact, 60% of the top 10 pool markets are in colder states,” says Dave Mele (above), brand president of Pool Scouts. He says seasonal markets actually present several advantages, for instance:
- Colder markets offer opportunities for high-revenue services like pool openings and closings, vinyl liner replacements and cover installations.
- All Pool Scouts franchisees enjoy year-round recurring revenue from repairs, maintenance such as filter cleaning and hot tub/spa services.
- Cold-weather markets often have fewer competitors.
- Off-peak months present opportunities for strategic planning, marketing initiatives, staff training and coaching by the franchisor staff.
For more information about Pool Scouts, visit the brand’s website.
