The sheer numbers of cleaning services operating today are proof it is a lucrative and popular business choice.
Cleaning franchises in particular take up a considerable share of the market, with the obvious benefits of designated territories and tried and tested business practices, training and support.
Cleaning franchises come in all shapes and sizes, from carpet cleaning franchises to commercial cleaning franchises to domestic cleaning franchises.
With the ever-growing number of companies outsourcing their cleaning, there’s plenty of business opportunities in the sector. And in our on-the-go society, it looks like there will never be a shortage of time-poor, cash-rich potential customers looking for domestic cleaning services.
Cleaning franchises offer diverse services, include commercial cleaning - such as Green Fox, specialist services like domestic oven cleaning - such as Oven Wizards, or premium housekeeping services, like Bright & Beautiful.
Whichever option you choose, there are some universal positives. Here are our top six reasons to start a cleaning franchise:
1) Relatively low start-up costs
Most cleaning franchises have relatively low initial franchise fees; the average figure is below £20,000.
And as they are predominantly home-based, cleaning franchises are cheaper to run, on a long-term basis, than other franchised businesses that need premises.
In fact, many franchisors in this sector claim their franchisees can earn a stable income and have a positive cash flow in a few months. Bright & Beautiful indicates that it's possible to earn up to £80,000.
2) No cleaning skills required
Firstly, running a cleaning franchise doesn’t mean you’ll have to pull on your marigolds.
Most cleaning franchises are management operatives where you will be organising a team of housekeepers or commercial cleaners and generating clients for their services.
Organisational skills are a must as well as good people skills and buckets full of enthusiasm.
Bright & Beautiful, for example, who won ‘Best Home Based Business of the Year in 2013’ offer a comprehensive package including cleaning equipment, staff uniforms, branding, marketing support, website, finance system and CRM.:
‘As the owner of a Bright & Beautiful franchise, you do not have to clean yourself, we have proven systems that you can use to train your team. Your time is spent managing the business from home and networking with other professional working people who need our services.’
3) Flexible
With a home-based/management style franchise, you will have more opportunity to enjoy that all important work-life balance.
You can grow your franchise to a size and functionality that suits your lifestyle and that means fitting it in around kids and other responsibilities.
However, if your aim is to put all your hours into growing a highly profitable business then, as your own boss, you can set your own goals.
In a commercial cleaning franchise like Jani King, the emphasis is on attracting and retaining corporate clients. Franchisee
4) Ethical
Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of ethical and eco-friendly cleaning options and you also have this choice when picking a cleaning franchise.
Bright & Beautiful only use non-toxic products for a ‘healthy home’ and environment.
And the aptly named Eco-Mist Biotechnics is a highly successful cleaning service that provides an innovative range of natural biocides, decontamination systems, and disinfectants.
An Eco-Mist franchisee says:
“The Eco-Mist business opportunity appealed to me initially because of the low investment risk and the huge potential for growth in an industry that prides itself on ethical cleaning. I could immediately see opportunities in all sectors and decided to proceed. The whole concept, products, and support is excellent and my business is growing fast as a result”
5) High demand
Labelled a ‘recession proof’ business, cleaning services will be required as long as dust keeps accumulating – i.e. indefinitely!
As an increasing number of families are becoming dual-income and our lives become busier than ever, a weekly cleaner has become more of an essential part of the monthly household budget, rather than a luxury used only by the wealthy.
Commercial properties, as well as public services such as GPs surgeries and schools have health and safety requirements to adhere to which, of course, include hygiene.
And restaurants and other catering establishments have a legal obligation to keep kitchen exhaust hoods clean – as well as high levels of general cleanliness.
It’s unlikely you will lack potential customers ¬– your job will be signing up as many as possible.
6) Rewarding
On paper, owning a cleaning franchise business may not seem like the most fulfilling job in the world but bear in mind that this is a role which involves interacting with people on a daily basis and creating positive outcomes for cleaners and clients as well as yourself.
Becoming a cleaning franchisee will require plenty of social skills (so extreme introverts need not apply!) and if this is a strength, it will be an enjoyable experience.
Jo Wilkinson, owner of the Lincoln Bright & Beautiful Franchise agrees:
‘The initial training course was informative and fun…it's great to know that there is such fantastic ongoing support from a fabulous group of inspiring and empowering women.’
Interested? Take a look at our wide range of cleaning franchise listings here.
@Be_TheBoss
