As the saying goes, where there’s muck there’s money. And that’s certainly true when it comes to cleaning franchises.
With a franchise business in this sector you can choose a management opportunity, where you oversee a team of cleaners, or assume a hands-on role, where you do the cleaning yourself and thus maximise your profits.
You can also elect to specialise in domestic or commercial cleaning or even niche markets such as window or oven cleaning.
Cleaning franchises use cutting edge IT combined with innovative cleaning methods to streamline the process, making franchisees’ businesses more efficient and profitable. They also benefit from regular, repeat custom and positive cash flow.
Below we profile some of the individuals who have already established themselves in a sector that, according to the British Cleaning Council, contributes around £24 billion to the UK economy every year and employs in the region of 700,000 people:
Ian Bradley, franchise director at My Window Cleaner
Ian has over 25 years worth of franchising knowledge and experience. He has worked with notable brands like Riverford Organic Vegetables and was the founder of his first award winning franchised business, Hospital Entertainment.
In addition, he was a director of the British Franchise Association and its regional chairman for the south west.
Ian says: “My Window Cleaner is based on great service and technology that helps the franchisee to operate a very profitable business.
“Having developed the business over the past 22 years, the software, processes and systems are second to none in this field. This really is the Uber of window cleaning.”
Rik Hellewell, founder and managing director of Ovenu
Since establishing Ovenu in 1994, Rik has overseen the growth and development of the oven cleaning and valeting franchise from a ‘one man in a van’ operation to more than 100 franchisees operating worldwide.
After leaving his management position at an upholstery cleaning company, knowing he wanted to run his own business, Rik developed and perfected the design registered Ovenu valeting process en-route to creating a sustainable and successful franchise model.
Additionally, Rik has grown to become a respected entrepreneur across the franchising sector.
Charlotte Eccleston and Kerry Miller, NIC franchisees
Business partners Charlotte and Kerry are enjoying the flexibility that running your own commercial cleaning management business can bring to your life.
With a turnover exceeding £1.6 million a year, the pair have built a very successful business. They have seen an impressive 25 per cent increase in turnover in their last 12 months.
Charlotte and Kerry have been able to use their sales and operational background, which together with the support and industry knowledge provided by NIC has ensured their franchise continues to go from strength to strength.
Owen Rowlands, Ovenclean franchisee
Owen had spent 15 years working in highway construction and maintenance. When he joined domestic oven cleaning franchise Ovenclean, it transformed his life in ways he never imagined.
“My training included two weeks shadowing an experienced Ovenclean franchisee,” Owen says. “It was great, my trainer was - and still is - always happy to offer advice.”
Owen claims that demand for his cleaning service has been high from the start. Now in his sixth year, Owen’s business is continuing to thrive and he has ambitious plans for the future.
“Every month turnover gets better and better, which is exactly as Ovenclean told me it would be,” Owen adds. “Overall, Ovenclean have been fantastic - they’ve given me all the help I could ever have asked for.”
Mike Parker, managing director of Minster Cleaning Services
Mike joined Minster Cleaning Services as managing director in 2008, following a career with HSBC spanning nearly 30 years.
His roles at HSBC, one of the largest financial services organisations in the world, included branch and regional management, business banking, strategy, human resources and marketing.
Mike’s experience has proved to be a perfect fit for the office cleaning franchise. Since he joined, Minster’s annual turnover has grown from around £30 million to today’s figure, approaching £40 million.
The top 10 Minster branches are now averaging annual sales in excess of £1.7 million.
Mike is married with three children.
Sophie Whittingham, brand operations manager at ServiceMaster
With eight years’ experience within ServiceMaster, Sophie is dedicated to the ServiceMaster Clean Residential franchise network’s success.
Currently studying for her Qualified Franchise Professional qualification with the British Franchise Association, she’s focusing on growing and developing the current network, as well as new franchisees.
With ServiceMaster Clean investing in new technology, Sophie is implementing changes that will develop how the franchise business is run and improve the customer experience further.
Utilising business development, marketing, sales and operational support expertise, she ensures all franchisees achieve growth and profitability in their businesses.
