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Someday, robots will probably end up doing most of the chores that humans currently do. Until then, we’re stuck* doing them.
*Unless you’re the proud owner of a Roomba® or similar. If that’s the case, you can scratch most of your mopping and vacuuming drudgery off the list.
But what if you like having a nice, tidy home or office, but you don’t want to do some of the more time-consuming chores-like cleaning for instance? Are there options?
Of course there are, and in this post I’m going to focus on one of them.
Cleaning Franchises
One popular area of franchising is the cleaning segment. And there’s no shortage of opportunities.
Whether it’s a residential cleaning franchise or a commercial cleaning franchise (along with a few unique niches in-between), today’s consumers and small business owners have lots of choices. As do today’s franchise buyers.
Now, to be sure, you probably haven’t spent months on end daydreaming about owning a cleaning business. But you should know that the business of cleaning is big business. According to Allied Market Research, the global cleaning services market is expected to amass $74.299 million annually by the year 2022. That’s huge!
Important: Check out the Franchise Direct 2019 Cleaning Franchise Industry Report for more on the industry.
What Do Cleaning Franchise Owners Do?
One of the biggest myths about owning a cleaning franchise is that the owner, aka the franchisee, does the cleaning. In general, that’s not the case.
For example, when you buy a residential cleaning franchise, and you complete formal training at franchise headquarters, you begin the process of opening your business.
In this case, one of the top items on your to-do list is hiring your employees. But not just any employees. Employees who clean. Period. That way, you can concentrate on building your business. In addition to business development, you’ll be involved in activities such as training, customer service, marketing, operations, and more.
In brief, when you own a residential cleaning franchise business, you are not the one doing the cleaning.
But there are cleaning franchises where the owner can do the cleaning.
Window Cleaning Franchises
There are several franchise opportunities in which owners participate in the cleaning part of the business. Especially at first.
In one example, if you own a window cleaning franchise, it’s not uncommon for you to do some of the actual cleaning.
The main reason is so you know how do it correctly. That way you can train new employees and even jump-in and help during your busy season.
Another reason has to do with desire. As in some people want to be outdoors with their employees doing the actual work (at least part of the time).
Commercial Cleaning
When it comes to franchise opportunities in the cleaning segment of franchising, some of the most (potentially) lucrative ones are in commercial cleaning.
But it’s not because of the type of cleaning being done. In other words, it’s not because offices and restaurants are the places being cleaned. It’s because of the business model itself.
It’s important to know that most commercial cleaning franchises offer Master Franchise Opportunities. These opportunities are very different from regular franchise opportunities.
In a Master Franchise, you, as the franchisee, is sold a large geographical area with a large population.
For instance, let’s say that you purchased the rights to a commercial cleaning franchise in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Like with any franchise, you’ll pay a one-time franchise fee. Except with a Master Franchise, it’s going to be a substantial one (usually $150,000-$200,000 or more), because you’re buying an entire area. Here’s where it gets interesting.
As the Master Franchise owner of a commercial cleaning business, your role involves more than just minding the store. Specifically, you’re tasked with recruiting franchisees.
These franchisees, depending on their investment, will clean the commercial buildings that you, in your role as a Master Franchise owner, get contracts with.
So, not only will you be selling franchises, you’ll be selling your cleaning services to building managers and building owners in your territory.
Now, you won’t be performing these duties alone. You’ll have office staff, salespeople, trainers and more.
Income-wise, Master Franchise owners receive a portion of the upfront franchise fees from the franchises they sell along with a portion of the royalties. In addition, Master Franchise owners may be able to earn money from financing programs they offer to franchisees, and more.
To summarize, the business of cleaning is multi-faceted. You can own a cleaning business where the employees do the cleaning, while you concentrate on building the business and keeping your customers happy.
So too, you can own a cleaning franchise that enables you to be a bit more hands-on...or not.
Finally, you can invest in a commercial cleaning Master Franchise, in which you control a large area, sell franchises, and open accounts for your franchisees to service.
What do you think? Are you going to check out a few cleaning franchises?
The Franchise King®, Joel Libava, is a top franchise expert. He’s written over 2,000 different articles on franchise ownership and personally consults with people who are looking to buy a profitable franchise. Go here to find out how The Franchise King® can help you become your own boss.