Key Success Factors for Starting Your Own Commercial Cleaning Franchise

Owning your own commercial cleaning franchise may seem like a very promising idea, but it takes careful, strategic planning and decision-making to maximize the growth potential of your business.

And the first key decision you need to make is choosing the right commercial cleaning franchise.

Some franchises promise a high return on investment, while others promise full advertising support. While these factors are definitely very important, they are not that powerful on their own. You have to look for a franchise that offers you ‘the complete package’ before you can make a decision.

Here are the key success factors to pay attention to that will help you succeed in any commercial cleaning franchise.

1. The general reputation of the cleaning business.

This makes a lot of common sense. If the franchise has a good reputation among its existing customers, it will be much easier for you to get customers of your own in your area.

You can use customer testimonials and referrals to help you get started, then build your own loyal customer base to keep attracting new customers.

2. Support for business development.

It is important that the franchise owner give you 100% support to ensure that your business is successful in the long term. Business development support includes: training and seminars, advice on which locations are best to set up your business, and comprehensive market research statistics.

3. Marketing support: experience and materials.

Successful franchise owners provide adequate advertising support to franchisees. You should be looking to get pre-made marketing materials for all media needed, online and offline. These marketing materials should have been tried and tested, ready for you to customize and use right out of the box.

This minimizes the risk of spending a lot of money determining what marketing works in your area and what doesn’t.

4. Detailed and proven business processes.

This is critical! If you’re looking to buy a commercial cleaning franchise, you need to make sure you get good usable processes with the commercial package. These are the things that will allow you to “get to work.”

The processes create a fail-safe environment and allow you to get on with the more important things in your new business, like getting customers, instead of having to worry about teaching your employees the right way to clean a kitchen…

5. Alignment of commercial objectives.

You and the franchise owner must work towards a common business goal. Remember, it is ultimately a joint venture – both of you have a lot at stake.

Look for a franchise owner who will immediately convey their long-term plans to you. This means that the franchise owner is not looking for a “quick buck” but is confident in the long-term success of the business.

6. Customer service.

Although customer support is often overlooked, it is one of the critical elements in choosing the best commercial cleaning franchise.

Does customer service respond immediately to your inquiries? Does customer service meet your needs? Since customer service is essential for this type of business, the franchisor must lead by example.

Owning your own commercial cleaning franchise requires hard work, motivation, and determination. However, in return, you will gain financial freedom and the opportunity to create your own future, rather than working for someone else and relying on their ‘good will’.

If you spend a lot of time preparing and researching the different aspects of owning a business, you should increase your chances of success.