If you are thinking about starting a cleaning business, odds are that you have thought about buying a franchise. And while franchises do offer a number of benefits over starting a business from scratch there are a few things that you need to know before you sign on the dotted line.
Franchise model
Experts have long come to the conclusion that the franchise model is one of the best business models out there. It leverages the knowledge and experience of one entrepreneur and duplicates it time and time again through franchisees in order to expand the brand. At the end of the day, a franchisee is really just an investor. In exchange for their investment (in the form of franchise fees and ongoing royalty payments), the franchisee gets to use a well-established brand identity and a how to manual for running a successful business. The franchisor can then take that cashand continue to grow the business while the franchisee can run their own business at a much lower risk than if they’d tried to start one from scratch. It’s a total win-win for everyone.
Risk tolerance
Starting a business, any business, is risky. However, while franchising is not without risk, the risk is considerably lower than by starting the business from scratch. This is because the brand is already well known and has a customer base waiting. Evaluating your risk tolerance will go a long way to determining what franchise to buy, if any. Make sure you can handle the risk before you write the check.
Obligations
Franchising a business does not give you a carte blanche pass to running the business however you feel is right. There are obligations, on both sides, that have to be honored in order for a franchise to work. The franchisee will have to ensure that they are offering the right services, at the right prices, using the approved equipment, and at the right hours while the franchisor must provide training and offer ongoing support. It’s important to understand all of the obligations that you are expected to meet as well as what the franchisor is responsible for before you sign on the dotted line.
Finances
Make sure you meet the minimum financial requirement before you dig in. Not only will you need to pay the initial franchise fee, but most will require you to have 6 months to a year’s worth of expenses set aside before they will approve you to own a franchise. This can be a hefty amount of cash.
How to Find Cleaning Business Franchises
The easiest way to find cleaning business opportunities is to run an Internet search. Look for maid service franchises, cleaning service franchises and house cleaning franchises to start.
Do Your Homework
Look over the franchisor’s financial disclosure documents, talk to existing franchisees and see what their thoughts are, and check out the business with various regulatory agencies to ensure that the franchisor is on the up and up. There is little recourse you will have if you write the check and the franchisor disappears with your money.
If you are in the market for a cleaning business franchise, there are things you should do to protect yourself. But, if you take the proper steps, you’ll be a successful cleaning business owner in no time.
What do you think? Is it best to franchise or start from scratch when putting up a cleaning business?
