How Franchising Should Work in the Commercial Cleaning Industry

Cleaning Up: A Commercial Cleaning Podcast

In this episode, I get Urban Clean’s General Manager Kirk Simpson to join the show. Some harsh things get said about the commercial cleaning industry and franchising in the sector. There is a solution, but it’s unique and unconventional.

We discuss what is typical for a cleaning business and franchising in the industry, why the industry is broken and how up until now the typical commercial cleaning franchising model hasn’t served clients, or franchisees.

Many clients have resigned themselves to getting the bare minimum from their cleaners. Companies typically get burned from cleaning companies and can be nervous to start with a new company. Sub-contracting out cleaning services is exceptionally normal, and it can even be several layers deep. Sometimes, there is no way to communicate with people who are actually doing the work. It’s impossible to do a great job when you have never met your client; there will be a massive break in communication.

Franchising has its own unique set of issues in the industry. In many commercial cleaning franchise systems, franchisees aren’t operating a true business. In many systems, they operate as a pseudo employee dressed up as a franchisee, and they’re prevented even from making contact with their customers. Many of these franchisees do not have access to information to grow a successful business or build relationships.

Later, Kirk explains where the complexity comes regarding the business of cleaning – sales, communications, training, recruiting, and managing staff. Quality can go down quickly if they subcontract the work out. True contracting means you cannot tell the person how to do the job correctly. Only employees need to follow a step-by-step system.