Joining a commercial cleaning franchise is a much easier and less risky way of starting your own business than taking out loans or using all your savings, but it is still a big step. The franchise structure exists to support new entrepreneurs who are taking this leap of faith and offers them all the protections and resources they need, so make sure you put your trust in the right franchise for you with our guide to choosing a commercial cleaning franchise. 

1. Conduct a Thorough Self-Evaluation

Before you can find the best franchise for you, you will need to make sure that this career path is right for you, and you for it. The franchise will support you every step of the way but the business will be yours to manage, and it’s important to understand exactly what is required of you as a franchise owner, including: 

• Ambition to grow a successful business
• Enthusiasm for the industry 
• A willingness to follow the franchise model 
• A positive mindset 
• Good communication and customer service skills 
• Leadership abilities 

If you are confident in your abilities and ready to put in the hard work, then you can move on to the next step. 

2. Research Your Options 

Joining a cleaning franchise is not like opening a business. Whilst setting out on your own gives you the freedom to try new things (and potentially fail), opening a franchise will require you to stick to a set business model and follow the step-by-step guide that they provide you with. 

The franchise that you pick will most likely allow you to adapt their model as needed, and you will always be given the freedom to run your business as you see fit, but to give you the best chance of success it is important to research your options and find a franchise model that you are happy to follow. 

3. Balance the Costs 

Now it’s time to narrow your choices down. The best way to do this is to think about the costs associated with each option, as starting a franchise still requires an upfront investment to get the business off the ground. 

This lump sum is then used to: 

• Train you in business management 
• Hire your team
• Advertise your services 
• Purchase your supply inventory
• Pay your franchise management fees 

So research each franchises’ package and find out exactly what you are getting for your investment, as the franchise with the cheapest joining fee may not necessarily be the best value for money in the long term. 

4. Speak to Other Franchisees 

Each franchise should have a ‘Meet Our Team’ or ‘Our Local Branches’ page on their website that will allow you to get in touch with the businesses that operate under their name. Franchises will not be allowed to give out the business information of their franchisees, not even to let you conduct your research, so this is the best way to get in touch with their franchisees. 

Drop them a polite message asking them to share their experience as a franchisee and whether they would recommend this franchise opportunity to other entrepreneurs. Do they feel like they are getting enough support? Is there clear and open communication with the franchisor? You can then decide for yourself whether their experience lines up with the expectations that you have. 

5. Choose a Location

Think you have chosen your top pick? The final step before securing your funding and acquiring your franchise is to check that the area you wish to operate in is still available. 

It is unlikely that you will be willing to relocate in order to open your business, so take a look at all the areas the franchise operates in and make sure that your preferred location is not included in this list. You won’t want to be competing with another franchise in the same area, and it is unlikely that the franchise will approve your request to open a branch there, so don’t get your hopes up before making this final check. 

Acquiring a Cleaning Franchise

Does the franchise you have picked tick every box? Then all that’s left to do is to secure your funding and sign the agreement. 

MCS Franchising has established itself as the go-to choice for those looking to establish themselves in the commercial cleaning sector, so check out their range of nationwide franchise options today.