Discover the 10 best cleaning franchises to invest in

From domestic to commercial cleaning, the businesses that offer these services are almost guaranteed demand

1. ChemDry

ChemDry provides a wide range of services to domestic and commercial customers, including carpet and upholstery cleaning, stone, tile and grout cleaning, plus pet urine and odour removal. Other services include rug cleaning and water damage restoration.

As a franchisee, you’ll be part of a robust and proven business model where the failure rate is low. Constant support from the ChemDry franchise team means your business has a better chance of success.

Says franchisee David Hunt: “After leaving my job as a police officer, I started my ChemDry franchise from home and built a balanced business that achieved a turnover exceeding £100,000 in the first year.

“I now work from business premises and employ three technicians and an administrator.”

Being part of the ChemDry network means there’s always someone else in a similar position to compare notes with and call upon for advice and assistance.

ChemDry offers a proven business model that’s already operated by approximately 700 UK franchisees and growing, plus one of the best support packages available.

What you need to know:

Investment level:

minimum investment £30,000

What you get:

full training; initial and ongoing support

2. Bright & Beautiful

A professional domestic housekeeping franchise, Bright & Beautiful has over 50 franchise owners building their own local businesses.

An innovator in the domestic cleaning industry, the multi-award-winning franchise has created over 500 jobs, delivered more than 500,000 home cleans and is continuing to grow across the UK.

Franchise owners benefit from an innovative and modern brand that attracts clients looking for a domestic cleaning service to help them free up their time. With today’s 24/7 culture and long working hours, this is a service much in demand and as a result, the business is growing rapidly.

A dedicated support team helps franchisees achieve their goals, create a strong business and build their investment. For potential franchisees who are ready to take control of their future, avoid the commute to work and change direction, there’s never been a better time to become a Bright & Beautiful franchisee.

What you need to know:

Investment level:

£14,995-plus VAT and working capital

What you get:

full training, including a 16-week ‘surestart’ programme; recruitment, finance and human resources support; marketing, digital and PR package; client management system; equipment; team uniforms

3. Dublcheck

Buying a cleaning franchise previously owned by someone else is one way to achieve good returns and, importantly, a better work/life balance - and new Dublcheck areas come up for sale on a regular basis.

Founded in 1993 by Carol Stewart-Gill, Dublcheck has been providing premier cleaning services for offices, showrooms and health facilities throughout the UK for over 20 years.

The company operates a guaranteed turnover scheme and provides supports to ensure every venture becomes a lucrative enterprise. You can earn as little or as much as you want as there’s no upper limit on the number of contracts you can operate.

One franchisee said: “The key with Dublcheck is to realise how much they give. Dublcheck do all the invoicing and paperwork, so for them to take such a time-consuming part of the business away from me is hugely valuable.

“We like the support the company offers too. There’s always someone at the end of the phone who can find an answer to anything I need to know.”

Franchisee Damon Dieches says: “Starting from zero six years ago and building a business that now employs 75 people and turns over just under £400,000 has been an amazing experience.

“This is only possible with the superb support from everyone at HQ, who have been with me every step of the way. Next stop £1 million.”

What you need to know:

Investment level:

minimum investment is £9,950

What you get:

one week’s comprehensive training at head office covering all aspects of the business; ongoing support; full administration package; starter pack of equipment; guaranteed turnover scheme

4. Minster Cleaning Services

If you’re frustrated by working hard for someone else’s benefit, but worried about the risks associated with starting your own business without dedicated support, a Minster management franchise is well worth considering.

Minster Cleaning Services has been cleaning office and commercial premises since 1982. The business takes care of thousands of organisations throughout the UK operating in varied sectors. With a network of more than 40 branches, group turnover is over £36 million, with many Minster branches achieving sales in excess of £1 million.

Mike Parker, managing director of Minster Services Group, says: “A Minster management franchise offers a low risk opportunity with a guaranteed geographic area and exceptional support within the recession resistant and growing commercial cleaning sector.

“Managing a successful Minster branch requires a can do attitude to customer service and a tenacious approach to attaining results. As branches employ large teams, franchise partners require key resource management skills.

“We have a strong network and our franchisees are excellent people managers, which is key to a management franchise.”

Opportunities often arise where existing franchisees wish to sell their branches, often to facilitate their retirement, and there are a number of new territories still available.

What you need to know:

Investment level:

for a new territory, you’ll need £28,225 (plus VAT) for a licence, territory and training. In addition, you’ll need between £40,000- £60,000 working capital

What you get:

initial and ongoing support; marketing assistance; business management tools; national meetings

5. My Window Cleaner

After 20 years of cleaning the windows, conservatories, gutters and patios of homes across north London and south Hertfordshire, My Window Cleaner has launched a franchise model with the aim of revolutionising the market.

Putting reliability and great customer service at the heart of its business model, franchisees will start out on their own before scaling up to become a multi-van business. By year two you could be earning £65,000 gross profits, based on a 4.2 per cent share of your local market.

You can start your new business with just £7,000. Combining proven marketing systems with a highly experienced franchise team, this is a great proposition for ambitious, fit and friendly people looking to take control of their professional life and future financial security.

My Window Cleaner is offering new start franchises as well as the option to take over an area with an existing customer base, providing instant income from day one. Finance is available for either option, with banks supportive of the franchise.

What you need to know:

Investment level:

From £7,000

What you get:

exclusive territory; an initial week’s training; business support meetings and calls; regional meetings; marketing, social media and sales support; accounting and financial advice

6. Ovenclean

After 16 years working in the prison service, in September 2013 Graham Kerridge made the decision to invest in an Ovenclean franchise - and hasn’t looked back.

“I saw Ovenclean advertised in a magazine and liked what I saw, so I booked onto an open day,” he explains. “I was even more impressed once me and my wife had attended.”

Since then, Graham says he’s received fantastic support from the Ovenclean team: “I began my training with a business mentor - an established franchisee - which was extremely useful.

“From day one, head office provided me with emotional and technical support and marketing advice, which made the transition from employment to self-employment easy. They know what you need to do in order to get the phone ringing – I can’t praise them enough.”

Due to the support Graham has received and his hard work, he’s been very successful.

“It’s hard work, but you don’t mind putting the effort in because you’re the one reaping the rewards,” he says. “With Ovenclean, you get out what you put in.

“The positive feedback from customers is really rewarding and makes the job worthwhile. I get a huge amount of repeat and referral business. Many of my customers are now not just customers, but have also become good friends.”

Ovenclean offers ongoing specialist services in marketing and franchise support, and is the only oven cleaning franchise to advertise on national TV, meaning recognition is extremely high.

What you need to know:

Investment level:

£14,995 (plus VAT). You’ll also need £10,000 (plus VAT) of your own funds

What you get:

full training; ongoing support; national advertising; exclusive protected territory

7. Jani-King

Approaching its 50th anniversary next year, Jani-King provides a comprehensive training programme and ongoing support systems to its franchisees.

Jani-King franchisees build their businesses in one of the most stable and in demand industries - commercial cleaning.

Take a look around your city at facilities such as office buildings, hotels, hospitals, restaurants, retail centres, manufacturing facilities, warehouses, schools, cinemas, sports stadiums, entertainment venues and government buildings.

All are in need of professional, recurring cleaning services. They need you.

What you need to know:

Investment level:

minimum investment £20,000

What you get:

full training and support; ongoing support from Jani-King headquarters; mentoring and personal business coaching; marketing assistance

8. NIC services Group

NIC Services Group offers management franchise opportunities in the low risk, high reward commercial cleaning and support services industry. It’s one of the UK’s largest industries, currently worth over £8.8billion per year, and is virtually unaffected by recession.

An NIC franchise is for those with the energy, focus, commitment and determination to grow a business with a potential turnover in excess of £1.5 million a year.

NIC has over 50 years of industry experience and is well into its second decade of franchising. With a senior management team who have over 150 years’ collective industry knowledge, it’s this wealth of experience that ensures the continued success of the company’s franchisees.

Starting your own business can be a daunting prospect. Having a network of support and a proven business model can help minimise the risk and maximise your potential. With NIC, it’s your own business, but you have the support, training and a successful and recognised brand behind you.

What you need to know:

Investment level:

from £20,000 (plus VAT)

What you get:

comprehensive training course; ongoing mentoring and support programme; marketing support; back office admin support, including payroll, invoicing and credit control

9. Ovenu

Ovenu is one of the UK’s leading domestic oven cleaning and valeting specialist, with offices also based internationally.

Established in 1994 by Rik Hellewell, the company grown from a one-man-in-a-van operation to more than 100 franchisees working across the globe, who each have the potential to turn over upwards of £50,000 each year.

Ovenu franchisees come from all walks of life and include solicitors, accountants, social workers and window fitters. On completion of the comprehensive Ovenu induction training, which is accredited to ISO 9001:2008 standards, franchisees will be ready to embark on their business journey in their own exclusive trading territory.

Franchisees also benefit of ongoing office support from Ovenu’s franchise team at headquarters, as well as access to external agencies for marketing support, advertising, PR and business development.

Franchisees manage their own workloads, diaries and, when they expand, staff through taking on sub-contractors, all of whom are trained to the same professional standards as every Ovenu franchisee.

What you need to know:

Investment level:

the Foundation Franchise start-up package costs £9,950 (plus VAT). This can be extended to a Foundation Plus to create a larger territory. At £4,995 (plus VAT), the Insite Opportunity offers a full franchise ‘taster’ experience for a slightly shorter period

What you get:

extensive training and induction programme; vehicle; design registered equipment; workwear; national marketing support; exclusive trading territory

10. ServiceMaster Clean

If you’ve ever wanted to be your own boss, spend extra time with your family or would just like to pick and choose when you work, there are many reasons why ServiceMaster Clean can help you with that journey.

The ServiceMaster Clean Residential model allows for the building of a profitable business-to-consumer business through delivering carpet and upholstery cleaning services to the growing number of homes looking for professional services.

This flexible opportunity is suited to individuals with a passion for providing excellent customer service to the public and the drive and ambition to build a scalable business.

You’ll have the backing of the ServiceMaster franchise team, who provide marketing support, full and ongoing training, dedicated bespoke business software, IT and customer service facilities.

What you need to know:

Investment level:

£5,999 (plus VAT)

What you get:

two-week initial training course; bespoke business software; one to one marketing support; technical support; specialist products; ecommerce platform for customers; localised and national PR