Dublecheck franchisees can clean up

When you follow the Dublcheck system, the financial rewards and work/life balance are there to be enjoyed

Founded in 1993, Dublcheck is not only one of the UK’s fastest growing companies, but has also seen a substantial increase in turnover through the economic downturn. Why? Because offices, shops and businesses will always need cleaning - whatever the financial climate.

Larry had always wanted to run his own business, but a successful career as a finance director for another substantial cleaning company meant the motivation to take that risk just wasn’t there. But when he was made redundant in 2009 aged 50, he saw the perfect opportunity to live out his dreams.

Past experience
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Larry explains: “I thought, I can just get another job, or go for it. But because I still had a young family to look after, I decided to look into franchising rather than go it alone.”

Larry spent a year researching the franchise industry on the internet and attending franchise exhibitions before choosing to opt for a Dublcheck franchise. “I had past experience in the cleaning industry, so it was an area I understood,” he says. “I also liked the fact that Dublcheck obtains the business for me, so I knew exactly what turnover I would get.”

Dublcheck’s business model appeals to franchisees because it doesn’t involve any selling - unless that is what the franchisee wants to do. Dublcheck guarantees a pre-agreed annual turnover through its own sales team, leaving management of the franchise up to the franchisee.

Franchisees can opt for a minimum turnover of £14,000 per annum if aiming to run the business hands-on and start small, or can purchase up to £500,000 per annum if the aim is to run a management business.

Larry invested part of his redundancy money and borrowed from NatWest to finance the rest. “It was very easy to raise the money, Dublcheck are so well respected,” says Larry.

Once Larry had been accepted, Dublcheck provided Larry with a week’s comprehensive training at head office that covered all aspects of the business, from operation systems and customer service, to practical cleaning demonstrations and products - then he was set to go.

“To start off, it was scary, particularly going from regular employment,” admits Larry. “The phone didn’t ring for a week, then when it did it was like Christmas - and from then on the work flooded in. But at no time did I ever feel on my own - the ongoing support from Dublcheck has been brilliant.”

Fruitful
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At 40 per cent growth, Larry found his first year of business fruitful enough, but things really took off when he opted for a second franchise just a year into his business. “Dublcheck provides mentors to help you through,” explains Larry. “My mentor decided to put his Dublcheck franchise up for sale and I went for it. It had been established for about five years so it already had a strong customer base and a team of experienced staff. It was just up to me to impose my personality.

“Taking on the extra responsibility paid off. With the second franchise I had turnover from day one and I didn’t have to work to develop new business, so not only was it a money spinner, it was also a completely different experience to my first franchise. The Dublcheck team were incredibly professional and efficient, so the business handover went really smoothly.”

Since taking on the Dublcheck franchise two and half years ago, business has been very steady. Says Larry: “In 2011 I took my turnover up to £250,000 and I’ve achieved 10 per cent growth year on year, even through this so-called recession.”

If Larry has any regrets, it’s only that he didn’t get into franchising earlier. “The highs and lows are greater than a staff job, and that makes it exciting,” he says. “I like the fact I can influence my living standards by the amount of work I put in. That just didn’t happen in paid employment.”

“Cleaning is a massive industry to be in and when you follow the Dublcheck system, the financial rewards and work/ life balance are there to be enjoyed,” says Carol Stewart-Gill, founder and chairman of Dublcheck.

ON THE RIGHT TRACK
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When Fatma Zaifoglu, 45, was looking for a franchise, she was drawn repeatedly back to the Dublcheck franchise.

“It was the people,” she says. “They were so friendly and helpful. I went to lots of franchise fairs and visited lots of different stands, but Dublcheck just stood out. I also liked that they guarantee to get the contracts for you, so I knew I wouldn’t lose my investment.”

For 19 years Dublcheck has been setting people up in their own commercial cleaning businesses, providing cleaning services for offices, showrooms and health and leisure facilities around the UK. “I was also impressed by the fact they’d been around for a while,” continues Fatma. “I thought: ‘They’re clearly doing something right’.”

Fatma is no stranger to being selfemployed; in fact, business is in her blood. Her family has always run catering enterprises, and though she started out as an insurance broker, she worked mainly for small and medium-sized enterprises before launching her own polythene manufacturing business with her now ex-husband.

“It took three years for the divorce to come through and in that time I couldn’t do anything because all my finance was tied up in the previous business and some properties we owned together,” says Fatma. “It was really frustrating. But once the money came through, I could finally get back to work.”

Once Fatma had decided to invest in Dublcheck, she went for a few meetings with the commercial manager, before taking on her franchise in August last year. After a week’s comprehensive training at head office, which covered all aspects of the business - from operation systems and customer service, to practical training and finance - she was ready to go.

She started out with an initial 14 contracts. “Then a Dublcheck franchisee decided to emigrate to Australia and I was offered another 22 contracts almost straight away - and I went for it,” says Fatma. “It was extremely hard work, but it paid off. I’ve turned over £84,000 this year - I never thought I’d do so well.”

For the first few months Fatma did some of the cleaning herself, doing it during the day to fit around her two daughters’ school hours - she found the flexibility great. But she now uses her time to manage the contracts and team of 18 permanent and five temporary cleaners. “It was hard to start off with to find all the really good cleaners I needed, but I’ve done that now, so I’m sorted,” says Fatma.

Once a month she visits her customers to make sure they’re happy with everything: “I’ve got a good mix of both male and female cleaners. I’ve got a husband and wife cleaning team who are brilliant.”

Fatma trains all her cleaners to Dublcheck standards to ensure she gets the best results. “Not all cleaning franchises insist on that, which I find a bit odd,” she says.

For Fatma, the best part of running her franchise is being her own boss: “I don’t have to answer to anyone, but if I do have any problems or need to ask any questions, I can give Dublcheck a call. I had a mentor for the first 12 months and she’s been brilliant. I can ask her anything - I never feel any problem is too small.”

Fatma aims to expand her business in the future, but for the moment is taking one day at a time. “I’m doing this for my girls,” she says. “So whatever happens has to work well for them. It’s already easier now they’re a bit older, so we’ll see what happens - but everything’s turned out brilliantly.”

BENEFITS OF DUBLCHECK ARE:
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* 19 years’ experience of setting people up in business.

* Low-cost entry.

* Invoicing and cash collection.

* Recession proof utility business.

* Rapid return on investment.

* Low overhead requirement.

* Feeling part of a team.

* Training and ongoing support from head office.

* A mentor franchise to guide and assist.

SUMMARY
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### Summary ###

### Number of franchisees ### :

over 100.

### Franchise fee ### :

£9,950-£190,950.

### Franchisee profile ### :

committed people-to-people individuals, from all backgrounds, who, combined with Dublcheck’s guaranteed turnover, can deliver a service second to none in their chosen territory, either hands-on or fully managed and supported by the Dublcheck brand.