Cleaning Business Franchise Or Independent Startup?

When making the move into the cleaning business, one important decision that you have to make is whether to invest in a franchise or to open your own independent business. Let's take a look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of cleaning business franchises.
On the whole, franchising is not strong in the cleaning industry. On average, in the US, only one cleaning business out of ten is part of a franchise.
As a franchisee it is possible to increase your chances of success by investing in a proven system that offers you support and guidance. Going the franchise route offers no guarantee of success though. Franchises fail all the time although they do offer a slightly higher chance of success overall.
Franchisees can enter the business with no experience and get a full startup kit, systems, training and assistance getting started with customers. Independent operators have to work harder in the early days to 'learn the ropes'.
Another potentially great aspect of a franchise is that it comes with a brand that customers will already be familiar with. If the brand is respected in the market, business owners get instant credibility and can win customers by name recognition alone. Franchisees won't have to spend years building up a reputation like independent operators.
While a franchise can be useful in the early stages of a businesses life, many business owners later regret the decision and find that it limits their growth and limits their earning potential.
One downside with franchising is the high costs involved. When you start a business you need to preserve your capital for your living costs and for the future expansion of your business. However, investing in a franchise can leave you out of pocket almost immediately with the sign-up fees and ongoing fees that are involved. Your franchiser will also almost certainly make you agree to other conditions such as buying cleaning products and equipment from them or their affiliates.
Some business owners complain that their franchise agreement is too restrictive and they feel that it limits them from taking their business in the direction that they want. Another common complaint about franchises is that in trying to expand too aggressively they make the business environment too competitive for franchisees by allowing too many branches to open within one area.
Give some serious thought to if you want to go with a franchise solution before you start your cleaning business. A cleaning business can be quite simple to set up and run, and in most cases the independent route is more satisfying and profitable.