If you are in the market for a new janitorial service you know that there are a lot of options to choose from. In recent years large national franchises have become more prevalent. Before you hire one of these services there are some important factors to consider.
The large national janitorial franchise model-
The pros: national janitorial franchises have efficient systems in place to ensure various cleaning procedures are followed. They are able to service national accounts and have credentials and credibility.
The cons: national franchises have adopted a sub contracting cleaning model. Generally there is a regional master franchise that sells your cleaning contract to a local franchise. This doesn’t sound unethical or unusual, but sometimes it gets fishy. The local franchise owner is usually an owner operator. Sometimes local franchise owners enter a relationship with the master franchiser that is ultimately like an indentured servant. They have the debt of buying the franchise, they have the debt of buying your account and then additional franchise fees on top of that. These owner operators have a hard time making ends meet, the franchise fees take away the profits they need to hire employees so they are stuck in a negative financial feedback loop. This business model is very hierarchical the master franchiser doesn’t have to hire employees he just sub contracts to the local “franchiser” the poor owner operator is then responsible for all the labor and expense.
The franchise model can be a problematic model for you because your cleaner isn’t making any money, he may resort to hiring under the table because he can’t afford to pay for workman’s comp or liability insurance. As a janitorial franchise customer you are under an airtight cleaning contract that locks you in for a year at a time, if you try to break the contract you have to buy your way out. If you complain about poor service ultimately another “franchise” owner operator will be assigned your account. (The poor owner operator that bought your contract from the master franchise doesn’t truly own your contract it can be taken from him at any time.)
Sometimes this model works well, it gives a local owner operator a chance to own his own company and have proven cleaning procedures and national advertising to guide him. If you are considering a national franchise to clean your building be aware of the pros and cons of this business model.
You may benefit by focusing on a large regional independent cleaning company or if you have a small business you may be best served by a small owner operated independent businesses that way you cut out the middle man.