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UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: supernova77 on December 08, 2014, 07:04:22 pm

Title: Franchises..?
Post by: supernova77 on December 08, 2014, 07:04:22 pm
Hi All,

Does anyone on here offer franchises but NOT supply any work?

Andy
Title: Re: Franchises..?
Post by: Ian Lancaster on December 09, 2014, 02:03:41 pm
Franchises rarely come with guaranteed work.  The Franchise is for the right to operate the Franchisor's 'tried and proven' system.

McDonalds don't line up customers for their Franchisees

ServiceMaster don't provide lists of people wanting domestic help

Chem Dry don't supply a customer base of people wanting their carpets cleaned

There have been window cleaning Franchises where the Franchisee was expected to market the service and acquire their own customers.  PowaKlene was one, started by a chap called Paul C Smith who spent a fortune on setting it up - had a cartoon character Super Man look-alike as his logo.  I know he set up two Franchises, I had a conversation with the one in Scotland who told me he only ever paid his first royalty invoice then Smith disappeared.

Haven't heard of him since.

There's no real reason why such a system wouldn't work - it works fine in loads of other 'repeat business' situations.

I decided when I devised  mine to include a guarantee of as much work as the Franchisee could manage as my USP (Unique Selling Point).  So far (8 yrs+) it's working ;)
Title: Re: Franchises..?
Post by: supernova77 on December 09, 2014, 05:38:37 pm
Quote
If you don`t give work what are you franchising. Common sense.

Ignorance...

As Ian has said MOST franchises don't offer guaranteed work / customers at all... That's why I wondered if any window cleaners did the same.

Common sense? Says someone who has inputted their home address into the web address field of their profile  ;)
Title: Re: Franchises..?
Post by: Mick Kent on December 09, 2014, 06:00:38 pm
But most franchises that dont give any work are verey well known placesand brands where people will goto or use due to being popular and fully trusted.
If i put an add in the paper looking for a mug to pay 10k without giving any work or a van just to use my name then ill be waiting forever! what or how would someone benefit from paying all that money for nothing in return but a window cleaning name and hoping the public will know the window cleaning company that well to phone them out of all the other 1000's of other window cleaners in the same areas???progress would be verey slow especialy if they didnt know a thing about builing a customer base etc so they would be best saving there 10k and building up there own business.
no window cleaning company is that well known to the regions that subway, mcdonalds, pizza hut etc etc are so it simply wouldnt work.
By companies like ian lancaster or even newbies like vin who offer franchises with them providing the work they are guaranteeing a return which is what its all about.
If i was to buy a mcdonalds franchise id 100percent know ill have customers from day 1 but buying a window cleaning franchise with no work...just sounds like a suicidal mission for whoever buys it.
Title: Re: Franchises..?
Post by: dave0123 on December 09, 2014, 06:03:24 pm
MacDonald's franchise out current "stores" that have already generated a customer base from years of trading. But they don't franchise out the most profitable ones ;)
Title: Re: Franchises..?
Post by: supernova77 on December 09, 2014, 06:03:50 pm
Quote
But most franchises that dont give any work are verey well known placesand brands where people will goto or use due to being popular and fully trusted.
If i put an add in the paper looking for a mug to pay 10k without giving any work or a van just to use my name then ill be waiting forever! what or how would someone benefit from paying all that money for nothing in return but a window cleaning name and hoping the public will know the window cleaning company that well to phone them out of all the other 1000's of other window cleaners in the same areas???progress would be verey slow especialy if they didnt know a thing about builing a customer base etc so they would be best saving there 10k and building up there own business.
no window cleaning company is that well known to the regions that subway, mcdonalds, pizza hut etc etc are so it simply wouldnt work.
By companies like ian lancaster or even newbies like vin who offer franchises with them providing the work they are guaranteeing a return which is what its all about.
If i was to buy a mcdonalds franchise id 100percent know ill have customers from day 1 but buying a window cleaning franchise with no work...just sounds like a suicidal mission for whoever buys it.

Search the Internet... There are quite a few window cleaning companies who offer franchises, but don't offer any work... And they have people buying into them - I have double checked it all.

I was just wondering if anyone on here does the same... Hence the question.
Title: Re: Franchises..?
Post by: dave0123 on December 09, 2014, 06:06:01 pm
Quote
Search the Internet... There are quite a few window cleaning companies who offer franchises, but don't offer any work... And they have people buying into them - I have double checked it all.

I was just wondering if anyone on here does the same... Hence the questio


I think Concept2o or what ever its called is one about 15k or 20k i think   :o :o with no customers lol. Waste of money
Title: Re: Franchises..?
Post by: Mick Kent on December 09, 2014, 06:18:52 pm
I might put an add in the paper then.
Window cleaning Franchisee wanted. No work or van supplied
Oll for only 15k.
With the 15k ill get them a system to put in the van they buy and sign there van with my details on and leave them to it to find enough work to survive on and to make sure they pay me 20 percent of there monthly takings.
Do that a few times a year and ill be onto a good thing.

Sorry if i sound like im taking the p but i realy cant see it working as sounds a total con.
Title: Re: Franchises..?
Post by: dave0123 on December 09, 2014, 06:38:38 pm
Quote
I might put an add in the paper then.
Window cleaning Franchisee wanted. No work or van supplied
Oll for only 15k.
With the 15k ill get them a system to put in the van they buy and sign there van with my details on and leave them to it to find enough work to survive on and to make sure they pay me 20 percent of there monthly takings.
Do that a few times a year and ill be onto a good thing.

Sorry if i sound like im taking the p but i realy cant see it working as sounds a total con.


I agree.. but they are out there! the only franchise i would put my money into one if i wanted one would be Ian Lancasters. There's a fella on here with a concept 2o franchise called isparkle?
Title: Re: Franchises..?
Post by: slap bash on December 09, 2014, 07:10:29 pm
If you don`t give work what are you franchising. Common sense.
If I am so ignorant then why did you ask, if work was supplied in the first place. The pot call calling the kettle
black. I would not buy a franchise that did not supply work as starting a window cleaning business is not rocket science. Probably the easiest one to start.Thats why we so over traded in the first place.Easy and cheap.
Title: Re: Franchises..?
Post by: David Kent @ KentKleen on December 09, 2014, 07:24:56 pm
Successful franchised window cleaning businesses offer a bit more than a van and wfp system.
Along with supplying customers a franchisor will typically offer the following assistance to a franchisee:

Training/operations manual. In order to run your business the franchisor provides a detailed operations manual that includes instructions for carrying out their operating system. It establishes the rules, standards and specifications of the franchise and forces the franchisor to organize and define specific job responsibilities and tasks. The manual contains information about performance and management standards.
Most franchisors offer periodic training and meet up's.
Advertising. Most franchisors initiate advertising efforts. These initiatives can be in the form of direct mail campaigns and public and media relations efforts.
Support. Most franchisors offer ongoing support such administrative (e.g., human resources and accounting) and/or technical support (small spare parts/equipment selection). Many large franchisors have hotlines that franchisees can call for support. Franchisors can advise on employee issues, insurance requirements and other matters relating to the operation of your franchise.
Hope this helps.

Title: Re: Franchises..?
Post by: keen n clean on December 09, 2014, 09:02:46 pm
Hi,
I have just started my first franchisee off and running(2 years in the making !!!) week 4 now and i supplied ALL the customer base,he has already turned over 4.5 k and is one happy chap and i will continue to help his business grow throughout the agreement period and hopefully if he carries on thereafter !!! concept are definitely one company that don't supply a customer base,but the business model they offer is very much similar to how many franchisees work, it's really about how much support the franchise is offering as is the case with many companies out there this i believe is where they fail if the support is not there.

P.S............i'm now progressively looking for my 2nd franchise,if anybody is interested in a very rewarding career and would like to work in one of the prime locations in the u.k, please feel free to get in touch.

Based........SOLIHULL,WEST MIDLANDS..............COMPANY KEEN'N'CLEAN WINDOW CLEANING SERVICES (TRADEMARKED)..........info@keennclean.co.uk 
Title: Re: Franchises..?
Post by: PoleKing on December 09, 2014, 09:08:16 pm
Hi,
I have just started my first franchisee off and running(2 years in the making !!!) week 4 now and i supplied ALL the customer base,he has already turned over 4.5 k and is one happy chap and i will continue to help his business grow throughout the agreement period and hopefully if he carries on thereafter !!! concept are definitely one company that don't supply a customer base,but the business model they offer is very much similar to how many franchisees work, it's really about how much support the franchise is offering as is the case with many companies out there this i believe is where they fail if the support is not there.

P.S............i'm now progressively looking for my 2nd franchise,if anybody is interested in a very rewarding career and would like to work in one of the prime locations in the u.k, please feel free to get in touch.

Based........SOLIHULL,WEST MIDLANDS..............COMPANY KEEN'N'CLEAN WINDOW CLEANING SERVICES (TRADEMARKED)..........info@keennclean.co.uk 

 ;D
Title: Re: Franchises..?
Post by: johnwillan on December 09, 2014, 09:21:51 pm
Hi Andy

I suppose one could say "Ian Lancaster" in so much that he provides a turnkey package of how to franchise a window cleaning business.

I appreciate he sells for a one off fee but could just as easily charge a royalty for the on going support etc. (don't tell him though ha ha!)

The "package" provides the operator with a business model on how to expand a sole window cleaning round, there are a few differences in so much it is sold to window cleaners that wish to expand but they still have to get customers/franchisee's.

As David Kent pointed out there is far more provided by a franchisor that most people imagine and as stated earlier McDonalds only franchise established outlets, they didn't start out like that and in the early days no one new who or what they were.

Franchising can be an excellent business model if done correctly, empowering owner operators to run their business more efficiently than most employed managers, whilst the franchisor provides support rather than dictating as per the conventional business model.

A true case of upside down management.

 
Title: Re: Franchises..?
Post by: hasti on December 09, 2014, 10:01:07 pm
Hi,
I have just started my first franchisee off and running(2 years in the making !!!) week 4 now and i supplied ALL the customer base,he has already turned over 4.5 k and is one happy chap and i will continue to help his business grow throughout the agreement period and hopefully if he carries on thereafter !!! concept are definitely one company that don't supply a customer base,but the business model they offer is very much similar to how many franchisees work, it's really about how much support the franchise is offering as is the case with many companies out there this i believe is where they fail if the support is not there.

P.S............i'm now progressively looking for my 2nd franchise,if anybody is interested in a very rewarding career and would like to work in one of the prime locations in the u.k, please feel free to get in touch.

Based........SOLIHULL,WEST MIDLANDS..............COMPANY KEEN'N'CLEAN WINDOW CLEANING SERVICES (TRADEMARKED)..........info@keennclean.co.uk 

 ;D

Whats so funny  ???
Title: Re: Franchises..?
Post by: gary999 on December 09, 2014, 10:04:46 pm
Hi,
I have just started my first franchisee off and running(2 years in the making !!!) week 4 now and i supplied ALL the customer base,he has already turned over 4.5 k and is one happy chap and i will continue to help his business grow throughout the agreement period and hopefully if he carries on thereafter !!! concept are definitely one company that don't supply a customer base,but the business model they offer is very much similar to how many franchisees work, it's really about how much support the franchise is offering as is the case with many companies out there this i believe is where they fail if the support is not there.

P.S............i'm now progressively looking for my 2nd franchise,if anybody is interested in a very rewarding career and would like to work in one of the prime locations in the u.k, please feel free to get in touch.

Based........SOLIHULL,WEST MIDLANDS..............COMPANY KEEN'N'CLEAN WINDOW CLEANING SERVICES (TRADEMARKED)..........info@keennclean.co.uk 

 ;D

Lot of money in Solihull mate :) they are a bit like Londoners and think they
are a bit special ::)roll
Title: Re: Franchises..?
Post by: PoleKing on December 09, 2014, 10:08:46 pm
Hi,
I have just started my first franchisee off and running(2 years in the making !!!) week 4 now and i supplied ALL the customer base,he has already turned over 4.5 k and is one happy chap and i will continue to help his business grow throughout the agreement period and hopefully if he carries on thereafter !!! concept are definitely one company that don't supply a customer base,but the business model they offer is very much similar to how many franchisees work, it's really about how much support the franchise is offering as is the case with many companies out there this i believe is where they fail if the support is not there.

P.S............i'm now progressively looking for my 2nd franchise,if anybody is interested in a very rewarding career and would like to work in one of the prime locations in the u.k, please feel free to get in touch.

Based........SOLIHULL,WEST MIDLANDS..............COMPANY KEEN'N'CLEAN WINDOW CLEANING SERVICES (TRADEMARKED)..........info@keennclean.co.uk 

 ;D

Lot of money in Solihull mate :) they are a bit like Londoners and think they
are a bit special ::)roll

I'd imagine there is.
There's pockets of money all over England now from what I can glean.
I've been to Solihull. Didn't like it.
I know it's your manor Gaz but Brum is my least favourite place in all the world.
You may say Brum isn't Solihull but unless you're from there-it is.
It's like me trying to tell someone I'm not an Essex boy. To everyone but a local, I'm an Essex boy.
Title: Re: Franchises..?
Post by: hasti on December 10, 2014, 10:16:19 pm
Hi Ian
How does FISH franchisee works in U.S.A. ?
They seem to be very successful and have hundreds of franchisees all over the u.s.
Title: Re: Franchises..?
Post by: duncan h on December 10, 2014, 10:26:59 pm
But most franchises that dont give any work are verey well known placesand brands where people will goto or use due to being popular and fully trusted.
If i put an add in the paper looking for a mug to pay 10k without giving any work or a van just to use my name then ill be waiting forever! what or how would someone benefit from paying all that money for nothing in return but a window cleaning name and hoping the public will know the window cleaning company that well to phone them out of all the other 1000's of other window cleaners in the same areas???progress would be verey slow especialy if they didnt know a thing about builing a customer base etc so they would be best saving there 10k and building up there own business.
no window cleaning company is that well known to the regions that subway, mcdonalds, pizza hut etc etc are so it simply wouldnt work.
By companies like ian lancaster or even newbies like vin who offer franchises with them providing the work they are guaranteeing a return which is what its all about.
If i was to buy a mcdonalds franchise id 100percent know ill have customers from day 1 but buying a window cleaning franchise with no work...just sounds like a suicidal mission for whoever buys it.

""But most franchises that dont give any work are verey well known places and brands where people will goto or use due to being popular and fully trusted"
EXACTLY
Title: Re: Franchises..?
Post by: WCS Limited on December 11, 2014, 12:08:11 pm
Hi Andy

I suppose one could say "Ian Lancaster" in so much that he provides a turnkey package of how to franchise a window cleaning business.

I appreciate he sells for a one off fee but could just as easily charge a royalty for the on going support etc. (don't tell him though ha ha!)

The "package" provides the operator with a business model on how to expand a sole window cleaning round, there are a few differences in so much it is sold to window cleaners that wish to expand but they still have to get customers/franchisee's.

As David Kent pointed out there is far more provided by a franchisor that most people imagine and as stated earlier McDonalds only franchise established outlets, they didn't start out like that and in the early days no one new who or what they were.

Franchising can be an excellent business model if done correctly, empowering owner operators to run their business more efficiently than most employed managers, whilst the franchisor provides support rather than dictating as per the conventional business model.

A true case of upside down management.

 

Hey John, bought the 650 upright tank earlier this yeah (Scott), could really do with sitting down and discussing moving my business to a franchise direction (seller) rather than expanding further.

That's if you wouldn't mind giving me some advise ;)
Title: Re: Franchises..?
Post by: keen n clean on December 14, 2014, 05:48:47 pm
Hi...............couple of responses here gents !!!!    Ian lancaster does offer a customer base and from what i've seen of his business model it's top draw and i can't fault him !!!!

Indeed solihull is one of the top places to work in the country infact solihull was voted such in 2013 (quality life index) but that is only part of the story IMO, if you stick to a business plan offer a better /more quality service than is already available out there and BACK it up with conviction and truth you will succeed,but that only works with ongoing work and drive !!!!    IN MY OPINION 

ANDY