[TomCrowther]

How do you find them without spending a fortune on advertising?

[Tom White]

You could start a post in the window cleaning section of CIU; there's plenty of window cleaners there, some of whom could be new, with more credit than sense, and willing to work on a self-employed basis and give you a cut of their earnings.

[TomCrowther]

Ok, thanks for your constructive reply.

[Tom White]

C'mon then, what are you offering?  How much and what would we get for it?   

[Ian Lancaster]

If you're serious about franchising the cost of advertising is immaterial.  When you sign your first franchisee and take the initial fee, you get your money back

[TomCrowther]

I am serious about it. I have enough work for two guys. I have one chap potentially interested so far.
I enjoy wc but have started a new business that is demanding more and more time. I don't want to sell as it is well priced work and I like the idea of deferred income into my dotage ( like you Ian).
What do you get? Sunshine, customers, system with or without van, training and support. Proven system.

[Tom White]

What do you get? Sunshine, customers, system with or without van, training and support. Proven system.

Depending on what you're charging for the initial fee and ongoing royalties, that may not be much. 

I mean customers and equipment can easily be purchased without the baggage of ongoing royalties.  So that leaves training, support and 'proven system'.

Training for bog standard window cleaning isn't rocket science, most of us here just learnt on the job. 

So that leaves support and 'proven system'.  Can you specify what you mean by that?  I mean for 'support', if I have a window cleaning related question, I just ask here.  I've taken advice on all aspects of window cleaning from this forum and the advice I've been given has been spot on.  And it has the added bonus of not paying ongoing royalties.

I guess the only thing I can't argue with is what you mean by 'proven system'.  Can you clarify and define what you mean by this?  That might be worth the ongoing royalties.

[David Kent @ KentKleen]

Sounds like being a franchisee is not for you Tosh. Fortunately there are plenty of individuals out there that love the idea and in fact join franchised businesses (you already know that I know). My first franchisee has earned in 2013/2014 tax year, very close to twice as much as his previous 40 hour a week minimum wage job and has done this working 4 days a week, mostly 9am till 3pm.  I think he likes franchising.
Security, guaranteed amounts of work and never having to canvass are some of the benefits franchisors 'can' offer new prospects.
Tom, never discount family or friends before you start advertising.

[TomCrowther]

Thanks for the advice David. Funnily enough, my brother is working for me at the moment 

[David Kent @ KentKleen]

Just make sure if he takes on a franchise its all signed and sealed so you both know where you stand. Unless your bigger than him lol.

[Tom White]

Sounds like being a franchisee is not for you Tosh. Fortunately there are plenty of individuals out there that love the idea and in fact join franchised businesses (you already know that I know). My first franchisee has earned in 2013/2014 tax year, very close to twice as much as his previous 40 hour a week minimum wage job and has done this working 4 days a week, mostly 9am till 3pm.  I think he likes franchising.
Security, guaranteed amounts of work and never having to canvass are some of the benefits franchisors 'can' offer new prospects.
Tom, never discount family or friends before you start advertising.

Well, this is the internet and I could make all kinds of claims if I had something to sell.

I'd like to hear from a franchisee.  Are there any here?

[CasaDeCabra]

So Tosh, what would you like to know?

[Tom White]

So Tosh, what would you like to know?

What's the initial fee and ongoing royalities?  And what - if any - are the area limitations (i.e. are there any restrictions on areas you can work?).

Also, what's the advantages over just buying a round, or paying canvassers to canvass your work for you?  Obviously with this, there's no ongoing royalties to pay out each month.

I just can't understand why someone would choose to opt for a window cleaning franchise.  I mean it's not like a McDonalds franchise where you're also purchasing a well-known brand name.

[David Kent @ KentKleen]

Sounds like being a franchisee is not for you Tosh. Fortunately there are plenty of individuals out there that love the idea and in fact join franchised businesses (you already know that I know). My first franchisee has earned in 2013/2014 tax year, very close to twice as much as his previous 40 hour a week minimum wage job and has done this working 4 days a week, mostly 9am till 3pm.  I think he likes franchising.
Security, guaranteed amounts of work and never having to canvass are some of the benefits franchisors 'can' offer new prospects.
Tom, never discount family or friends before you start advertising.

Well, this is the internet and I could make all kinds of claims if I had something to sell.

I'd like to hear from a franchisee.  Are there any here?

I get yearly print outs from all of my guys and they are all happy to share how they are doing with potential new franchisees. We all get together for a monthly breakfast morning, your more than welcome to join us tosh if you would like some of your questions answered.

[8weekly]

So Tosh, what would you like to know?

What's the initial fee and ongoing royalities?  And what - if any - are the area limitations (i.e. are there any restrictions on areas you can work?).

Also, what's the advantages over just buying a round, or paying canvassers to canvass your work for you?  Obviously with this, there's no ongoing royalties to pay out each month.

I just can't understand why someone would choose to opt for a window cleaning franchise.  I mean it's not like a McDonalds franchise where you're also purchasing a well-known brand name.

It's better than a McDonalds franchise in that you can select your own level of income and it is guaranteed.

[dave0123]

I just can't understand why someone would choose to opt for a window cleaning franchise.  I mean it's not like a McDonalds franchise where you're also purchasing a well-known brand name.

Just because macdonalds its a well know name doesn't mean your going to make any money out of it! .. Mcdonalds only franchise out stores that dont do very well.. or don't make enough money for them, There's stores out there that dont make any profit (and yes i do know as i no a macdonalds business manager)