What you need to know about janitorial franchising

Deciding to buy a franchise is a difficult decision, but what about deciding the kind of franchise? What industry best fits you to start your franchise journey? While we can’t speak for every industry, we’ve got insight into the janitorial industry to offer. 

Ask yourself these questions. What’s your financial status? What kind of commitment do you want to make? Does the industry you’re considering interest you?

Where to begin

First, let’s talk financials. The costs associated with buying a janitorial franchise typically range from $5,000-$50,000 but can be more or less. An initial franchise fee is required, with Summit Building Services is $12,000 per territory. You’ll also need to consider the additional funds you may want to invest and additional fees that may be required. Royalty fees, marketing fees, and billing fees are common examples. Choosing a franchise system that meets your financial needs and goals is crucial.

Now, how much are you willing to put into being successful? No franchise system guarantees success. You’ll have the support and structure to help you start your own business, and you’ll have to bring the hard work and dedication to the table. Summit Building Services has a robust system but requires our owners to be dedicated, which means no passive ownership. The janitorial industry needs hands-on work; you must be willing to do it. Being your own boss means doing it all. You must factor the commitment into your choice, from cleaning toilets to recruitment.

However, this is also where careful consideration for choosing a franchise comes in. Some franchise systems come with optional assistance for your recruiting, sales, and billing assistance, which would help you with the operations required of your franchise. Evaluate the training program offered and make sure it's robust and all-encompassing. Summit offers extended support and a training system to give you the tools you need in every area.

Advantages of the Janitorial Industry

Recession Resilient Industry - Cleaning is an essential business, and you can tap into a diverse client base. A recurring cash flow model and the ability to maintain stability during economic cycles like the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 years have shown the industry’s resilience. 

Flexible work schedules - One of the biggest pros of the cleaning industry is that you can pick the type of work schedule anytime during the evenings. Many buildings can be cleaned anytime after 5:00 PM, so there's a lot of flexibility around there, and the business model also allows you to pick the days you'd like to service, within reason.

Low Barrier to Entry - The industry has a low barrier to entry, which opens the door for most people. You don’t need to lease office space immediately, as a home office is sufficient until a certain growth point. As long as you or your employees have a reliable mode of transportation, you can service buildings.

Relationship-Based Industry - Finally, the Janitorial Services Industry is relationship-based. This means that the types of relationships that you build with your clients matter in the long term. To be profitable and successful in this industry, you need to be able to maintain your relationships with your clients.

Disadvantages of the Janitorial Industry

High Turnover Rate - This is an extremely common issue in the janitorial industry. Summit has found that skilled recruiting and incentivizing employee retention can offset the turnover rate. Maintaining good employee relationships from day one can increase retention.

Competitive and Well-Developed Industry - A well-developed and constantly growing industry is beneficial and disadvantageous. Growth opportunities are endless, but it creates a highly competitive market. 

Summit Building Services chose to start offering our franchise system as a way to help others own their own businesses. We’ve created systems and processes that have helped us become leaders, and we’re excited to help you overcome hurdles and climb the mountain of growth.