CLEANING DEANS OF THE MIDWEST BLOG
From the Owner's Desk...........
CLEANING DEANS vs CLEANING FRANCHISES
Cleaning franchises may seem to be the way to go when outsourcing cleaning services. They have the name brand, extremely low rates, sales teams, management teams, and teams for teams. All of these may sound like fantastic things but are they really? These cleaning franchises are just that….franchises. They are not in the business of cleaning but instead they are in the business of selling franchises. They offer extremely low rates for one reason and one reason only, to secure business for new franchise owners. Also, their sales teams offer so many things in the cleaning schedule for that low price that may put their franchise owners in unsuccessful situations. Also, by offering accounts that are 20 or 30 miles away, the franchise owner may find it economically impossible to service the account. While it may seem like you are saving money and getting a really good deal, you may be gaining headaches and losing time complaining about the service. Cleaning Deans of the Midwest does not practice any of these tactics.
Selling cleaning franchises is the number one priority for cleaning franchises. Servicing your facility is the number one priority for the Cleaning Deans of the Midwest. These companies are not in the cleaning business to provide cleaning service. They subcontract the service out to “franchise owners” who may not have any idea of how to clean a facility or maintain a business relationship with the customer. Franchise owners invest money into the franchise and in return they are promised initial business. Investments may range from $10,000 to $100,000. Also, the franchisor will get a return on the monthly invoices ranging from 19 to 21% for royalties (usually the bulk of the return), accounting, insurance, marketing and other. This initial business is in the form of monthly invoicing and it can range from $1000.00 to $30,000 per month depending on the amount of the investment. It has to be awarded by a certain period of time which can range from twelve months up to 30 months. Because they have a time frame to award the initial business, they have these sales teams to go out and offer an unsuspecting customer the world.
Cleaning franchise sales teams can usually be described as “shyster or shady salesmen.” They sale you on the name brand, low rates and what they can offer into the service agreement. They claim that the name speaks for itself. Their prices are usually 30 to 50% cheaper than the average company. Franchise owners are placed in situations where failure is inevitable. As we mentioned before, the franchisor will recoup 19 to 21% off the top of the monthly invoicing. So now, the franchise owners are working with an average of 80% of the already low monthly cost to service your facility from the start. Within the 80% are the costs of employees, supplies, and transportation. They usually have to cut corners to offset the costs and that usually starts with service. Sales teams include anything into the cleaning schedule from re-roofing your facility to remodeling the cafeteria. All of these practices can lead to the franchise owner unsuccessfully servicing your facility.
In today’s economy, most businesses are trying to manage costs. These franchise owners are in the same predicament, trying to manage costs. Servicing an account that has a low monthly cost that is 30 miles away is economically impossible in times such as these. Here is an example……….an account at a cost of $240.00 per month with cleanings twice a week that is 30 miles away. The cost to clean your facility is about $28 per clean. That would be there total cost for gas alone on 60 mile roundtrip account. Most franchise owners will begin to cut corners leaving the property manager or owner with headaches and wasted time in complaints.
With the Cleaning Deans of the Midwest, you will not have to worry about any of this. We are in the business of professional commercial cleaning first and foremost. We do not have a sales team. We have a management team and a customer service team. We will not make promises we cannot keep by ballooning the cleaning schedule and deflating the costs. Your facility will not be subcontracted to a franchise owner who may in turn hire another subcontractor but it will be serviced by our employees and the Cleaning Deans of the Midwest are accountable for them. We value our customers and value the service we provide them. We will put ourselves in the right situation to successfully service your account and build a great business relationship. The bottom line, if you want bad service at a low cost then franchises may be for you. But if you want great service at successful rates then Cleaning Deans of the Midwest is the way to go.