Market Focus I
n Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women, the cook Hannah remarks that “Housekeeping ain’t no joke.” With aniestimated turnover of £4.7billion recorded in 2011 – the midst of the economic downturn – and a further 52 per cent growth in annual turnover forecasted for 2015, the cleaning industry, it would appear, is something Hannah was right to take seriously. Teresa Andrews, the force behind domestic cleaning franchise Tip-Top, understands how the cleaning sector packs its punch in the business stakes. She started the company from her kitchen table with a modest budget of £200 in 2006, and now has over 140 clients spread across Oxfordshire and Warwickshire. She employs 14 part-time staff, and hopes to take on franchisees to cope with increasing demand. Teresa puts the success of her business – and the cleaning sector in general – down to the demands of busy modern life, as many people juggle full-time careers with domestic responsibilities. Drawing on research by Direct Line, she points out that 38 per cent of homes depend on outside help, and that over two million homeowners hire cleaners.
“The latest industry research shows that more women are working outside of the home and have less time to devote to household chores,” she explains. “Family priorities have changed, putting a greater emphasis on leisure and family enjoyment over domestic chores such as cleaning. In addition, there’s a greater social acceptance of having someone else clean your home. An increase in the number of retired people, who would rather spend their time on more pleasurable pursuits, is also fuelling demand.”
Domestic franchises aren’t the only opportunities available in the cleaning sector, nor do all cleaning franchises require you to get busy with a mop and bucket. Commercial cleaning franchises are just as successful as housekeeping businesses like Tip-Top, and some are management rather than hands-on franchises. Many franchisees should expect to employ others to do the cleaning work, and be more familiar with sums than suds. With a cleaning franchise to suit any skill set or interests, variety is one of the main attractions for franchisees. Five share their experiences.
Minster
Steve Pullen, 55, is a Minster Cleaning Services franchisee for Glasgow South. He is married with two grown-up children: Tony, who is 34 and is in the RAF, and Claire, 32, who joined the Minster branch straight from school – she is now office manager.
What did you do before you joined the franchise?
I spent 24 years in the Royal Navy before working in catering management on Trident submarines.
What was your route into franchising? Leaving the navy, I wanted to work for myself but I didn’t want a career in catering so looked at other types of business where I could make use of my people-management skills. Franchising seemed to offer me the best chance of success and all the support that I would need for the transition from the forces to civilian life. I looked at a few management franchises, and commercial cleaning had the definite advantage of being an essential business service that isn’t too greatly affected by the economic climate. After visiting and speaking to a number of Minster franchisees, I bought the Glasgow South territory in 1998.
What training did you receive from the franchisor? I received training at Minster’s head office in Birmingham as well as on-the-job training to familiarise me with Minster’s systems, such as bookkeeping, training and marketing. I also received a great deal of help from Gordon Sandilands,
September 2013 |
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