Start a Cleaning Business

A Cleaning Franchise: Is It a Good Idea?

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While some people become entrepreneurs by inventing products or creating services, that’s not always necessary. Starting a janitorial franchise allows business owners to set their own hours and gain a good work-life balance.

At Corvus Janitorial Systems, we offer franchisees a turnkey business model and advanced training that gives them the tools and skills to grow their own businesses. They bring plenty to the table, though—passion, dedication, and commitment, to name a few qualities. Here, we’ll discuss a few benefits of commercial cleaning franchise ownership.

Improving Clients’ Quality of Life

Over the past several years, businesses all over the country have adjusted their daily operations in response to the pandemic. Many companies implemented social distancing and work-from-home protocols, among others.

Schools, businesses, and factories are now looking for commercial cleaning services as they reopen and navigate ‘the new normal’. Sanitary facilities are essential to the health and safety of employees, visitors, and customers, and cleaning services are considered essential. Contact us to learn more about our janitorial franchise opportunities.

A Proven Business Model

Most people know that, when they buy a franchise, part of the investment goes toward fees. Franchise fees grant buyers the right to use the brand’s business model and name, and they partially offset the costs of training and ongoing support.

Building a janitorial business from the ground up takes sacrifice and hard work, but we’ve done all that for you. Don’t spend years learning by trial and error—purchase a Corvus franchise and start off on a firm footing.

Brand Recognition

Another major benefit of franchise ownership is working under a recognized brand name. While it often takes years for cleaning services to build a loyal clientele, Corvus franchisees start out with these benefits. In return for the franchise fee, you’ll gain access to a brand that’s been in the commercial cleaning business for almost 20 years. Why spend time and money building a reputation when we’ve done it for you?

Greater Control

Many become disillusioned with the corporate world because they can’t control their own destiny. We’ve all been there, working jobs that we’ve committed years of our lives to, only to never receive any appreciation for work well done. That’s the unfortunate reality for some, but it doesn’t have to be.

At Corvus Janitorial Systems, we give aspiring entrepreneurs the ability to step away from the corporate rat race and work toward the future they want. Opening a cleaning franchise means that you are in charge. You’ll make important decisions, lead a team, and shape your own destiny. Contact us today to learn more.

A Low Initial Investment

All franchises come with royalties and fees, but there’s no need to overpay. Corvus offers multiple franchising options with competitive startup costs, along with well-crafted business strategies. It doesn’t take much money or equipment to get started, so get in touch with us today.

Compared to some of the area’s other businesses, our cleaning franchises are a time- and cost-efficient option that allows an owner to allocate their resources effectively. When you’re ready to make the commitment, contact us and we’ll provide the information needed to make an informed decision.

Ongoing Support

Business ownership is often portrayed as a path to independence, but it also means working with almost no support. Upon becoming a Corvus Janitorial Systems franchisee, you’ll have access to a team of partners who can provide expert guidance and answer important questions. When business owners work with us, they’re never alone! We’re invested in all our franchisees, and we love nothing more than watching them grow and thrive.

Training That Builds a Solid Foundation

Starting in the commercial cleaning industry can be tough, especially for those with little experience. Corvus provides every franchisee with advanced training that leaves them prepared to run a successful janitorial franchise. From choosing team members and keeping the books to finding the right clients, we will show you how to build a successful business from the ground up. We’re pledged to your success!

Bulk Buying Opportunities

Along with the other benefits of franchise ownership, you’ll also get access to bulk discounts on equipment, tools, cleaning products, and supplies. Don’t pay full price for the stuff you need to do the job—work with us and we’ll help you take advantage of long-term savings.

Direct Benefits

Those who are emotionally and financially invested in their businesses are more likely to succeed. Instead of sitting and watching others make money, you’ll be the one benefiting. And, by investing in our proven system, you’ll invest in a service that’s already in demand.

If you’re running another business and have exceeded the expected margin, a janitorial franchise makes an excellent secondary revenue stream.

A Nearly Constant Demand

Regardless of a commercial building’s size, it will always need cleaning and general upkeep. There’s always work to be done in hospitals, schools, warehouses, gyms, and coworking spaces, and the market is expanding every day. According to information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for commercial janitorial services is expected to increase by over 10% within the next four years. If you’re looking for a business opportunity that meets a need within the community, consider a Corvus Janitorial Systems franchise.

Getting Through Economic Downturns

An investment in one of our franchises comes with numerous benefits. We offer a relatively low-cost business opportunity, simply because there are no site requirements. While some franchises require new owners to rent storefronts that meet strict guidelines, and then achieve certain sales goals, we do things differently.

Corvus Janitorial Systems is a service-oriented franchise, which means we meet an existing demand. Our business model is recession-resistant because the importance of health, cleanliness, and sanitation will never diminish. And, because jobs are done on site, there’s no overhead associated with storefront rent and management.

Building a Loyal Customer Base

Though one-off cleaning services are a common choice among building owners who want to vet a cleaner before committing to a long-term contract, repeat customers will likely be your primary revenue source. Buildings get dirty quickly, even when they’re well maintained, and owners will always need help taking care of things. By building a loyal customer base and earning their trust, you’ll be in it for the long haul.

Balancing Work and Home Life

A primary reason for the popularity of commercial cleaning franchises like ours is that they allow owners to strike a balance between their work and home lives. The average person spends roughly one-quarter of their life working, which is a lot of time spent away from the people and things that matter most.

Because they don’t have to clock in and out, our franchisees get the chance to enjoy a calmer, steadier lifestyle. When you open a business with Corvus, it’s a significant time commitment—but we offer the flexibility owners need to set their own priorities.

A Secure Financial Future

Owning a business, whether it’s cleaning-focused or in another sector, means that short-term successes have an immediate effect. The long-term advantages, however, may be better. Entrepreneurship requires an investment in the local community, and you’ll get just that with a Corvus franchise.

You’ll get assistance and guidance from one of the area’s most recognized janitorial brands, but the business, reputation, and success will all be yours. With hard work, focus, and dedication, your cleaning business can be turned into a retirement plan or an asset to be passed down to future generations.

What Our Franchise Opportunity is All About

At Corvus Janitorial Systems, our clients trust us to make their commercial facilities healthier, cleaner, and safer. Our team is committed to providing quality services customers can count on. As a local cleaning franchisee, you’ll get all the product training and support needed to get started. With continued support from us, you’ll meet clients’ needs and achieve results that improve their—and your—bottom line.

Our commercial cleaning franchise is one of the top business opportunities available to aspiring business owners, and we’ve developed a local reputation for our commitment to customer satisfaction and our attention to detail. If you’re considering entrepreneurship as a path to personal fulfillment and financial freedom, we hope you’ll think of us first. All that’s needed is a focus on cleanliness, an aptitude for learning, and a healthy dose of ambition.

Contact Us Today to Learn Just How Easy Owning a Cleaning Business Can Be

Are you ready to assume control of your financial future? We can help. Whether you’ve been a business owner for years, or you’re finally getting out of the corporate world, we’ll provide all the tools, tips, and advice needed to get started. All you’ll need to do is show up!

With numerous reasons to become a cleaning franchise owner, you will likely wonder why you didn’t start sooner. Find the opportunity you’ve been searching for at Corvus Janitorial Systems. Request additional information via our online form, chat with us, or call to find out more about the benefits of Corvus franchise ownership.

4 Habits That Will Make You a Successful Corvus Janitorial Franchisee

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More than 1.7 million people currently work in the commercial cleaning industry, which is forecast to grow 6% annually due to increased demand. Employers understand a clean, healthy work environment is good for employees’ mental and physical health. There has also been an increased emphasis on professional cleaning methods capable of destroying viruses that cause diseases like the flu or Covid-19.

The growing need for cleaning professionals makes this an ideal time to start a janitorial franchise. While the industry provides an excellent opportunity to begin and grow a profitable business, it is essential that franchisees develop essential habits common to all successful business owners.

1. Bring Passion to Your Work

Mark Twain once said, “Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” If you like the idea of doing the work involved in owning a janitorial franchise, you are far more likely to succeed. 

Love the Job and Thrive

Per U.S. News and World Report, doing what you love is energizing, which creates a positive circle that feeds on itself. Work gives you energy, so you have more energy to put into your business. There’s no need to dig deep to find energy each day, and you don’t leave work tired and mentally drained.

Keep a Positive Attitude

Any business will have ups and downs even when you like what you do. Successful entrepreneurs ride out tough times with a positive mental attitude. They view challenges as opportunities and are always ready to roll up their sleeves and begin a new task.

Clean Like It’s Your Home

It’s essential to be personally invested in every job you take. No matter what type of space you are working on, approach it as if you are cleaning your home.

Set and Track Goals

Choose a franchise opportunity with a positive goal in mind and then continually set and alter goals as required. Goal setting ensures your business goes in your intended direction and allows you to track progress. It’s crucial to continually review plans to meet the changing needs of clients and the market.

2. Hire and Retain the Best Employees 

A company’s staff is one of its most valuable assets. Employees impact customer relationships and determine your level of success.

Hire the Best and Provide Ongoing Training

Strike a balance between competency and company culture. Take the time and effort to hire people who best fit the franchise. Avoid hiring a competent worker who doesn’t mesh with your franchise’s values and philosophy.

Create a Positive Work Culture 

Employees who like going to work perform better, according to workforce publication Slack. Creating a positive culture is vital and doable. 

For example, avoid playing favorites and don’t micromanage. Treat everyone with respect. Check in regularly with workers. Ensure an open information flow, keeping in mind that it’s better to communicate too much than too little. Encourage collaboration and respect among employees.

Consider working with employees to create the schedule and keep them in the loop regarding promotions and other changes. Encourage staff members to tell you what is working and what is not. Try to make their jobs more interesting by rotating workers from routine tasks to more challenging projects.

Reward Achievement

Because employees are critical to your success, it’s critical that you find ways to make them want to do their best. Ensure workers are well-trained for their roles and have opportunities to learn more. Give bonuses and incentives for top performance and provide perks like allowing the staff to use company equipment in their homes.

3. Keep Up with the Industry

Per Entrepreneur, successful business owners continue to learn and ensure workers have a chance to increase their knowledge.

Advancing technology impacts the equipment you need. It affects safety issues surrounding chemicals used in cleaning. There are always plenty of opportunities to learn new management and organizational skills. Arranging for employee training classes tells workers they matter and ensures they have the skills they need as the industry changes. 

Take the time to read industry publications and attend meetings and conventions. Join and get involved in trade organizations and ask suppliers to keep you updated.

4. Provide High-Quality Customer Service

Successful franchise owners know how to keep customers happy. That means offering the best service, nurturing relationships, and listening to clients’ opinions.

Use Green Products

While cleaning properly is crucial, it’s also vital to ensure it’s done using safe cleaning products and processes. Studies show that 46% of customers prefer cleaning companies that offer environmentally friendly products. A green initiative appeals to consumers’ increasingly eco-conscious awareness and helps ensure your employees stay healthy while working.

Build Customer Relationships

According to research, after just one negative experience, more than half (61%) of customers say they would move to a competitor, with this number rising to 76% in the case of multiple negative experiences. Successful business owners strive to retain current customers and do what it takes to keep them happy. Finding new clients is far more expensive than saving them, and existing customers spend more on your services.

Keep customers happy by providing exceptional service. It’s great to finish on time but ensure that workers never rush to the point they get careless. Customers typically understand that accidents happen, but it’s best not to depend on that. The cost of lost goodwill on top of paying for damages can get prohibitive.

Implement a Customer Feedback Program

Customer feedback is vital to keep a franchise growing. Feedback will help you guide the business in decision-making. It will influence changes in products and services 

Successful franchisees get feedback from sources such as their website, emails, and surveys. You need feedback to provide necessary insights that let you know where or how to improve. It’s an essential part of good customer service, which leaves a positive impression and encourages clients to return.

It’s crucial to respond to customer comments. Responding to every comment builds a strong customer relationship and clients know you care about their experiences with your business. Quick responses to reviews also help your business reputation and boost SEO.

Starting a Corvus Janitorial Systems franchise provides an excellent framework to implement these four habits for success. If you are ready to start a successful janitorial franchise, contact us today.

5 Signs You’re Ready to Purchase a Commercial Cleaning Franchise

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You’ve been dreaming about purchasing a commercial cleaning franchise, and you think it might be time. What could be better than setting your own hours, being your own boss, and (most importantly) doing what you’re passionate about? These thoughts compel you. But just before you make the move, doubt creeps in, and you pause.

Are you really ready?

Taking the plunge into entrepreneurship is a big one, so it’s understandable to be nervous and even second-guess yourself.
If you’ve been thinking about owning your own commercial cleaning franchise, but you aren’t quite sure you’re ready to take the big first step, check out these 5 indicators. Cast the doubt aside and take a look. You may already be there!

1. You’re Excited

Yes, you have your doubts and healthy quotient of worry. Purchasing a franchise isn’t something anyone should spontaneously jump into. Doubts can be crippling, but if your excitement shines through the fog of fear and anxiety, it’s a sign you may be ready.

The doubt that comes creeping into your brain proves you’re thinking clearly and weighing the pros and cons. You aren’t about to jump into something feet first, which is a good sign. That means you’re excited, but you’re also thinking about the situation logically.

On the flip side, your excitement reveals your passion for the venture. This passion is what will fuel your future success. You’re likely ready when you have a healthy balance of both.

2. You’ve Done Your Homework

There’s a lot to owning a commercial cleaning franchise. Not only do you need to understand the cleaning industry, but you also need to research various franchising companies in your area. Once you’ve explored your options, reviewed the Franchise Disclosure Agreement, and feel good about it, don’t overthink it! You’re ready.

3. You’re Financially Equipped

Your financial status is one of the biggest (and most obvious) factors in your overall readiness to purchase a commercial cleaning franchise.

Purchasing a commercial cleaning franchise is a big investment. It involves putting a lump sum of money down initially and getting it back over time, and then some.

If your finances and credit are in good shape and you can make the initial investment comfortably, then it may be time to move forward.

4. You Understand the Risks Involved

Any business, franchise or not, comes with an element of risk. It’s the potential rewards that make it all worth it. A 2019 study by the Journal of Economics & Management Strategy shows that franchises boast an 8% higher two-year success rate than independent businesses, making them a safer alternative, though still not risk-free.

If you’ve done your research, fully understand the risks, and feel prepared to take them on, that’s another sign you may be ready to purchase your own commercial cleaning franchise.

5. You Have Support

Even if you’re the only one who signs the dotted line, your family and friends become a part of this journey as they offer their advice, love, and support. Even if they aren’t part of the financial decision-making process, they’re the ones who will be your sounding board and the ones who will celebrate your success with you.

If your loved ones support you, you’re more ready than you knew. With the support of those who love you most, there’s not much you can’t do.

Make the Dream Come True with Corvus Janitorial Systems

If you’re ready to take that life-changing step to own a commercial cleaning franchise, Corvus Janitorial Systems is prepared to help make it happen. We’ve helped thousands of other aspiring business owners achieve the same goal.

Corvus makes the process easy with financial and technical support to assist you along the way. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help bring your dream to life.

Franchisee Spotlight – Domonique Spears, Corvus of Nashville

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This month’s Franchisee Spotlight goes to Corvus of Nashville Franchise Owner, Mr. Domonique Spears. The Corvus brand entered the state of Tennessee less than one year ago, and Mr. Spears’ influence on the up-and-coming market has not gone unnoticed.

To keep up with the Franchisee Spotlight Series and all things Corvus, follow us on Instagram! @corvus_janitorial_franchising

Mr. Spears’ cleaning experience goes back to helping his older brother clean the school where he worked. Then, just shortly after graduating high school, Mr. Spears got a job at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where he went on to work for five years. In a recent interview with Corvus of Nashville’s Regional Director, Mr. Jonathan Frias, they discuss how this experience primed him to clean at a high level and provide top-notch customer service.

Since the start of his Corvus Franchise, Mr. Spears’ strategy has been to clean Nashville’s smaller accounts. And according to Mr. Frias, this approach has worked out very well. “He listens to the advice we have given him. Dominique is always willing to learn and get better,” he says.

Mr. Spears works another job in addition to his Corvus Franchise, making it challenging to meet up for last-minute changes that arise. But even though his work schedule is demanding, he still manages to make it work. For example, Mr. Spears was more than willing to meet up with Mr. Frias on a Sunday for an initial walkthrough of a new customer account. Talk about an impressive work ethic!

Thank you, Mr. Spears, for all that you do for Corvus! We look forward to watching your continued growth and success.

Success Stories From Corvus Franchise Owners

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Interested in starting your own cleaning business? If so, then a Corvus franchise might be right for you. Hear stories from some of our successful Franchise Owners about their business ownership experience.

About Corvus Janitorial Systems

Founded in 2004 to Make Lives Better, Corvus Janitorial Systems offers professional commercial cleaning and disinfecting services to a wide variety of businesses throughout the United States. The nationally recognized Corvus brand and proprietary systems have helped our network of dedicated, local Franchisees succeed in their business goals and achieve independence, security, and freedom. Contact us today for more information on franchise opportunities with Corvus.

5 Signs it’s Time to Scale Your Cleaning Business

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Just like many other cleaning business owners out there, you want to grow, make more sales, attract more customers, and gain more profits, right? We all desire to be in a position where we will see our cleaning business grow exponentially, but how does a regular business owner know when the time is right to scale up? Sometimes, scaling can be very risky; if you expand too fast or before you’re ready, you can easily over-extend your resources and get into an unprofitable position. On the other hand, if you scale at the right time, your revenue will go up by leaps and bounds.

So, before you go ahead and take that healthy dose of risk by hiring more staff or increasing your business expenditure, you need to be sure that your business is fully ready to grow. If growth is important to you, read on to learn about the 5 key signs you need to watch out for to know when the time is right to scale your cleaning business.

1. You Have a Large Number of Loyal and Repeat Customers That Stick Around

Returning customers are at the heart of any profitable cleaning business – they are the people that have helped you build profits over the years. Excellent customer service equals happy-repeat customers, and happy, returning customers make a thriving business. Having a strong customer base in your janitorial brand is an indication that business is good and worth expanding. Scaling up will help you acquire new customers and give more attention to your loyal clients.

Often, your repeat customers will also bring a steady stream of new leads to your business. In any business, referrals have a higher conversion rate than any other type of lead, so they’re a great sign that you’re ready to grow and scale up.

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2. You Can Barely Keep Up With Demand

Customer demand is a driving force for sales in any cleaning business. Failure to have adequate inventory, personnel, and resources to meet the constant demand of your customers is a major sign that it’s time to scale your business. When clients seek out your competitors or other janitorial service providers to meet their demands, you will lose sales and miss out on profit opportunities.

If you have reached the point where you have more work than you can handle for weeks or months and frequently turn away customers, you are ready to scale, especially if your current time management is top-notch. Also, before you scale your business, wait for some months to be sure that the surge in demand you are experiencing is not a temporary one that is unsustainable.

3. You Have Been Profitable Over a Long Period of Time

You are making enough money and there’s money in the bank! Another great sign that you need to start considering scaling up your cleaning company is the fact that you have enjoyed sustained profitability for a while. If the overall financial health of your business has been remarkable for about two or three years and you have been able to sufficiently cover your expenses, you’re probably in a strong position to build on that success.

Sustaining your profitability for a while means that a lot of things about your current business model are working, and you should be able to take that model to the next level on a larger scale. There’s a high chance that something that’s already working for your business will continue to work even if you expand. However, you must be cautious not to scale too quickly.

4. Consistently Exceeding Your Revenue Targets

A business with a steady but stagnant income may not be ready for a rapid, full-scale expansion. If your cleaning business has consistently surpassed its revenue targets quarter after quarter, it’s probably time to consider an expansion. If your company can easily meet or exceed financial objectives and reach significant business milestones way ahead of schedule, then it’s fine to start speeding up your expansion plans and growth efforts. On the flip side, if your business falls short of these standards, it’s probably wise to postpone your plans to scale up.

Also, it’s important to know that a few weeks of making big profits or getting a high-paying customer isn’t enough for a business to start making expansion plans. Before you lease more equipment, buy new scrubbers, or hire additional staff, you need to slow down to measure your sales activities and evaluate your revenue goals to ensure your cleaning business is truly ready for expansion.

5. The Market Is Growing

The ability to identify a growing market is important in the cleaning industry. Having a big cleaning business doesn’t matter if there’s no demand for your service. Before you think about expansion, sit back and take a critical look at the janitorial industry landscape in your area. You should only think about scaling up if the size of the market in your location has consistently grown and will continue to grow at an increasing rate. You also need to be sure that your customer base will increase on a regular basis in the coming years.

Little or no competition and a large, relatively untapped customer base will greatly increase the odds of successfully growing your business in your current location. On the other hand, if competition is growing and your customer base is shrinking, it’s time to adjust to your sales strategy instead of trying to expand your business.

Do You Think You Are Ready to Go All In and Expand Your Cleaning Business?

Scaling a cleaning business can be a risky undertaking and shouldn’t be attempted lightly. Going into it unprepared or with great uncertainty is a recipe for disaster. The best way to minimize your risk is to focus on expansion only when the signs point to success and you are completely invested in seeing it happen.

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However, if you have a great team that communicates well with each other and can be trusted to effectively handle any problem that comes their way, you can start thinking about scaling up your business. You also need a sustainable revenue model and a clearly outlined plan for growth to scale confidently.

Scale Your Cleaning Business with Corvus

If you own a commercial cleaning business that you are having trouble scaling, a Corvus Franchise might be a great fit for you. At Corvus, our time-tested system, nationally recognized brand, and dedicated teammates will help you achieve your growth initiatives. From training to marketing to sales to collections and beyond, Corvus will take care of the grunt work so you can focus on the cleaning! We have helped thousands of individuals across the U.S. scale their cleaning businesses – you could be next. Learn more about franchising with Corvus here.

Growing a Cleaning Franchise

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A Franchise Owner can learn and grow in new areas despite not having as much experience as you may expect.

A significant benefit to partnering with a franchising company is working alongside individuals who understand the industry through and through. As a Franchisee, you have access to a pre-established business model, the backing of an existing brand, and training and support you typically would not find when starting your own business. Other benefits include established capital, a shorter development period, the opportunity to network with like-minded individuals, and being your own boss. It is no surprise that the franchise industry in the United States employs over eight million people and generates $825.4 billion in economic activity.

But just like anything worthwhile, some problems come along with franchising. Luckily, Corvus Janitorial Systems can provide clear, actionable solutions. Read on to learn our suggestions for growing your cleaning franchise:

Dream Big!

Corvus believes in dreaming big, working with integrity, building valuable relationships, and making lives better. We provide technology and tools, sales and marketing support, ongoing training, and a stellar reputation that empowers you to stop dreaming and start doing. Owning your own commercial cleaning franchise means owning your future, independence, and security…all without facing the daunting task of starting a business from scratch.

Foster Relationships

As previously stated, a thorough and well-thought-out expansion plan is essential to growing a successful franchise. A notable component of this plan is fostering existing relationships. From the franchisor to the customers to the surrounding community- trust, honesty, and open dialogue are vital elements to upholding valuable relationships.

Building your franchise would be substantially harder without experienced professionals showing you the way. Every relationship is valuable along your journey, which is why keeping an open line of communication between you and your franchisor, employees, and clients- both new and old- is of the utmost importance.

Follow a Consistent System

For a franchise to truly expand, each individual involved must understand and agree upon the rules, goals, processes, and values it holds. A consistent system ensures that everyone is on the same page, yet inconsistency continues to be a significant challenge Franchise Owners face. Partnering with a franchisor like Corvus assures you that a proven system is already in place. Our decades of experience have shaped our understanding of what does and does not work, which in turn allows you to focus on implementing what you learn in training, create guidelines, and build a strong team.

Hire the Right People

While we are on the topic of teams, let us take a moment to discuss the importance of hiring the right people and providing the proper training. Take your time when building your team. Ask potential candidates questions that require thought and discussion to ensure their experience and values align with your franchise. You are working hard to turn your dreams into reality, so hire a team that is ready to work hard and willing to learn.

Listen to the Customer

As a commercial cleaning franchisor, delivering high-quality cleaning and disinfecting services is ultimately your top priority. Therefore, customer satisfaction is the ultimate testament to how your business is performing. When customers provide feedback, listen carefully and make it clear that what they are saying is understood. This is especially true when the feedback is negative. Rather than feel offended or get defensive, see it as constructive criticism. When you are growing a franchise, any feedback you receive is an opportunity to learn and grow.

Partner with Corvus

Following a franchisor with an established expansion plan and experienced staff will enable you to grow at your desired rate. Corvus understands that human connection is the basis of any successful business transaction. Since 2004, we have helped entrepreneurs all across the nation successfully open and operate their own businesses. We are more than a franchise opportunity…we are a network of small business owners with similar goals. Check out our blog for more resources on Franchise Ownership and all things commercial cleaning.

About Corvus Janitorial Systems

Founded in 2004 to make people’s lives better, Corvus Janitorial Systems is a full-service commercial cleaning franchisor that offers cleaning services through reputable local Franchisees. Corvus has been guided by its mission to transform people and transform places by consistently delivering independence, security, and freedom to Franchisees who deliver high-quality cleaning to offices, educational buildings, medical buildings/offices, recreational centers, industrial parks, and other spaces. Visit our website for more information regarding Corvus and the franchise opportunities we offer nationwide.

Disclaimer: This blog is for general information only. It is not intended to advise an individual on their purchase of a franchise and should not be used in place of legal counsel. There are many factors that affect the purchase of a franchise. Any person considering the purchase of a franchise should become familiar with their state laws related to franchising.

10 Pro Tips from Corvus Janitorial Systems

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Whether you are the current owner of a cleaning business or are interested in becoming one but do not know where to start, getting advice from experienced professionals is worthwhile. Here are ten pro tips from Corvus Franchise Owners and employees on cleaning, disinfecting, and business ownership:

On Cleaning and Disinfecting

  1. Understanding the distinction between cleaning and disinfecting enables you to provide high-quality cleaning services and better explain to customers the importance of your services. Cleaning removes dirt, dust, and debris from surfaces or objects while disinfecting uses chemicals- aka disinfectants- to kill germs on surfaces and objects. Traditional cleaning methods like using soap and water can decrease how much a virus is on the surface, but you must apply a disinfectant to kill it completely. As well, it is critical to allow sufficient dwell time before wiping the disinfectant off.
  2. Restroom floors should be a significant focal point during every clean. Not only are restroom floors the culprit of bathroom odors, but they are also susceptible to becoming discolored without proper maintenance. In addition to cleaning, be sure to disinfect the bathroom floors to kill bacteria and odor thoroughly. You can use products like antimicrobial urine mats to protect floors from staining and reduce odors and bacteria.
  3. Hard water buildup is tough to remove, so it is best to prevent it from happening in the first place. Be sure to give extra attention to any areas in a facility where hard water is likely to build up over time, such as faucets and toilets. If you encounter hard water buildup, pumice stone and Scotch Brite Heavy Duty scouring pads are popular tools for removing the building.
  4. For a cleaning product to be effective, you have to let it interact with the soiled area and material. Most people dunk their mops into their buckets, run the fibers over the area and call it a day…, but that does not fully take care of sanitizing or killing the odor. Instead, you should adequately dilute the chemical, apply it, and let it sit for the appropriate amount of time. Typically this time is between 3-5 minutes, but it is always a good idea to carefully read the instructions to be sure.
  5. Proper mop hygiene prevents the spread of germs and increases their longevity. Never leave a mop head sitting in water overnight as it weakens the mop fibers and encourages bacterial growth. Wash your mop and bucket after every use and allow it to fully dry. Replace your mop heads when they show signs of wear and tear. These signs include frayed edges, pieces of the mop are falling off, and severe discoloration.

 

On Business Ownership

  1. Learning from people in your field who have already succeeded is a great way to excel in business. By partnering with a commercial cleaning franchisor like Corvus, you are joining a network of cleaning professionals who share similar goals and aspirations. You will have the opportunity to speak with other Franchise Owners on matters such as strategies for maximizing profit, improving efficiency, acquiring extra one-time work, and creating a work-life balance.
  2. Many cleaning professionals bring a cleaning checklist to their customer accounts. A tangible list allows you to keep track of your cleaning specs and helps you remember tasks that are not a part of your regular cleaning routine (like a one-time electrostatic spray or once a month high dusting). We suggest leaving space on your checklist to document matters such as customer feedback or cleaning hot spots.
  3. Save money by monitoring your chemical usage and maintaining equipment. Keeping track of inventory prevents you from running out of supplies and prepares you for upcoming expenses. Follow proper maintenance procedures of your equipment to increase the longevity of use and provide better service.
  4. When you work hard and take pride in your work, receiving negative feedback can feel discouraging. Rather than letting it bring you down, see it as a learning opportunity. Owning your mistake and doing what you can to make it right shows that you are committed to the quality of your services, ultimately leading to the likelihood of customer loyalty and retention.
  5. As a business owner, it is your responsibility to ensure customer accounts are cleaned correctly and on time. But sometimes “life happens,”… which is why Corvus recommends having a backup cleaning crew who can take your place as needed. It is a good idea for your team to accompany you on several cleans beforehand and assure that all necessary background checks have cleared. That way, your crew understands what the customer expects from their cleaning service and can be ready to fill in at short notice.

    6.  

About Corvus Janitorial Systems

Founded in 2004 to Make Lives Better, Corvus Janitorial Systems offers professional commercial cleaning and disinfecting services to a wide variety of businesses throughout the United States. The nationally recognized Corvus brand and proprietary systems have helped our network of dedicated, local Franchisees succeed in their business goals and achieve independence, security, and freedom. Contact us today for more information on franchise opportunities with Corvus.

Franchise Disclosure Document: What it is and Why it’s Important

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What is an FDD?

Franchise disclosure documents were created by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to help potential franchise owners gather the information they need to conclude whether they’re making a good investment or not. These documents are meant to protect American consumers and guide them as they search for the right investments to meet their needs. At first glance, a franchise may seem like a good investment, but it’s never a good idea to make such a big financial decision without digging a bit deeper first. Your franchise disclosure document will provide you with details on everything from affiliated companies to dispute resolution requirements.

Why is it Required?

This legal document is an important part of doing your pre-purchase due diligence. The information contained in a franchise disclosure document is essential to potential franchisees who are preparing to make one of the most significant investments possible. In your disclosure document, you’ll read about the roles of each party involved, among many other things. Knowing what falls on the franchisor and the franchisee will help you make a diligent and informed decision. Providing this information is also beneficial to the franchisor, as they now have their legal obligations and promises in writing should a conflict appear later on in the business relationship.

The Federal Trade Commission requires that franchisors provide the document to the franchisee a minimum of 14 days prior to it being signed, or before any money changes hands. This means that the start-up costs and annual licensing fee will be handled after the document is signed. This may seem like a lengthy period of time, but this document contains a lot of information, and you should take your time reviewing it section by section. Once you’ve reviewed and signed, keeping a copy of important documents like these for your records is always a good practice. It may be helpful to refer back to them later.

Why is it Important to Potential Franchise Owners?

When we were young, inexperienced students, we all learned how to make pro-con lists when we were making important decisions. Franchise disclosure documents are essentially the adult version of this useful organizational tool, except they’re put together by someone who already has all of the information we need. Potential franchise owners can use a federal disclosure document to weigh the risks and benefits of the investment they’re considering so they’re not walking blindly into a situation that may not work out for them.

When you’re teaming up with a franchise to access their business knowledge, established processes, trademarks, and more, it’s important to know exactly what you’re getting. You’ll need to know which obligations fall to which party, and whether they’ll help you with things like finding the right location, training your team, management guidance, and marketing strategies. Franchises are unique investments in many different ways. For this reason, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons, or risks and rewards, before you enter into this important business decision.

What is Included in an FDD?

Franchise disclosure documents contain 23 specific pieces of information about the franchise you’re looking into, the franchise’s officers, and other existing franchisees. This is an incredibly thorough and important document involved in any franchise purchase. It’s also long, and if this is your first franchise purchase, maybe a bit confusing. It may be a good idea to go through your franchise disclosure document under the guidance and watchful eye of an experienced franchise attorney before you sign.

Below is a breakdown of the items that will be included in your franchise disclosure document, what they are, and why they’re important:

1. The franchisor and any parents, predecessors, and affiliates
All corporate, affiliation and parent company information related to the franchisor should be included here

2. Business experience
Information regarding the franchisor’s management team

3. Litigation
If the franchisor, affiliates, predecessors, or management team members are involved in certain kinds of litigation, that information should be disclosed here

4. Bankruptcy
If any of the parties listed above previously filed for bankruptcy, that would be contained in this section

5. Initial fees
Having a clear outline of both initial and other fees will help both parties avoid disputes over undisclosed costs down the road

6. Other fees
Same as above

7. Estimated initial investment
This section of your franchise disclosure document should give you a range for the expected initial investment needed to get your franchise up and running

8. Restrictions on sources of products and services
This section includes a list of products or supplies that the franchisee needs to buy from the franchisor (or suppliers that they designate). It also included information on revenue and rebates that they earn from this

9. Franchisee’s obligations
As a franchisee, your obligations (legal, termination, etc.) will be listed in a table here

10. Financing
If your franchisor offers their franchisees financing for initial or other fees, you’ll find that information here

11. Franchisor’s assistance, advertising, computer systems, and training
This section will list the types of assistance or training you’ll have access to, advertising requirements, and the systems you’ll need to buy and use within the franchise

12. Territory
Your franchisor will disclose whether you have access to a protected territory, how that’s determined, and situations that will allow them to operate within your territory

13. Trademarks
If your franchisor has trademarks, they’ll include registration (with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office) information, status, and related details here

14. Patents, copyrights, and proprietary information
Similar to the section above, here your franchisor will include information on any applicable patents, copyrights, or other proprietary information you may need

15. Obligation to participate in the actual operation of the franchise business
If you are obligated to have any involvement in the daily operations of your franchise, your franchisor will provide the details of that obligation here. Some may require that you work in the franchise full-time, while others have no requirements listed in this section

16. Restrictions on what the franchisee may sell
Your franchisor may limit what you can or can’t sell here

17. Renewal, termination, transfer, and dispute resolution
Your legal rights, renewal obligations, termination process, and transfer details, along with a summary of dispute resolution requirements between you and your franchisor will be listed in this section

18. Public figures
Lists celebrities and public figures (if any) that were hired to promote the franchise

19. Financial performance representations
Outlines information about sales or other financial data. This is not always provided

20. Outlets and franchisee information
A table will be used here to summarize things like the number of opened franchises, the number of franchises that were terminated, closed, or transferred, and contact information for each franchisee in the franchisor’s system

21. Financial statements
Financial statements are one of the most important inclusions in any federal disclosure document. Your franchisor will need to provide three years’ worth of audited financial statements. This will give you insight into costs and cash flow, among other things

22. Contracts
Buying a franchise includes signing several contracts, like your franchise agreement. Others may include financial contracts, agreements made regarding products supplied, licensing agreements, and more

23. Receipts
The last section of your franchise disclosure document is a receipt page that you’ll sign to let the appropriate parties know (and keep a record of) when you received your FDD

About Corvus Janitorial Systems

Founded in 2004 to make people’s lives better, Corvus is a full-service commercial cleaning franchisor that offers cleaning services through reputable local Franchisees. Corvus has been guided by its mission to transform people and transform places by consistently delivering independence, security, and freedom to Franchisees who deliver high-quality cleaning to offices, educational buildings, medical buildings/offices, recreational centers, industrial parks, and other spaces. Visit our website for more information regarding Corvus and the franchise opportunities we offer nationwide.

Disclaimer: This blog is for general information only. It is not intended to advise an individual on their purchase of a franchise and should not be used in place of legal counsel. There are many factors that affect the purchase of a franchise. Any person considering the purchase of a franchise should become familiar with their state laws related to franchising.

How to Win Commercial Cleaning Contracts: 5 Factors to Consider

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Eager entrepreneurs everywhere are reaping the benefits of opening a commercial cleaning business. Once you are open for business, it is time to start selling contracts. Here are five factors to consider when acquiring commercial cleaning contracts and customers: 

1. Facility Selection

Deciding what type of facility you are going to target is a critical step to acquiring commercial cleaning contracts. Facility types vary amongst industries, so it is important to consider these differences and make your decision accordingly. For example, a standard office workspace likely requires less detailed cleaning and disinfecting services than a hospital would. 

All facilities come with unique needs that you, as the cleaner, must be able to meet in order to retain customer satisfaction. Appealing to every industry type may sound like a good approach, however, it can lead to accepting a contract that you are unequipped to handle. Instead, try honing in on facility types that you are best qualified for. Think about your skills, strengths, and weaknesses. 

Determining what suits your skill set best will help you identify your ideal customers, which, ultimately, will likely lead to strong customer relationships and long-term success for your business. Keep in mind that not all companies want or need recurring janitorial services. They may, however, require special event cleaning or “one-time work” services. As with recurring commercial cleaning contracts, special event clean-up contracts will have a wide variety of needs that the business owner must consider when deciding which opportunities to pursue. 

2. Location, Location, Location

Establishing a service area is an important aspect of your business. Targeting customers everywhere may sound strategic, however, travel time and logistics are major expenses that must not be overlooked. Calculating the costs and risks associated with commuting to and from customer accounts will benefit your business greatly. Circumstances like heavy traffic and inclement weather might be out of your control, but they will cause you to be tardy and miss cleans. By clustering your cleaning accounts close together you are greatly reducing the chance of these undesirable occurrences from happening in the first place. 

3. Pricing Your Services

Creating a menu or list of services your cleaning company offers can serve as a valuable asset when pricing and selling your cleaning contracts. This allows you to be transparent to your potential clients about what you are willing and able to offer. Additionally, a menu allows you to clearly state your availability. The level of cleaning you intend to provide on a nightly, weekly, or monthly basis should be advertised similar to how a store displays its hours of operation on its window or website. 

A major benefit of being your own boss is having a great deal of control over your work schedule. You might plan to clean Monday through Friday, during regular business hours. Or maybe you intend to clean on the weekends when no one is in the office. Whatever the case, this method is an effective and efficient way to attract your ideal clients straight away. You soon will notice that your level of service, as well as frequency, has a significant impact on pricing. 

Take electrostatic spraying, for example. Does your cleaning company intend on disinfecting the facility once a week, or nightly? If the answer is nightly, you will be spending more time and resources and, therefore, you should charge accordingly. Frequency and level of service are the determining factors for how to price a cleaning contract. The kitchen area of a restaurant requires a much more extensive cleaning than the dining area does, and these elevated expectations should be reflected in the contract. 

Ultimately, you should take a consultative approach to understand client expectations, customizing cleaning schedules, determining the frequency and scope of work to suit the facility’s needs and client’s desires, generating a cleaning contract with terms, and outlining conditions and pricing to match the client’s desires.

4. Marketing Your Cleaning Business

Fortunately, cleaning companies provide an essential service that every industry type needs. Unfortunately, it is likely that there are several other cleaning companies that provide the same services target the same customers. That is why marketing can be a powerful strategy to differentiate yourself from your competitors.

Cold-calling potential customers is a traditional and common way to acquire commercial cleaning contracts. Over time, it has proven to be an efficient and cost-effective way to target businesses in your areas. This remains true, especially if you already have an established network with local business owners and office managers. Tapping into these networks is a great way to generate word-of-mouth referrals as well. Satisfied customers are oftentimes willing to recommend you to other businesses in their building, network, or industry. 

Cold calling, networking, and customer referrals have proven to work, however, there are several other approaches available to business owners. In fact, additional marketing efforts are necessary if you hope to establish a large client base. Fliers and pamphlets are a time-tested and relatively inexpensive advertising method. Building relationships with real estate agents and property managers can generate word-of-mouth referrals for customer contracts, which is especially beneficial for those who do not already have established networks and connections. 

In today’s day and age, a digital marketing strategy is critical to successfully compete in the commercial cleaning industry. Creating a simple website, and/or social media page (like Instagram or Facebook) is an effective way to showcase your services and provide contact information. 

5. Consistency is Key

Getting cleaning contracts- and retaining them- is no simple task. Determining your service offerings, location, target customer, and marketing tactics is only the beginning. Having systems in place is crucial to building, growing, and maintaining a profitable business, but you will soon learn that there is no way of knowing how much and how often you are able to sell. In the end, consistency is the foundation of running a successful business. The steps listed above will help you acquire commercial cleaning contracts so long as you are committed to putting in the work day in and day out. 

About Corvus Janitorial Systems

Founded in 2004 to make people’s lives better, Corvus Janitorial Systems is a full-service commercial cleaning franchisor that offers cleaning services through reputable local Franchisees. Corvus has been guided by its mission to transform people and transform places by consistently delivering independence, security, and freedom to Franchisees who deliver high-quality cleaning to offices, educational buildings, medical buildings/offices, recreational centers, industrial parks, and other spaces. Visit our website for more information regarding Corvus and the franchise opportunities we offer nationwide.

7 Reasons You Should Start a Cleaning Franchise Instead of Job Seeking

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Whether you are an experienced cleaning professional seeking work or just simply interested in learning more about what being a janitor entails, we recommend that you consider opening a commercial cleaning business instead. Read on to learn more about the several advantages of starting a commercial cleaning company.

1. Now more than ever, cleaning matters

Throughout the past year, businesses nationwide have had to adjust their normal, day-to-day operations in response to COVID-19. Many companies implemented measures like working from home, enforcing proper social distancing protocol in facilities, and routinely checking employees’ vitals following the initial outbreak.

Businesses, workplaces, and schools are seeking excellent cleaning services for their facilities as they begin to reopen and operate through COVID-19. A clean facility is essential to maintaining a safe and healthy workspace. Therefore, the cleaning services you provide are an essential business. Here at Corvus, we suggest that you seize the opportunity to become an essential business owner rather than simply filling the role of a janitor.

2. Help meet your financial goals

As the owner of an office cleaning company, you will reap many of the benefits that come with business ownership, like the chance to make money and become financially independent, for example. While owning a cleaning business does not guarantee automatic financial success, it has the potential to become incredibly lucrative over time.

Oftentimes, those who start a cleaning business do so as a way to supplement their pre-existing incomes. He or she likely has a full-time occupation and plans to clean a few customer accounts on a part-time basis. While you might start out by cleaning just a few customer accounts, there is certainly the opportunity to grow your business into a full-time job by which you completely support yourself. Whether you eventually hope to build a large, full-time business or are just hoping to make some extra money on the side, a commercial cleaning business can be tailored to meet your financial goals.

3. Stable market

Potential business owners and entrepreneurs are especially attracted to the cleaning industry’s low overhead model, recurring and reliable revenue streams, lower capital requirements in terms of launching, and the industry’s overarching stability. A commercial cleaning business requires relatively low startup capital and minimal ongoing overhead requirements. Since most people do not have the finances needed to start a business readily available, it is oftentimes hard and discouraging to start a business. The reduced financial barrier to entry associated with starting a commercial cleaning company makes it possible for people from all sorts of financial backgrounds to embrace their inner entrepreneur and begin operating their own business.

Despite what the state of the economy may be, businesses and other public spaces will need to keep their facilities clean, and thus, there will always be a need for cleaning services. We are seeing this consistent demand for quality cleaning and disinfecting services as we live through a global health pandemic. While many industries are concerned by how they will persevere, an earlier study predicted that the cleaning industry will earn over $46 billion dollars in 2020, and grow 10% by 2026. Commercial cleaning is a segment of the cleaning industry that offers a stable market with consistent demand.

4. You get to be your own boss

An especially attractive part of owning a cleaning company is that you get to be your own boss. As a janitor, you will be bound to what many consider to be burdens of the traditional workplace (having to report to a long chain of command, inflexible hours, a set schedule, etc.). As the owner of a commercial cleaning business, you are in control of making the right decisions for your business. Any financial, personal, and professional success that comes is even more rewarding knowing that you did it all on your own.

5. Expertise from your franchised business partner

While the idea of being an entrepreneur is very enticing, there is a lot of work that goes into starting your own business that oftentimes goes unrecognized. Becoming a business owner through an office cleaning franchise system is an excellent way to pursue your dream while avoiding many of the time-consuming and challenging tasks most startup companies endure. A cleaning franchise provides their Franchisees with marketing, sales, financing and other ongoing support that enables them to focus on delivering quality cleaning services to their customers. So, when you buy a franchise from Corvus, you are not only becoming an owner of a janitorial business, you are joining a community of experienced professionals that will provide you with resources that are difficult to obtain alone.

6. Automatic brand recognition

One of the most difficult aspects of the cleaning industry is building a clientele. While you may be a hard worker who provides excellent cleaning services on a consistent basis, businesses will often choose a cleaning company whose brand they recognize and trust. Opening a commercial cleaning business through an established franchise company is a great option. The brand of a franchisor has already been established over many years, and by representing that brand, customers will trust that you can offer the same quality service. Corvus helps folks start their own business using the nationally recognized Corvus brand and proprietary systems. The public is likely to already know the services you offer, and by representing the Corvus brand name, customers can trust that you will match the level of quality that Corvus provides.

7. The opportunity to Make Lives Better

While Corvus is a cleaning company, we are also a people company. Since our founding in 2004, our mission has first and foremost been to Make Lives Better. Everyday we pursue our mission by providing clean, healthy, and safe workplaces to our customers. The ways by which our Franchisees are able to make lives better is especially noticeable amidst the COVID-19 outbreak. Providing quality cleaning and disinfecting services allows for businesses to reopen their doors, employees to return to work and students to go back to school. A commercial cleaning company and the services they provide truly impact the members of your community.

Conclusion

The need for quality cleaning services is absolutely essential – now more than ever. Starting your own commercial cleaning business offers you stability, flexibility, and support while you are working hard to make your customer’s workplace as clean and safe as possible.

About Corvus Janitorial Systems

Founded in 2004 to make people’s lives better, Corvus is a full-service commercial cleaning franchisor that offers cleaning services through reputable local Franchisees. Corvus has been guided by its mission to transform people and transform places by consistently delivering independence, security, and freedom to Franchisees who deliver high-quality cleaning to offices, educational buildings, medical buildings/offices, recreational centers, industrial parks, and other spaces. Visit our website for more information regarding Corvus and the franchise opportunities we offer nationwide.

Why Purchase an Office Cleaning Franchise…and Why Not

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In the past, we’ve talked about the actionable steps involved in opening an office cleaning business. We’ve talked about personal considerations, preferences, and unique goals, risk tolerance and aversion, and the benefits of entrepreneurship. Since we’ve shared these thoughts with you, the world has changed. Traditional employment options are fewer and farther between than they have been in a very long time. And it’s difficult to predict when things will return to normal for us again.

For some people, starting a business or becoming an entrepreneur has shifted from wish to necessity. For others, the trials and tribulations of this year have been enlightening and shown them that there is a better, stronger, and smarter career path available to them. Whatever drives you to consider purchasing an office cleaning franchise, it’s important to make sure that you’re doing it for the right reasons. If a business venture aligns with your personal mission, values, and goals, it’s much more likely to be successful.

Let’s talk about why you may want to purchase an office cleaning franchise first:

It offers freedom and independence

Purchasing an office cleaning franchise gives you freedom and independence that is nearly unmatched when it comes to other career paths. You can choose how much of yourself you want to dedicate to this business. You can work full-time with a few other employees or hire a full team and supervise, check-in, or work part-time. You can run a large full-time operation that acts as your sole source of income or you can simply use your office cleaning franchise to bring in supplemental income. Unlike many others, you can tailor this type of career path to align with your unique goals and lifestyle.

You can skip a step or two

When you purchase into a franchised business, you gain immediate access to assets that have already been established by someone in your industry. The franchisor has developed a business model, systems, and procedures that you can adopt and learn from. This saves you valuable time and energy by allowing you to skip over the time-consuming steps of developing these things on your own. You benefit from the work that they put in, their track record, and their success. They’ve established themselves as reliable, credible, and high-quality service providers in the cleaning industry. These things all increase the probability of your success when you purchase an office cleaning franchise under their wing.

Additionally, you’ll benefit from ongoing operational and sales support, access to capital, and a strong support system to rely on when you need guidance. While we help you build, you can focus on providing quality services, building meaningful client relationships, and doing what you do best. When you choose to own and operate an office cleaning franchise under Corvus, you’re never alone. With nearly 15 years under the same management and ownership team, we’ve built a trustworthy brand with national recognition. Our high-quality service, honesty, and reliability are what we’re known for. When you join us, these qualities will be what you’re known for, too.

Commercial cleaning is an essential business

Another important factor to consider is the incredible amount of stability involved in purchasing an office cleaning franchise. The cleaning industry isn’t going anywhere. Offices and other commercial buildings will always need to be cleaned and disinfected, and now more than ever before, they’ll need these services to be more frequent and more thorough. But that stability also comes with a few additional bonuses: the cleaning industry also has low initial capital requirements and allows you to keep your overhead low, create recurring and reliable revenue streams, and remain open as an essential business, even when other businesses are being shut down.

Low barriers to entry

Unlike many other startups, there are no licensing fees, patents, heavy machinery, or sprawling factory needed to own and operate an office cleaning franchise. You can hire as many or as few employees as you choose, depending on how much time you personally want to dedicate to your business. There is no formal training or educational requirements. Janitorial expertise and technical skills can be developed through experience rather than costly training programs. This means that you can get started right away, building and growing at your own pace.

You choose your hours of operation

This goes along with office cleaning franchises providing freedom and independence, but it’s worthy of its own explanation. Anyone who already works during traditional business hours, takes classes during the day, or cares for family members knows how difficult it can be to juggle so many different things at once. This career path opens the door to an incredible amount of customization, right down to your hours of operation. You can customize the volume of your services, the scope, the days and times your business operates, and so much more. If you’re working or with your kids during the day, you can operate your office cleaning franchise on weeknights or weekends.

Now, here are a few reasons why you may not want to purchase an office cleaning franchise:

You’re capable of building the business on your own

At Corvus, transparency and honesty are important to us. It wouldn’t be right to issue blanket statements and claim that our office cleaning franchises are right for everyone. We know that for some people, this is not the right choice. If you’re already at a high level in your career or you’ve built successful businesses in the past, you may already know how to perform the functions necessary to run an office cleaning business. You may know how to develop operating systems, handle marketing and brand development, and look forward to completing these tasks rather than skipping over them. If this is true for you, it may not make financial sense for you to purchase a franchise.

You don’t need access to capital or other forms of support

While we exist to help our Franchisees improve their lives and careers, we are also a for-profit company, like all other franchisors. This means that royalties or start-up fees will be owed to Corvus by Franchisees. If you are privy to effective sales and marketing techniques, have access to sufficient capital, have time to oversee your team, and can juggle everything from training and customer service to payroll and performance, it likely won’t make sense for you to be part of a franchise system. Whether you’re starting your own business or purchasing an office cleaning franchise, it’s important to remember that starting a business is inherently risky. Success is never guaranteed. Everything from the economic climate to your own effort and ability will impact the success of your business, no matter what form it takes.

The wrap-up
In our humble opinion, there are more reasons to purchase an office cleaning franchise than there are not to. But we recognize that this is not the right path for everyone. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide what the right path is. Consider your goals, strengths, and weaknesses. If you do decide to purchase an office cleaning franchise, our proven process and successful track record give us confidence in our ability to support and help franchisees prosper. Contact us today for more information.

Starting an Office Cleaning Business: Invest in an Essential Service

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Interested in starting an office cleaning business of your own? It can be a very exciting venture, but there are several things you need to do before diving in! Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with the four biggest things that should be on your to-do list before starting an office cleaning business.

Now more than ever, cleaning matters. As an essential industry, the commercial cleaning business has never been more in the spotlight – or more in demand.

STEP 1: RESEARCH

At Corvus, we are partial to the reliable and tested system that we and our franchise partners have built. However, as with any important decision, we recommend researching your options. There are many different franchisors of office cleaning and janitorial services concepts out there, and it’s important to familiarize yourself with the market. Resources to assist an individual in their initial research include Franchise.com, Entrepreneur Magazine, and the International Franchising Association (IFA).

When researching potential franchises, we suggest paying attention to the following:

• Company’s longevity

• Pricing of fees and services

• Quality of relationship between firms and its franchise base

While there are other things to consider than the few items listed above, this will be a great starting point on your researching journey. Once the initial due diligence has been exhausted and you have decided whether or not to go with a franchise base, it’s time to start the process.

STEP 2: CONTACT

Once you have researched, it’s time to make an initial call or email to a company teammate in order to learn more and explore the possibility of purchasing a cleaning franchise. The aim of the initial call is intended for both parties, the potential franchisee and franchisor, to get a basic sense of each other’s goals, experience, and ideal investment level. At Corvus, we aim to understand the level of interest by the inquiring party. When it comes to franchisees, we only want the best and most dedicated to represent us. At some point during the initial call, a prospective franchisee will typically be invited to attend a “Disclosure” meeting, or Discovery Meeting, at a Corvus Regional office.

STEP 3: MEET

The Discovery or “Disclosure” meeting is critically important. Many companies conduct these in a variety of ways, but we will be sharing how it is handled with our franchisees.

While there are several things that will be happening at a Corvus Discovery meeting, there are many things that most certainly will NOT be happening. Specifically, no sale or pressure is applied whatsoever to the prospective franchisee. The meeting is simply intended for two purposes. First, we provide the individual with regulatory paperwork called a Federal Disclosure Document. Then, we explain Corvus’ franchise system. During that explanation, we will typically go through the different features and benefits while also addressing cost structures and ongoing fees. In other words, the goal is to explain to potential franchisees how our system works and what it costs. We want anyone that is considering joining our team to make an informed decision about starting an office cleaning business.

Although a general presentation is a part of the meeting, the balance of time is usually spent addressing any and all questions and concerns the prospective franchisee may have. Additionally, for any franchise company, it would be against federal regulations and laws to affect any sale until the minimum 14 day holding period has passed following the Disclosure Meeting. Corvus highly recommends that all interested individuals review and thoroughly read FDD materials, including providing the FDD to an advisor, attorney or CPA to receive additional professional counsel or advice.

STEP 4: LAUNCH

Once the fourteen-day holding period has passed, an individual may become eligible to purchase a Corvus Cleaning Franchise. To do so, the individual contacts their regional Corvus support office to schedule a closing, or as we call it, an opening. Business openings typically occur on Fridays, but regional offices will always be willing to schedule an opening at a time that works for the franchisee. Generally, a business opening takes approximately 1-2 hours. Oftentimes, a regional office will attempt to include some initial cursory training at the time of signing. Once the individual purchases their franchise, becoming an owner of an essential business, training and orientation is scheduled…and then it’s time to launch!

As you can see, there is a lot of careful consideration and time that goes into deciding to start an office cleaning business by opening a franchise. While we at Corvus Janitorial are only one franchise of the many available, we hope this gives you a little more insight into what’s ahead if you decide to venture into the world of franchising.

If you are interested in learning more about business ownership with Corvus Janitorial Systems, inquire today to speak to a local representative.

Commercial Cleaning Contracts: What You Need to Know

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Now more than ever, cleaning matters. As more and more businesses open their doors to employees and the public, ensuring that workplaces are clean and sanitary has never been a bigger priority. Business owners across the country are working diligently to keep customers and employees alike healthy. For many businesses, this means enhanced protocols for cleaning and disinfecting.

Demand for commercial cleaning services is at an all-time high and is still growing. With so many new cleaning contracts up for grabs, you may be wondering how you can get your cleaning business in front of potential customers. Read on for insights on how to acquire office cleaning contracts, bid customer contracts, collect money from clients, and more.

Choosing the Right Facilities to Clean

Determining what type of facility you wish to target is critical, and when selecting facility types it’s important to think about how facilities and industries differ. For instance, light industrial or manufacturing facilities likely require a less detailed level of service than a medical office or daycare facility. The facility cleaning needs change with the organization’s varying purposes. An organization tasked with the welfare of infants will have far different needs than an organization tasked with distributing cardboard boxes. In thinking about what types of customers you want to pursue, think about your skills, strengths, and weaknesses…determining what suits your skill set best will help you identify your ideal customers. Some companies may not need or want recurring janitorial services, but they may require special event cleaning after an office party. As with recurring commercial cleaning contracts, special event clean up contracts will have a wide variety of needs, and the entrepreneur must decide which of these opportunities to go after.

Keep Your Cleaning Customers Close – Travel, Expenses, Logistics

Travel and logistics should play a role when you are selecting clients to target. Travel time represents a real cost in terms of money and your time and should not be overlooked in deciding which types of contracts your office cleaning business wants to target. It is highly advisable to calculate the cost associated with traveling to client accounts. Moreover, researching areas where your target accounts can be found and selling to areas of closer proximity is very important. Clustering your cleaning accounts in geographic locations that are close to one another will reduce your commute time and the associated costs, as well as limit the chance of a missed clean due to traffic or other unforeseen and uncontrollable circumstances.

Types of Commercial Janitorial Services

Creating a menu of the services your professional cleaning company intends to provide is important in terms of selling and pricing your cleaning contracts. Variables such as how often per week or per month you intend to offer service will impact not only your time commitment but also the cost the customer will pay for your services. Another variable to consider is the level of cleaning you intend to provide on a nightly, weekly, or monthly basis. For instance, you may elect to provide weekly high dusting in your cleaning contracts, or you might decide to provide high dusting every night. In the second case, your cleaning company will be spending more time in the client facility to perform high dusting, thereby driving your personal cost higher – which in turn should be passed on to the client.

How to Get Office Cleaning Customers…Tools to Use

Traditional Sales Channels

After you have identified your ideal customer, decided which geographic area(s) to target, and defined your service offerings, it is time to begin selling contracts. Traditionally, the most effective and cost-efficient way to get commercial cleaning contracts is by picking up the phone and dialing, aka cold calling. If you already have a network with local business owners or office managers, tapping this network is a great place to start selling. Once you establish a base of satisfied customers, you can ask them to refer you to other businesses in their building, network, or industry. Word-of-mouth referrals are a strong vote of confidence for your brand and will make selling contracts to new clients much easier. Cold calling, networking, and customer referrals can help jumpstart your business, however, they cannot ensure consistent, stable growth in the long run.

Marketing Your Cleaning Business

Additional marketing efforts are necessary if you aim to acquire a large customer base. Fliers and pamphlets are a time-tested and relatively low-cost method to spread the word about your cleaning company. Contacting and building relationships with real estate agents and property managers is another great way to obtain customer contracts. Classified ads in newspapers are also an effective source to sell cleaning contracts, and classified ads are much cheaper than larger newspaper ads. In the age of the internet, a digital marketing strategy is critical to be a true competitor in the commercial cleaning industry. Increasingly, businesses are turning to the web to find and hire professional cleaners. An established online presence is important to winning customer contracts, and the foundation of this presence is creating a website for your cleaning company. An effective website will showcase your service offerings, provide information about your business, and tell your brand’s story. Make sure to include contact information on your website – inbound web traffic are likely high potential contract prospects.

Pricing Commercial Cleaning Contracts

Frequency and scope of service (or level of service) ultimately will determine how to price a cleaning contract. If you intend to service a restaurant or bar, for example, there is a big difference between cleaning the dining area and cleaning the kitchen. In the latter case, a much more intensive clean will be required, as the customer will expect an absolutely spotless kitchen. These elevated expectations should be reflected in the contract. Ultimately, you should take a consultative approach to understanding client expectations, customizing cleaning schedules, determining the frequency and scope of work to suit the facility needs and client desires, generating a cleaning contract with terms, and outlining conditions and pricing to match the client’s desires.

Collecting Money from Customer Contracts

Finally, creating a billing schedule and agreement represents an often-overlooked aspect of starting an office cleaning business. On the one hand, launching a cleaning company and getting clients can be fun and exhilarating, but the end goal is to create financial security and additional income. Therefore, no process is more important than building policies for billing and collecting money owed from customers.

Generally speaking, office cleaning companies offer “terms” to clients in the cleaning contract. What this means is a cleaning company may ask to be paid at a specified date following the receipt of the invoice that corresponds to the delivery of service. For instance, net 30 indicates the customer must pay the office cleaning company 30 days after receipt of the invoice, net 10 indicates payment is to be expected 10 days following receipt of invoice, and so on and so forth. Depending on your savings and capital reserves, you should select a payment term that ensures a steady flow of incoming funds which you’ll need to replenish supplies, continue marketing your service, and, best of all, set aside to increase your savings. Cash flow is king and establishing terms to meet your company’s cash flow needs is a key to success.

Wrapping Up

At the end of the day, the success of any business is determined by how much and how often they are able to sell. Above all else, consistency is crucial to building, growing, and maintaining a profitable commercial cleaning business. Therefore, having systems in place for sales, marketing, and collections is highly recommended to any business owner who aims to make a profit. Determining your service offerings and identifying your target customer and market are only the first steps to operating a successful commercial cleaning company. The development of a marketing strategy is ultimately how you will acquire customer cleaning contracts, and you must also build out a system to price contracts, distribute bids, and collect money from clients. Getting cleaning contracts – and retaining them – is by no means an easy task, but with the right systems in place, a commercial cleaning business can provide consistent and reliable income to a hungry entrepreneur.

Franchise with Corvus: We Get Cleaning Contracts for You

If you are a professional cleaner looking for contracts or are simply interested in learning more about owning your own business, the Corvus Team is here to help. Our dedicated sales and marketing teams do the hard work for you – all you have to do is clean! Contact us today to learn about franchising with Corvus.