Annual ranking puts the spotlight on brands that are adaptable enough for any entrepreneur and also have proven systems and staying power

Franchise Gator has rolled out its 8th annual Top 100 list and has chosen the Chem-Dry floor cleaning franchise opportunity as one to watch. That’s hardly surprising, given the amount of Chem-Dry growth in recent years — including in a very uncertain 2020.

Inclusion on this list means the Franchise Gator team, after much research, found that owning a Chem-Dry carpet cleaning franchises have demonstrated a track record of success as well as an affordable entry point.

Rankings take deep dive into fundamentals

The rankings are based on a formula that was created by Franchise Gator using brands’ Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD). Criteria include financial stability, growth, transparency, engagement, continuity and sustainability, and operating experience.

“The Franchise Gator Top 100 was developed with the average buyer in mind,” said Eric Bell, General Manager of Franchise Gator and Vice President of Franchise Ventures, in an interview given when the list was released. “Those interested in investing in a franchise concept need to know that there are so many more options other than the costly, name-brand fast-food concepts. We at Franchise Gator have been helping those seeking to invest in a franchise opportunity for almost two decades. Our focus is introducing prospective franchisees to concepts they may not have otherwise come across. Our Top 100 list is an extension of that effort; it’s here to help identify concepts with certain signals that point towards less risk.”

Chem-Dry’s across-the-board value has appeal

“We are really happy to be included on Franchise Gator’s latest list of top-performing franchises,” says Doug Smith, Senior Vice President of Franchise Development. “This list comes from our own FDD so it’s the same story that we tell any entrepreneur who’s discovered our brand and wants to learn more.”

“When potential owners dig into that research,” Smith adds, “they see why Chem-Dry growth has been so solid for decades. In sum, they find a business model that is affordable, flexible, durable, and designed for growth, no matter what the economy is doing. Our success for over 40 years has certainly proved that. I think that’s why Franchise Gator and so many other respected evaluators are recognizing what we offer.”

Chem-Dry is the world’s largest carpet and upholstery cleaning franchise with more than 3,000 franchises in more than 55 countries, serving 11,000 homes and businesses a day. Chem-Dry has been Entrepreneur magazine’s top-rated carpet cleaning franchise for 33 straight years. The Chem-Dry Hot Carbonating Extraction process delivers a faster-drying and more environmentally friendly clean that appeals to home and business owners. In addition to carpet and area rugs, Chem-Dry provides cleaning and renewal services for tile and stone, granite countertops, leather and upholstery, and dryer vents.

Learn more about the Chem-Dry franchise opportunity

For in-depth details about the Chem-Dry franchise opportunity, download our Free Franchise Opportunity Report. You can also learn more by visiting our research pages.

30+ years on the gold standard of brand evaluations shows Chem-Dry’s ability to survive and even thrive in the toughest of economic climates

After the chaos of 2020, who doesn’t want a little normalcy? Count on the team at Entrepreneur magazine to come through: the 2021 Franchise 500 List has just been released. And just like it has in the previous 33 years, Chem-Dry stands out to those looking to buy a carpet cleaning franchise.

“Entrepreneur releases this list and so many others, throughout the year to help would-be small business owners get the basics,” says Doug Smith, Senior Vice President of Franchise Development. “The Franchise 500 is the starting gate of sorts because of the depth and breadth of information contained there. We are, as always, very proud to be included.”

Affordability and flexibility solidify Chem-Dry’s appeal to those looking to buy a carpet cleaning franchise

When a potential Chem-Dry floor cleaning franchise owner takes a look at the brand’s ranking, they’ll see our abundant brand history and business support, along with a reasonable entry cost. That tied into an unchanging monthly fee that doesn’t penalize owners for success is a very big deal. Then factor in the ability to run the business from a home office as well as the flexibility that comes with building their own schedule as a business owner.

“Chem-Dry carpet cleaning franchise owners have a lot of latitude and many tell us that was a big reason why they chose this business,” explains Smith. “From the equipment package they choose as well as their ability to customize their marketing outreach and other awareness tactics, they do what they know will work in their community. And all along the way, they are backed up by our proven systems and processes that make sure back-office and other operations are going smoothly.”

Quick pivot to new services during pandemic also a positive

Chem-Dry grew in 2020 as dozens of new franchise owners came on board. That is in stark contrast to many other types of franchise, which saw cutbacks and closings due to the pandemic. Chem-Dry cleaning franchise owners were able to leverage the new MicroPro Shield cleaning program and much more to keep business steady — and even growing.

“We knew that customers would value cleaning now more than ever so we answered that with a whole new product line,” Smith says. “That has helped our franchise owners build whole new books of business in a very challenging climate. It’s just one way that Chem-Dry is fast on its feet and why we’ve been around for over 40 years.”

Chem-Dry is the world’s largest carpet and upholstery cleaning franchise with more than 3,000 franchises in more than 55 countries, serving 11,000 homes and businesses a day. Chem-Dry has been Entrepreneur magazine’s top-rated carpet cleaning franchise for 33 straight years. The Chem-Dry Hot Carbonating Extraction process delivers a faster-drying, deeper, and more environmentally friendly clean that appeals to home and business owners. In addition to carpet and area rugs, Chem-Dry provides cleaning and renewal services for tile and stone, granite countertops, leather and upholstery, air ducts, and dryer vents.

Looking to buy a carpet cleaning franchise? Learn more about the Chem-Dry franchise opportunity.

For in-depth details about the Chem-Dry franchise opportunity, download our Free Franchise Opportunity Report. You can also learn more by visiting our research pages.

Offering up some significant lessons learned in 2020 shows how Chem-Dry listens to franchise owners — and then acts on their input to improve processes

It’s safe to say that business owners learned a lot in 2020. From how to engage with customers remotely to how to deliver goods and services safely, they made it happen. And in the case of Chem-Dry, they also benefited from strong and consistent advice and support from the support team. Recently, Ed Quinlan, President of Chem-Dry, shared his thoughts with Entrepreneur magazine on how communication was so key in 2020 and how Chem-Dry will continue to evolve in this area to benefit both current owners as well as entrepreneurs who are looking to buy a carpet cleaning franchise.

Open lines of communication are key

“It sounds simple, but we’ve learned the importance of more robust and frequent communications with our local business owners,” Quinlan told the magazine’s editors. “As a 43-year-old carpet cleaning brand, Chem-Dry has moved gradually over the years toward increased digital messaging to our franchisees. But 2020 taught us that we really needed to ramp up the frequency to demonstrate that we were all working through these struggles together. This started as a daily update, evolved to every other day, then twice a week, and now, it continues weekly.”

And, he added, the benefits have been such that the program will continue and most likely evolve: “While it sometimes felt like overkill, our franchisees told us it was one of the few things they could count on that provided them with connection and hope,” Quinlan said. “It’s helped us build stronger trust and introduce initiatives in a fraction of the time it would have taken us in normal conditions.”

Franchise support is all about teamwork

Deploying this initiative so rapidly, and comprehensively, is just one reason why Chem-Dry’s franchise support is legendary. “For those looking to buy a carpet cleaning franchise, it highlights the team-building nature of everything Chem-Dry does,” says Doug Smith, Senior Vice President of Franchise Development.

“We are not the brand that comes to your ribbon-cutting and then sits back and waits for royalty checks,” Smith says. “Chem-Dry is a family, and families support each other — especially during tough times. We learned a lot in 2020, and as we move into 2021 and beyond, we’re going to see how those lessons can help us and our franchise owners build more business and create more opportunities.”

Chem-Dry is the world’s largest carpet and upholstery cleaning franchise with more than 3,000 franchises in more than 55 countries, serving 11,000 homes and businesses a day. Chem-Dry has been Entrepreneur magazine’s top-rated carpet cleaning franchise for 32 straight years. The Chem-Dry Hot Carbonating Extraction process delivers a faster-drying, deeper, and more environmentally friendly clean that appeals to home and business owners. In addition to carpet and area rugs, Chem-Dry provides cleaning and renewal services for tile and stone, granite countertops, leather and upholstery, air ducts, and dryer vents.

Looking to buy a carpet cleaning franchise? Learn more about the Chem-Dry franchise opportunity

For in-depth details about the Chem-Dry franchise opportunity, download our Free Franchise Opportunity Report. You can also learn more by visiting our research pages.

Over 40 years of success paired with thousands of locations across the country leads to solid partnerships with industry groups and their networks, benefiting to those looking to buy a carpet cleaning franchise

When it comes to getting the word out, few brands can match what Chem-Dry does for and with franchise owners. That’s one of the many reasons entrepreneurs looking to buy a carpet cleaning franchise say they were sold on Chem-Dry early on.

And in addition to consumer-focused outreach, Chem-Dry also works to leverage relationships with national and international entities that support our mission. For instance, Chem-Dry has a partnership with the Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA) that offers many benefits for franchise owners.

IAQA membership helps attract customers

When a Chem-Dry carpet cleaning franchise owner joins the IAQA (at a significant discount) through their Chem-Dry franchise, they tap into that entity’s many marketing efforts. “Those, coupled with what Chem-Dry already does, offer a powerful one-two punch when it comes to messaging,” says Doug Smith, Senior Vice President of Franchise Development.

“The IAQA has a referral website that gets thousands of visitors and so it provides leads to franchise owners all the time,” Smith says. “There are also local chapters so Chem-Dry franchise owners can network with other professionals and also tap into learning and development.”

Partnerships extend sales reach economically

When Chem-Dry affiliates with any outside entity, franchise owners can be certain that the homework has been done ahead of time. That means their time will be well spent and engagement will lead to new business.

“We don’t align with just anyone who comes along,” Smith says. “In the case of the IAQA, we know their history of excellence and how they support their members. Our goal with any partnership is to create ways for Chem-Dry franchise owners to gain strong professional knowledge and expertise – and build their business – without having to spend a lot of time or money to make that happen.”

Chem-Dry is the world’s largest carpet and upholstery cleaning franchise with more than 3,000 franchises in more than 55 countries, serving 11,000 homes and businesses a day. Chem-Dry has been Entrepreneur magazine’s top-rated carpet cleaning franchise for 32 straight years. The Chem-Dry Hot Carbonating Extraction process delivers a faster-drying, deeper, and more environmentally friendly clean that appeals to home and business owners. In addition to carpet and area rugs, Chem-Dry provides cleaning and renewal services for tile and stone, granite countertops, leather and upholstery, air ducts, and dryer vents.

Looking to buy a carpet cleaning franchise? Learn more about the Chem-Dry franchise opportunity

For in-depth details about the Chem-Dry franchise opportunity, download our Free Franchise Opportunity Report. You can also learn more by visiting our research pages.

The right product at the right time is no accident — a commitment to R&D means that market needs are met in a way that grows business and profits for this cleaning franchise

Innovation has always been a Chem-Dry cleaning franchise strength. And in 2020, the brand’s ability to address a major market concern — in this case, virus transmission — has strengthened franchise owners’ ability to weather the COVID-19 pandemic.

Several months ago, Chem-Dry cleaning franchise owners added a major arrow to their whole-home cleaning services quiver: MicroPro Shield. This multi-part process:

•       Disinfects hard surfaces and sanitizes soft surfaces.
•       Uses a hospital-grade disinfectant that is approved by the EPA for use against SARS-CoV-2 (the cause of COVID-19).
•       Applies a protective antimicrobial coating that kills bacteria and algae on contact for up to 90 days.

Popular new solution provides superior results

Combined, the MicroPro Shield solution gives Chem-Dry floor cleaning franchise owners something to offer commercial and residential clients that no other brand can touch. Electrostatic spray technology is used to apply these products, which means they get into spaces that are otherwise hard to reach such as behind door pulls or the undersides of handrails. And Chem-Dry technicians are carefully trained and certified to perform this service, another way to provide peace of mind.

“The MicroPro Shield process greatly reduces human error and makes the disinfectant and 90-day residual product work quicker and have much better coverage,” says Doug Smith, Senior Vice President of Franchise Development. “When we walk people through it, they can see how much more it offers than just wiping down surfaces with bleach or with cleaning wipes. Now, they can do those things in addition to what MicroPro Shield is doing and actually achieve peace of mind in their space’s sanitization.”

Franchises are strong now, stronger in 2021

Another benefit to MicroPro Shield is that it gets a Chem-Dry franchise owner or salesperson in the potential client’s door. Once there, just as with any other estimate appointment, the opportunity for upsell grows exponentially.

“We continue to add new service lines, and in recent years have debuted everything from granite and leather renewal to wood floor, dryer vent, and air duct cleaning,” Smith says. “We provide whole-home, healthy-home cleaning and that is huge right now. It’s why we have brought on dozens of new franchise owners even in a very unpredictable time; it’s why we are poised to help them and our current franchise owners grow and expand their businesses in 2021.”

Chem-Dry is the world’s largest carpet and upholstery cleaning franchise with more than 3,000 franchises in more than 55 countries, serving 11,000 homes and businesses a day. Chem-Dry has been Entrepreneur magazine’s top-rated carpet cleaning franchise for 32 straight years. The Chem-Dry Hot Carbonating Extraction process delivers a faster-drying, deeper, and more environmentally friendly clean that appeals to home and business owners. In addition to carpet and area rugs, Chem-Dry provides cleaning and renewal services for tile and stone, granite countertops, leather and upholstery, air ducts, and dryer vents.

Learn more about the Chem-Dry cleaning franchise opportunity

For in-depth details about the Chem-Dry franchise opportunity, download our Free Franchise Opportunity Report. You can also learn more by visiting our research pages.

Continual updates and upgrades to online and other outreach methods ensures floor cleaning franchise owners can focus on customer service and business growth

Since its founding in the mid-1970s, Chem-Dry floor cleaning franchise has been an innovator. That’s true of the dozens of products and services it has launched over the years, and it’s also true of the way it stands behind franchise owners when it comes to marketing and brand awareness.

Every new Chem-Dry floor cleaning franchise owner gets a wealth of marketing tools during their onboarding. That includes a website for the business, as well as a package of service and support for its operations, as well as for social media campaigns. Those tie in with traditional marketing pieces that are localized to the community as well as placed in national online and print publications.

New video enhancement boosts accessibility

And just like the R&D department, Chem-Dry’s marketing team never stands still. Most recently, they rolled out closed captions for videos that are embedded on sites across the brand. This ensures that the videos and the websites are optimized for anyone who visits them and are compliant with the Americans with Disability Act.

What this does for every Chem-Dry cleaning franchise owner is allow them — right now, with no additional cost — to reach further into the community. And alongside the closed captions, there are also caption text files available to create a wraparound experience for site visitors.

Support ensures owners can focus on core operations

“What this effort and the many other marketing and promotional offerings do is allow franchise owners to work on providing outstanding customer service and support and grow revenue,” says Doug Smith, Senior Vice President of Franchise Development.

“Every Chem-Dry franchise owner knows they have to get the word out about all they offer, but they don’t have the time to do it all on their own, or to hire someone dedicated to marketing,” Smith explains. “So, we have developed a very robust and effective marketing strategy that combines what they do locally and what we do nationally to grow brand awareness and drive customers to their door.”

Chem-Dry is the world’s largest carpet and upholstery cleaning franchise with more than 3,000 franchises in more than 55 countries, serving 11,000 homes and businesses a day. Chem-Dry has been Entrepreneur magazine’s top-rated carpet cleaning franchise for 32 straight years. The Chem-Dry Hot Carbonating Extraction process delivers a faster-drying, deeper, and more environmentally friendly clean that appeals to home and business owners. In addition to carpet and area rugs, Chem-Dry provides cleaning and renewal services for tile and stone, granite countertops, leather and upholstery, air ducts, and dryer vents.

Learn more about the Chem-Dry floor cleaning franchise opportunity

For in-depth details about the Chem-Dry franchise opportunity, download our Free Franchise Opportunity Report. You can also learn more by visiting our research pages.

An unprecedented year meant rethinking business operations while also capitalizing on new products and services that were in great demand for this carpet cleaning franchise

Smart business owners have a plan that includes workarounds for the “What-ifs” of life. It’s likely even the best-laid plan for 2020 didn’t include a pandemic that shifted daily life in ways most of us have never seen. Even so, Chem-Dry carpet cleaning franchise owners found ways to reimagine their operations and push toward growth in extremely challenging circumstances.

“You don’t become a global brand, with over 40 years’ growth, without learning how to pivot quickly,” says Doug Smith, Senior Vice President of Franchise Development. “Chem-Dry’s corporate team and its thousands of franchise owners have dealt with adversity before. Maybe not quite on the scale 2020 hit us with, but we know what to do when the unexpected happens.”

New products target an immediate need

Chem-Dry is legendary for innovation. The brand is founded upon its Hot Carbonating Extraction process, which cleans carpets without harsh chemicals. Over time, that has grown to more than 50 green-certified products, as well as lighter, faster equipment that’s easier to operate and more energy efficient.

Now add to that MicroPro Shield, a multi-part process that first disinfects hard surfaces and sanitizes soft surfaces using a hospital-grade disinfectant that is approved by the EPA for use against SARS-CoV-2 (the cause of COVID-19); it then applies a protective antimicrobial coating that kills bacteria and algae on contact for up to 90 days. This is just what home and business owners were looking for and they responded; Chem-Dry’s sanitizing-service sales rose more than 300% compared to 2020 and demand will likely stay strong for this profitable add-on throughout 2021.

New franchise owners ensure continued brand growth

Another sign that Chem-Dry floor cleaning franchise owners found ways to succeed in 2020? There are more of them. By year’s end, nearly 70 entrepreneurs will have become Chem-Dry franchise owners with many more looking to take the plunge in 2021.

“It would have been understandable if people wanted to take a ‘wait and see’ attitude with all that has been going on,” Smith says. “Instead, we’ve had a steady stream of people in the United States and around the world wanting more information. They know that the pandemic is going to end and they know that when it does people are going to want to clean their homes, offices, rental properties … you name it, they’ll be looking for a thorough cleaning — and we’re the brand that can deliver.”

Chem-Dry is the world’s largest carpet and upholstery cleaning franchise with more than 3,000 franchises in more than 55 countries, serving 11,000 homes and businesses a day. Chem-Dry has been Entrepreneur magazine’s top-rated carpet cleaning franchise for 32 straight years. The Chem-Dry Hot Carbonating Extraction process delivers a faster-drying, deeper, and more environmentally friendly clean that appeals to home and business owners. In addition to carpet and area rugs, Chem-Dry provides cleaning and renewal services for tile and stone, granite countertops, leather and upholstery, air ducts, and dryer vents.

Learn more about the Chem-Dry carpet cleaning franchise opportunity

For in-depth details about the Chem-Dry franchise opportunity, download our Free Franchise Opportunity Report. You can also learn more by visiting our research pages.

Own a year-round floor cleaning franchise that provides a vital service to home and business owners, and that continues to innovate and evolve to meet new challenges

If 2020 has taught entrepreneurs anything, it’s that a business with multiple offerings and that has valuable services can survive even in challenging times. That’s why so many have become Chem-Dry floor cleaning franchise owners.

So, why Chem-Dry, and why now? There’s simply no better time. Here’s why.

An affordable small business opportunity

A Chem-Dry franchise owner’s initial investment starts at only $67,645. To help with that, Chem-Dry offers low-cost, in-house financing, and the loan is interest- and payment-free until the fourth month of operation. And because Chem-Dry is a member of the International Franchise Association and participates in that organization’s VetFran Program, U.S. military veterans and first responders also can qualify for a 10% discount on their initial license.

And there’s more! Chem-Dry franchise owners pay a flat $408.60 franchise fee per month, regardless of revenue. Chem-Dry doesn’t believe in penalizing franchise owners for success. And because Chem-Dry is a home-based business, no expensive commercial storefront or warehouse space is needed — another immediate start-up savings.

Upsell possibilities on every call

Chem-Dry cleaning franchise owners have a wealth of products and services to sell. That’s thanks to an R&D department that has been innovating for over 40 years and continues to introduce high-quality, in-demand products all the time. In addition to such recent valuable upsells as dryer-vent and air-duct cleaning, Chem-Dry’s whole-home suite of services also includes:

•       MicroPro Shield disinfection and protection
•       Upholstery cleaning
•       Area rug cleaning
•       Tile and stone cleaning
•       Marble and granite countertop renewal
•       Leather cleaning
•       Pet stain and odor remediation/removal
•       Dryer vent cleaning
•       Air duct cleaning
•       Wood floor cleaning and renewal
•       VCT (commercial flooring) cleaning

Result? An unparalleled ability to sell add-on services and boost ticket totals with every piece of new and recurring business.

Chem-Dry is meeting the COVID-19 moment

A prime example of a timely addition to the Chem-Dry cleaning franchise owner’s suite of services is MicroPro Shield, a two-step process offering disinfection with 90-day protection. This two-step process uses a very strong disinfectant during the initial cleaning; then, an antimicrobial creates a microscopic layer of nanospikes that performs for up to 90 days to inhibit the growth of microbes.

MicroPro Shield has become a hugely popular program, now that home and business owners understandably are more demanding than ever when it comes to safe, effective cleaning and cleaning products in their homes. And safety will be top of mind throughout 2021 as well, so it’s just one more way that Chem-Dry franchise owners will have the services that keep the phones ringing, and the revenue coming in throughout 2021 and beyond.

Chem-Dry is the world’s largest carpet and upholstery cleaning franchise with more than 3,000 franchises in more than 55 countries, serving 11,000 homes and businesses a day. Chem-Dry has been Entrepreneur magazine’s top-rated carpet cleaning franchise for 32 straight years. The Chem-Dry Hot Carbonating Extraction process delivers a faster-drying, deeper, and more environmentally friendly clean that appeals to home and business owners. In addition to carpet and area rugs, Chem-Dry provides cleaning and renewal services for tile and stone, granite countertops, leather and upholstery, air ducts, and dryer vents.

Learn more about the Chem-Dry floor cleaning franchise opportunity

For in-depth details about the Chem-Dry floor cleaning franchise opportunity, download our Free Franchise Opportunity Report. You can also learn more by visiting our research pages.

Honor calls out brand’s many positives, including startup costs, market penetration, strong startup, and continued support of franchise owners

FranchiseHelp has announced its 2020 FranchiseHelp Awards and the Chem-Dry floor cleaning franchise opportunity snagged the No. 2 spot! The recognition is particularly gratifying given the many challenges 2020 has thrown at small-business owners. It showcases Chem-Dry’s dedication to both new and longtime owners in a time of economic difficulty, says Douglas Smith, Senior Vice President of Franchise Development.

“Awards and recognition are nothing new to Chem-Dry and we’ve been honored to receive many in our over 40 years,” Smith says. “Even so, given the hurdles we’ve all faced in 2020, this one is especially meaningful.”

Comprehensive ranking methodology shows brand’s deep appeal

“With almost 100 franchisors applying for this year’s ranking, our winners are truly a testament to the strongest companies and trends in franchising,” reported FranchiseHelp in outlining its awards. “We want to celebrate all franchises, but as a comprehensive resource center for prospective franchisees, we saw an opening to evaluate the strength of franchise opportunities provided today.”

Key factors that went into the evaluation process included:

•       Cost & Fees: Liquid Capital Requirement, Franchise Fee, Royalty fees
•       Size & Growth: Growth rate, closures, years in operation
•       Disclosure: Item 19 disclosures
•       Support: Marketing Support, Operational Support, Training

Brand’s stability will continue progress in 2021 & beyond

This recognition showcases the hard work of Chem-Dry cleaning franchise owners during 2020. “That, in turn, spells more growth in the coming years, regardless of the economic climate,” Smith says.

“Chem-Dry is a brand that has proven, over many decades, that it can withstand tough challenges,” he says. “We have added dozens of new franchise owners in 2020, even as we faced a global pandemic. Their onboarding and startup success shows any entrepreneur looking at our brand just how much is possible, so we are certain that 2021 will be a banner year for bringing on new Chem-Dry franchise owners.”

Chem-Dry is the world’s largest carpet and upholstery cleaning franchise with more than 3,000 franchises in more than 55 countries, serving 11,000 homes and businesses a day. Chem-Dry has been Entrepreneur magazine’s top-rated carpet cleaning franchise for 32 straight years. The Chem-Dry Hot Carbonating Extraction process delivers a faster-drying, deeper, and more environmentally friendly clean that appeals to home and business owners. In addition to carpet and area rugs, Chem-Dry provides cleaning and renewal services for tile, stone, granite countertops, leather, upholstery, air ducts, and dryer vents.

Learn more about the Chem-Dry floor cleaning franchise opportunity

For in-depth details about the Chem-Dry franchise opportunity, download our Free Franchise Opportunity Report. You can also learn more by visiting our research pages.

30+ years in, entrepreneurial couple reflects on how the brand has changed, yet also stayed true to the services and values that have made it a success in this carpet cleaning franchise review

When Ed and Dawn Frutig bought a Chem-Dry carpet cleaning franchise in 1987, their thinking was they’d run it for five years or so, sell up, and move onto something else. Plans change. “Here we are, 33 years later, still plugging away,” Ed laughs. Here’s their carpet cleaning franchise review and the story of their far-from-finished Chem-Dry franchise as owners and operators of Chem-Dry of Michiana, which serves the South Bend and Elkhart, IN, area:

What were you doing before you opted to launch your own business? And what led you to Chem-Dry?

Ed: I had worked for two bigger corporations in the area, businesses that dealt with farm equipment. When the one I was with decided to shut down its South Bend location my neighbor, who was working for a Chem-Dry franchise, told me the owners were ready to sell. I looked at the opportunity and saw potential there. There were probably 60 different carpet cleaning operations in what would become my territory, but this was the only one using a carbonation process. I knew the demand was there, that this was a unique cleaning method, and I figured I could market that.

How has your footprint grown over the years?

Ed: We were a single franchise in one county at the beginning, and now we have eight franchises in four counties. We’ve also grown to three office staffers, one full-time and two part-time, and last summer we were up to three full-time and four part-time techs.

Have the products and services lived up to those early expectations you had around differentiation from the competition?

Ed: Absolutely.

Back in the day, it was mostly just our carbonating solution and then over time we have added so much more. I remember when we came out with a red dye remover, and that was a really big revelation! Now we have upholstery cleaning and so much more, including the protection products, which are a tremendous money maker.

How has the ongoing R&D and product expansion helped your bottom line?

Ed: There wasn’t a lot of profitability in carpet, but the add-ons, like the protectants, have been very good for us. We have a unique and patented system, where we can deliver those within the cleaning solution so that it adheres to carpet fibers better, without more drying time. That appeals to people and helps us upsell. The Healthy Home services around killing germs and bacteria have also been good because people want a healthier environment. And the pet-urine removal system [P.U.R.T.] has made us thousands upon thousands of dollars because it is in demand and exceptionally effective.

The R&D team does a great job, a fabulous job, of keeping us on the front edge of innovation. I believe we’re offering every service that Chem-Dry has because they are all so good. We do tile and grout work, hardwood floors, air duct cleaning, and we’ve also recently added on MicroPro Shield, which is a very timely offering.

Chem-Dry has seen that the market is shifting and it keeps up. People are going to hard surfaces vs. carpets, and so now we have hardwood, tile, and grout cleaning. We can clean area rugs. We have had no trouble transitioning to meet demand because we have the capability of cleaning whatever floor surfaces they have.

How has training and support evolved over the years?

Ed: We knew a lot about the market in the early days and were able to take advantage of that; even so, we really took advantage of training — and still do. In the early days, you’d go for a week and spend most of the time learning different cleaning techniques; there wasn’t a lot of time spent on marketing or training new employees, and that has changed a lot.

We learned a lot from our fellow franchise owners; without them we’d have been sunk. That is a Chem-Dry strength to this day. The camaraderie and willingness to share information among other owners is terrific. It’s a tight group and we have friends all over the country. When we have an issue, we’re never reluctant to call them and run ideas by them. There’s nothing like talking to someone who’s experienced the problem you are having and can guide you through it.

And Chem-Dry corporate has gotten tremendously better over the years in so many ways. The training and support are very good, but also things like branding and marketing. We used to have a cartoon-character logo, which was fine but what we have now is much more professional. The trainers on every subject are excellent; as a small business owner, you need to develop yourself on all the opportunities that now exist for us to take advantage of. There are templates and if you follow the program, you’ll be fine. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel.

What do you tell potential new Chem-Dry franchise owners when they call you as part of their discovery process?

Ed: I always say that your own desire to succeed is going to be the biggest determining factor in whether your franchise is successful or not. It still takes a good work ethic and a good attitude. I spend 90 percent of my time looking for an answer and only 10 percent of time on the problem.

Dawn: You also need to surround yourself with good people. If you do that, take advantage of the team at corporate, and keep a good relationship with your employees, you can do well and have good success.

Are you glad you decided not to sell up after 5 years?

Ed: We’ve been able to raise two kids, and I’ve been very involved in their lives. I have been able to set my own hours for the most part and even though the business requires a lot of work it has also afforded me the time to spend with my family. It’s also given us good travel opportunities — between conventions and retreats, we’ve been all over the country.

Dawn: And we have made some really good friendships with people all over the country. We are fighting the same fight and we all care about each other a lot. We really never saw that aspect of it coming because they really don’t talk about those relationships when you’re first looking at a franchise, and I’d say it’s one of the biggest unforeseen benefits.

Chem-Dry is the world’s largest carpet and upholstery cleaning franchise with more than 3,000 franchises in more than 55 countries, serving 11,000 homes and businesses a day. Chem-Dry has been Entrepreneur magazine’s top-rated carpet cleaning franchise for 32 straight years. The Chem-Dry Hot Carbonating Extraction process delivers a faster-drying, deeper and more environmentally friendly clean that appeals to home and business owners. In addition to carpet and area rugs, Chem-Dry provides cleaning and renewal services for tile and stone, granite countertops, leather and upholstery, air ducts, and dryer vents.

Learn more about the Chem-Dry franchise opportunity

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