Entrepreneur magazine recognized 13 contract cleaning franchises in its annual Franchise 500 list of top franchises. Included in 2016 were: Jan-Pro Franchising International, Vanguard Cleaning Systems, ServiceMaster Clean, Anago Cleaning Systems, CleanNet USA, Buildingstars International, Mint Condition Franchising, Heits Building Services, Stratus Building Solutions, OpenWorks, City Wide Maintenance, Jantize America, and Office Pride Commercial Cleaning Services.

“We are thrilled to have earned a strong position on this prestigious list," says Adam Povlitz, president of Anago Cleaning Systems, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. "When such a well-respected publication recognizes the success you’re achieving, it affirms the systems and ongoing support we have provided our Franchisees for over 25 years.”

Jan-Pro ranked highest at No. 24, with Vanguard Cleaning Systems right behind at No. 26. The Vanguard franchise has been included among the Top 50 franchises for eight consecutive years.

“We are delighted to be ranked again as a top franchise by Entrepreneur Magazine,” says Steve McConnell, vice president of marketing, Vanguard Cleaning Systems, Inc., San Mateo, California. “This recognition highlights the efforts of the Vanguard Master Franchises and services provided by their Vanguard Cleaning Systems Janitorial Franchises across the United States and Canada.”

All companies are judged by objective, quantifiable measures of a franchise operation. The most important factors include financial strength and stability, growth rate and size of the system. Judges also consider the number of years a company has been in business and the length of time it's been franchising, startup costs, litigation, percentage of terminations and whether the company provides financing. Financial data is analyzed by an independent CPA.