BSC Shares Evolution of Cleaning Franchises

Rob Lancit, vice president of franchise development at Stratus Building Solutions, recently shared his perspective on what other entrepreneurs can learn from the evolution of cleaning franchises, specifically since the height of the pandemic. 

In a Forbes article, Lancit shares how the public panic brought on by the onslaught of the pandemic create a surge in market demand for cleaning. Responding to the need — and the stricter protocols issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization — cleaning became one of the most essential businesses to keeping people healthy and safe.

Lancit writes, "It was during this period that my company and many of our competitors began to experience a noticeable uptick in interest from prospective franchisees. The combination of high demand and the relatively low barrier to entry made commercial cleaning an appealing choice for career transitioners. Consequently, the industry gained further recognition as a reliable business model with a reputation for dependable and sustainable revenue."

With so many entering the market, the level of competition was high. Cleaning contractors had to differentiate themselves by offering emerging technologies, eco-friendly practices, ramped up training, anything that would set them apart from the pack. For many BSCs, this time was a lesson in adaptation and embracing both change and opportunity. 

The lesson here is that businesses must be agile and flexible enough to respond to sudden or immediate marketplace disruptions. Lancit offers three actionable steps to help build a business model to get there. 
1. Build a committee-based team of capable employees within the organization whose job is to monitor and track industry change.
2. Schedule quarterly meetings to discuss the results of this monitoring.
3. Prioritize continuous review of these strategies while also looking for innovative ways to grow and improve.

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