GRIME PAYS

In 1943, Alan Crothall started a commercial cleaning business in Christchurch. By the 1980s this cleaning legend had expanded his business throughout New Zealand and is credited with being the global pioneer of contract hospital cleaning. Were he alive today, Alan would be thrilled and proud that Edward Alan Crothall, his 35-year-old grandson, has inherited his passion for business – particularly commercial contract cleaning.

Ed is the new national master licensee for US-based franchise Jan-Pro, the world’s largest and most awarded commercial cleaning brand. The global giant turns over more than $US750 million every year and has over 11,000 cleaning franchisees in 13 countries. Jan-Pro first arrived in New Zealand in 2017, and Ed credits the first master licence holder, Richard Page, for laying strong foundations for the Jan-Pro Aotearoa franchise.

Recognising an opportunity to take the Jan-Pro brand even further forward, Ed and his wife Christy Blackmore put together funding and made a successful bid to purchase the business. Central to their success was showing how they would achieve national growth by adapting the success-proven US franchise model for growth in New Zealand.

Seeking ambitious and entrepreneurial leaders

A key element of Ed and Christy’s franchise-based growth strategy for Aotearoa New Zealand is not just recruiting cleaning franchisees but also getting regional master licence opportunities in front of the right people. They are looking for individuals and couples who are ambitious and entrepreneurial leaders with experience and success in business development, B2B sales and team building.

Ed says he cannot emphasise enough that he is looking for people with the skills and experience to run an executive level business. Regional master licensees earn up-front income from cleaning franchise sales and recurring royalty income from monthly billing on behalf of their cleaning franchisees, as well as other revenue streams such as selling cleaning equipment, consumables and special services.

Stop, think, and put your energy into business

“For the regional opportunity, we’re really keen to appeal to those who might otherwise be considering moving to Australia or investing in property,” says Ed. “Our message is to stop, think and to put your financial resources and energy into a business that can contribute so much more to your own family and to New Zealand communities. It’s an industry that may not inspire scintillating dinner party conversation but is a $NZ2.9 billion essential service with projected 4.3% compound annual growth in New Zealand through to 2034.

“Speaking from experience,” continues Ed, “there are just too many variables out of your control when you are investing in rental property ownership. You can’t be responsible for the idiosyncrasies of government policy, or even a property’s value for that all-important resale end goal. But when you have a solid business investment, it’s your own actions that are largely responsible for building revenue streams. More importantly, you’ll be building equity for yourself as you grow a valuable and desirable business to on-sell to a future buyer.

“We’re especially keen to hear from couples where one partner might have accounting and admin skills, and the other partner is a keen salesperson. You’ll need the personality and skills or potential to door knock, and to use telemarketing, local media, social media marketing, networking, and other resources to sell services to potential clients – and also to recruit cleaning franchisees. This is exactly how Christy and I work so well together in the Christchurch region where we have also taken on the regional master licence.”

Best financial decision I have ever made

Initial investment in a Jan-Pro Aotearoa regional master licence ranges from $35,000 to $59,000, depending on the potential of the region. The Wellington, Bay of Plenty and Christchurch regions have sold already. The franchise fees primarily fund marketing support, on-going business mentoring, and extensive training in systems and procedures, as well as the licence to operate under Jan-Pro’s valuable intellectual property.

“With my Christchurch master regional licence hat on,” says Ed, “I can say this has been the best financial decision I have ever made in my life – the region has experienced 70% growth since we took over, which has been both personally and financially rewarding.”

Commercial cleaning thrived during and post-Covid, and through the decades has shown to be resistant to economic downturns. The need for professional commercial cleaning is everywhere and on-going.

Franchise New Zealand often talks to franchisees who say they are earning enough from the commercial cleaning sector to achieve home ownership and other benefits of the New Zealand lifestyle. At the same time, most say cleaning work is personally rewarding. Ed promises that Jan-Pro Aotearoa franchisees will also have access to the industry’s most advanced equipment, and environmentally friendly cleaning products and disinfectants. 

“This isn’t just a business for me,” Ed says. “It’s a way to honour my family’s legacy and help others create one of their own.

“Wherever you are in New Zealand, if any of the above resonates with you, or you’d just like to have a chat about the opportunities available, just pick up the phone to find out more.”

See this advertorial on page 23 of Franchise New Zealand magazine Year 34 Issue 04 

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