SOLD: Cleaning Franchise Territory sale
Cleaning Franchise Territory sale appeals to people looking to be their own boss but have franchisor support.
The commercial property cleaning specialist firm, Betterclean was established in the Plymouth area in 1995 and then acquired by Dan van Kuyk in 2005. Dan set about expanding the business firstly into the Torbay area and then around Exeter and the EX postcode area generally. Via the growth of the operation, three separately identifiable areas using the PL, TQ and EX postcode regions were formed. Based on this pattern Dan developed a franchise model which was rolled out nationwide and now has eight franchise territories as far north as Glasgow and also covering the north and south east of England as well as Swansea in Wales.
Looking to concentrate on further national expansion of the franchise scheme Dan decided to offer the two business areas centred around Exeter and Plymouth for sale as separated franchise territories. Having acquired the business through specialist business transfer agency, Beardsley Theobalds in 2005 and had the experience of being a buyer, Dan chose them to act for him but this time he was the vendor client.
Firstly the Exeter territory was offered and sold in late 2016 and then the Plymouth territory (also covering part of Cornwall) was offered to the market. The business was featured on the leading websites in the business transfer arena as well as on Beardsley Theobalds’ own website.
Additionally, from their register of buyers (over 8,000 individuals and firms) nearly 600 mailshots were sent out to suitable people. Also, a promotional campaign was conducted contacting owners of similar businesses to see if they were looking for expansion via acquisition. These forms of promotion attracted people from far and wide but, being a franchise, the response was mainly from individuals who were looking to have their own business and be their own boss but liked the idea of having the support available from the franchisor.
The Plymouth business, along with the Cornwall territory which had also become available, was acquired in February 2017 by Dornford and Jane Roberts in partnership with their son Josh. They had been looking for a business for some time in the south west, where they live. Dornford and Jane had worked as professionals in the south west for many years and were looking for a new challenge; Josh had recently graduated with a First Class Physics degree and had always wanted his own business. Despite being family, they were confident they could work together successfully! They chose Betterclean as it had a proven track record and gave them the ability to be their own boss and expand the business in the direction they choose, with the hands-on support of a locally-based and experienced franchisor.
