franchise.co.nz – PUTTING PEOPLE IN BUSINESS
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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.”
Jan-Pro Aotearoa master licensee
follows in legendary grandfather’s
footsteps
GRIME
PAYS
Opportunity: Business & Commercial
Jan-Pro Aotearoa
www.jan-pro.co.nz
Contact
Ed Crothall, Director
022 621 4468
ed.crothall@jan-pro.co.nz
Advertiser Info
Ed Crothall and Christchurch
based franchisee Ravi Rawat