Zerorez - Industry Q & A

Provide an overview/ description of your industry. Include reasons why it’s a great industry to start a business in today.  

People live and work in spaces that they want to have clean and healthy. The fact of being IN those spaces naturally creates dirt and mess, which needs to be cleaned on a repetitive basis.  There is high demand for our services, with over 40,000 cleaning owners in the USA—it’s a very large industry!  Entry into the industry is relatively easy, so there are LOTS of ‘mom & pop’ operations who likely have not had extensive training, don’t have much business support and who FREQUENTLY don’t perform well.  SO, Zerorez performs very well, is standardized and really stands out!

How has your industry changed in the last 10 years?  20 years?  

It hasn’t changed much…that is our key point.  We are changing the cleaning performance in the industry!

What trends do you see in your industry over the next 5 years?  Next 10 years?  

A lot of movement in the direction that we have taken:  ‘Green’ cleaning, reduced use of chemicals, more equipment development.  We are ‘ahead of the curve’ on all three elements.

What is the biggest concern about your industry that a franchisee candidate should be aware of and investigate?  

It is a very people-driven business…you have to have people (associates/team members) with the work ethic and personality to perform well and deliver great customer service.

Why do you think your company stands out in the industry?  

We train and teach superior customer service and we provide the system and the methods for delivering superior service.  Our customer service ratings brand-wide are 81% “Top 2 Box” ratings!  We aim to get “Raving Fans.”

What makes your franchise/ business opportunity more attractive than your competitor’s?  

We deliver an unparalleled service outcome.  We provide exclusive territories….no fighting over overlapping territories as with some of our competitors.

Describe the ideal candidate.  Do you think your requirements are any different than your competitor’s? 

Some competitors may just require someone with money. We want someone that has a business background, wants to work, and will really ‘fit’ into the Zerorez ‘family.’

What’s the strongest skill you require in a candidate?  

The ability to understand and manage all the parts of this business: Operations, marketing, people management, finance and administration.   These are skills needed by any successful franchisee.

Describe the working environment of your franchisees (indoors, home office, mobile, etc.).  

Is your environment typical of other companies in your industry?  Our working environment is quite like the rest of the industry:  Some time in the office, some time traveling to jobs, some time working in a home or in a commercial establishment.

Why has you’re your company been successful?  

Because we offer a superior service and our franchisees believe in it and execute it well.

What advice would you give someone interested in buying a franchise in your industry?  

Understand that this requires an understanding of a multi-faceted business.  It is not something they can do well ‘in their spare time;’  it requires consistent and focused effort.

How much experience in this industry should a franchisee candidate have should they consider buying a franchise in your industry?  

They don’t need experience in this industry.  They DO need to understand the industry and feel good about cleaning carpets and other surfaces.  It is not an ‘elegant industry’ but it is very good honest work and we provide a very high-satisfaction service.