Erika and Randy Herman, owners of Cornerstone Chem-Dry.

Most carpet cleaners count their success and their growth by crossing city limits or county lines. Randy and Erika Herman are going into a whole new state. The Dallas-based owners of Cornerstone Chem-Dry recently leapfrogged across state lines, expanding their business into Oklahoma City.

It’s not the first time the couple has managed Chem-Dry businesses in multiple states — before they were a couple, Randy owned a Chem-Dry business in Seattle. The pair met during a Chem-Dry national convention (which took place aboard a cruise to Cancun), and after they got serious, Randy joined Erika in Dallas, where her business was based. They managed both enterprises for a while, until Randy sold his franchise in Seattle five years ago.

Cornerstone Chem-Dry will book jobs and handle other back-office duties from Dallas. Randy says he and Erika had been considering expansion opportunities for a while, and the tipping point came thanks to new equipment offered by Harris Research that made their expansion more affordable.

Low-cost franchise to buy — and to grow

Chem-Dry had been lauded for years as one of the top low-investment franchise opportunities, but parent company Harris Research is always looking for new ways to make the business affordable and profitable. Last year we debuted a new piece of equipment, the XTS system, that accomplishes both. One of the technologies that sets Chem-Dry apart from other carpet cleaners is our hot carbonated extraction — a cleaning method that uses 80% less water than steam cleaning, allowing carpets to dry in just one or two hours, and which uses cleaning solutions that are safe and non-toxic for kids and pets.

Before XTS, the extraction method required truck-mounted specialized equipment and at least a half-ton van. XTS was engineered to take advantage of simpler parts and to be more compact. The equipment was the result of years of research and development that studied the physics of hot carbonated extraction and looked for ways to deliver the powerful cleaning method at a lower cost for franchisees. And it’s been a resounding success. The XTS saves franchisees as much as $13,400 in equipment costs and is also less expensive to operate and maintain. Additionally, since it fits inside a smaller van, such as a fuel-efficient Ford Transit, it will generate significant savings for franchisees as they travel from one job site to the next throughout the day.

For the Hermans, the lower cost of buying XTS equipment and the ongoing operational savings were enough to convince them to take the plunge and expand.

“The XTS made it affordable,” Randy says. “It made it easier for us to make the call to expand.”

The XTS is also making it easier for people to start their own business with the best carpet cleaning technology. Chem-Dry can be started with as little as $9,995 down, and parent company Harris-Research offers in-house financing at 6.5%, meaning you won’t have to beg for a bank loan to start your business.

Chem-Dry has been ranked among America’s top franchises by Entrepreneur magazine for 25 consecutive years. Want to learn more? Read about Chem-Dry’s hot carbonated extraction process, the XTS and other equipment on our research pages; read reviews from franchise owners on our blog; and download a free franchise report to start a conversation!

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How much can you make as a Chem-Dry owner? New Chem-Dry FDD Item 19 shows revenue per carpet cleaning franchise growing

How much can you make as a Chem-Dry carpet cleaning franchise owner? That’s a question that every prospective franchisee should ask themselves as they look into business opportunities, and Chem-Dry provides an answer by surveying its franchisees to gauge average performance.

211 franchise owners owning 475 Chem-Dry business franchises responded to a survey sent to our American franchise owners to develop an overall revenue picture for people considering whether it makes sense to start a Chem-Dry. The results: The average revenue per franchise was $111,184 in 2012, up $11,938 (12%) from our previous survey in 2011. And since many Chem-Dry owners operate more than one unit, average revenue per owner was slightly more than a quarter million dollars, $250,297 in 2012 vs. $246,718 in 2011.

Not bad for a franchise that can be started with as little as $9,995 down.

“When you look at the money that can be generated by a Chem-Dry franchise and compare it to how little it costs to start the business, it’s easy to see why Chem-Dry has been #1 in its category in Entrepreneur’s Top 500 franchise list for 25 straight years,” says D’wayne Tanner, vice president of franchise development for the carpet cleaning business.

The brand’s return on investment was one of the key factors that attracted Army veteran Chad Yancey, who started Honor Chem-Dry this year in Stafford, Va. Yancey was looking for business opportunities after retiring from the military.

“I wanted to be part of a franchise so that I’d have great systems and support in place, and when I started looking at franchise opportunities, Chem-Dry not only had great support, they also had great ROI,” he said.

“A lot of franchises, the investment was here,” he said, gesturing with his hand high in the air, “and the potential earnings were here,” he said, slightly lowering his hand. “With Chem-Dry, the investment is here,” he said, with his hand at his knee, “and the potential earnings are here,” he said, with hand held high.

While performance varies based on the business skills and determination of franchisees, as well as local market conditions, the average provides a guideline. We’d love to talk to you more about the Chem-Dry opportunity and put you in touch with franchisees who can share their experiences, too.

To learn more about Chem-Dry, including the patented technology and green cleaning approach that sets us apart, download our free franchise report to start a conversation — or give us a call at 1-877-307-8233.

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Ever since Avi Elfersy started installing carpets in 2003, his customers kept asking him the same question: Do you clean carpets, too? And every time, the answer was no. Avi had been busy growing his flooring installation company, Spectrum Renovations Inc., which handles a lot of work for Lowes as well as home builders. Business has been steady and after 10 years, he’s growth to the point where it’s hard to grow locally. So after an exceptionally profitable 2012 gave his some extra cash, Avi decided to find a new way to grow — by adding a Chem-Dry carpet cleaning franchise and turnings those “no’s” into “yes’s.”

Avi Elfersy owns Benson’s Chem-Dry in Murfreesboro, TN.

“I’m an entrepreneur,” he says. “I love to grow businesses, and this gives me something new to grow.”

We recently chatted with Avi about his background and his decision to add a Chem-Dry carpet cleaning franchise to his existing business.

You’ve been a successful business owner for a decade now. What led you to start your own business?

Well, I’m 34, so I wasn’t out of school too long before I started my business. I bartended for a little while, which is a fun thing to do when you’re in your early 20s. I was having a blast. But my wife wasn’t having fun. She was a teacher, and during the summer she would watch kids at a daycare. She came home every day crying because the kids could just be little demons. I told her I’d get something else so that she wouldn’t have to work there, and I got a job doing estimates with a flooring company.

I’m good at it, and there was a struggling installation business in Nashville that was a great opportunity for me to invest in and turn it around. We have grown to become a premier installer, growing from handling installations for three Lowes locations to now taking care of orders from more than 20 stores, as well as handling installations for nine different home builders.

Why did you decide to add another business?
We’re at a point where my thought was, either I need to find another business I can operate here in the Nashville area or I’m going to need to expand to East Tennessee or Alabama to continue to grow. And I didn’t want to be making that drive every week. My children, Benjamin and Jackson, are 6 and 3. I wanted to be able to see them. I liked that I didn’t have to maintain a storefront or work long retail hours. And I can take Sundays off.

Why did you buy a Chem-Dry?
I looked at a lot of different companies — mom and pop places with their own van — but I don’t start off with years and years of carpet cleaning experience, and I didn’t expect to become an expert overnight. Being able to talk to experts and go to training, that made it worth the franchise fees. And it wasn’t much more than just buying my own mom-and-pop type business.

How has the support helped you?
I was at a house one recent Saturday. This place was in bad shape, and they weren’t sure if the carpet was salvageable. I told the owner that I would like to demonstrate the cleaning, and if she decided that she needed new carpet, I’d cut her a deal. Then I put the system to work. I went into the worst room and identified stains, pre-treated, treated, cleaned — what I was trained to do. The I invited her back into the room and she was stunned by how much cleaner the carpet was.

I was in multimillion dollar house just the other day, which was a very different experience from the other house, but I used the same principles and the right products and the owner couldn’t have been happier. Because there’s a system, it gives me the confidence to be able to do things. The nice thing about the franchise, and having people I can call with questions, is there is a net under me if I need it.

What do you like about your new business?
I enjoy going out and doing the work myself, meeting people in their homes and making them happy. Now that we have the other company staffed up, I can really concentrate on this one. I really enjoy the process of growing a company, and this gives me the opportunity to start basically at the bottom and do it again. It’s great because the businesses are so complimentary to each other. Every time I go out to give an estimate for carpet cleaning, I can leave a business card for both businesses, and every time I do a carpet installation, I leave a business card for Chem-Dry. I’m planning to hand out refrigerator magnets, and also give a bottle of spot remover to anyone who spends above a certain amount on carpet cleaning. There are a lot of little things we plan to do, and the things we’ve done so far have been successful.

One of the other things I like about Chem-Dry is that, for me, with my other business, I’m not completely reliant on it and it’s a small risk. I expect to grow, but worst-case scenario, I’ve spent money for a van and some equipment, all of which I can resell. It’s not like some businesses where you spend $50,000, and if it fails, you’re out $50,000.

Looking at option for expanding your business?

Chem-Dry is looking for new franchisees who can benefit by adding a carpet cleaning franchise to their existing business. Chem-Dry has been recognized by Entrepreneur magazine as a top franchise opportunity for 25 consecutive years. To learn more about the training and support, professional approach, and technology that sets Chem-Dry apart from the competition, download our free franchise report and start a conversation with us!

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Chem-Dry’s newest equipment lowers the cost of offering hot carbonated extraction, boosting the bottom line for franchise owners.

When running a business — whether it’s a carpet cleaning franchise or a sub shop — success is measured in profits, and there are two ways to turn a profit: grow your revenues and control your costs.

Chem-Dry is focused on both. Our patented method of hot carbonated extraction, training and marketing support help new franchisees grow their businesses by adding customers and maximizing per-job revenues. We’ve also focused over the years on making our systems affordable so that people can buy a Chem-Dry franchise, with as little as $9,995 down, and be able to quickly expand.

For the past few years, we’ve been working on yet another way to reduce costs and boost the bottom line for our franchisees.

Chem-Dry is known for its hot carbonated extraction process, which uses non-toxic cleaning solutions and far less water than steam cleaning. That’s important, because steam cleaning leaves behind chemical residues in carpets that can serve as allergens, and the excessive water used in steam cleaning (which is why steam-cleaned carpets need a full day or two to dry) can become a breeding ground for mold and mildew. Carpets cleaned by Chem-Dry, in contrast, are dry in an hour or two and are safe for kids and pets. But hot carbonated extraction requires powerful equipment, which is why Chem-Dry has traditionally used truck-mounted vacuum systems that tap into the vehicle’s horsepower to generate exceptionally strong suction.

A few years ago, we decided to study the dynamics that power our equipment to see if there was a more efficient way to deliver hot carbonating extraction. The result is the XTS system, which debuted in late 2012. The XTS was engineered to deliver the same powerful vacuum as our truck-mounted units, while being powered by standard wall outlets rather than by the truck’s gasoline engine. It was also engineered to use commonly-available parts so that ongoing maintenance will be easy and inexpensive.

The result: big savings for both new and veteran franchise owners.

For newcomers to Chem-Dry, the XTS can be purchased for thousands of dollars less than a truck-mounted unit, lowering the cost of starting a business and keeping financing costs lower during your business’ start-up phase.

For Chem-Dry veterans, the XTS offers big ongoing costs savings. Bill Sachs, who owns Home Pride Chem-Dry in Orange County, Calif., is holding onto some of his truck-mount systems to handle water damage restoration jobs but says he expects to save about $2,500 a month in fuel costs by using the XTS to replace some of his older truck mounts. In addition to eliminating the need for a gas-powered generator to power the vacuum, the XTS also fits inside much smaller vans that get better fuel efficiency.

“I think it will allow me to take my business to a bigger level,” he said.

You can learn more about Chem-Dry’s equipment packages here. To learn more about the R&D and support that has made Chem-Dry America’s largest carpet cleaner, visit chemdryfranchise.com, where you can find more franchisee reviews on our blog and can fill out a form to download a free franchise information report.

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Ed and Veronica Ramia of Chem-Dry Carpet Tech.

Ed Ramia started his Chem-Dry business two decades ago and he and his wife Veronica now run 12-15 vans at a time from their Chem-Dry Carpet Tech business, which covers parts of Los Angeles, San Fernando Valley, Simi Valley and Santa Monica. He’s now part of the Voice of Chem-Dry franchise advisory council that helps guide the franchise’s continual improvement. Ed’s own story is proof of what a motivated business person can accomplish using Chem-Dry’s systems.

What were you doing before Chem-Dry?
I was doing corporate accounting before. I had been laid off and was tired of corporate life.

How did you find out about Chem-Dry?
My younger brother worked for Chem-Dry briefly as a technician, and he said, “Ed, this is a great business, you should buy one.” He set me up with an owner to go out in a van, and we did a couple of jobs and were impressed and said, “Okay, let’s do it.”

A fleet of Chem-Dry vans line up outside Chem-Dry Carpet Tech.

What appealed to you?
The barriers to get in were so low. There weren’t huge upfront costs, and the learning curve was low. It was a great opportunity, especially for someone with limited resources. You don’t have to be a wealthy guy to start a Chem-Dry. If you can put together enough money to buy a van, your first franchise license and a cellphone, you can work your way up — which is basically what we did.

I started out with one territory, working out of a spare bedroom with a pickup truck. Now we have a 5,000-square-foot office building, run 12-15 vans and have between 30 and 35 people working for us.

What sets Chem-Dry apart?
Honestly, I haven’t looked too much into other franchises. I looked into Stanley Steamer, which was very structured and they practically told you when you can take your lunch break. That’s not really running your own company — that’s working for someone else and being paid differently. That’s not what I was looking for. I wanted to find something that let me do what I want, make decisions, reap rewards and make choices. I wanted the security of being part of franchise, but the freedom of running my own business.

How has owning a Chem-Dry affected you?
In my previous life, I traveled a lot. I make a lot more money than I would have, and the rewards are there — the satisfaction of getting out what you put in and achieving goals and growth.

It has made a big difference in how we’re able to live. We’re a lot wealthier. We have the freedom to come and go as we please. I’m not tied to 9-to-5. I have days where I work 13 hours and days where I take off. Coming from corporate accounting, where you work 50 hours a week and get a 3% raise, a two-week vacation and have to deal with office politics…

We worked really hard when we started, probably 60-plus hours a week, but it’s gradually whittled down, and I hire people to do a lot of things now, so we’re able to relax some and take long vacations now that our business is so successful.

What kind of person makes a good Chem-Dry franchisee?
Somebody who is driven, motivated, self-confident and who has a strong desire to win. You also have to be a risk-taker. When you start a new business, there’s no comfort zone. If you’re a guy who needs to have a guaranteed check coming in every two weeks, this isn’t right. You’ve got to be willing to go out there and roll the dice, because it’s not always going to come up sixes. A can-do attitude and perseverance are essential. You can’t give up the first time you fail. Keep at it. Look at it as a learning experience. Constantly reassess everything you do to get better results.

How large is the opportunity?
Huge, absolutely huge. We have about 7% of the market and we have brand recognition, and we’ve only just gotten started. (Chem-Dry’s 7.5% share of the carpet-cleaning market makes it nearly twice as large as its nearest competitor.)

Who are your main customers?
When we pull up to a house, you’re not going to see a Toyota too often. You’ll see a BMW or a Mercedes. You have to justify your process and show them how it’s better and why it’s worth spending a little more money.

Would you recommend Chem-Dry to someone looking to start a business?
If they had what it took, yes. It’s very important because you’re not going to just jump in and start shoveling money into your bank account. There’s a lot of work, but it’s a great opportunity.

Ed Ramia serves as target practice for his wife Veronica during a contest at a Voice of Chem-Dry get-together in 2012.

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Chem-Dry’s primary cleaning solution uses no soaps or phosphates, which means it’s not only better for the environment — it’s safe and non-toxic for kids and pets.

Is it possible for a carpet cleaning company to be a green franchise? If you’ve ever hired a carpet cleaning company other than Chem-Dry, that’s a fair question. Most use a lot of soaps, phosphates and a deluge of water in their attempts to remove stains and dirt.

Chem-Dry is different in several key ways — all of which combine to make it a green franchise:

• The Natural™ approach: Don’t let the name Chem-Dry fool you. The “Chem” stands for “chemistry” — not “chemicals.” That’s because we have chemists on staff to help develop proprietary cleaning solutions like The Natural™, our primary carbonated cleaning solution, which is green-certified. It’s special because it offers tremendous cleaning power while using no soaps or phosphates, which means it is safe and non-toxic for kids and pets. It’s actually a lot like soda water, which has been used to coax stains out of fabrics for decades. Carbonation works as a cleaner because all of those tiny bubbles that give a soda a pleasant fizz in your mouth are actually quite violent on a molecular level — like tiny explosions. When you combine The Natural™ with our patented equipment, which is designed to agitate the carbonation, you get millions of tiny carbonated explosions blasting dirt from carpet fibers and other surfaces.

Chem-Dry uses 80% less water than steam cleaning, which conserves a precious resource and also allows carpets to dry in one or two hours instead of one or two days. The quick drying time prevents mold and mildew from gaining a toehold in homes.

• Saving resources: Fresh drinking water is a precious resource that shouldn’t be wasted, and Chem-Dry’s hot carbonated extraction method of cleaning carpets uses 80% less water than steam cleaning. Steam cleaning soaks carpets in a chemical stew in an attempt to clean carpet fibers, and carpets typically take a day or two to dry since the vacuums used by steam cleaners can’t remove all that moisture. Instead, the moist carpet can become a breeding ground for mold and mildew, and lingering chemical residues can pose risks to children and pets. Chem-Dry doesn’t waste water and leaves behind no residue, and our fast drying time leaves no opportunity for mildew or mold to gain a toehold in your home.

• Extending the life of your carpet: Chem-Dry’s team of chemists have devised a long list of specialized cleaners that attack the chemical bond between stains and carpet fiber. Their scientific approach allows us to restore carpets that many homeowners think may be a lost cause. It’s not unusual for a new customer to come to Chem-Dry as a last stab at a solution, knowing that if Chem-Dry can’t fix it, it’s time to throw in the towel and replace the carpet entirely. Fortunately, we can almost always make an old carpet look new again thanks to The Natural and specialized cleaners such as our Pet Urine Removal Treatment, which removes rather than masks pet urine. By making old carpets new, Chem-Dry keeps them out of trash bins and landfills — while saving customers money at the same time.

Learn more about America’s largest green carpet cleaning franchise

To learn more about the R&D and support that has made Chem-Dry America’s largest carpet cleaner, visit chemdryfranchise.com, where you can find franchisee reviews on our blog and can fill out a form to download a free franchise information report.

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Couple Sheree Khollman and Kevin Burns own neighboring Chem-Dry franchises.

Sheree Khollman, 53, just finished her first year as a Chem-Dry carpet cleaning franchise owner — but her roots with the company go back a lot further. Her husband, Kevin Burns, has been involved with Chem-Dry since the early 1980s, first as a technician, then as a manager, and he has been an owner of Chem-Dry of Lake Havasu since 1999. Sheree and Kevin, 55, got married in May after seven years of dating. She learned all about Chem-Dry from Kevin, and decided she wanted to try her own hand at business ownership. Now they split their time helping out one another’s businesses, which are 180 miles apart — next-door neighbors by Mojave Desert standards. She got to know Kevin — and Chem-Dry — in Lake Havasu.

What were you doing before Chem-Dry?
I owned a vacation rental cleaning business in Lake Havasu. I was managing a grocery store when I moved there, but the way the economy was going, you couldn’t count on anyone else to bring in your paycheck anymore. I started my vacation cleaning business to work hand-in-hand with Kevin’s. You have to take care of yourself. That’s the nice thing about owning your own business… how well you do is up to you, not someone else. And although that’s scary, it’s also nice.

Why did you decide to open a Chem-Dry, and why in Yuma?
I liked the product. I’d always gone to mini-conventions with Kevin. I was able to see the business and meet the people, and I liked what they did. I think what they do in the home is great. I’d seen what other companies do that damages homes. When the business became available in Yuma, I saw a chance to have my own Chem-Dry. Thanks to the desert, there is no place in the middle. Sometimes he comes here and helps me run this one, and if I need to go there, I can. So it’s actually been working out pretty well. The plan is to continue to expand. My county covers 5,500 square miles, which is my territory under my franchise agreement. Mine actually butts up against his.

What type of person do you need to be to succeed with Chem-Dry?
You don’t have to be one type of person. If you want to be in a small town with one van, it works. If you want to be in a big area and turn it into a multi-million dollar business, you can turn it into that. I’m proof of that. I’m not rich, but I can grow with this company.

Honestly, I’m not very educated, but there is a lot of help if you ask for it. I couldn’t do this if I opened a carpet cleaning company on my own without support. I can always call Charlie (Erickson, who coaches startup franchises). And having the help of other franchisees is good, too. I like being able to ask questions and find out what’s working and what’s not. People like me can get advice from people who have been doing this for 25 years.

Yuma also has a small business development center that is eager to help small businesses succeed. They’re wonderful. I also go to chamber breakfasts and BNI meetings and listen to their speakers. I’m not afraid to admit when I don’t know something. I’m the first to say: I’m not college educated. I’ve not done this before. I need help. What can you teach me? If I pretend I know everything, I’m never going to learn.

You do need to be someone who is proactive and willing to work for your success. It has to be someone who doesn’t think they can just sit back and the work will come to them.

What sets Chem-Dry apart?
The quality of the solutions we have is definitely better. The quality of the equipment is better. Being part of a franchise that has requirements like being insured builds trust with customers. We’ve had people who have had carpets ruined by other people, and they couldn’t do anything. It’s a pride thing to be part of Chem-Dry and know that there are high expectations. You have high expectations for yourself. When I hear about the complaints people have with other companies, it’s the quality of their work, the quality of their vehicles. My vehicles are clean and maintained, and we’re in a clean uniform when we go to a home. It’s a higher quality of service.

Is there a misperception about the carpet cleaning industry?
People think all carpet cleaners are the same. You find that out with people who are price shopping. We educate people a lot on different products and what they’re used for and what the needs might be in the home. I get a lot of, “No one ever told me that before!” I’ve gotten some commercial jobs because Chem-Dry has wonderful things like a presentation you can customize for different customers. I got a daycare as a customer because she said no one had ever explained the benefits of The Natural (Chem-Dry’s primary cleaning solution, which contains no phosphates and is safe and non-toxic for kids and pets). A lot of our job is to educate people.

How do you deal with the price shoppers?
When you get to a point on a phone call where you can tell they are price shopping, I tell them I can guarantee you — you will find companies that are cheaper. Here are some questions you should ask: Do you use soaps and fragrances in your cleaning solution? Are you licensed? I give them a list of questions to ask to be sure they’re protected. Most of the time when I go through those questions, they wind up booking with me.

Who are your main customers?
Pet owners. They range from lower to higher income, but it tends to be families with children and pets who own their own homes. I get a lot of work, too, from rentals because a lot of landlords require tenants to use Chem-Dry when they move out to get the carpets looking new again. I’ve had customers who called other companies that never showed up or did a poor job and won’t come back to make it right. I get a lot of compliments just because we actually show up.

What has been a secret to your success so far?
I also have to give a lot of credit to Chris Green, my technician. He came here from Wichita to be closer to his family. He knows the products and is very good with people. He won Superstar of the Month from the Yuma Chamber in January. I get jobs scheduled for him and then he turns them into regulars by treating them right when he does the job. We’re both very personable. I think of people as becoming friends instead of as dollar signs. I just served a woman who needed a mechanic, so I hooked her up with a mechanic.

What does franchise ownership allow you to do that you couldn’t do before?
Right now, I’m so busy building my business that it’s most of what I do. But that’s because I’m in a new town, starting a new business. The nice thing is that since I set my own schedule, I can go to my grandkids’ birthdays without asking permission, and I can work from home. A lot of that I couldn’t do before. There’s a lot more flexibility, and I think there will be more down the road. When I had by business in Lake Havasu, Kevin and I would go scuba diving, often at the lake, but we would also take trips. We would have gone to the national convention in 2012 in Cancun if not for me starting my business. It’s probably good we didn’t go — I would have wanted to spend all the time diving instead of going to meetings!

Would you recommend Chem-Dry to someone thinking about starting a business?
Not if they want to come to my area! (laughing) I would, because there’s nothing better than being your own boss, having control over your future and knowing what you put into it, you get back.

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Chem-Dry is ranked top in the carpet cleaning franchise category by Entrepreneur magazine.

Entrepreneur magazine honors Chem-Dry as top carpet cleaning franchise makes list for 25th straight year

For the second consecutive year, Chem-Dry, the world’s largest carpet cleaning company, ranks in the top 50 on Entrepreneur magazine’s annual Franchise 500 list of top franchise opportunities.

In the magazine’s most recent Franchise 500 list Chem-Dry ranked 48th overall and first among carpet cleaning companies; it ranked 46th and first on the 2012 list.

Chem-Dry has made the Franchise 500 for 25 straight years, an astonishing feat in the franchise industry.

“Making the Franchise 500 list for 25 years in a row is a fantastic feat, and getting ranked in the top 50 again makes the accomplishment all the more satisfying,” said Dan Tarantin, president and CEO of Harris Research Inc., Chem-Dry’s parent company. “Chem-Dry is not just a consistently good franchise system. It’s a consistently excellent franchise system, and Entrepreneur’s recognition confirms that.”

Entrepreneur magazine ranks franchise systems according to objective, measurable aspects of each franchise’s operation, including financial strength and stability, growth rate and system size.

Founded in 1977, Chem-Dry is the world’s leading carpet and upholstery cleaner, serving 10,000 homes a day. Its green-certified solution and proprietary hot carbonating extraction process deliver a faster-drying, deeper, healthier cleaning. Its highly ranked franchise system, which consists of 3,500 units, extends worldwide.

Harris Research invests heavily in research and development, employing chemists to develop cleaning solutions, such as its Pet Urine & Odor Removal (P.U.R.T.) treatment formulated not to merely mask scents but attack the chemical bonds that cause dried urine crystals to cling to surfaces, destroying the source of the stain and smell. Its advanced carpet cleaning methods provide the foundation for franchisees’ success, and its support and training helps ensure that customers enjoy a consistent, professional experience.

In addition to being one of the top franchises overall according to Entrepreneur, Chem-Dry is also one of the top low-investment franchises. You can start your own business with as little as $9,995 down. And you don’t have to scrap with bank after bank to get a loan. Harris Research offers its own financing — a sign of just how confident we are in our systems.

To learn more about the R&D and support that has made Chem-Dry America’s largest carpet cleaner, visit chemdryfranchise.com, where you can find franchisee reviews on our blog and can fill out a form to download a free franchise information report.

The post For Second Straight Year, Chem-Dry Carpet Cleaning Franchise Earns Top 50 Spot On Prestigious Franchise 500 List appeared first on Chemdry.

We launched the XTS system last fall with a lot of excitement about its potential to save franchisees money and make it easier for them to improve their bottom line. So far, more than 100 XTS units have been ordered, and rather than talk ourselves about what a game-changer the XTS is for Chem-Dry carpet cleaning franchise owners, we thought it would be better to let one of our franchisees speak for himself.

Bill Sachs and Kathryn Mills pose in front of one of their Home Pride Chem-Dry vans. Bill expects to save up to $2,500 a month thanks to Chem-Dry’s latest technology.

One of the first franchisees to get an XTS was Bill Sachs of Home Pride Chem-Dry in Orange County, Calif. Bill started with Chem-Dry as a technician in 1994 before buying into the franchise system in 2000. Sachs, 39, now has 10 territories, a fleet of 12 trucks and 24 employees. His busy franchise provided a perfect chance to battle-test the XTS system last fall so we could tweak the equipment and ensure it delivers performance and savings that will allow franchisees to grow their business. Bill hung onto that initial XTS and hopes to have five of them by summer.

Here’s why he’s so enthusiastic:

How is the XTS system’s performance?

Its cleaning ability has been really good — as good, if not better, than the truck-mounted units. We’re getting dry times that are phenomenal.

Did you have any issues with the XTS in testing?

The testing has allowed us to work out a couple of little bugs — Harris Research moved some switches around and adjusted the filters —minor stuff.

How does XTS compare to the more expensive truck-mount units?

With the truck mounts there are so many more working parts and different things you have to do of maintenance. This XTS is really simplified. Just the savings from the maintenance aspect is important. We haven’t had anything break on the XTS, but if it does, the parts are all widely available and inexpensive.

Also, it’s a smaller set of equipment that can go into a smaller vehicle. Some of the full-size vans that I currently run only get about nine miles to the gallon — but that’s what I need to handle the big truck mounts. With the XTS, I can fit the unit into a much smaller vehicle, like the Ford Transit, that gets 22/27 mpg. If I replace five of my existing vans with the Ford Transits, that alone would save me between $2,200 and $2,500 a month — just in fuel savings! When we run the numbers, it’s pretty exciting to me — to say the least — to be able to save that much money and still have the same cleaning power that we’re used to.

Who will benefit the most?

I think it will benefit different franchisees in different ways. People who own truck mounts may not change over immediately, but if you do change there are obvious benefits.

Smaller franchises will see a real benefit because they’re buying a less expensive equipment package, and they can buy a smaller van. For bigger franchises, the truck mounts only last so long. I’ll probably get rid of some of my truck mounts and go with the XTS since it’s more economical. I think it will allow me to take my business to a bigger level.

Do your technicians mind using the XTS?

Some guys were skeptical at first, but then they were impressed by how well it cleans. It takes a little time to get used to setting it up the first time: Its hoses are a little different and you have to find the plugs for it, stuff that you just have to get used to. The guy who has used it the most doesn’t want to give it up.

Are there any advantages besides cost?

Because it’s portable and it has the cleaning power of a truck-mounted unit, it’s perfect for inside an office building. The way it cleans commercial carpets is pretty amazing. It dries faster than our truck-mounted units, and it cleans at least as well. Everything we’ve done with it has been really good.

Learn more about Chem-Dry

The XTS system is just the latest example of the research and development prowess that helps power the Chem-Dry franchise system. It was engineered to deliver the full power of our hot carbonated extraction in a compact package that is less expensive for franchisees, making it even easier for newcomers to start a Chem-Dry business and giving existing franchise owners a tool to boost profits and speed up expansion plans.

Chem-Dry is one of the top low-investment franchises in the world according to Entrepreneur Magazine. You can start your own business with as little as $9,995 down.

To learn more about the R&D and support that has made Chem-Dry America’s largest carpet cleaner, visit chemdryfranchise.com, where you can find more franchisee reviews on our blog and can fill out a form to download a free franchise information report.

The post Chem-Dry Carpet Cleaning Franchise Owner on New XTS System: “The Guy Who Has Used It The Most Doesn’t Want To Give It Up” appeared first on Chemdry.

Chem-Dry’s specialty has been and probably always will be as a carpet cleaning franchise; as long as people cover their home and office floors with carpet, we’ll be around to clean it with the industry’s best products, processes and people.

But that’s far from the only service we offer. Our hot carbonated water extraction method works beautifully on a host of surfaces and an array of stains. Here’s a roster.

As you can see, carpet cleaning is just first on the list.

• Upholstery cleaning. The same process that cleans carpet so effectively works just as well on upholstery. The bubbles in carbonation penetrate natural and synthetic fibers to lift dirt to the surface of couches and chairs, where they’re gently whisked away — and our Fabric Protector provides a water- and oil-repellent barrier to protect your upholstered furniture.

• Stone, tile and grout cleaning. Chem-Dry uses specialized cleaning solutions and powerful suction equipment to remove dirt and grime from stone, tile and grout, ensuring they shine like new and last longer. During service, our technicians apply a durable sealant to protect surfaces between appointments.

• Pet urine and odor removal. Standard cleaning won’t touch pet urine stains, which leave behind concentrated urine crystals that emit pungent odors even after the liquid dries. Chem-Dry has developed a patented formula, P.U.R.T. (Pet Urine Removal Treatment) that attacks the urine crystals at the molecular level and breaks down their odor-causing compounds.

  

  Buster, no! Thank goodness Chem-Dry handles pet stains, too.

• Water damage restoration. Our emergency team of specialists is IICRC-certified and prepared to handle any kind of water damage restoration work, from repairing damage from a broken water main to flood damage.

• Area rug cleaning: Chem-Dry’s professionals ensure area rugs are carefully handled and cleaned only by our certified, trained specialists. They are experts in area rug cleaning and perform a thorough evaluation to determine the safest, most effective method of cleaning your valuable rug, whether it needs to be cleaned in your home or at our facility to achieve optimum results.

• Specialty stain removal: It’s hard to count all the substances that can stain upholstered items: grape juice, makeup, markers. No matter what the source, Chem-Dry technicians use the power of carbonation and the industry’s finest products and tools to minimize or remove any kind of stain from any kind of surface.

What does all this mean for a prospective Chem-Dry franchisee? It means that Chem-Dry is a company that’s always moving forward, with a visionary home office that’s constantly looking for ways to improve our products and equipment and diversify our markets, giving our franchise owners multiple options to maximize their franchises’ earning potential.

Sound like a good small business opportunity to you? If so, we want to start a conversation with you. Fill out the form on this site, download our free franchise information report and start learning about how Chem-Dry can help you launch and sustain a thriving small business that can roll with the market’s changes.

The post Why Chem-Dry Isn’t Just a Carpet Cleaning Franchise appeared first on Chemdry.