Chem-Dry Franchise Owners Add an Entire City to Their Growing Business

Randy and Erika Herman of Chem-Dry, already successful in Dallas, reach into Oklahoma City

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!