Chem-Dry Completes Successful 2015, Looks Forward to Growth in 2016

Demand remains strong for core cleaning services, and franchise owners report an uptick in customers wanting add-on care for upholstery and area rugs

When the U.S. economy went south in 2008, it took a lot of small businesses with it. Owners of a Chem-Dry carpet cleaning franchise, however, were able to adapt to a more challenging marketplace and have completed one of their best years ever.

“This will be the third year in a row that we’ve added more than 100 new franchises,” says Doug Smith, Senior Vice President of Franchise Development. “I would never say that our business is recession-proof, but even during the economic downturn we were adding 50 to 60 per year. We have come back really strong in the past couple of years and are on track for a very successful 2016.”

Chem-Dry carpet cleaning franchise owners are likely to find their services in strong demand throughout 2016.

Core bookings remain stable

Because all Chem-Dry carpet cleaning franchise owners can offer a variety of services, they were able to broaden the franchise’s book of business during 2015. Core services, such as basic carpet cleaning, were in demand as much as ever, but now commercial and residential customers are interested in more.

“A couple of years ago, people would clean their carpet but not go as far as having their upholstery done, or their area rugs,” Doug explains. “Now they want to do that, and they are very pleased that Chem-Dry offers that service. The same goes for tile floors — a few years ago they would put that on a wish list. In 2015, we earned that business.”

Because of Chem-Dry’s strong presence — 3,500 franchises in multiple U.S. markets and 50 countries worldwide — people who are thinking about carpet cleaning already have the brand top of mind when they begin to consider options.

What’s in a name? Plenty.

Last year, Chem-Dry carpet cleaning franchise owners also benefited from Chem-Dry’s strong brand recognition. As consumers opted to get carpets cleaned, they did their research. Having a well-known brand name meant that Chem-Dry was explored first.

“People know the name; they’ve seen the trucks,” Doug says. “And so they didn’t just Google ‘carpet cleaners,’ but they looked for us by name. Once they explored our services and saw the difference between our cleaning system and those of the competition, we earned their business.”

That was the story for 2015, and Doug says he sees no reason why 2016 shouldn’t be more of the same.

“Once customers use Chem-Dry, they’re hooked,” he says. “They love our franchise owners’ dedication to providing the highest-quality service, and they love how clean and dry their carpets, floors and upholstery are when we finish. I believe more people will clean for the first time, or the first time in a long time, in 2016 — and Chem-Dry will be their carpet cleaning franchise of choice.”

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