Cleanliness is one of the essential elements for any commercial business whether it is a restaurant, hospital, university, stadium, retail store or manufacturing facility. Now business owners are investing in commercial janitorial services to deliver better results to customers and improve the standard of cleaning in any environment. Cleaning a commercial space requires a professional who understands the precise cleaning needs for that particular building. These commercial cleaning services are also customized and scheduled according to the preference of each customer. The janitorial service industry has a wide range of services to offer and Jani-King International, a commercial cleaning franchisor is leading the pack with its proven franchise program. Its owner operators have a vested interest in their business which results in a higher level of commitment and dedication over employees of conventional cleaning companies.
Founded in 1969, Jani-King has over 8,000 franchisees that are supported by 130 regional offices in 10 countries around the world which makes it an established and trusted company. It has long been the world’s largest commercial cleaning franchisor and is currently proud partners with brands including the PGA of America, Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers, Cleveland Cavaliers, University of Oklahoma, University of Oregon and many more.
Below are highlights from the interview conducted between Jerry Crawford, CEO & President and Insights Success:
What are the cutting-edge products/services offered by Jani-King International?
Jani-King partners with many of the commercial cleaning industry’s leading equipment and product manufacturers. Whether it’s the latest equipment for disinfecting hospitals and protecting patients such as germ killing robots that emit ultraviolet radiation or improved chemicals that reduce our footprint on the environment, we feel it’s critical to our business to stay on the cutting-edge. It’s not just about the newest and best equipment, though. We strive to train our franchisees in the latest cleaning techniques and procedures. Because commercial cleaning is a labor intensive industry, it’s vital that our franchisees have the knowledge and skills to clean more effectively than our competition. Cleaning procedures can vary from one facility type to another, so understanding what tools and procedures are most efficient and effective will allow our franchisees to be competitive and successful.
What are the special strengths that make Jani-King International unique from its competitors?
Our franchisee support is second to none and our owner operator concept sets us apart from conventional cleaning companies. Our franchisees are invested; they have a business owner’s mindset and interest in meeting customer needs, that’s a powerful edge over other cleaning companies where employees are just hired to do a job. In support of our franchisees, Jani-King has a local regional office in each market that is staffed with industry experts who are available to our franchisees. Those specialists provide new account sales, operations assistance, administrative support and billing support. From a corporate standpoint, we provide unmatched support to our regional offices in the form of sponsorships, advertising, training, education, specialty account divisions, national vendor relationships and so much more.
One terrific example of our support is Jani-King’s partnership with the Dallas Cowboys of the NFL. Through the teamwork of Jani-King’s local Dallas regional office and our corporate office, we have been the Official Cleaning Company of the Dallas Cowboys since 2009 and have recently extended that partnership for another 10 years. This single opportunity provides a significant amount of cleaning business for multiple local franchisees and far-reaching exposure for all franchisees. In all, Jani-King has more than 70 partnerships with professional and collegiate teams across the United States, providing countless opportunities for franchisees to grow their business.
Describe the experiences, achievements or lessons learned that has shaped the journey of the company.
In our 50 years as a company we’ve always found where there’s a will, there’s a way. Jani-King was the first to employ the franchise model in the commercial cleaning industry, and in doing so Jani-King forever raised the bar for delivering quality janitorial services to customers while providing an opportunity for individuals to own their own business. We developed specialty divisions at our corporate headquarters to address the cleaning needs of hotels, hospitals, schools and stadiums. The combined commercial cleaning experience of our corporate staff and our master franchise owners is unequalled. We routinely tap into our own network and draw from decades of experience to overcome any challenge and achieve the best results for our customers. Our network of offices also bands together during times of natural disasters such as hurricanes. In a flash, Jani-King regional offices can, and have, mobilized equipment and people to affected areas. This type of support not only helps Jani-King franchisees, but it allows us to help our customers recover more quickly and get back to their business. Nowhere was Jani-King more prevalent and needed than in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. Jani-King’s commitment to our New Orleans region, franchisees and customers immediately following the flooding was a powerful testament of Jani-King’s total support throughout its network of offices and people.
What according to you are the essential pillars of a successful franchise?
Communication, dedication and a willingness to follow the program are essential for success. Successful franchise companies have a proven method for doing business. They’ve made the mistakes long ago so that new franchisees don’t have to repeat them. When a franchisee is willing to listen and learn from those that have been successful in that same role, then they will have a much better chance of achieving success themselves. They must also dedicate themselves to their business. Owning a business is not a 9am to 5pm job. The franchisee is the owner of their business and responsible for the service at a customer facility. When they dedicate themselves, manage their time productively, and treat their business like a business, there are no limits to their success. It’s our role to prepare our franchisees for success and to help them grow their business. We do this by communicating on a regular basis with each franchisee. We have a local office that provides ongoing training, marketing materials, account sales and more to assist each franchisee in growing their business. Just as it’s important for us to communicate with our franchisee, the franchisee must build relationships and communicate with the customer. Regular communication and building a relationship with a customer will lead to longer account retention and referrals for additional business.
Where does Jani-King International see itself in the long run and what are its future goals?
Jani-King is proud to celebrate our 50th year in business in 2019. We are a company that prides itself on our performance and our people. Our goal from the beginning has always been to build successful franchisees, giving them the opportunity to reach their goals and build a better future for themselves and their family. When we talk about long-term goals, it’s typically in the context of revenue. But we know the only way for Jani-King to reach our goals as a company is for our franchisees to reach their goals. Our success always comes back to the success of our franchisees. It’s why we allocate significant resources toward new technology and software, training, equipment, advertising, experienced support staff, and the list goes on. Jani-King is dedicated to the next 50 years of our business and we are excited about the opportunities we foresee for our franchisees in the commercial cleaning industry.
