Adapt-and-survive approach lands award for cleaning company boss Eric

09-September-2021

A lot of companies didn't have the foggiest idea what to do when the pandemic took their trade away - but Eric White of Total Clean did, and it’s just won him a Great British Franchisee Award.

The owner of its Central Manchester franchise introduced a Covid disinfection service using specialised fogging equipment and ended up with more business than he started with.

“We’d had many challenges along the way, like managing my time and keeping positive when things weren’t going well,” he says, ‘but the biggest so far was the pandemic.

“When the first lockdown hit, we were inundated with calls from customers wanting to suspend their cleaning contracts.

“In the circumstances, we had no option but to allow them to do that, and the daily cleaning contracts took a big hit for a few weeks.

“But we diversified under the guidance of the franchisor and decided to buy specialised disinfection fogging equipment and update our website and marketing materials with the new service.

“The diversification turned out to be a great one, as we were inundated with new enquiries from businesses wanting Covid disinfection fogging work.

“As the work was niche, the profit margins were really good and helped support the business through the toughest part of the pandemic and even afforded us growth.”

Now employing 47 staff and an Operations Manager, former baker Eric was worried about selling when he first took on the franchise.

“I needn't have worried, as after a few appointments and guidance from the franchisor my confidence grew to the point where I would say it’s the part of the job I now like the most,” he laughs.

The Great British Franchisee Awards recognise franchisees’ exceptional performance and business experience, ability to drive business growth, staff retention, customer satisfaction, community involvement, inspired leadership, and franchise involvement.

The awards are run by whichfranchise, supported by Lloyds Bank, BDO, AMO Consulting and Chantry Group.

• Read more about the awards at https://www.whichfranchise.com/awards

• For over 25 years, whichfranchise has promoted ethical franchise opportunities in the UK. Learn more at https://www.whichfranchise.com/