When considering an investment in the commercial cleaning franchise industry, you're likely to encounter two leading names: the Vanguard Cleaning franchise and ServiceMaster Clean. Both are well-established in the $90 billion commercial cleaning industry. However, understanding the differences between the brands is essential to making an informed investment decision. This comprehensive side-by-side comparison has been designed to help you gauge which brand aligns with your personal, professional, and financial goals as you navigate the franchising process.
About Vanguard Cleaning Systems
In business since 1984, Vanguard Cleaning Systems delivers customizable cleaning solutions for businesses like car dealerships, churches, financial institutions, gyms, healthcare facilities, and schools. Based on the information provided on their franchise website, Vanguard Cleaning Systems offers services ranging from high touch point disinfection to electrostatic disinfection sprayers.
The Vanguard Cleaning franchise is comprised of 2,500 independently owned and managed janitorial franchise businesses, backed by a system of more than 50 independent area franchisors across the U.S. and Canada.
About ServiceMaster Clean
Comparatively, ServiceMaster Clean has 600 franchise locations throughout North America, grown throughout our 65 years in business. Like Vanguard, ServiceMaster Clean franchise owners have recurring revenue options for their business-to-business customers like healthcare facilities, office buildings, educational facilities, event spaces, shopping centers, and financial institutions. Among the services we offer are janitorial services, comprehensive cleaning, project-based cleaning, disinfection, specialty cleaning and green cleaning. We create customized plans with our proprietary cleaning systems for clients to ensure their needs are met on their schedule.
Cost Comparison
This graph provides a side-by-side comparison of the Vanguard Cleaning franchise cost and ServiceMaster Clean.
| Vanguard Cleaning Systems | ServiceMaster Clean |
| Initial Franchise Fee: $5,000 | Initial Franchise Fee: $32,500 |
| Initial Investment: $5,500- $37,100 | Initial Investment:$87,675 - $125,200 |
| Net Worth Required: $50,000-$250,000 | Net Worth Required: $200,000 |
| Cash Required: $7,000-$45,000 | Cash Required: $50,000 |
| Royalty: 11.5% | Royalty: $250+/mo |
*Information obtained from Entrepreneur
Key Differences to Consider
Although the fees of a ServiceMaster Clean franchise may seem more costly, it’s important to remember that each of these franchise brands operates differently. Vanguard uses area franchisors, while ServiceMaster provides exclusive territories to franchise owners.
ServiceMaster Clean franchise owners’ initial investment includes the cost of a public office space, a key element to providing visibility in the community while enforcing brand recognition for you as a business owner trying to earn new clients.
According to Entrepreneur, Vanguard Cleaning Systems offers six to 12 hours of on-the-job training and eight to 14 hours of classroom training. In contrast, ServiceMaster Clean provides more than 70 hours of classroom training to prepare franchise owners for building their business successfully. That training includes general business development, marketing, sales, accounting, production, and software system instruction.
We understand how important strong foundational training is for business owners, which is why we have new franchisees participate in two weeks of hands-on instruction at our ServiceMaster Academy in Memphis, TN. At the Academy, franchisees receive intensive training on what it takes to run a ServiceMaster Clean franchise, including an understanding of how to perform our services, like cleaning tasks, carpet cleaning, safety and hard surface floor care.
What’s more, our ongoing support is truly that: As a franchise owner, you are assigned a knowledgeable business development consultant to help grow your business. Paired with ongoing virtual training sessions, this indispensable partner will supply you with the latest industry news and innovations, giving you a significant advantage to compete in the marketplace.
As part of your research journey, we encourage potential owners like you to talk with ServiceMaster Clean franchise owners to gain a better perspective about the ownership experience. We know how valuable franchisee testimonials are in providing you with a better glimpse into life as a ServiceMaster Clean franchise owner, and are happy to share words of wisdom from our community of professionals.
While there are some strong brands in the commercial cleaning franchise industry, ServiceMaster Clean checks off all the boxes potential franchise owners are looking for in a business. We offer a great opportunity for entrepreneurs who want to grow a business. Interested in hearing more? Let’s get started!