1. Entering ‘Civvy Street’ is understandably a challenging time. As you look to make the
transition from Military to Civilian life, you may feel that looking for a job is your only
option. You may have thought about owning your own business but are unsure where
to begin and whether you have the right skills or finance?
The Guide
Get a job
Start my own
Start my own franchise
Retrain for a
new career
Unemployment
business
business
Franchising provides a combination of having your own business and getting a job,
allowing you to be in business for yourself, not by yourself. It is also recognised as the
safer route into business than simply setting up on your own as it offers a tried and
tested business formula with ready-made solutions. As a result, leading banks
recognise reputable franchisors and are happy to lend a substantial percentage of the
initial investment.
to Franchising
Be in business for yourself, not by yourself!

2. So, where do you begin?
Firstly, what are you interested in? What are you good at? What don’t you like? It may
sound obvious but it is vital to play to both your strengths and interests when
researching your ideal franchise. This is not just because your business will form a
major part of your life, but you will naturally need to enjoy what you’re doing.
You may also wish to look at franchises that are accredited by the BFA, British
Franchise Association.
“The role of the bfa is to ensure that the franchising industry retains its ethical image,
commitment to best practice and robustness – even in the toughest of economic
climates.” www.bfa.org.uk
The bfa also believe that:
“Franchising remains one of the most successful forms of starting your own business,
with extremely high success rates and much more security than starting out on your
own without the proven system, support and brand.” www.bfa.org.uk
Being a franchise owner is very much about being able to follow a system. Ask
yourself; Are you organised? Self-employable? Prepared to work hard and able to take
criticism if required? You should not rush your decision and should seek appropriate
advice, for example legal advice prior to signing a franchise agreement.
Speak to your family and friends. What do they think? Getting the support of your
family is vital, as is the partnership between franchisee and franchisor. This is essential
to the long-term success of your franchise business.
Could you be a franchise owner?

3. • What systems do you have for keeping franchisees in touch with you and
• What help will I receive in local advertising and promotion?
• Do you provide instruction and operation manuals?
• Is your company a member of the bfa?
• What advertising and promotional expenditure do you incur?
• Do I have to contribute to it, if so how much?
• Do you train me? Who pays for my training? Where do I go for training?
• What continuing support do you provide after I have started the business?
• May I see a copy your franchise agreement?
• For how long is the franchise granted? What happens at the end of that period?
• How much does the franchise cost, what does this include?
• Did you run your own pilot schemes before franchising?
• What financing arrangements can you make and what terms for repayment will
• What additional fees do you charge?
• How long have you been in franchising?
• How many franchised businesses are you running at the moment?
• May I interview any number of your franchisees?
• What does your head office organisation consist of?
• How do you choose your franchisees?
Franchisors will welcome questions from you, as you look to gain a thorough
understanding of franchising, as well as your own obligations as a franchisee.
Below are some recommended questions you may wish to ask once you have
researched your chosen franchise market.
*Selected from Source: http://www.thebfa.org/join-a-franchise/50-questions-to-ask-a-franchisor
Business
Methods
Communications & Operations
each other? Do you hold seminars?
there be?

4. Why choose a ServiceMaster franchise?
ServiceMaster Ltd is a world leading, multi-brand franchisor with over 50 years of
experience and is one of the founding members of the British Franchise Association.
• Over 5,000 employees in the UK
• More than 800 franchise owners
• Over 50 head office support staff
As one of the largest franchise groups in the world, we’re committed to our strong
corporate values, unrivalled training and pride ourselves on being ethical and
credible. Franchises from ServiceMaster represent an excellent next move for service
leavers or those who have previously served in the UK armed forces.
• Proven systems and procedures
• Comprehensive training
• Growth markets
• On-going support network
Whether you are looking for a business that is van, home or office based, in
management or business services, or involves working in the commercial or domestic
sector, a ServiceMaster franchise could be for you.
A host of opportunities are available to you through our family of brands: ServiceMaster
Clean, Merry Maids, TruGreen and Furniture Medic. Franchise owners from our brands
benefit from cross selling and joint marketing programmes developed through this
family, backed by world leading expertise and support.
By being part of a franchise network, you will also benefit from the support of fellow
business owners, and the sharing of experiences, ideas and best practice.
So, if you’re unsure of your next move, why not explore the opportunities available to
you with a franchise from ServiceMaster?

5. This franchise provides you with an
opportunity to work across both the
Residential and Commercial markets. You
will be looking to manage and develop a
growing business that provides a range of
professional cleaning services for carpets
and upholstery, as well as providing a
quality service to your local community.
Everyday more households and business
owners are turning to the specialist
services we have to offer.
On a multi-tasking basis, you will initially
begin as an operator, cleaning carpets,
whilst planning and marketing for new
business. You will require a willingness to
learn and the energy to work hard. You
need to be ambitious with a goal to grow
your business where you can employ a
team of operators. This will allow you to
focus on managing and developing your
franchise further. This has the potential to
be a multi van enterprise.
Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Franchise
This is a management franchise and is a
significant business opportunity for any
potential entrepreneur. Your role is to
develop the business through sales and
marketing, employing and managing
teams of cleaners to provide a regular,
quality commercial cleaning service to
businesses in your area.
We’re looking for self motivated
individuals who are looking to build a
profitable franchise where the emphasis is
on developing and managing the
business. Ultimately you are looking to
create a business that provides a good
income and lifestyle whilst building equity.
Contract Services franchisees must be
determined, tenacious, ambitious,
personable and quick to learn.
Office and Contract Cleaning Franchise

6. Founded in 1980, this is a management
business and people’s franchise
providing a professional domestic
cleaning service.
By joining Merry Maids, you will become
part of a worldwide, growing network of
franchise owners, which has more than
1500 franchisees in the United Kingdom,
United States, Canada and the Far East.
Whilst this opportunity lies within the
cleaning industry, the franchise owner’s
role is about sales, marketing, customer
service and the employment and
management of staff.
We’re looking for new franchise owners
who are enthusiastic and motivated
individuals with a proactive attitude.
Ultimately it is the ‘I care’ and ‘I can do’
approach that is an ideal attribute of
successful Merry Maids franchise owner.
We provide a systematic approach to
training, cleaning, office management and
building your customer base giving you
the confidence to succeed in the
development of your Merry Maids
franchise.
You will be providing emergency heavy
cleaning and restoration services for
residential and commercial properties due
to fire, water or smoke damage.
You will need an unswerving commitment
to work in an industry that is truly a
responsive 24/7/365 business.
You must be able to work to a consistently
high standard in the services you provide
to ensure you meet the customer’s
expectations and have an adaptable
approach to the variety of work
instructions you receive. You must
communicate effectively at many levels
and possess a commitment to customer
satisfaction.
Disaster Restoration Franchise
Domestic Cleaning Franchise

7. This is a leading professional lawn care
company catering for residential
customers and small commercial
properties.
As a TruGreen franchise owner, you will be
trained to diagnose and remedy a host of
lawn ailments enabling you to offer a full
range of services aimed at improving poor
lawns and maintaining them in first class
condition. Treatments include scarification,
aeration, lawn weed/feed and hard surface
weed control.
You must be determined, able to follow a
system, possess good communication
skills and have a good fitness level. You
must be enthusiastic with a positive
outlook and have an enjoyment of the
outdoors. Above all a willingness to work
hard, being prepared to work flexible hours
and a desire to build and develop your
own business will make ideal attributes for
a successful TruGreen franchisee. This
has the potential to be a multi van
operation.
Professional Lawn Care Franchise
With over 600 independently owned and
operated businesses worldwide, Furniture
Medic franchisees provide home and
business owners with an affordable
alternative to replacing fine wood
furnishings and fixtures. Furniture Medic
also has a close working relationship with
the insurance industry which provides
work resulting from claims for fire, water
and accidental damage.
Some experience in wood and
upholstery repair (including leather) is an
advantage however full training will be
given and technical support is available
when required. An interest in developing
new skills and a keen eye for detail are
essential. It is our goal to develop
individuals to their fullest potential.
Furniture Restoration Franchise

8. For further information on franchising opportunities with
ServiceMaster, please contact us:
0116 275 9005
franchises@servicemaster.co.uk
www.servicemaster.co.uk
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