Having developed and proven a comprehensive business concept that covers three key earnings opportunities, RGM is announcing the launch of its national franchise expansion across the UK. The East Anglia-based company has built its operations over 14 years to employ 30 full and part-time staff, and over the last year and a half has refined the franchise package through two foundation franchisees.

"RG Maintenance Services has become a leading service provider in East Anglia with an excellent reputation in grounds and property maintenance," reflects Managing Director Karl Bennett, who has created the separate company RGM (Franchising) to develop the franchise operations. "We are working for a variety of clients throughout Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire including parish and district councils, housing associations, private individuals and businesses, and continue to develop our customer base securing contracts both large and small from multiple of sources."

With services divided across three specialist markets, RGM franchisees will be able to tailor the make up of their business depending on the demands of their territory and their own preferences, which makes for a flexible business concept suited to individuals keen on taking a hands on role and candidates who prefer to concentrate upon managing a growing business. The broad range of RGM services include:

• Grounds Maintenance
  Grass & Hedge Cutting; Maintenance of Planted Areas; Weed Control; Snow Clearance & Gritting.
  
  
• Commercial and Domestic Cleaning
  Office, Workplace & Showrooms; Builders Cleans & End of Tenancies Cleanups; Pressure Washing; Home Cleaning.
  
  
• Specialist Environmental Services
  Litter Picking; Graffiti & Gum Removal; Sharps Removal; Site Clearance; Spillage Control.

"The last couple of decades have seen a positive explosion in organisations looking to outsource the supply of certain types of service, allowing them to concentrate on their own core competencies," says Karl. "This process is continuing apace and looks like growing even more in the future. Increasingly, we see landlords in particular contracting out services to specialist operators. RGM satisfies such requirements and as a result, regularly receives referral work. Our market is enormous, and is growing at a considerable pace."

Former RGM employee Adrian Tritade became the first pilot franchisee when he invested in the Norwich territory in May 2004. "Having seen the business operate from the inside, I realised I could make money for myself and grabbed the opportunity to own a franchise," he reveals. "Initially I provided the service, but as the business has grown my role has changed more towards being a manager. I now have three employees, turn over £7,000 per month and pay myself a wage of about £2,000 per month."

Adrian's business has so far focused on providing commercial and domestic cleaning, but that will change as he is now looking to develop the ground maintenance service. "I'm taking growth step by step," he reflects. "I want to build the ground maintenance service up to the same level as the cleaning, which will double my income. The amazing support has helped me make the best of the business."

In May this year Karl's brother Keith Bennett invested his faith in the RGM franchise by becoming the second pilot franchisee. "I'd just left the RAF after eight years' service and, having previously gained qualifications in countryside management, went straight into business with RGM," he reports. "I got off to a great start and my monthly turnover is already £3,500."

Keith has focused his business on the grounds maintenance sector, although he plans to grow the cleaning service by taking on his first employee. "I have started my own marketing to bring in more business, and at the moment I don't have time to do all the jobs I've got coming in," he continues. "I am planning to become more of a manager as the work grows and I build my team."

Already reporting earnings that are twice what he was paid in the RAF, Keith is looking to grow his business to three or four times its size in the next 12 months. "I'd like to be in a situation of having four to five vans on the road doing the work," he reveals. "There's plenty of work out there to be done and I'm looking forward to making a comfortable living."

A third franchisee is currently preparing to launch his business, and will be working in London covering grounds maintenance and cleaning duties shortly. To further support its franchise network growth, RGM has developed a full training programme covering all aspects of the RGM business, including service knowledge, business procedures and marketing.

"We're looking for franchise partners who are totally committed to making our business a success by making their own individual businesses successful," says Karl. "Your success will be governed by your own commitment and hard work. In each case you will be operating our full business format system, and adopting any new methods and systems as they are introduced. As part of a growing network, you must be a team player, be prepared to share experiences, and have a genuine desire to provide the very best service to your clients."