Training is one of the best investments franchisors can make

Minster Cleaning Services, established in 1982, began franchising 10 years later and now has 39 branches across the country.

Comprehensive support is at the heart of the commercial cleaning franchise's success. Franchise owners are helped with the transition to self-employment and in-depth training courses cover the main day-to-day business activities such as operational management, administration, bookkeeping, IT and marketing.

Minster Managing Director, Mike Parker, attributes much of their success to a commitment to training. He said: "It is one of the best investments we make. In our larger branches there can be as many as 200 employees, so good leadership is essential."

Minster's current training programme includes Customer Care, Employment Law Update, Healthcare Cleaning and Infection Control, Recruiting Great Cleaners, Performance Management and Planning and Job Structuring.

The policy is paying off as Parker concluded: "Nearly one in five branches has annual sales of over £1 million and, on average, franchise owners have been with us for 12 years. Some are planning retirement and, as a result, there are a few established Minster franchises for sale as well as new franchise opportunities across the country."