MOLLY'MAID hits £100 million!
Having grown from a standing start in 1985 to 69 Franchise Owners nationwide earning a current annual turnover of over £12 million and supported by almost 800 staff, MOLLY MAID is building on its momentum of 2007 to increase its national network of Franchise Owners
With average house prices across the UK topping the £200,000 level, many families need both partners working and this has led to an increasing number of women going out to work full-time pushing demand for professional help in maintaining the home.
MOLLY MAID UK has just closed a year of substantial growth, achieving an increase in turnover of 15.5 per cent in 2007, and this success continues globally with the company announcing annual worldwide turnover topping the £100 million level. The company with the iconic pink and blue brand colours cleaned over 1.8 million homes in 2007 generating annual consumer turnover of £111 million pounds.
These results are truly impressive and we are so proud of our strategic partners: our Franchise Owners, who day in and day out rise to the challenges of our business and delight our customers. There are a total of 471 MOLLY MAID Franchise Owners worldwide, with 69 located in the UK.
The reason for the success of the domestic business is a combination of the hard work of our Franchise Owners and our targeted national marketing activities, which have led to an increasing level of awareness for the industry leading MOLLY MAID brand. These efforts include the May 2007 launch of a new consumer focused website; national cross promotions with household brands such as Tesco, Cillit Bang, Pampers, Fairy, Astral and Total; and increased regional leaflet distribution approaching 10 million.
This year the determination from MOLLY MAID to grow the customer base and the franchise network is as strong as ever. Already MOLLY MAID has been shortlisted in the final three for the Express Newspapers Brand Builder of the Year Award. This is a fantastic achievement and is a credit to all of our local and national marketing efforts to make MOLLY MAID the brand in domestic cleaning. This professional industry accolade is something that reinforces the strength of the MOLLY MAID brand and system, which was again officially recognised in 2007 when MOLLY MAID won the Bronze Franchisor of the Year Award. The increasing awareness and continued brand exposure to the public is why more and more people are looking to MOLLY MAID when thinking of starting their own franchised business.
With comprehensive training and support MOLLY MAID Franchise Owners are some of the best in the industry. If you join the MOLLY MAID network you will be provided with full training on our proven business system, and as long as you have the determination to succeed we can provide you with the skills you will need.
The initial investment required for 12,000 target households is £16,975. This includes everything needed to start your first team: marketing, staff recruitment, support programme, cleaning equipment and supplies. New Franchise Owners are also required to have a minimum of £12,000 working capital (for vehicle lease hire, additional marketing, insurance and miscellaneous start up expenses).
Text: MOLLY MAID Chief Executive Pam Bader OBE
Michelle Jarvis, Sutton Coldfield & Lichfield Staffordshire
I have been a MOLLY MAID Franchise Owner for six years now and own and run two territories. My first territory is in Sutton Coldfield and I started my second territory in 2006 in Lichfield, Staffordshire. In 2007 I achieved a turnover of £297,000 and was presented with the Top Sales Growth Award at our recent conference. This year I am already on my way to achieving my projected turnover of £365,000.
My job is hard work but at the same time it is very rewarding and I enjoy being kept busy. I love to see satisfied customers, a happy workforce and enjoy the extra holidays and weekends away from the office that the financial side allows. Since employing an office manager and part-time administration assistant to deal with the day-to-day running of the business I can focus my time on gaining new business and growing the brand awareness within my territory.
Before investing in the MOLLY MAID concept I ran my own children's day nursery business. I decided to sell the business once my son was too old to participate in the activities on offer at the nursery - I'd enjoyed being my own boss and so I planned to set up and run another business. My sister owns a franchise and has had a positive experience. I liked the idea of ongoing support and the fact that owning a franchise was a lower risk alternative to starting up on my own again and so I researched brands in franchise magazines and discovered MOLLY MAID.
I was instantly drawn to the company because it is a well-established cleaning brand that can be run from home initially. MOLLY MAID has an excellent support and training package. I spent one week in the Support Office being trained in the MOLLY MAID system - this involved presentations, videos and workbooks. Since then I have found the Support Office's guidance comforting - any issues or concerns I have come across have always been resolved.
Interview: Jess Sturman ©2008 The Franchise Magazine