Fish Window Cleaning Services Inc.

#119

At a Glance

Products & Services: Window cleaning

Number of Locations: 270

Total Investment: $74.83K - 136.1K

Founded: 1978

Began Franchising: 1998

Private Owned

About Fish Window Cleaning Services Inc.

S. Michael Merrick had lost his job as a bank manager when the window washer for the branch said he was interested in selling his business. Merrick looked at the company's books and was impressed with what he saw--low overhead and virtually no inventory. In 1978 Merrick and his wife, Linda, purchased the company, renamed it, and Fish Window Cleaning was born.

After 20 years of cleaning windows, screens, gutters, skylights and chandeliers in the St. Louis, Missouri, area, the Merricks began franchising.

Franchise Units

Year	U.S.	Canadian	International	Company Owned
2011	269	0	0	1
2010	239	0	0	1
2009	234	0	0	2
2008	223	0	0	2

Where Seeking Franchisees: Franchisor is seeking new franchise units throughout the U.S.

Startup Costs, Ongoing Fees and Financing

Total Investment: $74,825 - $136,100
Franchise Fee: $28,900 - $51,900
Ongoing Royalty Fee: 8-6%
Term of Franchise Agreement: 10 years, renewable

Financial Requirements

Net Worth: $150,000 - $500,000
Liquid Cash Available: $60,000 - $120,000

Operations

25% of all franchisees own more than one unit. Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 5. Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators).

Financing Type	In-House	Third Party
Franchise Fee
Startup Costs
Equipment
Inventory
Accounts Receivable
Payroll

How This Franchise Supports Franchisees

Training: Available at headquarters: 10 days. At franchisee's location: 2 days.

Ongoing Support: Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives,

Marketing Support: Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertising,

Other marketing support: Sales brochures, training videos, national accounts referrals