A national commercial cleaning firm is targeting the greater Wilmington area for its next expansion.
Judy Walker, vice president of marketing for Pampano Beach, Fla.-based Anago Cleaning Systems, said Tuesday the firm is looking for an investor to oversee future operations in the greater Wilmington area.
Walker said Anago officials currently have 35 master territories and more than 2,400 unit franchises throughout the U.S., Canada and Chile.
She said officials are looking for an investor to become its next exclusive master franchisee for its future Wilmington market, which would include New Hanover, Pender, Brunswick, Columbus, Duplin and Bladen counties.
“The master franchisee would purchase the territory, and would sell unit franchises to people looking to start their own cleaning business,” Walker said. “They wouldn’t be involved in the actual cleaning.”
Walker said the master owner would also be responsible for securing contracts, and opening an office in the area to run the new operation.
“Our ideal candidate would be a white-collar individual with sales and marketing background or a previous cleaning business,” she said. “They would need to have the ability to monitor a staff of people, and unit franchisees that they would put to work.”
Walker said it would cost $39,000 to purchase the Wilmington territory, but added the future owner would need roughly $100,000 to $150,000 in liquid capital to help with startup costs of a new office and staff.
“We greatly reduced the price to spur growth,” Walker said.
Like many firms eyeing the region, Walker said Anago officials were lured to the area because of its booming population and business climate – adding that the firm has recently sold out most of its South Carolina locations, and recently opened offices in Savannah and Charlotte.
“If you drive down the street, every business needs to be cleaned by someone,” Walker said. “They all need to be cleaned by a professional cleaning company, and we feel there is enough businesses to clean and interested individuals in greater Wilmington area looking to invest in a master territory and add additional unit franchises.”