Personal touch, professional standards
Earn £100,000+ a year without getting your hands dirty
Poppies' technology, systems and processes make this a business that’s simple to operate and control. The Poppies bespoke business management system minimises your admin and lets you focus on what’s important: stellar service and stellar growth.
By running a successful home based cleaning business you will be minimising overheads, and only move to an office when your cash flow allows – meaning no further investment is required.
Poppies is Britain’s oldest-established domestic cleaning franchise and has been setting the standards others follow since 1980. Our most successful franchisee, Chris Wootton, now owns and operates the franchise network as the Poppies MD. The result is a culture of rare and genuine passion to help people like you with the oomph and the ambition to build your own financial freedom and security, just as he did.
The Poppies Cleaning Service Franchise Opportunity
The primary role of the franchisee is to build and maintain great relationships with both clients and staff. The ability to get on with people and enjoy providing help to other people’s lives is one of the cores Poppies are looking for in their franchisees. The skills around cleaning they can teach; but the understanding of how to create happy clients is something that is invaluable.
As a Poppies Franchisee, you will employ cleaners your customers can rely on to be honest, efficient and discreet. Poppies will share with you their extensive inside knowledge about recruitment in the industry, which has been built up over many decades. From cleaners to managers and administrative staff, rest assured they will guide you through the very best practices to recruit and retain a dream team who will ensure your franchise flourishes.
Note: the above figures are based on 2019 financials for the top 20% of franchisees who have their own management team.
What you’ll need to be a Poppies franchisee
Buying a franchise is a low-risk way of sharing in the success of a high-profile business, backed all the way by the people who know it best and made it all possible.
We’ll let you into our trade secrets, support you with marketing and operations, and mentor you to become a confident Poppies franchisee.
You don’t need to have owned a business before.
1. A great communicator
2. Business-minded
3. Methodical and motivated
4. Proud and personable
5. Willing to reinvest to grow your business
A business journey, taken together
You can have your own Poppies domestic cleaning business either by setting one up in a new territory or by buying one that’s already established. Either way, Chris and his team will mentor and guide you on following the proven business model.
Poppies prides itself on the personal touch – something our customers have appreciated for decades. As a franchise owner, you’ll employ cleaners your customers can rely on to be honest, efficient and discreet. They won’t raise an eyebrow if the house they’ve cleaned is in uproar the next time they visit, and they’ll even park your liveried van around the corner if the customer wants to claim the credit for all their hard work! Like you, they’ll make it their business to keep clients happy.
What you’ll need to be a Poppies Franchisee
Buying a Poppies franchise is a low-risk way of sharing in the success of an established brand, backed all the way by the people who know it best and made it all possible.
Poppies will let you into their trade secrets, support you with marketing and operations, and mentor you to become a confident Poppies Franchisee.
You don’t need to have owned a business before, but you do need to be:
- A great communicator
- Driven and determined
- Methodical and motivated
- Proud and personable
… are a real people-person
… enjoy providing excellent customer service
… want to build and lead your own team
Find out more
If you’d like to know more about the Poppies franchise and…
… are a real people-person
… enjoy providing excellent customer service
… want to build something of your own, surrounded by experienced people
Please get in touch with us below:
50 years makes for strong foundations and rich experience
In fact, it’s believed that in 2021 alone, a staggering 9 out of 10 start-ups failed1, indicating that it is certainly no mean feat for businesses that celebrate such significant milestones today. This year, domestic cleaning franchise, Poppies, is celebrating across its network of dedicated and expert franchisees, with three franchise anniversaries totalling a combined 50 years.
Poppies gives driven and innovative entrepreneurs from all walks of life opportunities to become valuable contributors and to help move the franchise forward. The new franchisees of Poppies Peak District, Dominic and Simona Ainsworth, are no exception, as they took over the franchise at the beginning of the year in advance of its 25th anniversary. Now, driven by giving the franchise a “deep clean” of its own, Poppies Peak District is in good hands as the couple balances raising their son and helping enrol important new processes and technology into the franchise for the benefit of the whole Poppies network.
“Taking over Poppies Peak District was an opportunity we couldn’t miss out on,” explained Dominic. “Having taken over in January, Simona and I decided it was the perfect time to make our mark and really hit the ground running as we enter the next 25 years! Simona runs the day-to-day operations, stepping up from her previous role with Poppies as a cleaner. Meanwhile, I’m working to implement the new online platforms that will help boost the efficiency of the whole business, not just our franchise territory. Poppies has given us the tools to make our franchise our own. And in terms of being a franchisee, it’s fantastic to have such brilliant support that really feels like a family – it’s helped massively throughout the resale process and establishing ourselves.”
Like many industries, the cleaning sector was not exempt from having to navigate the difficulties of the pandemic. Now, as Nicola Marinan celebrates her fifth anniversary with Poppies Durham, she is working towards returning to pre-COVID capacity of delivering upwards of 1,600 cleaning hours. Inspired by development, she reflects proudly on making it through such a difficult period as well as forward in anticipation of further growth and streamlining her franchise even more.
“I was completely new to the cleaning industry when I took over Poppies Durham, but the support since day one has been exceptional,” said Nicola. “It’s because of this that I’m in a good position to ultimately exceed pre-pandemic figures across the board. I’m so proud to be a part of such a close network, knowing I’m not on my own and that there’s always someone there to help. This is especially useful now, as the brand is currently seeing some incredibly exciting developments that’ll not only future-proof us but make it easy for new franchisees to get up to speed.
“Aside from the business operations, Poppies has enabled me to stay close to my family while controlling my professional life. I can still do things like school drop offs. You don’t realise how important those things are until you can’t do it, and I’m glad I haven’t had to sacrifice my personal, family life to be successful.”
After being made redundant from her career in finance, Paula Sidwells decided it was time for a change and to take control of her professional life. Joining Poppies Mercia as General Manager and quickly transitioning to franchisee when the opportunity arose six months later, Paula has seen the value of a supportive franchisor in an industry that is constantly evolving. Now, with the support of an expert team, led by Paula’s General Manager, Tracey Payne, Poppies Mercia is busier than ever.
“I’m incredibly proud to be celebrating such a significant milestone. Over 20 years, the support within Poppies has always been exceptional. I’ve seen so much development within the industry, and the demand has never been higher, so much so that we’ve recruited two more staff very recently. It’s an honour to provide our service to busy families. Having the cleaning taken care of isn’t just useful to some people – it’s essential. We always say we’re the 4th emergency service!” said Paula.
“It's delightful to be celebrating such amazing achievements across the UK with our franchisees,” explained Chris Wootton, Managing Director. “Emerging from the pandemic couldn’t have been possible without the work from our dedicated and passionate team. Through collective support, we’re primed to make the next combined 50 years even more fruitful than the last!”
Celebrating 40 years of success in 2020, Poppies is a brand with a rich heritage and business values based on honesty and integrity. Today, the network of franchisees are building their own local businesses, creating over 500 jobs and delivering high-quality cleaning to 6,000+ homes every week UK-wide.
Poppies Cleaning: Promo Video
Poppies Case Study: Nicola Marinan
Poppies Case Study: Andrew Wishart
Poppies Case Study: Rob Piper
