Poppies Domestic Cleaning Franchise Approaches 45 Years with Major Milestones, Charity Initiatives and Award Finalist Franchisee

Personal touch, professional standards

Earn £100,000+ a year without getting your hands dirty

Poppies has been at the forefront of the UK’s quality domestic cleaning industry for over 40 years… but you won’t find anything old-fashioned about the Poppies business model.

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.

Note: the above financials are based on 2019 figures for the top 20% of franchisees who have their own management team.

Achieve the lifestyle you want while operating a fantastic business

Are you:

Looking for a great opportunity?
Looking for a low risk investment with great earning potential
Wanting to be your own boss without starting from scratch and going it alone?
Needing a business that can be flexible and scalable?

If this sounds like you, then look no further…

“Poppies has given me the flexibility and security that was missing from my previous career. It’s certainly brought a breath of fresh air, right from the very moment I took over the business in August 2013. Poppies has offered me the safety blanket of having a specific model to follow, whilst injecting my own flair and personality into the service - it’s grown into a business that I’m proud of.” Katie and Lee – Chester Franchisees

“It’s fantastic to be a part of a franchise that’s solely driven by helping franchisees build a successful and in-demand service to our communities,” Emma – Stockport Franchisee

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.

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 we will guide you through the very best practices to recruit and retain a dream team who will ensure your franchise flourishes.

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 our trade secrets, support you with generating clients, marketing and operations, and mentor you to become a confident 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.

You don’t need to have owned a business before, nor have any experience of cleaning (because you won’t be doing it! You’ll employ the cleaners), but you do need to be:

A great communicator
Business-minded
Methodical and motivated
Proud and personable
Willing to reinvest to grow your business

Poppies History

Susan Rorstad founded Poppies and her success with growing an elite franchise brand across the UK saw her awarded an MBE by Prime Minister John Major for Services to Domestic Care in the 1994 New Year’s Honours.

Poppies is now owned and operated by its most successful franchisee, Chris Wootton, and continues to go from strength to strength. The Poppies Way is tried, tested and proven to get results.

Poppies is a serial franchisor recognised in the top 100 Franchises by Elite Franchises.

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.

If you’re starting from scratch in a new territory, these are the typical steps in your journey ahead:

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:

Poppies Domestic Cleaning Franchise Approaches 45 Years with Major Milestones, Charity Initiatives and Award Finalist Franchisee

October 09, 2024

Poppies, the UK’s first domestic cleaning franchise, is gearing up for its 45th birthday with a year full of achievements, innovative developments, and exciting plans

As the company prepares to participate in the Clean and Tidy Home Show on the 18th and 19th of October at Excel London, Poppies celebrates its journey and looks forward to continued growth and community impact.

Founded in 1980, Poppies has grown into a network of 33 franchises across the UK, showcasing the durability and success of its business model. As part of its 45th-anniversary celebrations, Poppies has pledged to raise £45,000 for local charities throughout 2024 and 2025, with each franchise contributing to this network-wide initiative.

A standout development this year is the launch of the Poppies Well-being App, an innovative tool designed to support the health and well-being of Poppies employees and their families. The app provides immediate access to private GP consultations and 24/7 assistance from trained counsellors for early mental health issues. It also offers ongoing counselling, along with medical information and guidance on topics like menopause, cancer, and more. In addition, staff have access to a range of discount schemes for essentials such as fuel and groceries. This app reinforces Poppies’ commitment to the well-being and support of its staff.

Another major highlight of 2024 is the recognition of Soniya Fernandes, one of Poppies’ most dynamic franchisees, who has been named a finalist for the Young Woman in Franchising Award 2024. At just 29, Soniya launched her Poppies franchise in July 2023 and quickly built a thriving business with a team of 10 employees within her first six months. A key element of Soniya’s success is her ability to adapt and innovate in the specific London marketplace. Her success reflects her entrepreneurial leadership and ability to adapt to the demands of the competitive London market.

"Inclusivity and diversity have been integral to our business since its founding," said Chris Wooton, Franchisor and Owner at Poppies. "We pioneered family-friendly, flexible employment when our founder, Sue Rorstad, chose to start Poppies in 1980 rather than return to full-time work after maternity leave. Sue’s focus on women’s empowerment in the workplace was recognized when she was awarded an MBE in 1994."

Today, Poppies continues to embrace inclusivity, with franchise partners from diverse backgrounds including India, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Ghana, and the UK. Poppies’ workforce includes over 475 people from all walks of life, including neuro-diverse and hearing-impaired individuals. The company actively collaborates with job agencies and charities to create a supportive and adaptive work environment, recruiting based on shared values and a passion for cleaning, rather than background.

Key Milestones Leading Up to Poppies’ 45th Birthday:

45th Anniversary: Celebrating four and a half decades of cleaning excellence on 1st April 2025.
Poppies Well-being App: Launched to provide staff with access to private healthcare, mental health support, and discount schemes.
Charity Pledge: A commitment to raise £45,000 for local charities, involving all franchise branches across the UK.
Award-Winning Franchisee: Soniya Fernandes, a finalist for the Young Woman in Franchising Award 2024, showcases the incredible opportunities available within Poppies.
30-Year Celebrations: Two franchisees celebrate 30 years of business, highlighting the longevity of the Poppies franchise model.
Industry Recognition: Finalist in the Clean and Tidy Awards and a place on the EF100 list for the fifth consecutive year.

The Clean and Tidy Home Show in October will offer Poppies the opportunity to showcase its business model and connect with both consumers and potential franchisees. Attendees will learn about Poppies' history, its commitment to diversity, and the benefits of joining its thriving franchise network.

Poppies Cleaning Service Success Stories