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


Poppies Case Study: Nicola Marinan


Poppies Case Study: Andrew Wishart

