Serious about clean. Gentle on everything else.
Build a business your customers rave about. Build a life you control.
Own a business that people actually talk about
When customers are texting you photos of their carpets because they can’t believe how good they look, you know you’re building something special.
There’s something deeply satisfying about work that wows people. With Zerorez, you won’t just clean floors – you’ll make homes healthier, customers happier, and your own future brighter. It’s why 90% of customers would recommend Zerorez.
| ** £70K business package for our first UK franchisees** A special incentive to the first people to join our UK network: a fully fitted £70,000 van and equipment provided as part of your initial investment. Why? Our vision is to be the biggest, and we want you to get off to the fastest possible start. |
Why customers love Zerorez (and why you will too)
You’ve never seen clean like this – and neither have your customers. At the heart of this business is Zr™ Water, our patented, chemical-free cleaning technology that transforms carpets, hard floors, upholstery and more.
No sticky residues. No harsh detergents. Just astonishing results that keep homes cleaner for longer. It’s not just greener; it’s better.
And it’s better for you too, working in a non-toxic environment.
The first time someone experiences a Zerorez clean, they’re amazed. The second time, they tell their friends. That’s how you grow a service business.
Building my Zerorez franchise has required a lot of effort, yet has been the most satisfying experience I have ever had.
Big job values, brilliant margins
Average transaction value of £125+ with upselling potential. Profit margins of 15–20%+. And customers pay on the day, keeping you cash flow positive
Recurring business, not just reactive
Carpets and upholstery need regular cleaning. That means customers come back – and they tell others too
Massive market, modern appeal
Demand for clean, healthy homes is higher than ever. Zerorez is the choice for families and businesses who care about cleanliness without chemicals.
Scale up – or stay lean
Start with a single van and no staff. Grow at your own pace into a team, an office, or multiple territories – or stay solo, with our ZrWare software minimising admin.
Training & Support: You’re never on your own
We don’t just give you the van and send you off – we partner with you from day one, with training, support and tech that covers every part of your journey.
You’ll have a playbook to follow: a business blueprint that’s been honed and proven across more than 100 locations.
Initial training at our UK HQ covers:
- Using the Zerorez system and equipment
- Delivering world-class customer service
- Running your daily operations
- Quoting, upselling and managing bookings
- Using our app-based business management tools
- Marketing support tailored to your area
- Our experienced UK franchise team ready to call on
- Visits to your territory and business reviews
- Growth planning and business development
Since I had not been in the industry before, I needed a full programme – from being on the van to answering calls to managing all aspects of the business. The franchisor team went above and beyond to get me what I needed.
Changing cleaning for good
Zerorez was founded in 1993 in the USA by two entrepreneurs who believed there had to be a better way to clean carpets – one that was safer, more effective, and didn’t leave sticky soap residues behind.They created Zr™ Water, a non-toxic cleaning solution that delivered astonishing results with zero chemical residue. That innovation sparked something bigger and in 2001, Zerorez began franchising, becoming a top-rated brand with over 200,000 5-star reviews.
In 2023, Zerorez crossed the Atlantic and launched its first UK site in Watford, proving that the appetite for a better clean was just as strong here. That success now paves the way for nationwide growth, with opportunities for you to be part of the UK rollout of a proven global brand.
What it costs and what you could make
Initial investment:
- £15,000 franchise fee
- Minimum working capital of £30,000
(Please note up to £25,000 is available via the Government Start Up Loan scheme, subject to status)
The approach you need to succeed
You don’t need experience in cleaning or running a business – we’ll train and support you on those. But you do need:
- A strong work ethic and high standards
- A passion for giving people a great experience
- A willingness to learn and follow a proven system
- The drive to build something of your own
With that special £70,000 van + equipment package for our first franchisees, there’s plenty of reasons to get in early in our UK growth journey. Get in touch below to receive a prospectus with further details on the business.
Get in touch with our team to find out more.
What is an owner-operator franchise – and is it right for you?
If you’ve been exploring franchising as a way to become your own boss, start a business, or escape the traditional 9–5, the chances are you’ve come across the term “owner-operator franchise.”
But what does an owner-operator franchise actually mean? And more importantly, is starting one going to be the right fit for you?
Whether you’re considering a career change, or looking to step into business ownership for the first time, this guide will help you understand if an owner-operator franchise is right for you.
We explain everything you need to know about owner-operator franchises, including:
- What an owner-operator franchise is and how they work
- How they differ from management-based franchises
- The pros and cons of the model
- Whether running one is right for you
- The type of people who thrive in this hands-on business model
Once you are more informed about the concept of this popular route into franchising, we also explain how Zerorez is helping individuals across the UK make their entrepreneurial ambitions a reality, even if they don’t have any industry experience.
What is an owner-operator franchise?
First, let’s tackle the all important question: what is an owner-operator franchise?
The short answer is it’s a franchise business model whereby the franchisee is actively involved in the day-to-day operations of the business.
Rather than hiring a team to manage the business from day one, an owner-operator is expected to run it themselves – at least in the early stages of the business’ journey.
Depending on the business model and extent of franchisor support, hands-on involvement typically includes:
- Delivering the service
- Handling customer relationships
- Managing customer bookings
- Overseeing the business’ finances and administration
- Carrying out local marketing campaigns
- Building the brand locally.
Essentially, you’re both the boss and the boots on the ground.
But that setup isn’t necessarily a permanent one; many owner-operators start solo before scaling up gradually over time.
This is usually achieved through hiring staff, adding more vehicles, or taking on additional franchise territories.
This flexibility means you can begin as a hands-on operator with low overheads and, as your confidence and customer base grow, evolve into a multi-van business or even manage multiple territories.
Ultimately, it’s a model that adapts to your ambition.
How is an owner-operator franchise different from management-based franchises?
Traditional management-based franchise models often require a large initial investment, a team of staff, and a managerial role from the outset.
Adding to their complexity, they may also involve a requirement to lease business premises, and adopt expensive systems and processes.
In turn, this creates higher financial risk for the franchisee.
On the other hand, owner-operator franchises tend to be:
- More affordable to start
- Simpler to run
- More hands-on
- Quicker to become profitable
Owner-operator franchises are particularly popular in service-based sectors – where customer service and local presence are key – such as:
- Man-in-a-van businesses
- Mobile trades and home improvement
- Cleaning
- Financial services
- Education
Is an owner-operator franchise right for me?
The answer to this question entirely depends on what you want to get out of franchise ownership.
If you like the idea of being hands-on, making your own decisions, and directly reaping the rewards of your effort, the owner-operator model could be ideal.
Though this is not an exclusive list, owner-operator franchises generally tend to attract:
- Career changers looking for greater independence
- Tradespeople and technicians ready to run their own business
- Professionals who are burnt out from corporate life and are seeking more freedom
- Parents or families wanting to build something more flexible and rewarding
- Veterans or disciplined individuals with strong work ethics and natural leadership skills
You don’t need a business degree or specific industry experience to succeed in franchising, as any good franchisor will provide necessary training and support.
That means you just need to go into the journey with bags of motivation, people skills, and a willingness to learn and follow the business model.
What are the pros and cons of an owner-operator franchise?
When weighing up whether it’s the right move for you, it’s worth considering the pros and cons of the model:
Pros:
- Lower start-up and operating costs
- Direct control over your time and income
- Faster path to profit
- Scalable model enables you to grow when you choose
- Deep personal satisfaction in building something yourself
Cons:
- Requires physical, hands-on involvement – especially early on
- You’re responsible for everything in the initial stages
- Work-life balance can be tricky in the early growth phase
It’s worth noting these cons can be negated with the assistance of your franchisor.
That’s why choosing the right franchise brand – one that truly supports owner-operators – is key to making your business a success.
How Zerorez empowers owner-operators across the UK
At Zerorez, we’ve built our entire franchise model with ambitious owner-operators in mind.
It’s been a huge success across America for decades, and now we’re delighted to have brought it to the UK.
You start with a fully branded van, state-of-the-art equipment, and comprehensive training. With these proprietary tools and knowledge, you deliver our unique carpet and surface cleaning service directly to customers, using our revolutionary Zr Water technology that outperforms traditional methods without any toxic chemicals.
From there, the business grows on your terms.
Whether you want to keep it lean and profitable as a solo venture, or scale to a multi-van, multi-territory operation, we provide the tools and support you need to thrive.
Zerorez owner-operator franchisees benefit from:
- A low-cost initial investment, from just £15,000 plus working capital
- An exclusive franchise territory with up to 100,000+ potential households
- Centralised marketing campaigns, app-based management, and operational support
- A BFA-accredited franchisor and business model
- Access to a national and international network of franchisees
- The chance to work locally and enjoy better work-life balance long-term
For a limited time only, we are also offering new franchisees a fully branded vehicle and equipment worth up to £70,000! But be quick, as this offer is first come, first served.
No prior business or industry experience? No problem. We’ve helped people from all walks of life build thriving businesses with our hands-on training and expert support.
How do I decide if an owner-operator franchise is right for me?
This is a natural question to ask, and answering these questions will help you make an informed decision:
- Do you want to be in control of your schedule and workload?
- Are you willing to put in hard work and effort to build something valuable?
- Do you enjoy engaging with customers and delivering great service?
- Are you looking for a business you can grow gradually and flexibly?
- Do you want a trusted system with training and support to back you?
If you answered “yes” to most of these, you’re likely a great fit for an owner-operator franchise.
And Zerorez might just be the opportunity you’ve been searching for.
Ready to take the first step?
Starting your own Zerorez franchise offers an amazing opportunity to:
- Own a business
- Take back control of your life
- Take back control of your time
- Build a strong financial future
If you’re ready to stop working for others and start building something of your own, we’d love to hear from you.