ANAGO OFFERS NEXT GENERATION OF COMMERCIAL CLEANING FRANCHISES

Anago Cleaning Systems, a $10 million Florida commercial cleaning franchise company, is poised to eclipse Jani-King, the world's largest commercial cleaning franchising company. A key to Anago's growth is the recent hiring of Ted Hirst, former Jani-King president, who propelled Jani-King from a $43 million company to $100 million in just 2-1/2 years. Within two years, Anago expects to be, at minimum, a $60 million company.

CORAL SPRINGS, FL (PRWEB) July 30, 2003 -- Some people call it a nocturnal industry. While workers do their jobs under cover of night, theres nothing sleepy about the $86+ billion commercial cleaning industry that employs more people than the government.

But this behemoth industry has some strange dynamics which pose unique challenges and significant opportunities. Charged with cleaning millions of square feet of offices, warehouses and retail centers, this industry has no dominant players. The largest franchising player is responsible for approximately $200 million, which represents a sliver of what is largely a mom-and-pop industry.

These are encouraging numbers for Anago Cleaning Systems, a national commercial cleaning franchise that is poised to take its share of the janitorial pie. Through unique management systems, technology, and the recent hiring of the former president of the top company in the industry, Coral Springs-based Anago is positioned for significant and rapid growth.

Founded by Detroit native David Povlitz, Anago is revolutionizing the industry with a finely tuned business concept that provides master franchises for entrepreneurs in metropolitan areas nationwide. The master franchisors in turn provide business opportunities for unit franchisees--individuals looking for an affordable way to create their own cleaning firms.

One of the primary keys to Anagos growth lies with Ted Hirst, who transformed Jani-King, the world's largest commercial cleaning franchise,from a sluggish 22-year-old company with $43 million in annual revenues to more than $100 million in just 2-1/2 years. This is in addition to nearly doubling the number of franchisees nationwide.

Founded in 1989, Anago has significant success on which to build. Named one of the nations Top 100 Fastest Growing Franchises by Entrepreneur magazine, Anago is certainly positioned for major growth under Hirsts leadership.

Teds success at Jani-King is legendary," Povlitz said. He shattered every sales and service record and his knowledge and proven ability will help our existing management team accelerate our national expansion plans."

Anago has master franchises with rights to operate in over 27 U.S. cities which are served by over 300 unit franchisees. By years end, the company anticipates eight additional master franchisees will join its ranks, as well as doubling its number unit franchisees.

Anago has all the tools and systems in place to become the major commercial cleaning franchisor in the industry," Hirst said. Our current franchises are growing and my goal is to build on that growth to create an expanded franchise system that will surpass what was accomplished at Jani-King. Anago expanded on the Jani-King franchise concept and has given it strength and marketability by developing a well-conceived technical support system that is the best Ive ever seen."

These are certainly lofty goals, but the combination of Hirsts expertise and the proven Anago systems make them realistic and attainable.

The South Florida master franchise, established by Povlitz in 1995, has over 90 unit franchisees serving more than 550 commercial clients throughout Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. Anago of South Florida also serves as a beta test center for new methods of marketing, sales and computer software research and development. It also serves as a business model for new and prospective master franchisors.

Anago's technology systems control, track and support all functions relating to the master franchisors and their unit franchisees. These sophisticated systems distinguish Anago from its competitors and have been key to its success.

We like to think weve given the traditional mop-and-bucket industry high-tech efficiencies that allow the master franchisor to serve as the sales, administrative and operational support for their franchisees. We do everything theyd normally do if they were maintaining their own records," said Povlitz, who named the company after a Greek word meaning to uplift."

A hallmark of Anagos system is its simplicity. An individual purchases a geographic area and becomes the master franchisor. This entity then recruits unit franchisees from all walks of life. They include fathers and sons, husbands and wives, white collar executives, blue collar workers--basically anyone looking for part-time supplemental income. The master franchisor then structures a relationship based on how much the franchisee wants to earn.

Another feature of Anagos technology is its system for attracting the most likely candidates for commercial cleaning contracts. These include office buildings, warehouses, schools, medical facilities and financial institutions, among many other businesses and facilities. Anago studies and analyzes prospective clients, targeting those that already outsource their cleaning requirements, and directs all the data gathered to the master franchisor. There are no random calls to generate accounts.

Once the contract is signed, the client is assigned to a unit franchisee that will perform the actual cleaning, explained Terry Mollica, chief operating officer. Supported by the master franchisor, unit franchisees can grow their businesses as large as they want, depending upon their needs.

One of Anagos most important features is the local support provided for the unit franchisees," he added. Thanks to our state-of-the-art technology and processing systems, they dont have to worry about paperwork or administrative details. In most instances, they have little or no experience in this area and would prefer to spend their time cleaning as many locations as possible in the shortest amount of time."

Anagos proprietary SmartClean technique helps make this possible. Easy to learn, this systematic cleaning method can be applied to any property to be cleaned. All unit franchisees use this system.

While employing computer technology in new and innovative ways has established Anago as a top player in the industry, the company also credits its success to its proactive approach in dealing with its franchisees. According to Hirst, Anagos franchise friendly policy is unique in the industry. They are our only business."

This nighttime cleaning force does not go under-appreciated by the companys founder.

This huge nocturnal army of cleaning professionals goes largely unnoticed by the public," Povlitz said. And if they do a good job no one ever knows theyve been there. Its only when a trash basket goes unemptied, for example, that anyone gives them any thought. These unsung entrepreneurs play a key role in creating a clean and comfortable working environment for Americas workforce."

Based on government statistics, the commercial cleaning industry is growing as businesses continue to outsource their janitorial requirements. In a recent study conducted by the Building Owners Management Association (BOMA), 77 percent of facilities outsource their cleaning, and that number is expected to increase.

We expect this recession-resistant industry to continue to flourish because most businesses find building maintenance a distraction from their core competencies while others want to avoid the hassle and expense of attracting and maintaining an in-house crew," Hirst said. An Anago franchise can thrive in all economic situations-because therell always be buildings to clean."

Thats why Anago's Terry Mollica chose the cleaning industry for his lifes work, thanks to advice from his father.
    
'Son, my dad said, there are three professions that will always guarantee you a living, no matter what the economy is doing. You can cut hair, haul trash or clean buildings."

Mollica made the right choice.

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