1950
65
$63,188
$24,000
$191,988
No
COIT Cleaning & Restoration Services stands as a pillar in the cleaning and restoration industry, offering specialized services that cater to both residential and commercial clients. With a legacy dating back to 1950, COIT has evolved from a small dry cleaner in San Francisco to one of the most recognized names in the cleaning sector. Their commitment to quality, customer satisfaction, and innovation has paved the way for a robust franchise model that provides entrepreneurs with a proven path to success.
Established Brand Recognition: COIT's long-standing reputation ensures a steady stream of customers and trust in the services provided.
Diverse Service Offerings: From carpet and upholstery cleaning to air duct and tile & grout services, COIT covers a wide range of cleaning needs, catering to various market segments.
Exclusive Territories: Franchisees are granted exclusive territories, minimizing internal competition and maximizing market potential.
Comprehensive Support: COIT offers extensive training and ongoing support, ensuring franchisees are well-equipped to manage and grow their businesses effectively.
Proven Business Model: With decades of experience, COIT provides a structured and scalable business model, ideal for both first-time and seasoned entrepreneurs.
The Background Information section provides potential franchisees with a clear understanding of the brand’s history, credibility, and market positioning. It builds trust and helps investors see the stability and growth potential of the franchise. For COIT, this section includes the following elements:
Founded / Established Year
COIT was founded in 1950 in San Francisco, California.
Originally a small drapery and carpet cleaning business, the brand has grown over decades into a leading cleaning and restoration franchise.
Franchising Since
COIT started franchising in 1962, which means it has decades of experience in scaling operations through franchise models.
This long history indicates a proven system and a strong franchise network.
Franchise Units / Locations
COIT currently has over 65 franchise locations across the United States.
This shows market acceptance and a solid footprint, ensuring that new franchisees are joining a reputable network.
Founders
The company was started by Lou Kearn, who focused initially on drapery and carpet cleaning in the San Francisco area.
Founder history shows the entrepreneurial spirit behind the brand and its commitment to quality services.
Ownership
COIT remains family-owned with a focus on strong corporate culture, customer satisfaction, and operational excellence.
Family ownership often indicates stability, long-term vision, and consistent support for franchisees.
Brand Journey / Company History
Started as a local dry-cleaning and drapery service in 1950 → expanded to carpet and upholstery cleaning → developed restoration services → franchised in 1962 → expanded nationally with specialized cleaning and restoration services.
This journey demonstrates innovation and adaptability over 70+ years in business.
Industry Category
COIT operates in Cleaning and Restoration Services, a growing market in the U.S.
Services include carpet & upholstery cleaning, tile & grout, air duct cleaning, and emergency restoration.
Market Presence
COIT has a strong presence in major U.S. cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York.
This presence indicates both brand recognition and access to profitable markets.
Other Relevant Information
COIT emphasizes quality, customer satisfaction, and training, making it easier for franchisees to achieve success.
The franchise’s longevity and reputation also make it less risky for investors compared to new startups.
The Support & Training section is critical for potential franchisees because it shows how the franchisor will help them succeed. It reassures investors that even if they don’t have prior industry experience, the franchisor will provide the knowledge, tools, and ongoing guidance needed to run the business successfully.
For COIT, this section includes several key components:
Site Selection: COIT helps franchisees identify and secure optimal locations for their business to maximize market potential.
Lease Negotiation: Assistance in negotiating leases for office, warehouse, or service locations to ensure favorable terms.
Business Setup: Guidance on purchasing equipment, vehicles, and supplies; establishing operational workflows; and preparing for opening day.
Legal & Compliance Support: Helps franchisees navigate local permits, licenses, and compliance requirements.
Purpose: This ensures franchisees start on a strong foundation and avoid common early-stage pitfalls.
Comprehensive Classroom Training: COIT provides in-depth training covering operations, service techniques, customer service, and safety protocols.
Hands-On Practice: Franchisees learn practical skills for cleaning, restoration, and specialized services.
Marketing & Sales Training: Includes lead generation, local advertising strategies, and client acquisition.
Management Training: Teaches how to hire, manage, and retain staff effectively.
Purpose: Prepares franchisees to operate independently and efficiently while maintaining COIT’s brand standards.
Field Visits: Regular visits from corporate representatives to evaluate operations and provide guidance.
Customer Service Support: Assistance in handling difficult client situations or escalations.
Operational Tools: Access to proprietary software for scheduling, billing, and customer management to simplify day-to-day operations.
Process Updates: Guidance on implementing new services, techniques, or technology as COIT evolves.
Purpose: Keeps franchisees up-to-date with best practices and ensures consistent service quality across locations.
National Marketing Campaigns: Support from COIT’s corporate team in promoting the brand through online advertising, PR campaigns, and seasonal promotions.
Local Marketing Guidance: Personalized recommendations for local advertising, social media, email campaigns, and community events.
Promotional Materials: Ready-made flyers, brochures, and branded merchandise to help attract customers.
Lead Generation Systems: Tools to acquire new residential and commercial clients efficiently.
Purpose: Helps franchisees grow their customer base and revenue without reinventing marketing strategies.
Hiring & Training Staff: Guidance on recruiting employees and developing effective teams.
Performance Management: Tips for motivating staff and maintaining high productivity.
Retention Programs: Strategies to reduce employee turnover, which is critical in service-based businesses.
Purpose: Ensures franchisees can build a strong workforce, which directly impacts customer satisfaction and profitability.
Annual Conferences & Workshops: Opportunities to learn about industry trends, new services, and franchise innovations.
Webinars & Online Training: Flexible, ongoing learning resources for franchisees and their staff.
Peer Network: Access to other franchisees for sharing best practices and business insights.
Purpose: Keeps franchisees connected, informed, and continuously improving their business performance.
The Ideal Franchisee Profile section describes the type of entrepreneur or investor who is most likely to succeed with the franchise. It helps potential franchisees self-assess whether they are a good fit for the business and sets expectations for the franchisor-franchisee relationship. For COIT, this section emphasizes qualities, experience, financial capacity, and location preference.
Traits: Ambitious, self-motivated, and eager to run their own business.
Purpose: COIT franchises require owners who take initiative, make strategic decisions, and actively grow their business.
Importance: Franchisees with an entrepreneurial mindset are more likely to succeed, innovate locally, and uphold COIT’s reputation.
Preferred Background: Experience managing teams or running operations, ideally in service-oriented industries.
Skills: Leadership, hiring and training staff, scheduling, and operational oversight.
Purpose: COIT franchisees oversee multiple service teams and daily operations, so prior management experience reduces the learning curve and ensures efficient business operations.
Minimum Investment: Ability to invest the required initial capital (e.g., $63,000–$192,000 total investment) and maintain sufficient working capital.
Access to Capital: Liquid assets for franchise fee, equipment, marketing, and operational expenses.
Purpose: Ensures the franchisee can launch successfully and sustain operations until the business becomes profitable.
Traits: Passion for serving the local community, building relationships, and delivering high-quality services.
Purpose: COIT relies on word-of-mouth referrals and repeat business. Franchisees who engage with their community are more likely to attract and retain loyal customers.
Traits: Willingness to adhere to COIT’s operational standards, service protocols, and quality guidelines.
Purpose: Ensures consistency across all locations and protects the brand’s reputation nationwide.
Exclusive Territories: Interest in establishing a business within COIT’s exclusive franchise territories.
Market Awareness: Ability to understand local demographics and adapt marketing efforts to the area.
Purpose: Maximizes revenue potential while minimizing competition from other COIT franchisees.
Long-Term Vision: Interested in growing the business over several years, potentially expanding to multiple locations.
Resilience & Problem-Solving: Capable of handling service challenges, employee management issues, and fluctuating demand.
Learning-Oriented: Open to training, ongoing education, and adopting new technologies or processes.
Financial Category | Details / Range |
---|---|
Franchise Fee | $24,000 – $40,000 |
Total Initial Investment | $63,188 – $191,988 (depends on location, territory size, and equipment needs) |
Liquid Capital / Working Capital | $15,000 – $50,000 |
Royalty Fee | 7% of monthly gross sales |
Marketing Fee | 2% of monthly gross sales |
Infrastructure / Equipment Cost | Included in total investment; covers vehicles, cleaning equipment, uniforms, and software systems |
Expected ROI | High potential; many franchisees achieve profitability within 2–3 years |
Break-Even Time | Typically 18–36 months |
Revenue Streams | Carpet & upholstery cleaning, tile & grout, air duct cleaning, emergency restoration services, commercial cleaning contracts |
Territory Size | Exclusive territory granted to each franchisee |
Additional Costs | Insurance, training, local marketing, staffing, and operational expenses |