- 2024 Franchise 500 Rank
-
#221 Ranked #177 last year
- Initial investment
-
$108K - $149K
- Units as of 2023
-
228 2.2% over 3 years
In 1986, Tim McCullen founded Window Gang after seeing the rising demand for window cleaning services. Initially, McCullen anticipated Window Gang being a summer job. Later, though, he later decided to pursue Window Gang as a full-time job. By 1996, McCullen had increased services offered and served clients in every major city in North Carolina. With the need to expand his company becoming more imperative, he chose to open it to the public for franchising in late 1996.
As a franchisee, you can offer the following services to residential, commercial, and high-rise buildings:
Window cleaning
Pressure washing
Gutter cleaning
Sealing and restoration for concrete and wood surfaces
Dryer vent cleaning
Chimney sweeping
Oil remediation
Blind cleaning
Depending on your location and business contract, you may also be able to offer carpet and upholstery cleaning, dustless hardwood floor refinishing, and emergency water extraction.
Why You May Want to Start a Window Gang Franchise
Owning a Window Gang franchise means you get to help thousands of people live a little easier by ensuring their space is as clean as it can be. Though it started in North Carolina, Window Gang now has over 110 locations in the U.S. In most years since 2000, Window Gang has ranked in Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 based on an evaluation of more than 150 data points in the areas of costs and fees, size and growth, franchisee support, brand strength, and financial strength and stability.
When you sign your agreement, you will work with Window Gang to design a tailored business plan to suit your needs.
When you have questions, you are likely to have a direct line to the top, resulting in you getting answers promptly.
What Might Make Window Gang a Good Choice?
Like all franchises, you should make sure you're financially ready for an initial investment, including a franchise fee and other startup fees. The overall price will depend on your territory size. Before your application is approved, you should have enough capital available to cover all possible expenses.
The initial investment will go towards equipment, software, technology equipment, cleaning supplies, initial wages, office construction, and marketing tools and efforts. After launching, you'll pay a percentage of all weekly gross income to the company. The gross fee will go towards every service and subsequent assistance the Window Gang officials offer.
How to Open a Window Gang Franchise
After filling out an application, a representative may reach out to you and explain everything they'll need from you to qualify as a franchisee. They'll ask you to provide financial information and specify the territory and size of the franchise you are looking to open.
If you progress, you will have an opportunity to visit the main Window Gang headquarters in Beaufort, North Carolina to meet with top executives. You will then negotiate a contract and business approach. If a contract is signed, you will be free to begin construction, attend training, and launch your business.
After agreeing to a contract, you and a few employees will receive training in cleaning procedures, equipment maintenance, policies and procedures, bookkeeping, marketing, and administrative operations. Teaching you the trade secrets will give you the best chance at success when your Window Gang location opens for business.
Company Overview
About Window Gang
| Industry | Maintenance |
|---|---|
| Related Categories | Window Cleaning, Miscellaneous Maintenance Businesses, Cleaning/Restoration |
| Founded | 1986 |
| Parent Company | Premium Service Brands |
| Leadership | Paul Flick, CEO |
| Corporate Address |
126 Garrett St. Charlottesville, VA 22902 |
| Social | Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest |
Business Overview
| Franchising Since | 1996 (28 years) |
|---|---|
| # of employees at HQ | 40 |
| Where seeking |
This company is offering new franchises throughout the US. |
| # of Units | 228 (as of 2023) |
|
|
|
Information for Franchisees
Here's what you need to know if you're interested in opening a Window Gang franchise.
Financial Requirements & Ongoing Fees
Here's what you can expect to spend to start the business and what ongoing fees the franchisor charges throughout the life of the business.
|
Initial Franchise Fee
|
$65,000 |
|---|---|
|
Initial Investment
|
$108,200 - $148,600 |
|
Net Worth Requirement
|
$150,000 |
|
Veteran Incentives
|
10% off franchise fee |
|
Royalty Fee
|
6% |
|
Ad Royalty Fee
|
2% |
|
Term of Agreement
|
10 years |
| Is franchise term renewable? | Yes |
Financing Options
Some franchisors offer in-house financing, while others have relationships with third-party financing sources to which they refer qualified franchisees.
| In-House Financing | Window Gang offers in-house financing to cover the following: franchise fee |
|---|---|
| Third Party Financing | Window Gang has relationships with third-party sources which offer financing to cover the following: franchise fee, startup costs, equipment, inventory, accounts receivable, payroll |
Training & Support Offered
Franchisors offer initial training programs and a variety of ongoing support options to help franchisees run their businesses.
| On-The-Job Training | 40 hours |
|---|---|
| Classroom Training | 40 hours |
| Ongoing Support |
Newsletter
Meetings & Conventions
Toll-Free Line
Grand Opening
Online Support
Security & Safety Procedures
Lease Negotiation
Field Operations
Site Selection
Proprietary Software
Franchisee Intranet Platform
|
| Marketing Support |
Ad Templates
Regional Advertising
Social Media
SEO
Website Development
Email Marketing
|
Operations
Additional details about running this franchise.
| Is absentee ownership allowed? | No |
|---|---|
|
Can this franchise be run from home/mobile unit?
|
Yes |
|
Can this franchise be run part time?
|
No |
| # of employees required to run | 5 |
|
Are exclusive territories available?
|
Yes |
Franchise 500 Ranking History
Compare where Window Gang landed on this year's Franchise 500 Ranking versus previous years.
Additional Rankings
Curious to know where Window Gang ranked on other franchise lists? Find out below.
Sign Up for Our Franchise Newsletter
Stay up to date on the latest news and trends affecting the franchise industry.
Related Franchises
Are you eager to see what else is out there? Browse franchises that are similar to Window Gang.
Related Franchise Content
Catch up on the latest franchise news, trends, and more.
Make a Real Difference in Your Community with a Huntington Franchise
For nearly 50 years, Huntington Learning Center's mission-driven approach has positively impacted over one million students. Huntington's commitment is to its students and to the families they serve enables them to make a meaningful difference across the country.
Your Franchise Marketing Needs This Secret Weapon to Captivate and Convert
Storytelling triggers the release of oxytocin, a hormone associated with empathy and trust, fostering a deeper emotional connection with the brand. Let's dive into that.
California's Fast-Food Minimum Wage Hike Is Already Impacting Franchises. Here's What a New Study Revealed.
Several chains have raised their prices — or closed locations — in response to the wage increase, which has now led to a noticeable decline in foot traffic.
Capitalize On Diverse Revenue Streams with a Poolwerx Franchise
With an investment that starts at only $135,000, Poolwerx franchisees have multiple revenue streams which include pool maintenance, cleaning and servicing for residential and commercial, swimming pool equipment sales and repairs, and retail sales.
20 Interesting Facts You Should Know About Chick-fil-A
The first-ever Chick-fil-A opened in 1967 in Atlanta's Greenbriar Mall. A chicken sandwich sold for 59 cents and the restaurant was only 384 square feet — roughly the size of a two-car garage.
A D.C. Federal Court Declined to Rule on a Challenge to the Joint Employer Rule. Here's What This Update Means for the Franchise Industry.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit has postponed hearing a case on the National Labor Relations Board's expanded Joint Employer Rule. The court will wait for a Texas federal court to rule first.