Carpet and upholstery cleaning franchise leader Chem-Dry today announced that Kati Buckland has joined the company as the New Franchise Owner Success Manager. Buckland is a longtime Chem-Dry franchisee, joining the brand in 2000 and growing her portfolio to five licenses. As a standout business owner and former member of the Franchise Advisory Council, Buckland will use her expertise to help drive franchisee performance via an enhanced QuickStart program, designed to help set franchisees up for immediate success.
As Buckland transitions from franchisee to franchisor team member, she brings two decades worth of knowledge in owning and operating Chem-Dry franchises and driving unit-level profitability. She has been unofficially mentoring franchisees in the system since she found her stride as a multi-unit owner. Next, she joined the Franchise Advisory Council in 2002 to more formally foster connections and share knowledge. Taking on this role is a natural next step in her path to leadership. Her vast experiences – boots on the ground – will be a tremendous asset in retooling, enhancing, and directing the brand’s QuickStart program.
The QuickStart program helps new owners get the training and support they need for equipment and back-office operations and move from onboarding and training to revenue generation in weeks, as they build their business. Since launching the program in 2017, annual revenues have more than doubled in that timeframe, a testament to the focused support provided. Buckland believes she can grow those numbers even higher and have franchisees booking appointments and bringing in revenue within days after training vs. weeks.
“What I love most about this brand is the bond between owners in the system – how everyone is so open and willing to help each other achieve our maximum potential,” said Buckland. “To be able to step into this role after 22 years, and take this on as my sole responsibility, is quite honestly a dream come true. It is my goal that every Chem-Dry franchise owner has the core training they need for immediate success, and the tools and resources to help meet their goals.”
Chem-Dry has grown from humble beginnings 45 years ago, to the carpet cleaning market leader today, serving more than 11,000 homes and business daily across 55 countries. Chem Dry has solidified itself as a category leader and the Healthy Home Authority®. The $5 billion carpet cleaning industry is expected to increase 1.5% in 2022, and Chem-Dry is poised to continue its market leadership and growth. The brand’s corporate leadership team continues to work tirelessly to keep franchisees ahead of the curve by providing innovative, personalized, high-quality, professional care that delivers on its commitment to make spaces cleaner and healthier.
“Franchisees will find solace in knowing this program is being led by a seasoned, successful past franchise owner who has instrumental knowledge and experience operating the business and achieving long-term success,” said Ed Quinlan, President of Chem-Dry, part of the BELFOR Franchise Group family of brands. “Kati is a doer, and she has set a huge amount of accountability within our teams to ensure the needs of each franchise owner are being met. There’s truly no better person suited for this role as we continue to grow the Chem-Dry brand with franchisees around the world.”
Chem-Dry is on track to meet planned growth and benchmarks in 2022. Year-to-date, 42 franchise agreements have been signed, and leadership anticipates a total of at least 70 franchises added by year’s end.
About Chem-Dry
Founded in 1977, Chem-Dry is the world’s leading carpet and upholstery cleaning service with a network spanning 55 countries and serving over 11,000 homes and businesses a day worldwide. Its eco-friendly core cleaning solution and proprietary Hot Carbonating Extraction cleaning process provide a deeper clean, allow surfaces to dry faster, and leave homes and workplaces healthier. In addition to being ranked one of the top three maintenance franchises by Entrepreneur magazine in 2021, and ranked among the top 10 concepts in the magazine’s list of Top Home-Based Franchises for 20 consecutive years, Chem-Dry was ranked #39 in the 2020 Top Global Franchises category. Additionally, for the second year in a row, Chem-Dry won the Global Franchise Award for Best Property Maintenance Franchise in 2022, validating the premier status of the brand. It recognizes Chem-Dry for what it does best, which is supporting its franchisees while also making homes and workplaces cleaner, healthier and safer. Chem-Dry is part of the BELFOR Franchise Group family of residential and commercial services brands. For more information about Chem-Dry and to find a local operator, visit www.chemdry.com, or for more information on franchise opportunities, visit www.chemdryfranchise.com