Q&A: Does Rainbow International Franchise in the UK?

Alice Tuffery, writer

Published at 04/02/2018, Updated on 04/05/2022 , Reading time: 5 min

Q&A: Does Rainbow International Franchise in the UK? — Photo © rainbow-franchise-information.jpg

Do you want to be part of a franchise offering a highly valuable service? Why not consider a career in disaster recovery? Here, we’re looking at one of the potential options and exploring Rainbow International franchise opportunities.

Rainbow International is the UK’s leading disaster recovery and specialist commercial cleaning company. Working with insurers, brokers and loss adjusters, the business works to “turn bad situations into better ones, rebuilding homes, businesses and communities”.

But are there any Rainbow International franchise opportunities on the market for those who would like to launch their own thriving business in the sector?

Does Rainbow International franchise?

Yes, Rainbow International has used the franchise model to expand beyond its initial territory. Over time, the company has gone from a simple 'man-in-a-van' operation to a much more sophisticated global cleaning and restoration concept with a sustainable franchise model.

At the moment, the UK’s restoration and cleaning services sector is worth around £5.6 billion, and there are opportunities in both the commercial and domestic spheres.

History of Rainbow International

Rainbow International was established by the services franchise group, Neighborly (formerly Dwyer Group) in 1981. Under its parent company, the restoration brand has set up more than 300 service locations across the US and Canada.

Today, the Rainbow International franchise is owned by ISS Group, one of the world’s leading facility service providers.

Rainbow International came to the UK in 1987 and is now one of Britain’s most trusted companies for disaster restoration and specialist cleaning services. There are more than 65 franchise branches spread across the UK, providing a high-quality and cost-effective service.

Starting a Rainbow International franchise unit

If you join the Rainbow International franchise, you'll become part of a globally trusted brand and run your business unit under tried and tested strategies. As a franchisee, you will be responsible for the operations within your franchise territory and its ongoing development and performance.

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Becoming a Rainbow International franchisee:

Rainbow International has a rigorous recruitment process, as the franchisor likes to get to know candidates before granting territories to make sure they are a great fit for the business. The franchise is interested in ambitious applicants with strong sales skills and a commitment to delivering an excellent service.

You don’t need any formal experience in the recovery and cleaning services industry. However, having at least three years of experience in managing departmental staff, ideally in a customer services or sales environment, is beneficial. You should also have project management skills and be familiar with IT and CRM systems or similar software formats if you decide to apply.

The company kicks off its franchisee training with a discovery day at its Mansfield Headquarters. The team there will help you develop a business plan to make sure you’re set for success before you meet with the franchise’s directors.

All Rainbow International franchisees receive high-quality marketing support, including guidance on everything from seizing press opportunities to networking and bidding for tenders. You’ll also have access to ongoing training opportunities and the company’s annual conference, so you can stay up to date with the latest industry insights and best practices.

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How much you need to invest:

To set up a Rainbow International franchise unit in the UK, you’ll need to invest a total of £55,000 plus VAT. If this figure is beyond your budget, the franchise may be able to help you access more capital. It has good relationships with a number of UK banks, which could fund up to 70 percent of your investment total.

If you’re considering the Rainbow International franchise opportunity, you should also make sure you’ve saved enough capital to cover financial and legal advice from professionals with expertise in franchise regulations. And if you need to relocate to launch your new business, don’t forget to factor in your moving costs.

What you get for your investment:

The Rainbow International franchise package involves a nine-step journey to business ownership. The process begins with your application, informal meetings and initial discussions. Then, you’ll have the chance to take part in a discovery day at the company’s UK central office in Mansfield, meet the franchisor and get advice from existing franchisees.

Finally, you will claim your 45,000-household territory, pay your franchise fee and sign the contract. During this journey, the Rainbow International franchise team considers your professional background, goals and specialisms, and supports you to access the funding you need to launch your unit.

Once Rainbow International approves your application, you’ll start the five-week training programme at the Mansfield headquarters.

The franchise package also includes all the equipment and consumables you need to get your business up and running. Plus, you get a fully liveried vehicle to help you promote your unit whilst on the road. When it comes to advertising, you can rely on support from the franchise’s dedicated marketing department, which will help you roll out effective promotional campaigns.

Rainbow International does everything it can to help you launch a profitable business, and if you decide you’d like to expand your operations and open additional branches, it’ll support you.

Running a franchise in the professional cleaning services sector

The cleaning industry is a large and diverse sector, home to businesses across a wide variety of different categories. From chimney sweeping to construction after-build care - and, of course, straightforward residential and commercial cleaning services - there’s plenty of choice when it comes to selecting a franchise opportunity.

If Rainbow International’s franchise opening doesn’t quite match your ambitions, why not take a look at the other high-quality investment options in the cleaning industry?

You can also boost your franchising knowledge with our daily industry articles. You’ll find business overviews, how-to handbooks and other informative guides to help you become a franchise expert.