The Coverall franchise website states: “Since 1985, Coverall® has assisted nearly 9,000 entrepreneurs in becoming successful business owners and commercial cleaning professionals…
“Coverall provides its Franchise Owners with comprehensive training, an initial customer base, billing and collection services, financing, a global network of 90 Support Centers, plus the unique benefits of the Health-Based Cleaning System program, for measurably cleaner, safer customer facilities…. Coverall offers you the support you need to grow and develop your business.”
However, unhappy franchisee commenters have posted complaints about the Coverall franchise opportunity, with some claiming the Coverall franchise is a scam. In 2008, commenter “ntoi” on the Complaints Board website wrote:
I’m a franchise owner for Coverall for almost two years now in San Mateo, CA and I really regret it joining and starting my business with them because all they did is SCAM me. Coverall Cleaning Concept aka Coverall-Based Cleaning System is where you can start your janitorial business by buying a franchise. You basically starting your cleaning business by using their name and you pay them yet they automatically deducted 15% each month plus insurance other charges. They suppose to guarantee you an account so that way you can start making money right away. They only guarantee you with account just enough that they can take and make money out of you each month and you left nothing. Which what is happening to me. All this time which all I get is headache because I always have to call the office to give me more account but no result. Now their holding my check and their not paying me. I called so may time what happened to my check and they just pass me around and no on knows. I’m ready so sue Coverall all for all my lost. I’m ready take them to court.
Anyone who want to start a janitorial cleaning business do your research. As I tell DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH COVERALL CLEANING CONCEPT aka COVERALL HEALTH-BASED CLEANING SYSTEM because is a SCAM.
More recently (on the same board) “Coverall Franchise owner/until expires” wrote:
I totally agree with the complains. I am a franchise owner myself. they are totally liers. I made a contract for $20k, I gave $14.000 downpayment and we agree that I was going to pay the rest each month /deducted from my paycheck. I though I was going to get my acconts (offices to clean) in one month. But, they made me wait about a year, plus I was making $9 dollars per hour (fast and hard work) and I did not had any money to hired an employee to help me. How much I was supposed to pay if I hire one? 1 dollar? THEY ARE SCAMMERS. Yes, they are in the forbes magazine, of course because they make money but franchises dont. they will take you money and make you work like crazy. they also charge for administration but you are the one who has to comfront the office owners if something is wrong or if you want them to increase your payment because you are working extra hours. DONT MAKE ANY CONTRACT WITH THEM, They are not good, this business is not worth it at all. I am totally dissapointed :(
THEPUNISHER wrote that all janitorial franchises, not just Coverall, are scams:
JANITORIAL FRANCHISES ARE A SCAM! It might work for some but I guarantee it doesn’t work for the majority. This is how they work:
_You pay them a package, for example you pay about $16K for a $4k monthly income
_They’ll get you the accounts.
_Although they say you can choose to accept or not a specific account, it’ not true. They will turn around and say they satisfied the agreement of providing your accounts and if you didn’t take, they won’t give you more accounts.
_They underbid contracts to compete with everyone else, since they are NOT the ones doing the work..they don’t care. They get the accounts due the low price and you’re stuck working hard for few hundred dollars a month. You would be better off working for McDonalds getting $8 an hr. DO THE MATH!
_NOW This is the worst of ALL…once they have too many franchisees and can’t find enough accounts, they will find anything wrong in some buildings as a missed trash can and ask the company if they want another person to clean…since it doesn’t make a difference for them, they will say yes. Then the Franchise call you and say your customer requested to get another contractor because he’s not happy with your job. Now they sale that account to the newer franchisees so they honor the agreement to get accounts. THAT’S STEALING!
WITH A CLEANING FRANCHISE, IN REALITY YOU NEVER OWN YOUR OWN BUSINESS! If you owned the accounts you should be able to walk away with them after a period of time..right? NO..YOU CAN’T BECAUSE THE CONTRACT IS ON THE FRANCHISE NAMER…NOT YOURS!
I just hope that a Federal Court one of these days force all cleaning franchises to get the accounts on the franchisees’ names…not theirs. Create a money back guarantee and protect the little guys..the franchisees…I can’t believe in this age Cleaning Franchises are able to get away with this scam.
kbill, who claims to be a former Coverall franchise owner in Ohio, wrote:
I was also a Franchise owner through coverall in cincinnati OH. They are complete scam artists. I wasted 6 years with them, trying to get something started and they did not hold up to their end of the bargain. I agree with what you guys are saying. Buyer beware!!!
ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH THE COVERALL COMMERCIAL CLEANING FRANCHISE?
IS COVERALL A SCAM OR LEGITIMATE FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITY?
SHARE A COMMENT BELOW.
Also read:
JANI-KING Franchise Complaints
JAN-PRO: Janitorial Franchise Warning
FTC Guide to Buying a Janitorial Services Franchise
FTC’s Janitorial Franchise Buyer’s Guide
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View Comments
Maybe "Coverall" should be renamed "CoverUp."
SEIU: What's the matter, getting a little too hot under the collar for you: Ok, lets take people on a summary of what is and what isn't TRUE in this lawsuits: See if you can stay with me for a moment: Maybe you need to take a break, get with your other Progressive, SEIU, Attorney loving bunch of friends and family and ponder this:
1. Franchisors are supposidly "predatory" in nature when it comes to minorities in general, immigrants specifically. Well, I disproved that with some basic rational thought in regards to the commercial cleaning industry as a whole being dominated with a minority prescence from top to bottom. I also made the point that "side" areas such as Hotels, Airports, Restaurants, City Buildings, State Buildings etc... are cleaned by minorities and immigrants. Therefore, they fell comfortable in the industry, want to try another aspect of something that they know about. I also used the "captain crunch" and why they don't advertise on certain programs. At the same time, I was able to work in TELEMUNDO, Progressives, Democrats in general, Karl Marx, SEIU and others.
2. Franchisors are "charged" with the statement "FDD is too difficult, too long and too hard to understand". Well, explained that the FDD is really a document built into thirds. Approx. 1/3 is directly from the FTC and local/state/federal government mandats, Approx. 1/3 is from the friends of SEIU and 1st amendment and of Jan-Pro, Coverall, Jani-King and others aka ATTORNEYS, Approx. 1/3 actually means something in regards to the relationship between the unit franchisee, the customer and the regional or "master" office. Would I like for the FDD to be simple, YES. Would I like for it to be smaller, YES. But guess what, it's not going to happen. MAYBE, if there was a way for the prospective "owner/operator" to take it home, read it at their own pace, get some assistance whether that assistance be from a friend, family member, accountant, lawyer, pastor or someone else!!!! Wait just a second, there is!!!!!!! They are allowed to take the document, they are allowed to take as much time, show it to as many people, give it a complete "once over" hell, they can even WALK AWAY!!!!!!!!!
3. Franchisors are blamed for the "underbidding" of accounts. Well, I took the time, combined with my over 25 Years in the commercial cleaning field, to totally break down how traditional companies bid, the "big 3" bid, etc... I also made points validated by others that "post" from time to time on this site that the biggest "WHORES" of the marketplace happen to be as follows: ABM, other "national companies", ABM, "mom and pops" , ABM, "regional companies, ABM. DID I MENTION, ABM!!!!! I also stated that in each "master office" there are drawers full, boxes full, file cabinets full of potential customers that they didn't get because THEY WEREN'T THE LOWEST BIDDER!!!
4. Franchisors are blamed for not "policing" the "masters". This is one Point that I totally agree with. I have actually written suggested reforms, would like to see reforms in place etc..... It disgusts me when a few "rogues" take advantage and don't do business the proper way!
5. Franchisors are blamed for everything that goes wrong with a unit franchisee. Well that's plan STUPID. There are no guarantees, all there is for these "owners" is a guideline that if followed will ultimately lead to a reasonable level of success. NO ONE is going to make a million dollars per year in this industry unless you are the chairman of ABM or majority owner of a large regional or national company. Yes, Jani-King founder Jim Cavanaugh is probably in that group as well.
6. Franchisors are blamed for "churning" of accunts. In some instances that may be true, in most, I can guarantee you that it isn't. WHY? Because the CUSTOMER wouldn't put up with it. AT the end of the day, the "master", the "unit" , the "masters employees" and to a degree "corporate" all work for THE CUSTOMER!!!! Of course anyone with any "industry sense" knows that. Unfortunately, SEIU, 1st amendment and some others, have NONE or very little, yet they pretend to know EVERYTHING!!!
7. Franchisors are blamed for taking advantage of situations. Well, guess what, that goes on daily in business. You have no further to look than Washington D.C, Wall Street, Corporate Board Rooms, Union Halls throughout this country and see that happening every day. Doesn't make it right, JUST FACTUAL.
1st amendment. Keep finding lawsuits, all you are doing is proving my point. It's cheaper to settle, than it is to fight. Coverall especially has allowed things to go on too long. Finally it seems though, they have learned their lesson and are "fighting back".
SEIU you are a JOKE, you will always be one to me.
SEIU: You're so FUNNY!!! "Maybe Coverall should be named Cover Up". Oh, my sides are splitting! Could you think of something, anything at all? How about answering my Question of the Day: WHAT'S NEXT?
You can't seem to grasp your large ego, arrogant, Progressive, Socialist, Karl Marx lovin HEAD around that simple question.
Tell you what, answer that question, give it some thought, take your time, take a week or so to respond. What? YOU DON'T CARE what's next. You couldn't give a HOOT about these people, you don't want to be associated with these people, all you want to do is LINE YOUR OWN POCKETS. What? I thought you were for the Workers of the World.
Come on, one little thought. It's a simple question asked by a simple minded man. Show us your brillance, share with us your vast commercial cleaning knowledge, share with us the fact that you've put some thought into something, show us that your not a STOOGE!!!
The janitorial/commercial cleaning segment of franchising is franchise industry's greatest embarrassment. In the franchise industry, janitorial franchise companies are kind of like the creepy child molesting uncles of the family. In most families (other than Jerry's) they put up with the creepy uncle, but prefer he stay in the corner and eat by himself at get-togethers.
Only Vending has a stigma as bad as janitorial franchises, and most of those aren't franchises. It's so bad that the FTC has issued special warning guides specifically for commercial cleaning franchises. It does that for no other kind of franchise since none are as scam-infested as those Jerry spends all his time defending.
Jerry the flip-flopping Tea-bagger writes as if these allegations about underbidding, churning accounts, not delivering contracted accounts, etc. were invented by the commenters here.
Read the FTC's expose of this ongoing scam. You'll see they warn about all the exact same underhanded tactics that Jerry and the scam-denier corporate shills say don't exist.
FTC’s Guide to Buying a Janitorial Services Franchise
https://unhappyfranchisee.mystagingwebsite.com/category/new-unhappy-franchisees/cleaning-franchises/
SEIU: Well of course you didn't answer the "Question of the Day". What's the matter, 1st amendment got your tongue. I find it funny how you call everyone and everything an embarassment except for yourself.
Here's some continual "food for thought' in regards to SEIU and his "goons".
1. Franchising in the Commercial Cleaning field has been the most scrutinized in the industry as a whole. When ABM is forced to "fire" 1200 illegal immigrants cleaning buildings throughout the greater St. Paul/Minneapolis area, what does SEIU have to say about that?
2. Franchising though admittedly not "perfect" at least attempts to find out more about the potential "owner/operator" through it's use of credit checks, national criminal background checks, verification of social and ITIN numbers as a precurser to anyone wanting to own a "unit franchise".
3. Franchising though not perfect, is the only place SEIU (I mean the actual SEIU, not the one formally known as "guest") can't seem to make any in roads. As stated previously by me, it's amazing how SEIU continually doesn't talk about the failied "Justice for Janitors" campaign and the effects of that campaign now in the various cities that it "lauched" at.
Could that be one of the many reasons that SEIU is paying for the attorneys fees for various "disgruntled owner/operators" such as 1st amendment?
Another lawsuit lost by Coverall. Coverall had to pay unemployment benefits to one of there cleaners who was missclasified and not a franchisee but an employee acording to the LAW.
Coverall North America, Inc. v. Com’r of Div. of Unemployment , 447 Mass. 852 (2006) (amicus) (Supreme Judicial Court held that “franchisee” cleaning worker was employee entitled to unemployment compensation upon termination, not independent contractor)
1st amendment: Take your time, continue to find lawsuits, of course this one was inititated by Coverall against MA. In this case was the "trigger" for Liz and her "merry band of attorneys" to go to the SEIU and state the following: " If you can pay us enough money, I can guarantee you a victory, we'll find some poor unsuspecting SAP to go along for the ride, take him to places he's never been before and we'll have so many of them, we should be able to win at least one or two overall cases".
Now those probably weren't Liz's exact words, but you get the premise of it Right? You also understand that YOU, Aiwah and some of the others are the people that I described as "poor unsuspecting SAP" Right?
OMG I can't stop laughing at Jerry's cut-rate due-diligence advice.
He advises that you should save money by getting a $150 an hour or less lawyer with no franchise experience to review your franchise agreement, and then advise him/her "not to read every word"
Yes, just tell your attorney you'll only pay to have them read "the important words" ROFLMAO!
Sane people might want to consider buying an hour or two of "Liz and her merry band of attorneys” time since they already know these agreements inside and out and can explain the true risks.
This is your money, your time and your family's future at stake. Be smart and do your homework beforehand.
SEIU: Yeah, "Liz and her merry band of attorneys" are real smart. I'm sure "aiwah" is really appreciating her efforts. Can you ask him how it feels to be a "test case" and have a 200K judgement against him and his "co-plantiffs". Let's see, probably somone should have done more homework before bringing these lawsuits in the first place.
Now, who between you and I has consistently stated "DO YOUR HOMEWORK". let me count the number of times I've said that, oh HELL, you do it, you're usually counting words anyway.
More Violations this time in Tennessee. Lawsuits filled all across the country. Will it ever end? Can you see the Racket and Rico Violations.
Isam Yonis v. Coverall North America. Inc., (Circuit Court of Williamson County, Tennessee, Case No. 04695), filed November 9, 2004. Plaintiff filed a one count Complaint alleging unspecified violations of the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act. We filed a Motion for More Definite Statement, which was never answered. The case was settled on January 8, 2007 for $12,500. The case was dismissed with prejudice on January 26, 2007.