JANI-KING Franchise Complaints
JANI-KING Franchise Complaints: Add your own – or defend the company – below.
(UnhappyFranchisee.Com) Entrepreneur magazine lavishes high praise on the Jani-King franchise opportunity via its 2010 franchise rankings. Entrepreneur ranked the 10,000+ unit Jani-King #8 overall in the 2010 Franchise 500, the #2 low-cost franchise, the #1 home-based franchise and #7 in the “America’s Best Global Franchise” category.
Of course, Entrepreneur states that when compiling their rankings they do not “measure subjective elements such as franchisee satisfaction…” since “…these are judgments only you can make.”
In a time when many individuals are struggling to make ends meet, the Jani-King franchise opportunity – with its low start-up cost and guaranteed cleaning contracts – seems especially enticing. But do a bit of digging and you’ll find some troubling – and remarkably consistent – complaints from Jani-King franchise owners.
Lawsuits allege a cleaning-contract shell game.
In an August, 2009 Franchise Times article on lawsuits leveled against commercial cleaning franchise companies, Julie Bennett writes:
…the lawsuits, filed recently in Massachusetts against all three companies and in Pennsylvania, Minnesota and California against Jani-King, contend that the cleaning companies misrepresent their offerings, because they do not have sufficient customers to guarantee each franchisee the amount of monthly cleaning business they purchase. Instead, the lawsuits allege, they breach their contracts by underbidding the amount of time and staffing required for each job, refusing to allow franchisees to inspect cleaning jobs or bid sheets before accepting or rejecting a job, offering geographically inconvenient jobs and unjustly taking jobs from one franchisee to re-sell them to others.
Consumer complaint sites are abundant with specific complaints about the Jani-King franchise, the franchisor and the regional master franchisees who recruit unit-level owners.
On the Complaints Board, 2009-08-22 letshelp wrote
franchise is a scam
I purchased a Jani-King Commercial Cleaning Franchise after reading they were a great franchise opportunity in several franchise magazines. During my initial meeting with the regional director I expressed concern over the 40% they take off the top of what clients are billed. He told me not to worry as they take all their fees into consideration when giving a cleaning quote to a client.
When they started offerring me contracts I would do the math and tell them there was very little profit in some contracts and absolutely none in others. I was told this was a low profit margin industry and I had to learn to work some “break even” contracts for I would get additional business from those same clients ( floor waxing ).
I accepted some of these contracts since they are only required to offer you the amount of cleaning business you purchased (with the franchise cost ). If you don’t accept the accounts they are not required to offer you anymore.
Once I started working accounts, the operations director would go by the account every month to evaluate the franchisee’s performance. He would always find something negative to write about to justify taking the account away from the franchisee and reselling it to a new franchisee. So the franchisee ends up losing the original franchise fee and whatever fee he paid for the accounts he was working at hardly no profit.
I later learned this type of scam preys on people who have never been in business for themselves – so trust the Franchisor. If anyone is looking into purchasing this type of franchise, do yourself a favor and run a Google or Yahoo search on Jani-King. They have had numerous lawsuits and government complaints. I lost all my savings, but hopefully others can learn from my mistake.
85 days ago, Rickety Rabbit responded:
Almost the same thing happend to me in Boston. I bought a Jani King franchise in 2006. I paid $15, 000 for $4000 per month in business. Minus the 22% Jani- King takes off the top. With what is left I pay for labor, chemicals, and equipment.
Jani King has it so they do not have to provide you with the $4000 per month in business, they only need OFFER it to you. If you refuse it, that’s it. They don’t owe it to you any longer. You had your chance. But here is what they do. They underbid the account by hundreds of dollars. They make false promises to the business owner, and do not tell the franchise owner about it. When the business owner cancels because the promises are not met, the franchise owner is left to make a decision. Take care of the promises never mentioned to you ( such as delivering the newspaper ever morning, or a free strip and wax every month) both are actual cases, and both would have put me in the negative for profit.
So I was forced to give it up. No fault of mine. Also the account is not supposed to cancel before one year. If they do Jani King promises to file suit with a killer legal team. Which they must have because they are still in business. However they only use it to defend itself from angry franchise owners.
They purposely offer you accounts that are way underbid, or too far away. When you deny them, they no longer owe you the account. If I could do it all over again I would invest in real estate on Venus before having to deal with this again.
One last thing. I placed over 40 calls per month to the district manager for four months straight. Not one call answered not one call returned. I had to buy an existing franchise that was already working with history in order to pay the bills while waiting for my $4000 in business. Now I am about to lose those accounts to under bidders. Can you believe that? In this economy there are those worse then Jani King that UNDERBID them. Sorry. Very sorry.
ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH THE JANI-KING FRANCHISE? WHAT DO YOU THINK? SHARE A COMMENT BELOW.
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It always amuses me to read what failed Jani-King franchisees have to say about why their business failed. Have we really come to a place in society where a business owner no longer takes responsibility for their own actions? I suppose it is much easier to blame Jani-King for your failure rather then look at yourself as a truly horrible business owner.
Just look at the complaints on this thread. These failed business owners are crying about the accounts that were offered to them by Jani-King. Must be nice to open a business and have the franchisee promise you actual business. If you don’t like the way the accounts are bid, or the profit margin then for crying out loud go sell your own accounts!! I assure you Jani-King would like nothing more from a franchisee then to get off their lazy butt and actually try selling an account on their own. Only then will you actually find out how tough the industry is right now. Jani-King provides you all of the marketing material and training that you will need to go out and sell your own accounts, but you know what % of franchisees go out and sell accounts? Less then 1%!!
Secondly, you are a business owner, and this is not some get rich quick scheme like you were hoping for! This actually takes hard work and very long hours. In fact the average failure rate for all small businesses nationwide is 80%, so if through the help of Jani-King that failure rate is cute to even 20% you still have a 1 in 5 shot of failing in your first 2 years of business. However, that is not what you wanted to hear. You wanted to hear that you could invest $20,000 and in two years retired with a million dollars in the bank and not lift a finger for it.
Here is reality check, 75% of small businesses do not make a single penny of profit in their first two years of operation. You might have known that had you put a business plan together. Oh thats right, you didn’t expect to have to work that hard.
Jani-King can only help a business owner so much. Jani-King can not help ignorance, incomptency, or flat out laziness. So instead of blaming Jani-King take a good long and hard look in the mirror and ask yourself who you really should be blaming. If you weren’t putting 60 hours a week into your franchise to help sell new accounts, and grow your existing ones that the answer should be very easy!
Reality check on Business Owner above. He is from JaniKing corporate. I have seen his same non sensical rant on other sites. JaniKing is a scam. Get your money and they dont care about you. If a reputable company sees that you are not a good fit for thier corporation they will give the money back for the good of all. Jani king just wants the money. Ask for it back and get the lawyer threat. Just another JaniKing liar.
@business owner
stop scamming and get a real job before that class lawsuit closes jani king down
(jani -king) what kind of b.s. name is that for a company
This is something I read on Trla
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Sarah Donaldson, Attorney
Office: 210-212-3704
SAN ANTONIO, Texas – February 22, 2010 – A San Antonio worker has sued Dallas-based Jani-King International, Inc. and local Jani-King employers Ramiro and Elizabeth Bernal for violating minimum wage and overtime laws and for unlawful retaliation.
Represented by Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (TRLA) and the Equal Justice Center (EJC), Gabriela Monsivaiz alleges that she was not paid minimum wage and overtime for the janitorial work she performed for Jani-King between 2007 and 2009. The lawsuit also alleges that Ms. Monsivaiz was terminated when she asked to be paid properly.
“The complaint alleges that our client was fired because she stood up for her rights to minimum and overtime wages,”said Sarah Donaldson, a TRLA attorney representing Monsivaiz.
The lawsuit alleges that Jani-King and its local operators violated the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and the Texas Minimum Wage Act. According to these laws, employees must be paid at least $7.25 per hour of work. Under the FLSA, an employer must also pay overtime of 1.5 times an employee’s hourly rate for each hour worked beyond 40 in a given week. The FLSA prohibits an employer from retaliating against an employee for asserting her rights under the FLSA. The lawsuit was filed in federal court in San Antonio.
Monsivaiz’s case comes as part of a new San Antonio-based wage recovery project aimed at helping low-income workers recover when they are unpaid or underpaid for their work. TRLA and the EJC, two non-profit law firms with experience advocating for low-income workers, are collaborating on this project to address the growing problem of workers’ rights violations in San Antonio. Workers who are interested in learning more about their rights can contact the project at 210-308-6222.
According to Donaldson, the problem is wide-spread. “We have heard many complaints from janitorial workers who, like our client, say they were not paid correctly for their work cleaning the businesses, schools and restaurants we all use.”
Established in 1970, Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, Inc. (TRLA) is a nonprofit organization that provides free civil legal services to low-income and disadvantaged clients in a 68-county service area. TRLA’s mission is to promote the dignity, self-sufficiency, safety and stability of low-income Texas residents by providing high-quality civil legal assistance and related educational services. The Equal Justice Center (EJC) is an employment justice and civil rights organization which empowers low-income families, individuals and communities to achieve systemic reforms that improve their lives. For more information on these organizations visit http://www.equaljusticecenter.org or http://www.trla.org.
I owned a Jani King franchise and was on both ends of the practice of reselling accounts. Three accounts were turned over to me due to “complaints from the clients” regarding the other franchisee. I brought in addtional business myself, including a $5,000 a month account. Within 3 months I was hearing complaints from the area representative and he wanted to give the account to a new franchisee.
I have heard the same story from several sources, including one of my customers who had used JanI King in another state. The franchisee there had expressed the same frustration.
One of my friends owns a very successful Jani King franchise. I think he’s had it 4 or 5 years now. I know he works his tail off but he does very well. I have my own lawn service company (since 1999) and it is indeed a lot of work. Sometimes I wish I had a franchise company to back me up. Sounds like some of you complaining don’t know what real work it is to run a successful business these days. But I see that a lot on these complaint sites. No one wants to work hard anymore, they want everything handed to them.
Stop complaining and go generate some business for yourself.
My 2 pennies.
How do you sell your J-K franchise? We want out and they choose not to buy it out; so how do you value it and go about selling it?
To bill edwards
Your attack is a tipical one from janiking. Its funny how you say that you have a lawn business but you come in here and attack these people when you dont know them or the facts. You sound like another crony sent by janiking. Explain the hundreds of complaints on janiking in England? Explain all the lawsuits filled against janiking in this country.
Jani King, is Jani King all over the world. Here are the facts. gross sales, less payroll, less operating expenses, less quarterly taxes, less Jani King’s 30%, less everything they nickel and dime you for. What’s left over? 0. Yes that’s right ZERO. Don’t waste your money, you will lose your socks, your financial well being and everything you own.
Jani-King owns the contracts, so they do what they want to do with them, including selling them, over, and over, and over, and over and over and over, and over and over, and over, and over, and over…. again. As soon as your seller fees are paid off, they yank the account and sell to another franchise owner.
You would do better burning your money before you give it to Jani King.
Entrepreneur Magazine should be careful about what they publish. Forget about selling your franchise, no one wants to buy it.
Looking at the right side of the screen I see the same types of complaints for practically every franchise. So are they ALL bad? Are you saying no one is making any money with a franchise? Seems odd.
“Looking at the right side of the screen I see the same types of complaints for practically every franchise. So are they ALL bad? Are you saying no one is making any money with a franchise? Seems odd.”
99% of all franchise websites and newstand magazines portray franchising as surefire ticket to success and happiness with little to no failure or disagreements. The UnhappyFranchisee.com site is one of the very few sites focused on the problems and conflicts that often arise in franchise relationships. While I think we are more realistic and accurate than most sites, we are by design skewed to the negative. Also keep in mind that people with complaints are much more vocal than people who are content.
There are many franchise owners making money and even getting wealthy from their franchise investments. There are many reputable franchisors who are dedicated to providing their franchise owners with the tools and guidance to succeed. See sites like http://www.FranBest.com or http://www.TopNewFranchises.com to learn about some of them. But the truth is that there are many, many unhappy franchisees and many many franchisors who do not provide value for the royalties, ad fees and regulations they demand.
The lesson here is not “don’t buy a franchise” but rather do your homework, talk to as many franchisees as possible, and, if you proceed, buy the right franchise with the right expectations.
That being said… when it comes, specifically, to the “buy-a-job” janitorial franchises, it is remarkable how all the top franchise companies get the exact same complaints: underbidding jobs, not providing promised jobs, taking away jobs from one franchisee to give to another, etc. If there’s one area of franchising that deserves extra scrutiny, this is it.
I will not disagree what the current of past franchise owner’s experienced. It is valid, that these issues are real. Those who don’t believe in whats stated, buy one and experience it for yourself and only for yourself . Contact the FTC.gov and search around. You’ll find if not some, allot of lawsuits filed against these companies, they’ll pay hefty fine in agreement’s so they can brush it under the line of fire. Please don’t take my word for it, search for yourself. The franchise, I don’t care who it is, is ready for the next sale or the next opportunity in anyway they can make it happen. Always keep this in mind, you can fool the agreeable or the “I gotta have it”, but you cant fool a wise man. Don’t follow publications unless they can support it of all the franchisee business owners, not just a few. Research! Research! Research! The franchise only tell what they want to say to make a good pitch and broadcast it for sensationalism.
Check it out!
FTC.gov
Jim
I am thinking about purchasing a franchise in Atlanta and I have looked at the FDD. There does not appear to be any serious law suits or complaints. I am sure the only way to make real money is to find accounts on your own. I am paying for the model and experience that Jani-king offers. What am I missing?
Taking off the Gloves
Commercial cleaning franchisees sue
By Julie Bennett As published in: Franchise Times – August 2009
“Several pending court cases, which are all seeking class-action status, challenge the business model on which some of the largest commercial cleaning franchisors have operated for decades.
“Lawsuits have been filed against Jani-King International of Addison, Texas; Coverall Health-Based Cleaning System of Boca Raton, Florida; and Jan-Pro Franchising International of Alpharetta, Georgia.
“That business model, developed by Jani-King’s founders in 1974 and since copied by competitors, is promoted as a low-cost business opportunity. Each franchisor sells off regions of the country to master franchisors who then sell unit franchises to individuals—mostly minorities and immigrants—who pay franchise fees of $2,000 to $5,000, plus “finders’ fees” for a specific amount of monthly business. At Coverall, for example, a franchisee would pay a total of $10,750 for a franchise package that provides $1,500 of commercial cleaning business each month. The Coverall regional franchisor then provides all the training, obtains and distributes all the cleaning contracts, sells required supplies and insurance coverage and does all the billing and collections—services those with a native language other than English might find useful.
“But the lawsuits, filed recently in Massachusetts against all three companies and in Pennsylvania, Minnesota and California against Jani-King, contend that the cleaning companies misrepresent their offerings, because they do not have sufficient customers to guarantee each franchisee the amount of monthly cleaning business they purchase. Instead, the lawsuits allege, they breach their contracts by underbidding the amount of time and staffing required for each job, refusing to allow franchisees to inspect cleaning jobs or bid sheets before accepting or rejecting a job, offering geographically inconvenient jobs and unjustly taking jobs from one franchisee to re-sell them to others…”
[Read the entire Franchise Times article here Taking off the Gloves Commercial cleaning franchisees sue]
I am a female move from up north to the south in 2005 bought into the franchise ,my first account giving to me was a set up for failure which i out did the company Jani- King of Atlanta base on the package my total for the month should bring in over 4g a mouth when i did get to that mark thats when my fight begin with the office . After cleaning up the new account and was about to get a up grade in payment from my final account i was call in for a meeting base on a disagreement with an inside person one of the big dog of the office on that time and date i had other engagement and couldn’t make it , i was told” what ever you do you’ll have to make it to that meeting” at that time my response was because of the pressure, that the two things i have to do is say black and die , well that a no no in the south who dear you . That when the same person who i had the disagreement with went to my account came back with a written report of all kind of mist cleaning on the same account i’m about to get a up grade base on my cleaning abillity yet he came in with a report of mist cleaning and bar my staff and i from speaking to any one in the company , thats the way Jani – King of Atlanta play , i was the one who loss my money and intrest for any company who can treat people the way Jani-King of Atlanta do and i let go of ever thing and move on because the south isn’t the place to play .
To Jesse if can do or pay for some one eles to do your marketing you’ll be better off not Jan- King
Do not buy Jani King of Dayton or use their service.
I have been a franchisee for at least seven years. Out of 100 franchisee’s that signed up in the past 8-9 years, there are only about 22 that are still active. Does that tell anything about the company?
Jani King takes off at least 20% off the top. You have to pay out-of-pocket cleaning fluids, mops, buckets, barrels, sweepers, floor buffers, carpet shampooers, worker’s comp payments, unemployment, tax accountants and other misc, expenses which all eats into your profit. By the time your finished, you are lucky if you make $10 per hour. The office person at Jani King makes at least $15 an hour and her skill sets are much to be desired.
Here is a breakdown on what Jani King takes out: 10% franchise fee, 5% insurance and bonding, Example: if you would buy $1500 a month account, they take 5% off the top, which is around $75 a month. If you have a $15,000 account they would take approximately $750 or more a month. Why can’t they take a set fee.
Example: I have cleaned a building for seven years, with no incidents involving safety issues for insurance purposes and the building is approx. 12 years old, The building is worth less. With my clean record you would think the insurance rates would decrease, but this is how Jani King rips you off. Now the same thing goes on for administration cost (3%). If Jani King fees for this should be across the board no matter what your monthly account generates. Profit for Jani King. Then Jani King charges 1% for advertising, but if you want more business they charge you a finders fee when you are already paying advertising fees. Another Jani King rip-off.
Jani King is in the business to sell franchises. Once they sign you up, they don’t care if you fail or not, or make it because they always resell the account again. In Dayton, the have sold some contracts at least five times. Once again ,when you go sign up for a guaranteed amount of business per month, you have no say so in how much the contract pays to clean the buildiing. All Jani King has to do is offer you the business even if it is at a cut-rate amount. If you turn it down they have met their obligation, which rips off franchisees.
Some examples of businesses offered is run down machine shops, cleaning abortion clinics and other buildings already in poor condition. Jani King has probably lost over 100 contracts in the Dayton surrounding area since its inception about 15 years ago. Some of these include: Holiday Inn, Cubs Food, car dealerships, banks, office buildings and urgent care clinics.
If I was contemplating buying a franchise from Jani KIng I would run in the opposite direction. I would consider either starting my own cleaning business or going to Coverall or Jan Pro. Have I reminded you not to use Jani King as a business owner or buy a franchise? The contracts that Jani King sells to the businesses is generic and is not targeted to each individual companies needs. Jani King uses this to target franchisees to make it easy to replace them. It doesn’t matter how satisfied the owner of the company is with the franchisee.
I own a JaniKing franchise in Washington DC area which is a corporate owned region, i have owned it since June 1999, was 21 when purchased. All these complaints are somewhat real but it is the same for any business franchise or not, contracts will always be under bidded somewhat the purchaser always wants to save a dollar and keep quality service. In commercial cleaning you have to understand that the service side(daily cleaning) is not the profitable side it just opens the door for you to make profit, you have to sell your client on jobs such as floor work, window cleaning, etc. i too once complained but that gets you no where doing that gives you negative energy and once that sets in your in for a long ride to NOTHING. I made money from the start, but wanted more and started to see that the contracts i was recieving couldve been bidded higher, so i started to bid on them myself and guess who helped me JANIKING and i too was welcomed into the CUT THROAT BIz of Contract bidding Wars. that is life there will always be someone out there who wants it more and will under bid because they to no that the contract will generate more than what they bidded.
There are window cleaning millioners out here, you to can be one if you decide to better your practices. I see oppurtunity, so if your a complainer please get rid of your franchise it means more revenue for those who really want it!
Note: For those who complain about the deductions Fees from JaniKing, try going out there and hiring a customer service team, operations team, marketing team, and Sales team. Tell me what your profit will be after you pay them! Better yet just go and try to insure your cleaning business with the coverage you recieve as a franchisee. Any business out there has about 40% overhead. IF YOU NOT SPENDING MONEY BACK INTO YOUR BUSINESS YOUR NOT MAKING ANY MONEY.
Gary Borisy, CEO of the world-renowned Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) in Woods Hole, MA, has rejected a request to meet with eight veteran MBL housekeepers whose jobs are slated to be outsourced to a controversial Texas firm, Jani-King Intn’l, Inc. Jani-King is facing class action lawsuits in multiple states for violating workers rights and labor laws.
As a result, several of the housekeepers came to New York City on February 5 in hopes of meeting with members of MBL’s Board of Overseers, Board of Trustees, and possibly with Borisy himself at a posh cocktail/dinner party for MBL executives. MBL has recently raked in major federal stimulus money intended to create quality jobs in Massachusetts. Housekeepers say MBL executives are flaunting the intentions of that government support by destroying existing living wage jobs with healthcare benefits and by targeting their lowest-paid staff members. Outsourcing the jobs to Jani-King Int’l, Inc. would also likely be a cost-shift to taxpayers and the state, forcing Massachusetts to pick up the tab for Jani-King/MBL employee health care benefits.
Since Borisy will not meet with them on Cape Cod, the housekeepers will attempt to attend the cocktail/dinner party for the MBL Board of overseers and trustees at the luxurious University Club of New York. The housekeepers will also seek an audience with the overseers and trustees at their meetings scheduled for Saturday in New York.
The University Club event will include a lecture from John W. Rowe, M.D., chairman of the MBL Board of Trustees, on the topic of “Myths and Realities of an Aging Society.” The housekeepers say the title of Rowe’s lecture seems ironic. Three of the housekeepers threatened with layoffs are in their sixties and now face the prospect of unemployment on the eve of retirement.
All eight of the affected housekeepers are women and each has individually served MBL for at least 10 years. They are among the lowest-paid workers of all MBL staff. Since the housekeeping work is a year-round function at MBL, executives have released no estimates publicly on what the outsourcing and cost-shift to the state for employee health care might save the lab. Regarding the dependability and quality of the work provided by the current housekeepers, Human Resources Director Susan Goux wrote to employees in a letter dated February 3, 2010 that, “The housekeepers have shown a dedication to their tasks for a long time.”
According to media reports, Jani-King Int’l, Inc has allegedly been labeling employees as individual “franchisees” to skirt laws and labor regulations in several states pertaining to minimum wages, unemployment benefits, and overtime pay.
In addition to the New York event, the housekeepers and their supporters have scheduled a vigil and press availability in Woods Hole at noon on Friday, February 12 at the town dock on MBL Street.
“We have given many years of hard work and proud service to MBL and MBL has received a lot of taxpayer stimulus money that is expected to be used to create good jobs, not destroy them,” said housekeeper Noreen McNamara. “We think it’s reasonable for Mr. Borisy and his board to meet with us face to face and answer some of the questions that workers and the community have about this plan. We hope a closer look at the situation will help MBL executives make a decision that lives up to the reputation of MBL and the values of the community.”
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© 2010 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East | Privacy Policy
1st amendment: See you are still “cutting and pasting” and are still without original thought. Of course, I see you are now “cutting and pasting” union based specialty sheets.
SEIU has notoriously attacked any/all companies that have dared to not have union representation, especially in the commercial cleaning field. They have picketed numerous buildings, hotels, airports etc… Them coming out against a company such as Jani-King is nothing new. SEIU has picketed many traditional companies in our industry such as EMS, GSF, Bulldog, 4M, ABM and numerous others. SEIU is it’s own worst enemy, at the end of the day, they get nothing additonal for the service members and the service members get a load of “trash” in return plus get to pay union dues.
Need to get better “cut and paste” stories to support your “claims” 1st amendment.
“SEIU is it’s own worst enemy, at the end of the day, they get nothing additonal for the service members…”
Get nothing additional? The fatcats at MBL were spending taxpayer stimulus money – meant to create jobs – wining and dining themselves at posh NY cocktail parties while at the same time callously sending employees – All women who had served MBL for at least ten years – to the unemployment line.
SEIU issued a press release, led the demonstration at the cocktail party, landed a big story in the Boston Globe, rightfully embarrassed MBL in national media, and 7 days later released a very different press release:
“We are pleased to have reached a mutually agreeable solution to the challenge of staffing an important, but seasonal part of our business,” said MBL director and CEO Gary Borisy. “This was a difficult issue to address at a trying economic time for the institution and our valued employees. In spite of the economic downturn, the MBL is proud to say that it has spurred job growth on Cape Cod, adding 33 new year-round positions and undertaking renovations that have employed more than 250 individuals. We must always be responsible stewards of the resources entrusted to us as a non- profit institution. This agreement enables us to do just that, while retaining long-time employees who are important members of the MBL family.”
This is why unions work and, while not perfect, are necessary. Left to their own devices many employers will exploit their workers for profit regardless of human suffering. Now that MA has determined that JaniKing franchisees are really employees, maybe they should get a union like SEIU to represent their interests and stop their own exploitation.
Guest:
MA came to no such conclusion. You are “mispeaking” which probably means you’re a steward or “high member” of SEIU. If you are so proud, why don’t you “reveal” yourself. Instead of “guest” let us know who you are at SEIU.
Did you get an increase for your “members” at MBL?
Did you get my tax money to pay for these additonal positions?
How about the facts of the picketing that I described above, what did you get for your “members” in Indianapolis and Cincy?
Don’t be fooled and don’t fool others. SEIU is a dangerous organization whose only “goal” is to add more members to collect more dues.
Thanks to the 11th-hour, 1199SEIU-negotiated deal, veteran housekeepers and 1199SEIU members at the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) in Woods Hole, New York will keep their jobs.
Jerry, I wouldn’t expect you to see that as very significant, as your company values exploitation of hardworking people’s hopes and dreams above all else. But to decent, ethical people, that’s a significant victory. To the women who were told their ten+ years of service wasn’t worth interrupting a cocktail party, it was significant.
Best of all, perhaps, it kept the MBL janitorial services from being outsourced to a janitorial franchise scam a MA judge has called nothing more than a Ponzi scheme.
The day will come when janitorial franchisees are afforded the union protection they deserve – and so desperately need. Enjoy the good old days while they’re here.
Guest: Already disspelled your garbage over on the “Jan-Pro” part of this site. Tired of repeating myself. SEIU is a corrupt union. Has been basically from day one. You want “truth” about SEIU read David Bago’s book. Don’t know/remember who David Bago is. Owner of EMS commercial cleaning here in Indianapolis. Don’t remember what you did? SEIU terrorized his family, picketed his customers, threatened him, his employee’s, his management staff.
SEIU is run by a bunch of “goons”. Those “goons” only care about themselves. Look no further than Indianapolis and Cincinnati for “verification” of what I’ve said about SEIU only caring about itself. Since the “agreement” signed by numerous “traditional companies” such as ABM. 4M, Bulldog, GSF and others, to only utilize “union workers” for the cleaning of “downtown” buildings, guess what? Those companies have lost numerous contracts, those companies have “layed off” numerous “union employee’s” due to the loss of those contracts, guess what? when those former employee’s asked “where’s my union protection, my union promised job” they got nothing but silence and extra unemployment benefits.
SEIU is nothing but a Joke, run by the biggest joker of all, President Obama.
You must be a big “Bago” supporter and have read his self-published book very carefully, Jerry, since you can’t even spell his name. Jeez, Jerry, it’s only 4 letters. You don’t have to have Obama’s advanced degrees to spell that.
… is that what you meant by “disspelled”?
Guest: Noticed how you still haven’t “revealed” yourself. Like picking on “spelling” issues. Didn’t see you attack substance. Obviously, your omissions, must mean that I’m correct in what I’m saying.
Time for you to reveal who you are, who you work for, admit that you are paying for Jerry “v’ and his “band” of disgruntled franchisees.
I’m always a “fan” of someone who exposes and stands up against “goons” (don’t think i misspelled) such as the SEIU.
Also noticed how you didn’t have the “guts” to admit that you are a “steward” of SEIU or at least a “supporter”.
David Bego is a true hero, also, noticed how you didn’t counter that since the “agreement” that union population for the downtown buildings in both cities have declined dramatically.
When all else fails, attack the spelling, not the substance.
Go find another site that doesn’t have someone with enough “guts” to call you out.
It would be interesting to know David Bego’s opinion of the treatment of workers by slave trade franchises like Jan-Pro, Jani-King & Coverall. I’d imagine he’d provide a pretty scathing indictment of the low-balling ponzi scheme scammers he has to compete against as an ethical independent commercial cleaning company.
I wonder if you’d still be calling him a hero if he shared what he thinks of your organization, Jerry.
Guest: Why are you so afraid to “reveal” yourself. I think its funny how someone who knows so little about our industry, so little about owner/operator systems, so little about cleaning in general, comes in here and starts “blowing his horn” about how great the SEIU is and what they have done positvely for the cleaning industry as a whole.
Still hasn’t made response to what SEIU did for the “Justice for Janitors” campaign, how many lives they actually ruined, how many contracts were lost, how many “union members” are now “unemployed”, how it was nothing but a bunch of “hype” and how they now won’t reveal any of the figures that I’m “calling them out on”.
Still hasn’t “denied” the fact that they are “assisting” 1st amendment and the attorneys that are fighting against companies such as Jan-Pro, Jani-King and Coverall. That assistance is in the form of money, information and technical support.
Still hasn’t made an honest statement really about anything. “slave trade”, wow, how disrespectful to the tens of thousands owner/operators working for their respective customers each night across this country. REALLY!
In regards to David Bego and the other members of BSCAI, ask them if they were so “distraught” about owner/operator based companies, why are they part of BSCAI, why are people like OpenWorks, Environmental Control, Mallard Services and numerous other “traditonal companies” starting/branching off into “owner/operator” segments. How about companies such as ServiceMaster which really is the originator of the “franchise concept” in the commercial cleaning industry, what about Bonus’ roots were founded in the “traditional” format and then once purchased by Arlene Cavanaugh, switched over to owner/operator format. How about we talk about City Wide and Office Pride which utilize a combination of owner/operator and regional developer types of format.
Low ball? REALLY, I could give you dozens of companies in the Indianapolis area that are much lower than the “big three” on a consistent basis. The real “low ballers” are the small “mom and pops” and the “regional players” trying to make a name. You want to know the “lowest of the low”, let’s talk about ABM, Varsity, GCS and other “national providers”, they “bid” facilities on pricing format not seen since the 1980’s. (How do I know, I’ve been in this industry, earning my “bones” since 1984!!!!)
Ponzi Scheme? REALLY! Even Judge Young, backed off that statement, but people like you, 1st amendment and others continue to come back to one part of one phrase that he cleaned up later in his “ruling”.
Hope you got more, hope you got better, your out-classed and out-gunned. Better go get some more “goons”, then it may be a fair argument.
Guest: Find it funny how one minute you are “justifying” SEIU’s attack against David Bego, how they followed his children to school yelling, holding signs and making vulger gestures against teenagers and the next, wanting to call him “ethical business person”. Wow! Talk about multiple personality disorder.
Well, we already know what he thinks about SEIU, he wrote a book about it. I think it’s safe to say, he has less anguish, less anger, less emotion about Jan-Pro, Jani-King, Coverall and the other owner/operator based competitors, if for no other reason no one from those organizations have personally threatened him, his family, his customers, his employee’s, his management staff etc…..
Guest, your a JOKE!!!!! Come up with some substance, come up with some facts, come up with something of value or reasonable opinion, or MOVE ON!!!
It’s interesting to reread the original article and the relevant comments that followed – minus the obvious attempts to distract from the central point:
“the lawsuits allege, they breach their contracts by underbidding the amount of time and staffing required for each job, refusing to allow franchisees to inspect cleaning jobs or bid sheets before accepting or rejecting a job, offering geographically inconvenient jobs and unjustly taking jobs from one franchisee to re-sell them to others.” Franchise Times
“franchise is a scam. I purchased a Jani-King Commercial Cleaning Franchise after reading they were a great franchise opportunity in several franchise magazines… I later learned this type of scam preys on people who have never been in business for themselves… I lost all my savings, but hopefully others can learn from my mistake.” letshelp
“If I could do it all over again I would invest in real estate on Venus before having to deal with this again.” Rickety Rabbit
“Jani King is in the business to sell franchises. Once they sign you up, they don’t care if you fail or not, or make it because they always resell the account again.” Paul
“You would do better burning your money before you give it to Jani King.” Susan
Jerry reminds me of the little Dutch boy running around trying to plug the leaks in the dike. I am so glad that he spends so much time here futily attempting damage control since that’s time he’s not out selling empty franchise dreams.
Keep up the good work, Jerr!
Guest: Still not revealing yourself, you lose vailidity and “standing” when you are too “scared”, too “tired”, too “unitelligent” to figure out what to “call yourself”.
Let’s think of the “numbers” for a minute:
Currently, there are over thirty (30) thousand owner/operators working in conjunction with the big three(3). These (30) thousand are cleaning at least thirty (30) thousand buildings on a nightly basis.
Now, out of that sheer number, do you not think you’re going to have some “disgruntled” , “unhappy” , “underperforming”, “underachieveing”, “non-producing” owner/operators?
Could you make up your mind, one minute, in court, you are claiming that Jani-King, Coverall, Jan-Pro are in the “cleaning business”, now you are quoting that we are in the “franchising business”. You are very hard to follow”
I’m not Dutch, I’m of German descent! No damage control in regards to your comments, I actually find them humerous.
Guest: One final thought, would it surprise you to find out that I no longer work for Jan-Pro, never worked for Coverall nor Jani-King. Been in this industry (commercial cleaning) for over twenty-five (25) years!!!!! Seen best, worst, all, large, small etc….. Know this industry as well, if not better than most. Know you are a fraud, know you lack “standing”, know you are “scared”.
Jerry how much are they paying for your comments that you do daily.
Jerry wrote “No damage control in regards to your comments, I actually find them humerous.”
I have to admit, this one’s over my head. I did damage a rotator cuff once, but I don’t remember mentioning that in any of my comments. :( I’m confused.
Sandra: Unlike 1st amendment, Iloveamerica, Jerry “v” and now “guest”. I have no vested interest in the profit or failure of Jani-King, Jan-Pro, Coverall. My point is, I’ve been in this industry (commercial cleaning) all of my adult life. It’s not for everyone, there are good companies that go out of business, there are bad one’s that are a “mega hit” in the industry, but at the end of the day, there are no models that are “perfect”.
Should there be “reforms” ? Absolutely
Should people be “fired”? Without a doubt
Should the companies admit they made mistakes? Yes, but without legal ramifications.
Owner/Operators make mistakes, they have fault in this process as well as the “franchising companies”, you want it all, don’t want any of the blame, don’t want “shared” responsibility.
No offense, No Business is without failures. Even McDonald’s!!!!!
Guest: Read your own comments in regards to “damage control”. Should I draw you a picture, I know attorney’s have a lack of common sense, but come on!
Someone just pointed out that Jerry probably meant “humOrous” and was not referring to the long bone of the upper arm.
If so, my mistake ;)
Guest: Your so funny, Obviously you type slowly and use spell check. Talk about “wasted motion” and “lack of language skills”. Did you have to get your “counsel” of attorneys together to come up with that one? If so, send the bill ok?
Guest: Still waiting for your comments, “cut and paste” responses to my questions, thoughts, issues over on the “Jan-Pro” area. Hopefully, unlike 1st amendment, you will “walk and chew gum” at the same time!
Guest: When you look at all of the “postings” on this site and on the Jan-Pro site, why is it you only ‘pick” on me about my spelling? Since you are perfect, since you probably have a legal secretary or your “council” of attorney’s to review, edit, spell check, grammer check etc….
Sandra, don’t let Guest pick on your previous post on June 8th, by GOD, I’ll get on him like “stink on mud”!!!!!
Jani-King International Agrees To Pay $100,000 Civil Penalty To Settle FTC Charges Over Franchise Operations
Dallas, Texas-based Jani-King International, Inc. has agreed to pay a $100,000 civil penalty as part of a settlement of Federal Trade Commission charges that it failed to provide poten- tial purchasers of its commercial cleaning services franchises with key information. The FTC alleged that Jani-King did not provide documentation to support its contract-based earnings claims, or information about the franchise’s litigation history and current franchisees. These would be violations of the FTC’s Franchise Rule, and the settlement also would require Jani-King to comply with the rule.
The FTC’s Franchise Rule requires franchise sellers to give potential buyers a detailed disclosure document containing 20 categories of key information at least 10 days before the buyer legally commits to the purchase. The document includes informa- tion about the terms and conditions under which the franchise operates, audited financial information, the litigation history of the franchisor and its principals, and information about existing franchisees and the circumstances surrounding the termination of any franchisees. Further, if a franchisor makes earnings claims, it must provide franchisees with a disclosure document containing the substantiation for those claims.
Jani-King sells its commercial cleaning franchises through- out the United States, advertising in general circulation news- papers and distributing promotional material at franchise and business opportunity shows, according to the FTC complaint detailing the charges in this case. The fees for Jani-King’s franchises range from $6,500 to $16,750, and Jani-King promises potential franchisees significant assistance in operating their businesses, including providing them with cleaning contracts that have specified levels of initial gross monthly billings.
The complaint alleges that Jani-King made earning claims but failed to provide the required substantiation for those claims. In addition, the FTC alleged that in numerous instances, Jani- King failed to provide prospective franchisees with information required by the Franchise Rule, including:
* a complete and accurate disclosure of the franchisor’s litigation history including any violations of franchise law, fraud or misrepresentation during the previous seven fiscal years; and
* a disclosure of the names, addresses and telephone numbers of other existing franchisees.
The proposed consent judgment to settle these charges would require Jani-King to pay the $100,000 civil penalty within 10 days after the court enters the judgment. The settlement also would permanently prohibit the defendant from violating the Franchise Rule, and contains various reporting provisions designed to assist the FTC in monitoring Jani-King’s compliance.
At the request of the FTC, the Department of Justice filed the complaint and proposed consent judgment in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, in Dallas, on July 20. The Commission vote to authorize filing was 5-0.
NOTE: This consent judgment is for settlement purposes only and does not constitute an admission by the defendant of a law violation. Consent judgments have the force of law when signed by a judge. The FTC has developed a free fact sheet for anyone interested in purchasing a franchise. The fact sheet, titled “Franchise and Business Opportunities,” describes the requirements of the Franchise Rule and suggests questions to ask before deciding to invest
Copies of the fact sheet, the complaint and the proposed consent judgment are available from the FTC’s Public Reference Branch, Room 130, 6th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580; 202-326-2222; TTY for the hearing impaired 1-866-653-4261. To find out the latest FTC news as it happens, call the FTCþs NewsPhone at 202-326-2710. FTC news releases, fact sheets and other information also are on the Internet at the FTCþs World Wide Web site at http://www.ftc.gov
(FTC File No. 932 3067)
(Civil Action No. 3-95-CV-1492-G)
1st amendment: So? What do you think this means, then I’ll hit you with what it says.
To someone who calls himself jerry but wont give out his real full name.
You want to know what that means that means that janiking was trying to be Deceptive and Fraudulent. They were hidding so many things. They were trying to hide all the Lawsuits that they got hit from!
By the way I know a Veteran who got ripped off by janiking. He invested Thousands of Dollars. Thats really a bunch of crap if you ask me.
1st amendment, Jerry “v”, ILoveAmerica and friend of “Guest”:
Please review your own “cut and paste” article. It doesn’t say anything about Jani-King being deceptive or fraudulant. What it stated was “Jani-King made earnings claims, but failed to provide proof of those earnings claims”. Simple, straight forward, if it was something “dramatic”, especially since the FTC is controlled now by the supporters of the Obama Administration and the fact that Obama is the defacto leader of the SEIU, don’t you think if they could have “proven” more, they would have, they would have not “settled” , they would have fined them a larger amount etc….?
Just wanted you to put your “thoughts” into writing first.
I’m sorry about your veteran, there are many veterans currently finding improved quality of life, growing their businesses within the Big “3”. Probably, just like you, he didn’t listen, learn, invest proper amount of effort, didn’t follow the rules, didn’t care to build his business, etc…. Thank him for the service given to his country, if he would like to “speak” for himself, I would be honored to contact him directly, assist him in starting, growing, building a commercial cleaning business. Unlike you and Guest, I’ve got 25 years experience and I know not only how to build a company from the ground up, but I know how to best utilize the tools and opportunities given to “owner/operators” and build their business with the “jump start” provided.
Always remember, “Lemonade from Lemons”!
“By the way I know a Veteran who got ripped off by janiking. He invested Thousands of Dollars. Thats really a bunch of crap if you ask me.”
These franchises prey on veterans under the guise of patriotism. What they really value is that vets are trained to obediently follow orders and often lack alternatives.
There’s even a program called VetFran designed to help franchisors dupe vets into buying their franchises. Jani-King, Jan-Pro, Coverall, Servicemaster, Vanguard, MTO, Office Pride, Openworks, and target desperate and shell-shocked vets through it. Some companies have no shame.
[PS Jerry pls take your meds and wait 45 minutes before posting one of your interminable but “humerous” responses.]
Guest: Wow! How disrespectful to Veteran’s ” the obediently follow orders and often lack alternatives” What the HELL! Veteran’s are some of the most capable, dependable, smartest, common sense oriented and most are extremely succesful in EVERYTHING that they do.
So the dozens/hundreds of Veterans that are currently working on their businesses for the Big “3” are fakes? They don’t exist, they are limited in their alternatives? You’re brazen, You’re an IDIIOT!!!!!!!
I’m not on meds, if you can’t handle things without checking with others before you write your GARBAGE!!! not my problem.
Your obvious disrespect, vulgar feelings for our Veterans is unwarranted.
Guest: Talk about “shame”, what you stated about our Veterans should surprise me, but people like you and others associated with the SEIU, supporters of Obama, most attorneys and of course, Iloveamerica, Jerry “v”, 1st amendment have those same feelings. Just surprised you had the “gonads” to put it into writing.
That franchisors value veterans as franchisees because of their willingness and ability to follow a required system is not my opinion, it’s a fact.
Marine vet & Entrepreneur columnist Joe Lindenmayer says vets are sought after by FRs because “A good franchisee is someone who is willing to operate within the guidelines of the established business model, someone who won’t stray too far outside the proverbial box…”
From Franchise Prospector: “Veterans leaving the military have learned how to follow orders. They have worked within a highly regimented system with detailed rules about how things should be done. Business format franchises have the same sort of rules and regulations… Veterans are experienced with procedures and protocols but not necessarily equipped with general business knowledge…
“Veterans… have years of experience in a system very similar to the franchise system–but even more demanding. Some people who have not had any military training get frustrated by the limits on the powers of business format franchise owners. They may be uncomfortable knowing that many of their business decisions are out of their control. Veterans, on the other hand, know that there is nothing wrong with having faith in a system… whether it is a restaurant franchise or the United States Armed Forces.”
Willingness to follow direction is cited by franchisors as a top reason they aggressively recruit servicemen & vets via special programs & publications.
If you want to attack the people who are disrespecting vets, attack those who are selling them crappy scam franchises that will leave them broke and discouraged.