Fish Window Cleaning Franchise
Audited FinancialsRisk Score
Pending analysis
Investment Range
$107,200 - $173,700
Franchise Fee
$44,910
Total US Locations
270
Business Summary
Fish Window Cleaning Services operates a business specializing in window and specialty cleaning services for both residential and commercial buildings within a defined geographic territory. The business uses the FISH WINDOW CLEANING® brand, distinctive products, and sales techniques to serve its clients.
Corporate History
Fish Window Cleaning Services, Inc. was incorporated in Missouri on January 9, 1998. The company began offering FISH WINDOW CLEANING® franchises in January 1998. The part-owner, S. Michael Merrick, had previous experience in the window cleaning business, operating as a sole proprietor since 1978 and then as the owner of Fish Window Cleaning, Inc. (FWCI) in St. Louis, Missouri, since December 1985, prior to the establishment of the franchising entity.
Financial Overview
Investment Range
$107,200 - $173,700
Franchise Fee (Low)
$44,910
Franchise Fee (High)
$74,900
Royalty %
8%
Marketing %
1%
Equipment Costs (Low)
$53,500
Equipment Costs (High)
$57,000
Working Capital
$24,700
Audited Financials
Yes
Offers Financing
No
Audit Opinion
Unqualified opinion
Financial Health Notes
Fish Window Cleaning Services appears to be in sound financial health. Its consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2024, and 2023, received an unqualified opinion from independent auditors, indicating that the financials are presented fairly in all material respects. The company reported positive net income of $2,376,054 in 2024 and $2,042,604 in 2023, along with growing revenues. No substantial doubt about the company's ability to continue as a going concern was noted in the auditor's opinion. The company maintains cash balances, with uninsured amounts disclosed, and operates with positive retained earnings.
Financing Details
Fish Window Cleaning Services does not offer any direct or indirect financing to its franchisees. The franchisor also does not guarantee any loans, notes, leases, or other financial obligations for its franchisees.
Performance Metrics
Total US Locations
270
Franchised Units
269
Corporate Units
1
Franchising Since
1998
Legal & Compliance Analysis
Recent Litigation
No
Bankruptcy
No
Litigation Count
1
Litigation Summary
Fish Window Cleaning Services has had one litigation case disclosed. The case, Pope et al. v. Fish Window Cleaning, Inc., et al., was a putative collective action filed in 2015 under the Fair Labor Standards Act and Wisconsin state law. Plaintiffs, who were window cleaners, alleged failures to pay minimum wage and overtime. Fish Window Cleaning Services was named as a defendant on the theory of joint employment with one of its franchisees. The franchisor was dismissed from the case in January 2017 after its summary judgment motion was granted. The plaintiffs settled their claims against the franchisee and later dismissed their appeal against Fish Window Cleaning Services in March 2018 upon a settlement where Fish Window Cleaning Services paid a sum of $14,200 ($5,000 to Plaintiff Andrew Pope, $2,700 to Plaintiff Joshua Rave, and $6,500 for fees and costs). This matter is now concluded.
Bankruptcy History
Fish Window Cleaning Services has no bankruptcy information required to be disclosed in its FDD, indicating that neither the franchisor nor its executives have a history of bankruptcy.
Agreement Terms
Initial Term
10 years
Renewal Term
10 years
Renewal Conditions
To renew their franchise agreement, Fish Window Cleaning Services franchisees must not be in default of their current agreement and must provide written notice between 180 and 240 days before the term expires. They are required to sign a general release, pay a renewal fee of $5,000, complete any necessary training updates, and sign the franchisor's then-current form of franchise agreement, which may have different terms. Additionally, franchisees must modernize, remodel, and upgrade their business premises and vehicles to meet current standards for new franchises.
Training & Support Program
Franchisor Assistance
Fish Window Cleaning Services provides pre-opening assistance including a license to operate, site selection guidelines, initial training for up to two people (covering equipment, operations, advertising, computers, accounting, and window cleaning), and access to a proprietary intranet site called the 'Fishing Hole' with operational and marketing materials. Ongoing assistance includes updates to the Fishing Hole, maintenance of the Brand Building Fund, periodic business visits or 'secret shopper' evaluations, mandatory annual conventions for continuing education, and access to the Fishing Hole for updated information. The franchisor may also offer suggestions regarding pricing and negotiate Corporate Accounts. For marketing, franchisees pay a weekly Brand Building Fee to a fund used for national, regional, or local advertising and digital marketing programs. Franchisees must also spend a monthly minimum on local marketing activities and can receive assistance with a corporate call center during their initial ramp-up period.
Initial Training Hours
90
Training Location
St. Louis, MO
Ongoing Support
After opening, Fish Window Cleaning Services franchisees receive ongoing assistance through various channels. This includes updates to the 'Fishing Hole' (an intranet site with operational materials), maintenance of the Brand Building Fund for marketing, periodic visits or 'secret shopper' evaluations of their business, and mandatory annual conventions offering continuing education on business topics. Franchisees also have continuous access to the 'Fishing Hole' for updated information and may receive suggestions regarding pricing policies. The franchisor may also negotiate Corporate Account arrangements that apply to all businesses in the system. Franchisees must respond to franchisor emails or calls within two business days.
Franchise Requirements
Industry Experience Required
No
Management Experience Required
Yes
Sales Experience Required
No
Technical Skills Required
No
Operational Details
Location Type
hybrid
Owner Participation
supervisory
Territory Type
limited
Territory Size Requirements
Fish Window Cleaning Services offers territories defined by population. The Small Package Territory includes approximately 75,000 persons, the Standard Package Territory contains about 200,000 persons, and the Executive Package Territory covers roughly 400,000 persons. The boundaries for these territories are determined using a combination of county lines, highways or streets, or zip codes. While franchisees initially maintain rights to their territory, they will not receive an exclusive territory and may face competition from other Fish Window Cleaning Services franchisees or company-owned outlets in certain circumstances.