Midtown Chimney Sweeps Franchise
Audited FinancialsRisk Score
Pending analysis
Investment Range
$73,062 - $145,648
Franchise Fee
$15,000
Total US Locations
39
Business Summary
Midtown Chimney Sweeps specializes in providing residential and commercial chimney cleaning, light maintenance, and repair services for various heating appliances, including chimneys, fireplaces, wood stoves, pellet stoves, and gas stoves. Midtown Chimney Sweeps also offers fireplace installation, chimney relining, and dryer vent cleaning services to its customers.
Corporate History
Midtown Chimney Sweeps Franchising, LLC was organized on January 17, 2014, in Colorado. The company offers franchises for Midtown Chimney Sweeps Businesses, specializing in chimney cleaning, maintenance, repair, and installation services. Its founder, Byron Schramm, developed many of the business systems after acquiring his father's general construction and fireplace installation business in 2004, where he had been working since 1999. Midtown Chimney Sweeps Franchising, LLC began selling franchises in 2014. The franchisor's parent company, SchrammSon Enterprises, LLC, owns the trademarks used by Midtown Chimney Sweeps Franchising, LLC.
Financial Overview
Investment Range
$73,062 - $145,648
Franchise Fee (Low)
$15,000
Franchise Fee (High)
$49,000
Royalty %
7%
Marketing %
3%
Equipment Costs (Low)
$15,900
Equipment Costs (High)
$68,200
Working Capital
$4,500
Audited Financials
Yes
Offers Financing
Yes
Audit Opinion
Unqualified opinion
Financial Health Notes
Midtown Chimney Sweeps Franchising, LLC shows improving financial health. The company's net income has consistently grown over the last three years, reaching $132,571 in 2024. Significantly, the company moved from a member's deficit to a positive member's equity of $79,586 in 2024. Cash and equivalents increased substantially, and total current assets saw a strong rise. The company also managed to pay off its revolving lines of credit in 2024. The auditors issued an unqualified opinion on the financial statements, indicating no significant concerns about the company's financial position or its ability to continue operations.
Financing Details
Midtown Chimney Sweeps Franchising, LLC does not offer direct or indirect financing to franchisees and does not guarantee notes, leases, or obligations. However, Midtown Chimney Sweeps Franchising, LLC does allow franchisees to pay the initial franchise fee in 4 to 6 monthly installments, without interest or finance charges, when circumstances warrant.
Performance Metrics
Total US Locations
39
Franchised Units
39
Corporate Units
0
Franchising Since
2014
Legal & Compliance Analysis
Recent Litigation
No
Bankruptcy
No
Litigation Count
3
Litigation Summary
Midtown Chimney Sweeps Franchising, LLC faced three litigation cases filed by a franchisee (James Laut and Laut Enterprises, LLC) in late 2019. The franchisee alleged breach of franchise agreement, improper notices of default, and sought a temporary restraining order to prevent termination, also claiming interference with customer relationships. Midtown Chimney Sweeps Franchising, LLC filed counterclaims for breach of the franchise agreement and trademark counterfeiting. All three cases were settled on April 24, 2020. The settlement involved the franchisee paying Midtown Chimney Sweeps Franchising, LLC $1,321.20, returning the Operations Manual and other materials, and both parties exchanging releases and dismissing the matters with prejudice. There is no other litigation required to be disclosed by Midtown Chimney Sweeps Franchising, LLC.
Bankruptcy History
Midtown Chimney Sweeps Franchising, LLC has no bankruptcy history to report for the franchisor or its management.
Agreement Terms
Initial Term
7 years
Renewal Term
7 years
Renewal Conditions
To renew, Midtown Chimney Sweeps Franchising, LLC franchisees must provide written notice between 120 days and one year before the agreement expires. They must be in full compliance with the Franchise Agreement and satisfy all monetary obligations. Franchisees are required to sign Midtown Chimney Sweeps Franchising, LLC's then-current Franchise Agreement (which may have different terms), meet current qualification and training requirements, update their business operations to conform with the latest Operations Manual, and execute a general release of claims. They must also pay a successor franchise fee.
Training & Support Program
Franchisor Assistance
Midtown Chimney Sweeps Franchising, LLC provides franchisees with pre-opening and ongoing assistance. Before opening, Midtown Chimney Sweeps Franchising, LLC helps designate the protected territory, reviews and approves commercial sites (if applicable), identifies necessary equipment and supplies, and provides lists of approved vendors. Franchisees receive initial training for up to two people for free, access to an Inner Circle website with marketing information, a scheduling center membership with a Co-Op Line, and guidance on their Internet-based scheduling and marketing system. Midtown Chimney Sweeps Franchising, LLC also offers advice on obtaining inventory, providing services, advertising, and operations. Ongoing support includes continuing training courses, discretionary inspections of the business and work, updated lists of approved suppliers, and periodic business advice through meetings, phone consultations, or online resources. Midtown Chimney Sweeps Franchising, LLC also schedules appointments through its scheduling center and provides a Toll-Free Number.
Initial Training Hours
86
Training Location
Franchisor facilities in Littleton, CO and Boulder, CO, or another designated location.
Ongoing Support
After opening, Midtown Chimney Sweeps Franchising, LLC provides ongoing support to franchisees through various services. This includes continuing training courses and periodically inspecting the franchisee's business and customer work. Midtown Chimney Sweeps Franchising, LLC also provides updated lists of approved equipment, supplies, and vendors. Franchisees receive ongoing consultation and advice on business, financial, operational, technical, pricing, sales, and advertising matters through meetings, phone or email, the Inner Circle website, and on-site visits. Midtown Chimney Sweeps Franchising, LLC schedules appointments through its Scheduling Center and provides a Toll-Free Number. Additionally, Midtown Chimney Sweeps Franchising, LLC uses commercially reasonable efforts to search for cost-efficient suppliers, maintain an inventory of promotional materials, conduct quality control and secret shopper visits, and continually improve its Licensed Methods, which franchisees must adopt.
Franchise Requirements
Ideal Candidate Profile
Midtown Chimney Sweeps Franchising, LLC is seeking individuals who are prepared to operate an owner-operated business. While personal daily participation is not strictly required, if the owner is not directly involved daily, an Operations Manager must be appointed to fulfill this role. If the franchisee is a business entity, all individuals holding an ownership interest must personally guarantee the franchisee's obligations. All prospective franchisees must successfully pass a background check.
Industry Experience Required
No
Management Experience Required
No
Sales Experience Required
No
Technical Skills Required
No
Operational Details
Location Type
Hybrid
Owner Participation
Supervisory
Territory Type
Protected
Territory Size Requirements
Midtown Chimney Sweeps Franchising, LLC provides each franchisee with a Protected Territory that is delineated by county, city, zip codes, street boundaries, or other geographical boundaries based on Census Bureau statistics. Each Protected Territory contains approximately 110,000 households.
Staffing Notes
Midtown Chimney Sweeps Franchising, LLC states that the franchisee is solely responsible for recruiting, hiring, training, and supervising their employees, independent agents, and any Operations Manager. These individuals are employees or agents of the franchisee, not Midtown Chimney Sweeps Franchising, LLC. The franchisee determines compensation, terms of employment, safety, work assignments, and schedules. Midtown Chimney Sweeps Franchising, LLC's advice on these matters are merely suggestions, provided to protect the brand, not to control day-to-day operations. The franchisee must ensure at least one Certified Chimney University graduate is present at all jobs. They must also maintain an adequate supply of equipment for each technician employed.