TruBlue Home Service Ally Franchise
Audited FinancialsRisk Score
Pending analysis
Investment Range
$70,050 - $96,400
Franchise Fee
$44,910
Total US Locations
94
Business Summary
TruBlue offers franchises to operate businesses that provide residential and commercial property management services. These services include interior and exterior maintenance, repairs, yard care, snow removal, residential cleaning, and senior home safety modifications. TruBlue franchises target busy professionals, affluent individuals, seniors, and those recovering from illness or injury. Franchisees manage daily operations, while employees or contractors perform the services. TruBlue locations can be operated from a home-based office or leased commercial space.
Corporate History
TruBlue Franchising Systems, Inc. was incorporated in Ohio on May 2, 2011. The company was formed specifically to sell and support franchises that offer residential and commercial property management services, such as maintenance, repairs, yard services, and residential cleaning. TruBlue began offering franchises of this type in 2011. Although TruBlue Franchising Systems, Inc. has never operated a TruBlue franchise directly, a company called Tri-State Home Services, Inc., owned by the same founders, operated a TruBlue franchise from September 2011 through 2014.
Financial Overview
Investment Range
$70,050 - $96,400
Franchise Fee (Low)
$44,910
Franchise Fee (High)
$49,900
Royalty %
6%
Marketing %
2%
Equipment Costs (Low)
$5,000
Equipment Costs (High)
$10,000
Working Capital
$14,000
Audited Financials
Yes
Offers Financing
No
Audit Opinion
Unqualified opinion
Financial Health Notes
TruBlue has received an unqualified audit opinion for its financial statements for 2021, 2022, and 2023, indicating that the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the company's financial position and cash flows. The company had a positive net income in all three years. While TruBlue's current assets have consistently exceeded its current liabilities, showing good short-term liquidity, it reported a negative accumulated deficit in 2022 and 2023. This means that, over time, the company's total losses have exceeded its total profits, although it has generated profits in the most recent years.
Financing Details
TruBlue does not offer any direct or indirect financing to its franchisees. Additionally, TruBlue does not guarantee any notes, leases, or other obligations for its franchisees.
Performance Metrics
Total US Locations
94
Franchised Units
94
Corporate Units
0
Avg Square Footage
125
Franchising Since
2011
Legal & Compliance Analysis
Recent Litigation
Yes
Bankruptcy
No
Litigation Count
4
Litigation Summary
TruBlue and its affiliates have been involved in four litigation cases since 2021. In March 2021, TruBlue's affiliate F.C. Franchising Systems, Inc. (Fresh Coat) settled with Virginia regulators for failing to disclose an officer's personal bankruptcy in its 2012 and 2013 disclosure documents, offering refunds to affected purchasers and paying $8,000 in penalties. In August 2022, TruBlue's affiliate G.C. Franchising Systems, Inc. (Growth Coach) settled with Virginia regulators for a similar non-disclosure regarding a former board member's personal bankruptcy in its 2015 disclosure document, paying $3,500 in penalties. TruBlue and its affiliates also entered into two separate Consent Orders with the California Commissioner of Financial Protection and Innovation in July and December 2021. The first related to an officer/director's personal bankruptcy not being disclosed in certain FDDs from 2012 to 2016. The second was due to their certified public accountant not being registered as a public accounting firm in Ohio, for which TruBlue paid a $5,000 administrative penalty and was reimbursed by the CPA.
Bankruptcy History
TruBlue has no bankruptcy information to disclose.
Agreement Terms
Initial Term
10 years
Renewal Term
10 years
Renewal Conditions
To renew their TruBlue franchise, franchisees must notify the franchisor in writing 6 to 12 months before the agreement expires. They must be in good standing, meaning they have no defaults on any obligations to TruBlue or its affiliates. Franchisees also need to meet TruBlue's current qualification standards for new franchisees, demonstrate a good business reputation and credit rating, and have adequate financial resources. Additionally, they must sign the then-current franchise agreement, which may have different terms (including potentially higher royalty or branding fees), and complete any new training requirements. A general release of claims against TruBlue must also be signed, if permitted by state law.
Training & Support Program
Franchisor Assistance
Before a TruBlue franchise opens, the franchisor assists with approving territory boundaries, providing a list of equipment specifications and approved suppliers, and giving access to digital advertising layouts, images, and templates. Franchisees also receive a copy of the confidential operations manual and digital copies of business and reporting forms. Initial training is provided for up to two individuals. After opening, TruBlue provides ongoing assistance via telephone, email, and web-based programs. This includes administering the national branding fund, preparing and maintaining the brand's website, providing updated operations manuals, and organizing regional and national franchisee meetings. The franchisor may also conduct discretionary office visits to offer additional operational support. Franchisees are required to use specific computer hardware and software, and TruBlue provides suggested vendors for these systems.
Initial Training Hours
40
Training Location
Cincinnati, Ohio
Ongoing Support
After opening, TruBlue franchisees receive ongoing assistance through telephone, email, and web-based programs. The franchisor provides access to digital advertisements, administers the national branding fund, handles website preparation and maintenance, and provides updated operations manuals as needed. TruBlue also holds regional and national franchisee meetings, which are mandatory for national meetings. The registration fee for national meetings is approximately $350 per person, and franchisees are responsible for their own travel and lodging expenses. The franchisor may, at its discretion, visit franchisee offices to offer additional operational support, for which franchisees may be required to reimburse travel costs. Franchisees must also utilize a specified computer system and high-speed internet connection.
Franchise Requirements
Ideal Candidate Profile
TruBlue seeks franchisees who are leaders and managers, as the role is to direct and oversee daily operations rather than perform the services themselves. Prior experience in construction, building trades, house cleaning, or lawn care is not required. Franchisees must form a limited liability entity and designate an individual to manage the business on a full-time basis, who must be approved by TruBlue and complete their training program. After six months of operating, franchisees are also required to hire a part-time salesperson for each TruBlue business they own.
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
Exclusive
Staff Count
3
Territory Size Requirements
TruBlue grants exclusive territories defined by postal codes. Each territory for the base initial franchise fee will have a population between 175,000 and 200,000 people. If the territory's population exceeds 200,000, an additional fee of $500 is charged for every 1,000 people over that limit. The minimum population for a territory is 175,000, and there is no maximum population limit.
Staffing Notes
TruBlue franchisees are required to designate a full-time manager for each franchised business, who must be approved by TruBlue and complete the initial training program. The franchisee themselves is not required to participate personally in the direct operation but is recommended to do so. After six months of operation, each TruBlue franchised business must hire a part-time salesperson (at least 20 hours per week). All services are performed by the franchisee's employees and/or contractors, not the franchisee directly. Franchisees are responsible for hiring, training, supervising, and compensating their personnel, including workers' compensation coverage. They must conduct background checks, including criminal history, for prospective employees entering customer residences and update these every two years. Franchisees may allow employees or contractors to use their own vehicles, which may need to be outfitted for tools or trailers for lawn care services.