Anago Cleaning Systems: Franchise for Less

By Dennis Romero of Entrepreneur.com



Just out of Michigan State, David R. Povlitz wasn't just looking for a job. He was searching, literally door-to-door, for a calling. On that first day of job hunting, at five in the morning, he solicited Detroit businesses -- a bowling alley, a bakery, bars, office buildings -- to see if they needed any kind of help whatsoever.

Nothing.

"At the end of the day," he says, "I didn't get one lead."

He did get noticed, however. By the son of the owner of a janitorial supply company. He took Povlitz under his wing, teaching him about cleaning equipment and supplies, and encouraging him to find work in the business.

Povlitz soon struck gold.

Today Povlitz is chairman of Anago Cleaning Systems, the 78th largest franchise in the United States, according to Entrepreneur magazine's 2009 Franchise 500. The company has jumped from No. 194 in 2008 and is the 19th fastest-growing franchise in America.

It's a rare franchise that someone can start for less than $50,000. Povlitz says the company's attitude -- "I won't let you fail; let me help you grow" -- has contributed to its growth. But the explosion in the domestic service industry, a steady supply of immigrant labor and a quick learning curve for workers haven't hurt, either.

"Even a caveman can do it," Povlitz says, echoing the GEICO insurance motto. "The teachers aren't cleaning schools, the nurses aren't cleaning doctors' offices, and the bankers won't clean the bank."

Indeed, it's been his willingness to dig into the dirty business that has catapulted Povlitz to mogul status. Early on he dove into the biggest, messiest gigs, including cleaning up after a Rolling Stones concert at the Pontiac Silverdome. He calls his drive "hunger."