The Fish Window Cleaning franchise provides window and specialty cleaning to residential and commercial customers. Its March 23, 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) describes the operating premises, training and management responsibilities behind that service business. Our Fish Window Cleaning franchise profile provides a related overview.
History and services
Item 1 traces S. Michael Merrick’s window-cleaning work to a sole proprietorship begun in January 1978 and an operating company formed in 1985. The franchisor, Fish Window Cleaning Services, Inc., was incorporated in Missouri in January 1998 and began offering franchises that month.
Item 16 identifies approved services including glass, gutter, light-fixture, screen, door and sign cleaning. Franchisees must follow the system’s product and service standards. Item 1 describes competition from independent operators and other regional and national cleaning businesses; it does not support assuming that a local market has few competitors.
Premises and operating tools
Item 11 requires an approved office within the territory. It may not be located in a home, residence or storage unit. The franchisor provides site guidelines and approval, while the franchisee arranges the premises and required supplies.
The required Fish Proprietary System supports scheduling, routes, customer service intervals, billing, accounts receivable and reporting. The Fishing Hole intranet provides operating and marketing resources, supplier information and system standards. Owners must also maintain the required hardware and other software.
Training and opening assistance
Item 11 divides initial training into three sessions. The headquarters portion takes at least five business days in St. Louis or another designated location and covers equipment, operations, advertising, computers, accounting and window cleaning. Further sessions address sales and operations at the business or another selected location.
The owner and designated manager, where applicable, must complete training satisfactorily. A manager-led opening under the Semi Absentee Owner Addendum has additional planning and training requirements, including training for the designated manager and salesperson. Franchisees remain responsible for employee training and employment decisions.
Opening resources include approved supplier information, a dedicated page on the brand’s website and business-development assistance. Ongoing support includes updates to operating materials and periodic evaluation and consultation. If an annual convention is held, attendance is mandatory under the disclosed terms.
Owner participation and package selection
Item 15 requires an individual franchisee to perform or supervise operations directly unless the franchisor consents otherwise. An entity must operate under a designated principal owner’s supervision. A designated manager handling day-to-day operations from opening requires the separate Schedule J arrangement and appropriate training.
Item 1 describes Small, Standard and Executive territory packages. These are different commitments within the same service model, so applicants should compare the applicable investment, performance and staffing requirements. Manager-led operation should be evaluated with its own budget and responsibilities rather than treated as automatic passive ownership.
Evaluating fit and local demand
Discuss customer acquisition, staffing, route planning, service quality and collections with existing franchisees. Ask what working hours their customers require and how owners handle absences or unexpected jobs. Neither the franchise system nor its history establishes guaranteed free evenings, weekends, customer retention or a particular return.
Review the applicable FDD’s fees, investment assumptions and financial performance representations alongside a local operating plan. For broader comparisons, read our guide to evaluating franchise opportunities. Those considering a different customer and operating model can also explore our Little Gym franchise article.
Source: Fish Window Cleaning Services, Inc. FDD issued March 23, 2026, Items 1, 11, 15 and 16; printed pages 1–2, 22–25, 27–29 and 37.