Elite Window Cleaning Franchise

Chris Stoness started Elite Window Cleaning in 2012 as a commercial high-rise window-cleaning company after years working in the trade. A low-rise division followed in early 2013 as he explored the residential market. Fellow window cleaner Chris Squires moved from Vancouver to Kingston in 2015 to help develop the business.

A near fall from a ladder that year prompted the pair to reconsider their equipment. At the 2017 International Window Cleaning Association convention in Phoenix, they explored water-fed pole systems and realized the components could fit in a small car. Working with an engineer, they developed the vehicle-contained Job Pod system.

Elite began testing its approach in additional cities in 2017. Its January 2019 origin story records operations in eight Ontario and British Columbia markets during 2018, when the team was also finalizing its franchising plans. That history explains the brand’s combination of field equipment and centralized support: the founders wanted local operators to concentrate on service and client relationships while a back office handled administrative tasks.

Elite’s franchise website describes a five-stage launch process. Preparation covers business and banking setup, vehicle-wrap specifications, equipment orders and marketing materials, supported by weekly checklists and regular calls. Franchisees then attend training at headquarters in Kingston, Ontario, covering recruiting and the support systems.

The next stage moves into local marketing, hiring and initial friends-and-family cleaning jobs. Elite describes a two-day trainer visit to help with jobs, sales, marketing and employee training, followed by assistance during the first operating week and final system adjustments.

After launch, the published support package includes coaching, scheduling and customer-management software, written and video training resources, and assistance pricing commercial work. The Back Office Support System, or BOSS, handles customer calls, quotes, sales, scheduling and payment processing. Marketing resources include national website and social-account management, advertising creation, digital campaigns, online reviews and content.

Elite’s distinctive feature is the division of work between the local service team and a centralized back office. That structure can appeal to an owner who wants to focus on team coordination and customer relationships while using established systems for bookings and communication.

The opportunity is especially relevant to buyers considering a Canadian service business who are comfortable recruiting, organizing field work and maintaining service standards. Elite’s equipment-led approach, launch coaching and customer-management platform provide concrete features to evaluate. The owner’s role remains active: building a dependable local team and turning scheduled appointments into a consistent customer experience.

Our cleaning business planning guide provides questions about service scope, job costs, staffing and franchise support. Apply the comparison to the specific services and location you intend to operate.