Fish Window Cleaning Franchise

The brand’s history began in January 1978, when S. Michael Merrick worked in window cleaning as a sole proprietor. In December 1985, he became the owner of Fish Window Cleaning, Inc., which operates in the St. Louis metropolitan area. The franchisor, Fish Window Cleaning Services, Inc., was incorporated in Missouri on January 9, 1998, and began offering franchises that January. It is based in Chesterfield, Missouri.

S. Michael Merrick and Linda Merrick jointly own the franchisor. Michael has served as CEO, CFO and board director since its formation; Linda became executive vice president in 2015 after earlier leadership and office-management roles. President Randy Cross has held that position since September 2014, following operations and franchise-development roles, and has operated a Michigan Fish franchise through his own company since 2003. The system also established FWC Distributing Company in 2004 to supply products to franchisees.

The franchise provides window and approved specialty cleaning for homes and commercial buildings, including glass, gutters, light fixtures, screens, doors and signs. Each operation uses approved equipment, a branded service vehicle and a commercial office within its territory. The office cannot be a residence or storage unit. Owners employ and manage their local staff and use the brand’s service standards and business systems.

The Small Package covers approximately 75,000 people and has an estimated investment of $111,900–$129,900, including a $49,900 franchise fee. The Standard Package covers approximately 200,000 people, with an estimated $134,800–$149,900 investment and $59,900 fee. The Executive Package covers approximately 400,000 people, with an estimated $161,800–$179,900 investment and $74,900 fee. These estimates assume one vehicle and a principal owner overseeing daily operations, include three months of additional funds and exclude compensation for the owner’s time. The vehicle line assumes initial payments rather than a full cash vehicle purchase; insurance estimates do not include every required coverage.

A separately approved semi-absentee arrangement allows a designated manager, salesperson and multiple vehicles at launch under an additional agreement. Its staffing and vehicle assumptions require a separate budget, including an estimated $100,000–$150,000 in additional funds beyond the ordinary package assumptions.

The owner and designated manager, where applicable, must attend and satisfactorily complete initial training within 90 days after signing. The program is divided into three sessions. The first lasts at least five business days at the St. Louis headquarters or another designated location. It covers equipment and safety, company operations, advertising and bidding, forms, accounting, computer systems, sales and practical window cleaning. Later sessions focus on sales and operations at the franchise territory or another selected location, with up to three business days or 24 hours of field assistance, depending on the program.

The franchise fee includes initial training for two people. The franchisee pays salaries, benefits, travel, lodging and related attendance expenses; additional participants or requested training can carry fees. Under the semi-absentee arrangement, the designated manager and salesperson must complete training, and the owner works with Fish on a growth plan before training. Local employees remain the franchisee’s responsibility, including hiring, supervision and adequate job training.

Before opening, Fish provides site-selection guidelines, reviews the proposed office, supplies approved-product and supplier information and provides opening support. Franchisees purchase the required equipment and office packages and arrange installation themselves. The Fishing Hole intranet provides operational and marketing materials, standards and supplier lists. Fish also sets up a local page on its website with approved contact and business information. The disclosed opening period is generally one month to 90 days, depending on financing, premises and training.

After launch, Fish updates the Fishing Hole, provides consultation through visits or other evaluations as it considers necessary, and conducts conventions with continuing education on management, sales and operations. Owners or designated managers attend annual national conferences and regional seminars when organized, paying applicable fees and travel costs. Additional requested training currently costs $300 per day plus trainer travel expenses.

The Fish Proprietary System handles service schedules, routes, customer records, billing, receivables, sales and employee-production reporting. Its technology fee covers licensing and maintenance of that proprietary system; owners fund required computers, other software and updates. The $6,000 Business Development Package, included in startup estimates, supports opening marketing during the first 12 weeks. Separate local marketing requirements vary by territory package, alongside the Brand Building Fund. Approved materials and corporate marketing resources support the owner’s ongoing local business-development work.

Fish Window Cleaning offers an owner a defined service business with both residential and commercial customers. Window and specialty cleaning give the local team several related services to deliver, while the proprietary scheduling and reporting system helps organize routes, customer follow-up and day-to-day administration. The opportunity connects practical service delivery with the owner’s work in sales, customer relationships and team management.

The brand brings operating experience dating to 1978 and a franchise system launched in 1998. Its training combines cleaning techniques with bidding, sales and business administration, and its equipment packages and shared resources help an owner organize the launch. The three territory packages provide different market sizes and startup budgets for prospective operators to evaluate.

This model suits someone who wants to lead a service team and develop a local customer base. An individual owner normally performs or supervises operations directly; an entity operates under an involved principal owner. A separately approved manager-led option is available for owners prepared to fund and oversee its additional staffing and vehicle needs.

Read more in Fish Window Cleaning Franchise: Services, Training and Owner Responsibilities.