Kitchen Guard is a leading B2B franchise specializing in commercial kitchen exhaust cleaning and safety compliance. Founded in 2009 in San Diego, California, by Nathan Leathers, the company was originally known as Green Guard Services.

In 2023, it was acquired by EverSmith Brands and rebranded as Kitchen Guard. The franchise headquarters remains in San Diego, CA. Kitchen Guard began franchising in 2023 and has quickly expanded across the United States.

The franchise provides a full suite of services, including kitchen exhaust system cleaning, filter exchanges, light technical repairs, and Green Steam surface cleaning. These services are essential for maintaining fire safety and meeting National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 96 compliance.

Kitchen Guard stands out in a fragmented industry by offering consistent, high-quality services through a franchise model with minimal direct competition.

Training

Kitchen Guard offers an extensive training program to ensure that franchisees are fully equipped to operate their businesses effectively. The training offerings include:

1. Initial Training Program: This comprehensive program includes online modules and up to five days of in-person instruction at the franchisor’s designated locations. It covers essential management and operational skills, and must be completed by the franchisee, general manager, or a designated representative. All associated expenses, including travel and lodging, are the franchisee’s responsibility.
2. Specific Training: Ongoing job-specific training is provided for technicians, administrative staff, operations managers, and sales and marketing personnel. These sessions may occur during the Kitchen Guard Annual Conference or through the Kitchen Guard Academy and include topics like job costing, equipment use, and marketing techniques.
3. General Ongoing Training: Conducted annually, this training introduces new products and services and reviews sales practices. Held regionally or nationally, these sessions are mandatory for franchisees, principal owners, or their designees.

Territory Protection

Kitchen Guard grants its franchisees a designated Territory defined by geographic boundaries containing between 1,250 and 2,500 retail food service locations. While the franchisor agrees not to license or operate another Kitchen Guard business within this area, the protection is not exclusive.

Franchisees may face competition from other franchisees, company-owned outlets, and sales through other distribution channels such as the internet and telemarketing.

Furthermore, the franchisor retains broad rights to engage with National and Strategic Accounts even within a franchisee's Territory. Franchisees must gain prior written consent to solicit or service customers outside their Territory and must refer such leads back to the company.