OpenWorks Franchise is a national commercial cleaning and facility services brand founded in 1983 by Eric Roudi in Phoenix, Arizona. Headquartered in Phoenix, the company operates more than 700 franchise locations across the United States and supports over 5,500 managed customer sites.

‍OpenWorks began expanding through franchising in the late 1980s and joined the International Franchise Association in 1987.

OpenWorks sells commercial cleaning, disinfection, and integrated facility services such as pest control, HVAC, landscaping, plumbing, and electrical under its TotalWorks model.

The company serves a wide range of industries, including healthcare, education, manufacturing, property management, and transportation. Its business model offers flexibility and a wide service portfolio to meet complex facility needs.

Training

OpenWorks provides a structured training program called FirstWorks® to prepare franchisees for operating a janitorial service business:

1. Initial Training Program: This mandatory program must be completed before the franchise opens and includes a mix of classroom and hands-on training. At least one principal and the designated manager must attend and complete the training to OpenWorks’ satisfaction. The program is held monthly and must be completed within 60 days of signing the Franchise Agreement.
2. Training Curriculum: The curriculum covers various subjects including orientation, policies, specialized services, profit and loss training, customer relations, and leadership. It also includes practical topics such as floor care, restroom and carpet cleaning, chemical safety, and OSHA compliance. Both virtual and on-site sessions are part of the schedule.
3. On-the-Job and Self-Study Components: In addition to in-person instruction, training includes self-study and on-the-job elements, offering approximately 30 hours of combined training. Franchisees receive hands-on instruction in equipment use and cleaning techniques, supervised by Regional Performance Managers under the Franchise Programs Director.

Territory Protection

OpenWorks grants each franchisee a defined territory in which they are authorized to operate their janitorial services business. This territory is typically specified in the Franchise Agreement and is meant to provide operational clarity and avoid direct conflict with other franchisees.

The franchisor does not require approval of a specific business location as long as it remains within the assigned territory. Despite the territorial designation, OpenWorks reserves the right to compete within a franchisee’s territory under certain conditions.

The agreement may allow the franchisor to service national accounts or conduct other activities that could result in overlap. Therefore, while franchisees do receive a form of territory protection, it is not absolute and comes with specific limitations outlined in the agreement.