ServiceMaster Clean actually covers two different franchise formats under one brand — a commercial janitorial contract-servicing business, and a separate specialty commercial cleaning format — so the first thing a resale has to confirm is which one the specific location operates under, since the accounts, equipment, and franchisor consent process differ between them. With decades of history behind the brand, the resale mechanics themselves still follow the pattern common to Ontario's commercial cleaning franchises: an assigned client book, not a storefront, is what's really changing hands.
ServiceMaster Clean resales follow the franchisor's own approval process on top of the usual purchase mechanics — here's how the two run together.
Getting approved
The offer sets price and terms, conditioned on franchisor consent and confirming whether the location operates the commercial janitorial or the specialty cleaning format.
1–2 weeks†The franchisor reviews the buyer and deal terms, and may exercise a right of first refusal over the account book.
3–6 weeks, typically†Arthur Wishart Act disclosure may still be required even where the deal is framed as a private resale — Ontario courts read the resale exemption narrowly, so this gets confirmed early rather than assumed.
assessed early, in parallel†Getting to closing
Commercial cleaning accounts, whether janitorial or specialty in nature, often carry their own consent-required assignment terms.
2–8 weeks†Training on the specific format's service standards is typically required before final sign-off.
1–3 weeks, often overlapping†Funds and the new franchise agreement change hands, with the assigned account book confirmed as of the closing date.
1 day, once conditions are met†CFA Look For A Franchise listing confirms an active Canadian franchise network, CFA member since 1992, in business since 1947, offering both commercial janitorial and specialty commercial cleaning franchise models.
Ontario branches within its established Canadian franchise network.
This is the first real decision in a ServiceMaster Clean resale — and it changes what you're buying, what you're taking on, and how the franchise agreement moves.
| Question | Asset purchase | Share purchase |
|---|---|---|
| What you buy | The assigned book of client accounts under the location's specific format, cleaning equipment and supplies, and the existing franchise agreement, subject to consent. | The shares of the corporation holding the account book — every account it services, and everything it owes. |
| Format confirmation | Whether the location operates under the commercial janitorial format or the specialty cleaning format is confirmed, since equipment and service standards differ between them. | Generally already fixed at the corporate level, but the buyer's lawyer confirms it's accurately reflected in the franchise agreement being assigned. |
| Franchisor consent & ROFR | Required for the specific account book changing hands. | Required for the change of control itself. |
| Client-account assignment | Individual accounts may need their own consent to assign — typically the practical bottleneck in the resale. | Accounts generally stay in place without individual re-consent, since the contracting corporation doesn't change. |
| Tax angle | Buyer gets a stepped-up cost base on the assets purchased. | Seller may access the lifetime capital gains exemption on qualifying shares. |
| Typical use | The default for a single franchisee's account book changing hands. | Less common — sometimes used where an operator holds accounts across both formats under one company. |
The assigned book of client accounts under the location's specific format, cleaning equipment and supplies, and the existing franchise agreement, subject to consent.
The shares of the corporation holding the account book — every account it services, and everything it owes.
Whether the location operates under the commercial janitorial format or the specialty cleaning format is confirmed, since equipment and service standards differ between them.
Generally already fixed at the corporate level, but the buyer's lawyer confirms it's accurately reflected in the franchise agreement being assigned.
Required for the specific account book changing hands.
Required for the change of control itself.
Individual accounts may need their own consent to assign — typically the practical bottleneck in the resale.
Accounts generally stay in place without individual re-consent, since the contracting corporation doesn't change.
Buyer gets a stepped-up cost base on the assets purchased.
Seller may access the lifetime capital gains exemption on qualifying shares.
The default for a single franchisee's account book changing hands.
Less common — sometimes used where an operator holds accounts across both formats under one company.
We tell you which structure fits — before you sign anything.
No open-ended hourly surprises — the cost is confirmed in writing before any work begins.
| Type of work | Fee | How it's confirmed |
|---|---|---|
| Straightforward purchase or sale | Starting from $3,388.87 Our charges · taxes included | Confirmed in writing once we see the agreement. |
| Larger or more complex deal | Quoted to scope | Short call → fixed written quote before any work begins. |
| Searches, filings & third-party fees | At cost | Itemized on your invoice, not marked up. |
A single-format location — either commercial janitorial or specialty cleaning — changing hands between one buyer and one seller, with a standard consent process.
Start my file →A location operating a mix of both formats, or a resale where several client-account consents need to be worked through before terms are final.
Book a consultation →Not sure which you are? That's our job to figure out, not yours. As a rough guide, most deals under a couple of million dollars are the first kind — above that, you're usually in Mergers & Acquisitions territory.
This gets confirmed as an early diligence step, not assumed — the brand operates both a commercial janitorial format and a separate specialty commercial cleaning format, and the equipment, accounts, and franchisor requirements differ between them.
Yes — the two formats have different account structures and equipment needs, so confirming which one applies shapes what you're actually diligencing and what a fair price looks like.
Not automatically. Many commercial cleaning contracts require the client's consent before assignment, so working through which accounts need active consent is central to the resale.
Not necessarily. Ontario courts have read the resale-disclosure exemption narrowly, and franchisor involvement in matching a buyer to a seller can trigger a full disclosure requirement regardless of the brand's history.
The mechanics are the same either way — accounts generally stay in place without individual re-consent since the contracting corporation doesn't change, though a specialty-cleaning account book may carry more technical, contract-specific terms worth reviewing closely regardless of which model the location operates under.
Related
Where we close franchise resale deals
Treadstone Law is an independent law firm. We act for buyers and sellers of franchise businesses. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or retained by ServiceMaster Clean or its franchisor.
Tell us about your ServiceMaster Clean resale — we'll point you the right way and confirm the cost in writing before any work begins.