Anago runs on a two-tier structure that's different from a typical storefront resale: a regional Master Franchise assigns and supports the commercial cleaning accounts that individual Unit Franchisees actually service, so an Anago resale is really a transfer of an assigned account book — and the relationship with that regional Master Franchise — more than a transfer of premises or equipment.
Anago Cleaning Systems 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 the regional Master Franchise's consent and a review of the specific accounts included in the sale.
1–2 weeks†The regional Master Franchise 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 often carry their own consent-required assignment terms, so account-by-account consent or notice is worked through in place of a storefront lease.
2–8 weeks†Training on service standards and the Master Franchise's account-management system is typically required before final sign-off.
1–3 weeks, often overlapping†Funds and the new Unit 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 2013.
Ontario branches within its Canadian franchise network.
This is the first real decision in a Anago Cleaning Systems 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 commercial cleaning accounts, cleaning equipment and supplies, and the existing Unit Franchise agreement, subject to the Master Franchise's consent. | The shares of the corporation holding the account book — every account it services, and everything it owes. |
| Master Franchise consent & ROFR | Required for the specific account book changing hands — the regional Master Franchise reviews who's actually taking over the accounts it assigned. | Required for the change of control itself. |
| Client-account assignment | Individual commercial cleaning accounts may need their own consent to assign, since many carry anti-assignment or change-of-control terms — typically the real bottleneck in an Anago resale, not a lease. | Accounts generally stay in place without individual re-consent, since the contracting corporation doesn't change. |
| Equipment & supplies | Cleaning equipment and any vehicle arrangements are itemized and checked against PPSA registrations for liens or financing. | Equipment stays with the corporation; existing financing continues as a company liability. |
| 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 Unit Franchisee's account book changing hands. | Less common — sometimes used where an operator holds a larger account book across several unit franchises. |
The assigned book of commercial cleaning accounts, cleaning equipment and supplies, and the existing Unit Franchise agreement, subject to the Master Franchise's consent.
The shares of the corporation holding the account book — every account it services, and everything it owes.
Required for the specific account book changing hands — the regional Master Franchise reviews who's actually taking over the accounts it assigned.
Required for the change of control itself.
Individual commercial cleaning accounts may need their own consent to assign, since many carry anti-assignment or change-of-control terms — typically the real bottleneck in an Anago resale, not a lease.
Accounts generally stay in place without individual re-consent, since the contracting corporation doesn't change.
Cleaning equipment and any vehicle arrangements are itemized and checked against PPSA registrations for liens or financing.
Equipment stays with the corporation; existing financing continues as a company liability.
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 Unit Franchisee's account book changing hands.
Less common — sometimes used where an operator holds a larger account book across several unit franchises.
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 Unit Franchisee's account book changing hands between one buyer and one seller, with a defined set of commercial cleaning accounts and a standard Master Franchise consent process.
Start my file →An operator selling a larger account book or several Unit Franchises as one operating company, or a resale where 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.
Anago runs a two-tier system where a regional Master Franchise assigns and supports the commercial accounts a Unit Franchisee services — so buying an existing Unit Franchise means buying that assigned account book and the ongoing Master Franchise relationship, not a storefront or a fixed territory in the usual sense.
Not automatically. Many commercial cleaning contracts include clauses requiring the client's consent before assignment to a new operator, so working through which accounts need active consent — and confirming they'll actually stay — is central to an Anago resale.
This gets negotiated as part of the deal, not discovered after closing — the purchase agreement can address how the price adjusts if a material account doesn't transfer.
Not necessarily. Ontario courts have read the resale-disclosure exemption narrowly, and Master Franchise involvement in matching a buyer to a seller can trigger a full disclosure requirement regardless of how the deal is framed.
It matters more than it might for a storefront business — cleaning crews often have the direct relationship with the client site, so understanding which staff are staying on is central to keeping the accounts you're paying for.
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 Anago Cleaning Systems or its franchisor.
Tell us about your Anago Cleaning Systems resale — we'll point you the right way and confirm the cost in writing before any work begins.