It is one of the most technologically-advanced brands in the property-maintenance market with a custom-built, fully integrated CRM system and two award-winning apps.
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Fantastic Services is a leader in the property maintenance industry, with a global network of over 530 franchise partners, providing more than 100 services; including cleaning, handyman, pest control, gardening, and removals, to both domestic and commercial clients across the U.K., Australia, and the U.S.
It all started back in 2009 when Anton Skarlatov and Rune Sovndahl established a small cleaning company in London, with their ultimate goal to revolutionize the way people book home services.
A decade later and millions invested in people and technology, Fantastic Services is a multi-service franchise that kick-started a new era for the industry. Today, the brand is on a mission to expand its network of franchise partners and deliver services powered by technology.
Fantastic Services is one of the most technologically-advanced brands in the property-maintenance market with a custom-built, fully integrated CRM system and two award-winning apps that allow customers to book a service in less than 30 seconds, optimizing the work of technicians and franchisees, and drastically improving the business’ efficiency.
According to Anton Skarlatov, CEO of Fantastic Services, this achievement was not the end goal but rather a springboard to greater and greener heights: “Once you achieve a milestone, you have to set a bigger goal,” he says.
VARIABLE ENTRY POINTS
“What makes the company so fantastic is that our franchise program works for people from many walks of life,” says Rune Sovndahl, co-founder and board chair. The organization offers three types of franchise, depending on one’s background, experience, resources, and goals.
The working franchise is the smallest opportunity Fantastic Services offers. It involves running a single unit or managing a couple of teams, while still operating on-field. The area development franchise model gives franchisees the exclusive rights to sub-franchise and develop the brand in a particular area or county, while the master franchise option guarantees the rights for a whole country.
Rune admits he wasn’t always a fan of the franchise model: “The reason I was skeptical of traditional franchising is that most of the franchisors out there are just selling a package and training. There are no marketing efforts. They don’t help you to grow the business.
“What makes the company so fantastic is that our franchise program works for people from many walks of life”
“We’ve established our own fantastic franchise structure, where our franchisees become our partners. For the £15,000 initial investment, our area developers get help with marketing, full access to our software systems, training, operations support, and even coaching on business management.”
DRIVEN BY DISRUPTIVE TECHNOLOGY
Back in 2009, Rune and Anton started with just £3,000 each. Since the beginning, they set a rule about investing profits into building technology in order to distinguish Fantastic Services from the competitors that had higher marketing budgets.
“We believe in tech as a force of success and business improvement,” says Rune. “We constantly implement new automation technologies that establish a seamless connection between franchisees and customers and make our business model efficient.”
The revolutionary technology, combined with award-winning franchise support and powerful marketing, is what attracts hundreds of franchisees across the globe to join the Fantastic Family.
“During the past few months, we’ve drastically expanded our franchise network. We’ve signed over 10 area development franchises in the U.K. alone,” says Anton.
The founders proved that their business can weather the COVID-19 storm and successfully navigate through the economic downturn. “We established Fantastic Services during a recession and we believe that our innovative thinking and hard work help us to confidently and restlessly drive through these turbulent times,” says Anton. “Our company is living proof that starting a business in crisis could be the best decision.”
Now, Rune and Anton are more motivated than ever and ready to focus on the next goal – helping 1,000 individuals build one-million- pound businesses.
“Fantastic Services has an adaptive franchise model that reflects changing business environments and market demands, and gives franchisees the opportunity to start small, then add other services to their portfolio and grow their business and increase their profits,” says Anton.
More than a decade on, the company hit a turnover of approximately £40m and now delivers services to an average of 15,000 clients monthly.
“Our most successful franchisees are area developers for different locations,” explains Anton. “They all provide various services and come from different backgrounds. Some of them started from zero, providing on-field services, while others are entrepreneurs who run a couple of franchises in different sectors. However, they all strive for the same – to be successful. We help them to accomplish this by offering a strong partnership because their success is also ours.”
NOT JUST A FRANCHISE
Fantastic Services is now on a mission to create 1,000 franchisees that turn over £1m within the Fantastic Services family. But is this possible to achieve?
“We already have all we need,” says Rune. “Firstly, we have an innovative mindset and cutting- edge technology. Secondly, we have a flexible business model. Thirdly, we’re fully dedicated to our mission.”
Real cases also prove this possible: “Six of our existing franchisees have a turnover of over a million pounds already, doubling and tripling their initial investment,” adds Anton.
Rune assures that the Fantastic Services franchise is for anyone who is motivated and hard-working: “I believe it doesn’t matter what your background is, where you were educated, and who your parents are. I don’t think you need to go to university to become a millionaire. What you do need is the drive and persistence to follow the system and create a successful business.”
Fantastic Services prides itself on being a people-driven company with high-end technology. No matter what industry you choose to join in – cleaning, gardening, handyman, plumbing, or pest control – its aim will be to make you a millionaire.
AT A GLANCE
Established: 2009
Number of franchised outlets: 530+
Location of units: U.K., Australia, U.S.
Investment range: £15,000 – £200,000
Minimum required capital: £30,000
