Franchisor Stories
Franchise Opportunity Deep Dive: A home-based exterior cleaning brand with kilt-wearing techs delivering standout window, gutter, pressure/house washing and seasonal lighting services.
Men In Kilts Window Cleaning is a residential and commercial exterior-cleaning franchise whose kilted technicians deliver memorable, quality service. Core services include window cleaning, gutter cleaning, pressure/house washing and holiday lighting, supported by brand marketing, modern software and franchisee coaching.
Founded in 2002 in Vancouver by Nicholas Brand, Men In Kilts began with one van and a bold identity that stands out. The brand expanded through franchising across Canada and the U.S., and in 2020 joined the Threshold Brands family to accelerate growth and shared-services support.
Mission: Deliver exceptional exterior-cleaning services with professionalism, safety and a memorable, friendly experience.
Vision: Become the most recognizable and trusted exterior-cleaning brand in North America through distinctive branding, consistent results and community-minded service.
Men In Kilts has franchise opportunities across the United States, with territories available in Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia, and limited availability in Colorado and Ohio.
The brand is also offering franchise opportunities in Ontario, Canada.
Initial Costs: The estimated initial investment required to begin operation of a Men In Kilts franchise ranges from $98,600 to $151,450. The 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) breaks these costs down as follows:
| Type of Expenditure | Min | Max |
| Initial Franchise Fee | $38,000 | $38,000 |
| Travel and Living Expenses While Training | $3,800 | $7,000 |
| Vehicle, Wrap & Uplift | $8,500 | $20,850 |
| Miscellaneous Opening Costs | $4,000 | $6,000 |
| Advertising (3 Months) | $18,300 | $18,300 |
| Real Estate | $0 | $7,200 |
| Insurance | $2,000 | $12,000 |
| Additional Funds (3 Months) | $24,000 | $42,100 |
Initial Franchise Fee: Men In Kilts charges a $38,000 initial franchise fee, due in full when the franchise agreement is signed unless the company chooses to finance part or all of it for qualified candidates.
The brand may also reduce the fee by 20% for qualified U.S. military veterans, active-duty service members and first responders, including police officers, firefighters, and EMTs.
Ongoing Fees: According to the 2025 FDD, Men In Kilts franchisees are responsible for the following ongoing payments and fees:
| Type of Fee | Amount |
| Royalty | 6% of gross sales/month |
| Brand/Advertising Fund | 2% of gross sales/month |
| Additional Premium Royalty | 2.5% of gross sales/month from services provided to customers geographically located outside your territory |
ROI Potential: According to the 2025 FDD, the 12 Men In Kilts franchises operating in the U.S. for at least 6 months in 2024 reported the following gross consumer sales:
Average | Median | High | Low |
$185,097 | $397,548 | $480,057 | $56,064 |
Franchisees begin with virtual onboarding covering safety, core services and sales, followed by hands-on, in-field training at real homes with demonstrations and role-play. Post-training practice focuses on quoting, sales and local marketing. Ongoing access to a Learning Management System provides job-site guides and knowledge videos, and a dedicated trainer remains available after launch.
Owners receive one-on-one business coaching, marketing and advertising support (national and local), and access to a national sales center for lead handling. Territories are protected, and the brand offers guidance through onboarding, equipment ordering and vehicle wrap/uplift, plus continuing best-practice support from the Threshold Brands network.
The system includes cutting-edge business software for scheduling, quoting and workflow, an LMS for continuous learning, and safety technologies designed to minimize ladder use and meet OSHA standards.
The brand seeks results-oriented, customer-focused operators who are detail-oriented, community-minded team leaders comfortable representing a fun, high-visibility home-services brand.
Men In Kilts can be run from a home office with a small team and one vehicle, then scaled by adding technicians and trucks as demand grows. During the first six to 12 months, most owners operate day-to-day — handling quotes, scheduling, hiring, local marketing and job-site quality checks — while technicians handle the daytime service work. The business is moderately seasonal, so owners should plan ahead for staffing and cash flow. After the initial ramp, and once a strong lead tech or operations manager is in place, the model can support semi-absentee ownership, as long as the owner stays engaged through weekly KPI reviews, coaching sessions, and oversight of marketing and sales.
The brand highlights common funding paths including cash/savings, 401(k) rollover (ROBS), SBA loans and HELOCs, and can guide candidates to financing resources.
Visit the Men In Kilts franchise website for franchisee success stories and testimonials.
The window cleaning market continues to show strong momentum. The global window cleaners market was valued at $2.68 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach $5.34 billion by 2031, reflecting a 9.3% CAGR from 2024 to 2031. This growth is driven by rising demand for residential and commercial exterior maintenance, increased emphasis on curb appeal, and the ongoing need for recurring service providers across all property types.
Men In Kilts competes on memorable branding, professional quality, and a full exterior-services menu supported by modern tech and safety. Primary competitors include Window Genie, as well as a wide range of national, regional and local exterior-cleaning providers. Additional competitors in the space include Shine Window Cleaning, Fish Window Cleaning, Shack Shine, Window Gang and Merry Maids’ exterior-cleaning divisions in certain markets.
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