The Cleaning Authority

When&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-lanagan-b72a3149/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=building-multi-brand-franchise-legacy-the-cleaning-authority-doodycalls-2730955" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Chris Lanagan</a> and his wife,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jen-lanagan-806004a8/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=building-multi-brand-franchise-legacy-the-cleaning-authority-doodycalls-2730955" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Jen</a>, entered the franchising fold over two decades ago, it was with a simple goal: to create a sustainable business capable of supporting the family that could stand the test of time.&nbsp;Today, that vision encompasses a multi-brand ownership operation under the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.authoritybrands.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=building-multi-brand-franchise-legacy-the-cleaning-authority-doodycalls-2730955" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Authority Brands</a> banner, with the Lanagans overseeing three&nbsp;<a href="https://cleaningauthorityfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=building-multi-brand-franchise-legacy-the-cleaning-authority-doodycalls-2730955" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">The Cleaning Authority</a> locations and one&nbsp;<a href="https://doodycallsfranchising.com/pet-waste-franchise/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=building-multi-brand-franchise-legacy-the-cleaning-authority-doodycalls-2730955" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">DoodyCalls</a> franchise in Wisconsin.Chris and Jen have worked to build their&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/the-cleaning-authority/info">The Cleaning Authority</a> locations for 23 years, adding a&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/doodycalls/info">DoodyCalls</a> franchise about four years ago. They’ve built their businesses while raising their children — each of whom maintain a small ownership stake, and eventually building toward more significant roles for each.Just as the family works together each day to continually build a franchising legacy that can be passed on, so too do the two brands, with keeping the Lanagan family at the center of the operation.<h2>Defining Roles</h2>While the Lanagans have thrived in franchising for nearly a quarter of a century, their two daughters have begun taking on increased leadership roles — a natural progression for two children raised in the family business, crucially learning every facet along the way.Both kids were under the age of 5 when the Lanagans made their entry into ownership, scrubbing by about the age of 10 before cleaning homes in their teens.For Chris, who came from a background in supply chain and inventory management as well as operations, working for men’s footwear manufacturer Allen Edmonds, the initial goal in pivoting to franchising was independent business ownership, gradually shifting to a greater focus on family involvement and legacy.Today, oldest daughter&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssa-lanagan-5b415714b/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=building-multi-brand-franchise-legacy-the-cleaning-authority-doodycalls-2730955" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Alyssa</a>, 28, oversees a pair of The Cleaning Authority offices as area manager, and youngest daughter Mackenzie, 26, is a manager at DoodyCalls, maintaining the family’s hands-on approach to entrepreneurship.“I had a good career but always wanted my own business. Jen worked in banking and was a stay-at-home mom for a period. But the biggest thing I learned was customer service. The owner of Allen Edmonds was a zealot about customer service. And that skill is huge in the service industry. I also gained people skills, acting as a liaison between manufacturing and sales, which often clash,” Chris said.&nbsp;<h2>Building Synergy</h2>Initially establishing their business in Cedarburg, Wisconsin, gave the Lanagans the advantage of getting set up near their home, allowing them to offer services that would come to make a difference in a community where they were recognized.Both The Cleaning Authority and DoodyCalls brands provide home services. The Cleaning Authority is a residential cleaning service in operation at more than 225 locations while DoodyCalls delivers pet waste removal services in a mobile setting, with both targeting residential and commercial properties (helping the family business maintain scalable franchising diversity).Allowing for the alignment of both values and operations, the two businesses also provide unique cross-promotional opportunities.&nbsp;“You're marketing, you're getting leads and you're converting those leads into customers. And then you're taking care of those customers.&nbsp;So, there are synergies,” Chris said. “For example, The Cleaning Authority collects pet information for DoodyCalls — cross-marketing.&nbsp;Even though one's cleaning and one's picking up pet waste, there are still a lot of similarities in what we're doing. So, we felt very comfortable. And we’ve gained customers both ways.”<h2>Passing on a Legacy</h2>Making a difference by providing home-based services within their own community and beyond, the entrepreneurial focus for the family has shifted. It’s one thing to create a successful business, but it’s another thing entirely to maintain that success. By fostering operational efficiency and cross-promotional efforts, the Lanagan family has built a multi-brand franchise which seems primed to stand the test of time.“Initially, the goal was to become self-sufficient. Then, it became about providing for the family,” Chris said. “I never wanted that to get in the way of our personal relationship, so I try to take much more of a supportive big picture approach. Because there's nothing that we haven't encountered in 23 years.” About The Cleaning Authority:Founded in 1977, The Cleaning Authority franchise specializes in residential house cleaning services across the United States and Canada, with over 220 franchise locations. Committed to delivering exceptional quality and customer service, The Cleaning Authority follows a structured approach using the Detail-Clean Rotation System in conjunction with a Professional House Cleaning Checklist. This method divides the home into zones, ensuring a rotating deep-cleaning schedule so that every area receives thorough attention at the right frequency. All cleaning crews undergo professional training, and customer satisfaction is a top priority. To learn more about this franchise and becoming a franchise owner, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://thecleaningauthority.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=building-multi-brand-franchise-legacy-the-cleaning-authority-doodycalls-2730955" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">thecleaningauthority.com</a>.About DoodyCalls:&nbsp;DoodyCalls was founded in 2000 by Jacob and Susan D'Aniello in the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington DC. In 2004, the company began franchising its pet waste removal business nationwide and established corporate headquarters in Charlottesville, VA. DoodyCalls provides service to 26 states and the District of Columbia with dog waste pickup with consumer and industrial services. For more information about DoodyCalls, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.doodycalls.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=building-multi-brand-franchise-legacy-the-cleaning-authority-doodycalls-2730955" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.doodycalls.com</a>.

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Lanagans Build Multi-Brand Franchise Legacy with The Cleaning Authority and DoodyCalls

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Chris and Jen Lanagan are building a multi-brand franchise legacy, growing The Cleaning Authority and DoodyCalls franchises while passing leadership to daughters Alyssa and Mackenzie.

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Succession in Motion as the Lanagans Expand The Cleaning Authority and DoodyCalls Franchises in Wisconsin

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For&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregbrain/">Greg</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-jose-brain-a69b9828">Maria Jose Brain</a>, entrepreneurship was never a question of&nbsp;if.&nbsp;It was always a matter of&nbsp;when. After years of building careers, raising a family, and exploring smaller ventures, the Dallas-based couple found the right opportunity to go all in on a business of their own.“We have always wanted to start a business, but we had kids and never really had the time to dedicate to starting something new,” Greg said. “But we were always on the lookout.”That search ultimately led them to&nbsp;<a href="https://cleaningauthorityfranchise.com/">The Cleaning Authority</a>, the residential cleaning franchise backed by multi-brand home service franchisor&nbsp;<a href="https://www.authoritybrands.com/">Authority Brands</a>, where they officially bought their existing franchise in 2024 and have since been building steady momentum.<h2>From Corporate Careers to Business Ownership</h2>Greg brought a strong operational foundation to the business. With a degree in mechanical engineering and a background spanning oil and gas, as well as 15 years in operations and supply chain management within the tech sector, he understood the structure needed to scale a business.Maria’s path complemented his perfectly. After moving to the U.S. from Argentina in 2005, she pursued her education, started a family, and explored entrepreneurship early on. “We actually did start a wine import business from Argentina, so we always knew we wanted a family business,” Maria said. “I got my real estate license, we moved to Dallas, and we started looking more for a full-time business.”As they evaluated franchise opportunities, the Brains were drawn to the stability and structure of the residential cleaning industry, and the systems&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/the-cleaning-authority/info">The Cleaning Authority</a> had already built.“The recurring revenue stream is a huge advantage,” Greg said. “The market itself means there will always be demand for home cleaning.”Beyond demand, it was the brand’s established processes that helped solidify their decision. “The way in which The Cleaning Authority provides the training to the franchisees and the proprietary method that they use for cleaning the house were huge attractions for us,” Greg said.For Maria, the operational tools and support systems were equally compelling. “The tools that they provide the franchise with were very valuable,” she said. “It really makes my life managing the office a lot easier. It also felt like a good fit because I love working in sales and working with people.”The couple also recognized an opportunity to leverage their strengths within their market. With Maria’s bilingual capabilities and the strong Spanish-speaking workforce in Texas, they were able to build deeper connections with both employees and customers.<h2>A True Family Business</h2>While entrepreneurship can often feel isolating, the Brains say The Cleaning Authority’s&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/the-cleaning-authority/air-force-veteran-omaha-franchise-2730849">collaborative franchise network</a> has made a meaningful difference in their journey.“The coaching network that we have is great — we have people who are seasoned that can share best practices across the franchisee network,” Greg said. “Everyone is more than willing to have a conversation with you and tell you what worked for them.”That built-in support system has helped them navigate challenges, implement new ideas, and continue building momentum with confidence. And for the Brains, their franchise is more than just a business — it’s a family effort. “Maria’s dad is also from Argentina, and he lives here in Dallas,” Greg said. “He is an inspector for the business, and he is highly engaged. He really took on The Cleaning Authority's ways as his own.”“My sister is a customer service employee, and we have a 17-year-old daughter who works with us in the summer as well,” Maria added. “Our 13-year-old son also helps around the office from time to time.”Since taking over in 2024, the Brains have already seen measurable growth, and they’re just getting started. “When we took over, we had about 510 customers, and we are up to 545 now,” Greg said. “So we’ve grown our customer base, and we are seeing great demand.”Looking ahead, the couple is focused on scaling responsibly. “It’s all about growing without losing quality and trying to be smart as well,” Maria said.Long-term, they see significant opportunity in their territory and hope to gradually transition into more strategic roles within the business,” Maria said.<h2>Turning Vision Into Reality</h2>For Greg and Maria, The Cleaning Authority has provided&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/the-cleaning-authority/cleaning-authority-franchise-opportunity-2730072">the structure, support, and opportunity</a> they needed to finally bring their entrepreneurial vision to life.With a growing customer base, a strong team, and a family-first approach, they are building more than just a successful business — they are creating a long-term foundation for growth, stability, and shared success.To learn more about The Cleaning Authority franchise opportunity, visit<a href="https://cleaningauthorityfranchise.com/">&nbsp;https://cleaningauthorityfranchise.com/</a>.

From corporate careers and entrepreneurship to building a growing, family-powered operation, Greg and Maria Jose Brain are turning their long-held dream into reality with The Cleaning Authority.

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Air Force Veteran Builds a New Mission in Omaha, Nebraska, Through Franchise Ownership With The Cleaning Authority

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Succession in Motion as the Lanagans Expand The Cleaning Authority and DoodyCalls Franchises in Wisconsin

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