When Kent Lewis began exploring business ownership after a 24-year career with McDonald’s, he knew exactly what to look for. Having worked his way from crew member to regional management — and eventually serving as a corporate representative supporting franchise owners — Lewis understood the operational and cultural dynamics that make a franchise successful.
“I worked for McDonald’s Corporation from a crew person all the way through different levels of management and into regional management,” Lewis said. “It gave me a good insight into how a franchise would run. One of my last jobs was working with owners as a corporate representative. I understood the corporate side of franchising from the standpoint of ongoing operations and support.”
After decades in the corporate world, Lewis was ready to take his experience and apply it to a business of his own. “After 24 years or so, that part of my life was over,” he said. “At some point, I decided to start looking for a franchise.”
The Cleaning Authority, the residential cleaning franchise under the Authority Brands umbrella, turned out to be the perfect franchise fit.
Lewis says The Cleaning Authority’s structure, work-life balance and commitment to professionalism immediately stood out. “I am essentially a cleaning person — I like to keep things clean,” he said. “I loved the idea of weekends off and evenings fairly free. Everything about The Cleaning Authority business model aligned with me.”
Lewis purchased his first franchise in California in 2006, starting with 200 customers and 12 employees, and doubling the business in a few short years.
By 2013, his success opened new doors. “An opportunity came my way to buy an existing The Cleaning Authority in the area,” he said. “Initially, that deal didn’t go through. Lo and behold, a couple of months later, the owner in Sacramento was looking to transition the business. I took over his business, which became my second office. In 2016, I purchased my third office and in 2021, I was able to recover an office. In the end, I have three offices operating. Things are humming along.”
His results speak for themselves — Lewis earned Franchisee of the Year in 2021.
Lewis credits much of his continued success to The Cleaning Authority’s strong support and willingness to adapt.
“The Cleaning Authority has the right balance of support for franchisees. They are aware that it’s their responsibility to shift and move with the times. As things change, they’ve consistently been able to move with it,” Lewis said. “One of the first things they did back when I got in was they went green. They switched all their logos, their marketing and their branding toward eco-conscious products. That was a great shift. Likewise, they’ve always been able to move towards software and tech upgrades.”
After nearly two decades as an owner, Lewis says he still finds joy and fulfillment in the business and wishes he had made the move sooner. “When I got into this, I was 47, and I’m now coming up on 19 years with the business,” he said. “If I had gotten into this earlier, there is no doubt that I would be expanding into the other Authority Brands that are out there.”
For Lewis, The Cleaning Authority has delivered exactly what he was seeking — an established model, a balanced lifestyle, and a rewarding way to build something lasting.
“It was the best fit for me,” he said simply. “And it’s been a great run.”
To learn more about The Cleaning Authority franchise opportunity, visit https://cleaningauthorityfranchise.com/.
The Cleaning Authority
SPONSORED
After more than two decades in corporate management, Kent Lewis found a new calling — and the perfect franchise fit — with The Cleaning Authority.
When Kent Lewis began exploring business ownership after a 24-year career with McDonald’s, he knew exactly what to look for. Having worked his way from crew member to regional management — and eventually serving as a corporate representative supporting franchise owners — Lewis understood the operational and cultural dynamics that make a franchise successful.
“I worked for McDonald’s Corporation from a crew person all the way through different levels of management and into regional management,” Lewis said. “It gave me a good insight into how a franchise would run. One of my last jobs was working with owners as a corporate representative. I understood the corporate side of franchising from the standpoint of ongoing operations and support.”
After decades in the corporate world, Lewis was ready to take his experience and apply it to a business of his own. “After 24 years or so, that part of my life was over,” he said. “At some point, I decided to start looking for a franchise.”
The Cleaning Authority, the residential cleaning franchise under the Authority Brands umbrella, turned out to be the perfect franchise fit.
Lewis says The Cleaning Authority’s structure, work-life balance and commitment to professionalism immediately stood out. “I am essentially a cleaning person — I like to keep things clean,” he said. “I loved the idea of weekends off and evenings fairly free. Everything about The Cleaning Authority business model aligned with me.”
Lewis purchased his first franchise in California in 2006, starting with 200 customers and 12 employees, and doubling the business in a few short years.
By 2013, his success opened new doors. “An opportunity came my way to buy an existing The Cleaning Authority in the area,” he said. “Initially, that deal didn’t go through. Lo and behold, a couple of months later, the owner in Sacramento was looking to transition the business. I took over his business, which became my second office. In 2016, I purchased my third office and in 2021, I was able to recover an office. In the end, I have three offices operating. Things are humming along.”
His results speak for themselves — Lewis earned Franchisee of the Year in 2021.
Lewis credits much of his continued success to The Cleaning Authority’s strong support and willingness to adapt.
“The Cleaning Authority has the right balance of support for franchisees. They are aware that it’s their responsibility to shift and move with the times. As things change, they’ve consistently been able to move with it,” Lewis said. “One of the first things they did back when I got in was they went green. They switched all their logos, their marketing and their branding toward eco-conscious products. That was a great shift. Likewise, they’ve always been able to move towards software and tech upgrades.”
After nearly two decades as an owner, Lewis says he still finds joy and fulfillment in the business and wishes he had made the move sooner. “When I got into this, I was 47, and I’m now coming up on 19 years with the business,” he said. “If I had gotten into this earlier, there is no doubt that I would be expanding into the other Authority Brands that are out there.”
For Lewis, The Cleaning Authority has delivered exactly what he was seeking — an established model, a balanced lifestyle, and a rewarding way to build something lasting.
“It was the best fit for me,” he said simply. “And it’s been a great run.”
To learn more about The Cleaning Authority franchise opportunity, visit https://cleaningauthorityfranchise.com/.
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