ServiceMaster Franchisees

We wanted you to know what the SMFOA has been doing on your behalf over the last year and a half.  As background, the SMFOA Board and Legal Trust are made up of franchisees, both large and small, that are integral to the success we have had and their involvement has been fantastic.

It is not always easy to tout SMFOA’s accomplishments.  Not only is the SMFOA’s work never done, much of it is accomplished working behind the scene supporting our NFC.  In addition, there will always be areas that SMFOA can work with the franchisor to improve. Below is a list we have compiled highlighting some of our accomplishments to date:

• With the support of the SMFOA Bob Smith of the NFC negotiated a renewal contract for all franchisees, that provided broader protections and reduced costs that otherwise would have been imposed, including:
1. Partial removal and reduction of a proposed renewal fee, saving franchisees tens of thousands of dollars in the aggregate;
2. Retaining franchisees’ rights in inventions developed that relate to the franchised business;
3. Limiting the broad powers that ServiceMaster sought with respect to auditing franchisees;
4. The potential to require the franchisor to give franchisees an audited statement of operations of the advertising fund;
5. Providing certain franchisees with the opportunity to sell their businesses outside of the system; and
6. Limiting franchisees’ liability to ServiceMaster upon termination.
• SMFOA has worked with the NFC and its subcommittees to address a variety of issues with ServiceMaster, including audit issues and market expansion. This work is ongoing.
• SMFOA thru the NFC has been negotiating a construction addendum with the franchisor and this is an ongoing negotiation to address ServiceMaster’s policy with respect to franchisees’ separate construction companies.
• Negotiated changes to the NextGear software license agreement that will apply retroactively once finalized.
• SMFOA, through its counsel, has established an open line of communication with ServiceMaster’s general counsel. This has helped a number of franchisees resolve issues with ServiceMaster quickly and amicably.
• SMFOA’s counsel, Garner & Ginsburg, P.A., have helped a number of franchisees resolve disputes with ServiceMaster at the firm’s SMFOA member discount rate.
• SMFOA has built a website for open communication among franchisees without franchisor oversight.

SMFOA is not going to sit idly by and rest after these accomplishments.  It recognizes that there are still system-wide issues that need to be addressed and will continue to pursue its goal – the promotion of financial growth and stability for ServiceMaster franchisees.

Your Support of the SMFOA is appreciated and crucial.  Your support will help us Protect, Strengthen, Empower and Grow. Please Join today by clicking JOIN or if you have not renewed your current membership, please continue your support of the SMFOA by clicking RENEW.

Respectfully yours,

William Barbee,
SMFOA President & Trustee