Franchisor Harris Research, Inc. Reports Highest Franchise Sales Growth in a Decade

Chem-Dry & N-Hance Home Service Franchises Added Over 200 New Units in 2015

NASHVILLE, Tenn.--()--Harris Research, Inc. (HRI), parent company of home service franchise brands Chem-Dry Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning and N-Hance Wood Renewal, reported that new franchise agreements signed in 2015 were the highest since 2006. Company officials say increased consumer spending on home services, stronger brand differentiation and smart investments in key areas of the business contributed to the robust year. The company expects these factors to continue to drive strong results in 2016.

Both Chem-Dry and N-Hance sold more than 100 franchise units each in 2015, for the first time in the company’s history. N-Hance ended the year with 103 new agreements, which is a record for the brand. Chem-Dry finished the year with 117 new franchises, the highest performance since 2007. Both brands were also ranked No. 1 in their respective categories in Entrepreneur magazine’s 2016 Franchise 500 listing. N-Hance has more than doubled its system size over the last five years, while 40 percent of Chem-Dry’s new units in 2015 were sold to existing franchisees seeking to expand their business.

“Consumer trends toward increased spending on home improvements and home services that help maintain a healthy home, coupled with strategic investments to strengthen our consumer value proposition and franchisee support, led to an outstanding year for both Chem-Dry and N-Hance,” said HRI President and CEO Dan Tarantin. “As we continue to innovate to deliver a superior product and experience for our customers and deliver the tools our franchisees need to be successful, we will continue to enjoy strong marketplace growth.”

Over the last several years, HRI has invested in additional support and key personnel for both brands to strengthen offerings and provide new resources for franchisees, including enhanced start-up training for new owners and new marketing tools. HRI also made significant investments in the area of research and development that, in 2015 alone, resulted in the launch of more than 20 proprietary new and improved products to its line of superior-performing solutions and leading edge equipment, which are the foundation of what allow franchise owners to deliver an exceptional customer experience.

Across the two franchise networks, HRI employs 4,000 technicians and customer service reps. The 2015 unit sales growth for both Chem-Dry and N-Hance created an estimated 400 new jobs. Similar additional job growth is projected for 2016.

Chem-Dry uses a green-certified solution and proprietary deeper-cleaning Hot Carbonating Extraction (HCE) process to create healthier homes and workplaces. In a study by an independent lab, Chem-Dry’s HCE cleaning method was found to remove 98 percent of common household allergens from carpets and upholstery and 89 percent of airborne bacteria when a sanitizer was added. N-Hance uses a proprietary chemical abrasion and refinishing technique that requires no sanding to restore the natural beauty of hardwood flooring, trims and cabinets – at one-third to one-fifth the cost of traditional re-facing or replacing of cabinets.

“N-Hance provides a convenient, no-hassle, dust-free and affordable way to beautify wood floors and cabinets, while Chem-Dry fulfills the desire for a cleaner, healthier home and work environment with our safe, faster-drying, eco-friendly cleaning method,” Tarantin added. “Both brands offer unique value propositions that fit the demands of today’s consumers, which is why we are well positioned for continued growth in 2016 and beyond.”

Harris Research is a portfolio company of Baird Capital Partners.

About Harris Research, Inc.

HRI is the owner of the Chem-Dry and N-Hance franchise businesses. Chem-Dry is the world’s leading carpet and upholstery cleaning service with a network of 3,500 units in 50 countries serving over 10,000 homes and businesses a day worldwide. Its green-certified solution and proprietary Hot Carbonating Extraction cleaning process provides a deeper clean, allows surfaces to dry faster, and leaves homes healthier. Chem-Dry has been ranked the number one carpet cleaning franchise by Entrepreneur magazine for 28 consecutive years, and is listed as the No. 42 top franchise overall in the 2016 Franchise 500 list. N-Hance Wood Renewal has over 400 franchises across the United States and Canada and is the trusted partner of the Home Depot, with a presence in more than 1,550 locations. Using a proprietary chemical abrasion and refinishing technique that requires no sanding, N-Hance Wood Renewal restores the natural beauty of hardwood flooring, trims and cabinets at one-third to one-fifth the cost of traditional re-facing or replacing of cabinets, with less dust, mess and odor. N-Hance was ranked the number one wood refinishing franchise in the home improvement section of Entrepreneur magazine’s 2016 Franchise 500 listing. For more information on both franchise opportunities, visit www.hrisupport.com.

Contacts

Fishman Public Relations
Debra Vilchis, 847-945-1300
dvilchis@fishmanpr.com

Release Summary

HRI sister brands end 2015 on a high note, adding more than 200 locations, project growth in 2016.

Contacts

Fishman Public Relations
Debra Vilchis, 847-945-1300
dvilchis@fishmanpr.com