A 22-year Journey with Chem-Dry: A Conversation with Peter Snow

Chem-Dry has seen a lot of changes over the past 22 years, but the core of the business, excellence in cleaning results and superb customer service, has remained the same.

Peter Snow

Peter Snow, President of Chem-Dry Canada, has held a unique position in the history of the Chem-Dry carpet and upholstery cleaning network. In 1986, while living in New Zealand, he and his wife Janet started operating the first international franchise of the Chem-Dry system.

What began as a home-based business quickly grew into a very profitable multi-van operation. As the Snows’ Chem-Dry business continued to prosper and grow (from a $115,000 turnover in their first year to an impressive $540,000 in their fifth year), the New Zealand Chem-Dry network also went from strength to strength.

While building their independent cleaning franchise, Peter began introducing the Chem-Dry opportunity to his customers. The business model the Snows pioneered was successful in helping establish over 36 franchises in the first year, making New Zealand the first country in the world with full Chem-Dry coverage. The success of Chem-Dry in New Zealand even motivated several families to move to Australia to secure franchises in that budding market.

Chem-Dry Canada Head Office

In June 1991, Peter was invited to purchase the Canadian Master Franchise License. Under his leadership, the Canadian operation has enjoyed steady growth from 2 corporate staff members and 67 franchises, to 20 staff members and 122 franchises, making Chem-Dry the largest Carpet and Upholstery cleaning franchise network in Canada.

The Chem-Dry process itself has changed a lot over the past two decades. What began very simply as a bonnet system paired with cold carbonated solutions has gone through several evolutionary phases. During the 1990’s, Chem-Dry’s U.S. parent company, Harris Research, Inc., (which became a wholly owned subsidiary of The Home Depot January 9, 2006) developed and patented the Hot Carbonating Extraction process and its complementary, world-leading equipment.

By pairing breakthrough technology with exclusive, patented solutions, Chem-Dry franchises throughout the world have access to a sophisticated array of equipment and products to get the best results for every customer.

There has never been so much available to our franchisees or their customers. We have a solution for every carpet and upholstery-cleaning problem. Our franchisees can confidently work on developing their businesses, without having to worry about keeping up with the competition.

Chem-Dry Canada Reception

In 1998, Chem-Dry Corporate Services (CDCS) was established at Chem-Dry Canada’s head offices in Chilliwack, BC to secure national contracts for the franchise network. Says Snow: "Our goal in establishing CDCS was to provide a complete service to our corporate clients and at the same time, obtain and manage the work for our franchises." It’s a business model based on a win-win -- and it’s working very well.

The CDCS Division has grown considerably, now providing over 1,000 jobs to the Canadian Chem-Dry network each month.

By simply calling a toll-free number, customers are connected to one of the highly qualified Customer Care operators, who take the booking and forward the work to a Chem-Dry franchise in their area. This skilled team provides job management and Quality Assurance services, whilst the growing list of corporate and residential customers supplies the franchise network with quality work, helping new and existing franchises alike become more secure and successful.

Our flexibility and willingness to improve on the basic business model has proven benefitial for everyone. We deliver what our clients want when they want it, and we are not limited to carpet and upholstery cleaning. Chem-Dry people are innovators and make it work.

So 22 years into his journey, what does Peter Snow foresee for Chem-Dry Franchises in Canada?

"Growth definitely. This next decade will prove to be a very exciting time in our development. I'm proud of where we've come from, but I'm thrilled at the prospect of our even stronger future."