The Maids, a residential cleaning franchisor operating across North America, is known for its health-first approach and its proprietary 22-Step Healthy Touch Deep Cleaning System. With a strong franchise model in place, the brand needed better tools to support sustainable expansion—and that started with how they handled franchise development leads.
Before using ClientTether, The Maids struggled with fragmented workflows, manual lead tracking via spreadsheets, and inconsistent follow-ups. “Each location had their own way of managing leads,” said Kyle McMindes, Director of Franchise Development. “It was pretty sporadic, and the technologies felt like they were built in the 90s.”
That’s when The Maids adopted ClientTether, an automation-first franchise CRM designed specifically to help franchisors grow more efficiently, without losing the personal touch.
“Close rates have gone up—somewhere around 4% to 5%. If you’re getting 50 leads a month, that’s a significant increase, especially in a recurring revenue business like ours.”
— Kyle McMindes, Director of Franchise Development, The Maids
The Challenge: Scattered Systems and Slow Follow-Ups
Like many growing franchise brands, The Maids was managing lead communications in a decentralized, inconsistent way. Excel spreadsheets, manual call logs, and non-standardized workflows left room for error, and led to missed opportunities.
Franchisees were spending time on administrative tasks that could have been automated. Leads that came in from the website had to be entered manually, and follow-ups depended on sticky notes or reminders. “Time is money,” said McMindes. “I was wasting 30 to 40 minutes a day just entering leads and trying to remember who to call.”
Even more critical was the issue of speed-to-lead—an essential factor in closing deals. Without immediate follow-up, interested candidates often moved on.
Why The Maids Chose ClientTether
The Maids needed more than just a CRM. They needed a franchise development platform that could:
Lead Response Automation
With instant text messages, emails, and even automated calls, ClientTether engages leads within seconds, keeping The Maids top-of-mind and increasing conversion rates.
“I can be in a meeting, and ClientTether is texting that lead for me automatically. I no longer have to panic and drop everything just to follow up.”
— Kyle McMindes
Centralized Visibility
ClientTether provided one dashboard for everything—lead activity, communication history, quotes, and follow-up tasks. It also gave franchisees and franchisors a shared view of performance.
Scalable Workflows
Instead of each location improvising their own sales process, The Maids now uses standardized workflows, with room for regional customization. This gave the brand control while allowing local flexibility.
Seamless Integrations
ClientTether integrated directly with The Maids’ quoting software, enabling real-time communication and mistake-proofed data entry.
Reporting and Sales Insights
Dynamic dashboards let franchise leaders spot drop-off points in the pipeline and adjust strategies quickly.
“I used to have sticky notes all over my desk. Now, every morning, ClientTether tells me who to call and when. That’s the kind of structure we needed.”
— Kyle McMindes
The Results: Measurable Gains in Lead Conversions
Since rolling out ClientTether, The Maids has seen clear improvements in both efficiency and sales performance:
- 4–5% Increase in Close Rates
A major lift, especially in a recurring revenue model where each close compounds over time.
- No Missed Leads
Real-time lead notifications and automated outreach ensure prospects are never left waiting.
- Time Savings on Repetitive Tasks
Up to 30–40 minutes saved daily by automating communication and eliminating manual data entry.
- Better Franchisee Visibility & Control
Franchisors and franchisees now share one centralized hub for sales management.
- Improved Work-Life Balance
“I can focus on strategy instead of chasing leads after hours,” said McMindes. “ClientTether protects my time and still keeps leads warm.”
A CRM Built for Franchise Growth
For The Maids, ClientTether is a growth partner. With a responsive support team and a product that evolves continuously, the system has helped The Maids grow smarter, not harder.
“ClientTether is more than just a tech platform. They’re strategic partners. They sit down with you, understand your needs, and build solutions around your business.”
— Kyle McMindes
About The Maids
Founded in 1979, The Maids is a leading residential cleaning franchise brand in the U.S. and Canada, built on a mission of improving lives—one clean home at a time. With eco-conscious practices and an award-winning system, The Maids delivers high-quality service while supporting its franchisees with tools for success.
Ready to Streamline Your Franchise Sales Process?
If you’re a franchisor looking to convert more leads, respond faster, and bring consistency to your development pipeline, ClientTether is built for you.
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