Technology, Training and Cross-Brand Referrals Help Franchise Owners Build Stronger Local Businesses
Homeowners today expect convenience, professionalism and service providers they can count on. To help franchise owners keep up with those expectations, Neighborly has been investing in technology, marketing and tools designed to support day-to-day operations and long-term growth. The goal is to give owners stronger support while still allowing them to build local businesses that reflect the needs of their communities.
Neighborly sets franchise owners up for success with thorough training, operational support and systems intended to make running the business more manageable and efficient. Owners benefit from a larger network, with cross-brand relationships that can create added opportunities for referrals and growth.
The following Q&As take a closer look at the Neighborly network and the people behind it. Owners and leaders talk about the role of strong systems, hands-on support and a model built for long-term stability. What stands out is the mix of national scale and local ownership. Franchisees have access to marketing support, coaching, technology and cross-brand referrals, while continuing to run businesses that are closely tied to their communities. In that way, the work goes beyond service calls. It also plays a role in supporting local economies and strengthening neighborhoods.
These are services people need in every market. For franchise candidates looking for a business with staying power, Neighborly checks all the boxes.
Lane Dixon, Aire Serv
Aire Serv franchises focus on heating, air conditioning and indoor air quality, offering repair, maintenance and replacement services. As part of Neighborly, franchisees get support with training, marketing, systems and operations. The brand was founded in 1992 and has grown to more than 250 locations in the U.S. and Canada. Here, Vice President of Operations Lane Dixon shares more about the brand.
1. What training and onboarding support do new franchise owners receive?
New franchise owners receive comprehensive onboarding that includes initial training on operations, sales, staffing, financial management, customer experience, and our core systems and tools. They also receive support in opening preparation, business planning and early-stage execution. Ongoing support continues across both marketing and operations.
2. How does the corporate team help franchisees grow revenue year over year?
We help franchisees grow revenue by staying focused on the performance levers that matter most: call conversion, average ticket, close rate, technician-generated opportunity creation, maintenance agreement growth and customer retention. Aire Serv franchise owners receive ongoing support across both marketing and operations. On the marketing side, we help owners with brand development, digital lead generation, campaign support and local marketing guidance. Operationally, owners receive coaching, performance support, training resources and tools to help improve conversion, close rate, technician productivity and customer retention. We focus not only on helping owners generate demand, but also on helping them convert that demand into profitable growth.
3. How strong is the demand for residential HVAC services and how recession-resilient is the industry?
Demand for residential HVAC services remains strong because heating and cooling are essential needs for homeowners and businesses. Systems age, repairs are unavoidable, replacement cycles continue, and consumers increasingly value comfort, reliability, indoor air quality and energy efficiency. The HVAC service industry has historically been resilient because much of the work is need-based, not discretionary. When a system fails in extreme weather, homeowners need a solution quickly. Even in softer economic periods, repair and maintenance demand tends to remain active.
Michael Silva-Nash, Molly Maid
Molly Maid is a 40-year-old residential cleaning franchise that embraces technology, reporting and analytics so franchise owners can make confident, data-driven decisions and run efficient businesses. Here, Molly Maid President Michael Silva-Nash discusses franchise ownership with the respected brand.
1. How strong is brand recognition for Molly Maid?
We have meaningful name recognition across the U.S. and are known for our pink and blue vehicles. Molly Maid continually outranks its competitors in online search and average rank on Google.
2. What type of customers typically use Molly Maid services?
Typical customers are middle- and upper-middle income households, dual-income families and busy professionals who value time and quality. Many are long-term, recurring clients who want a trusted team in their home.
3. Describe the initial training and ongoing support.
New franchisees go through a structured onboarding process that includes pre-launch planning, online learning and both classroom and hands-on field training covering operations, recruiting and managing teams, sales and marketing and financial management. Ongoing support includes dedicated coaching and continuing education through webinars, weekly training sessions, regional meetings and annual conferences coupled with market calls, town halls and monthly newsletters.
4. What does a typical day in the life of a Molly Maid franchise owner look like?
A typical day focuses on executive-level activities: reviewing schedules and KPIs, overseeing office staff, handling key customer issues and coaching their office staff rather than doing the cleaning work. Owners often spend meaningful time on recruiting, training and culture-building, plus local marketing, networking and strategic planning for growth. The model is positioned as an executive/managerial ownership structure where the owner leads managers and office staff instead of running crews in the field.
5. Anything to add?
The average Molly Maid owner is on their second or third 10-year franchise agreement renewal. In 2025, 87% of the Molly Maid network grew year over year and we are on track for another record-breaking year. Molly Maid also gives franchisees away to make a real impact through the Ms. Molly Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports victims of domestic violence.
Learn more about the franchise opportunities offered by Neighborly.
