Perfectly balanced for a brighter future: cleaning services are in demand whatever the state of the economy, and the growth performance of Minster Cleaning Services has been outstanding in times of plenty and in times of recession. Now, sales are growing at the rate of 3 million [pounds sterling] a year.(Minster Services Group)

AS MANAGING DIRECTOR of Minster Services Group, one of the UK's most successful franchise operators. Alan Haigh is convinced that maintaining a balanced relationship between franchisee and franchisor has been one of the most important factors in the performance of his nationwide cleaning business.

'Our business needs people with management ability, drive and ambition,' he says. 'In return we offer them an opportunity with proven potential and a support package that allows them to prosper and reinvest in their own businesses. Large exclusive territories enable individual businesses to achieve significant sales with proportionate earnings, and a very reasonable royalty fee allows franchisees to focus on developing their areas.'

It is a business philosophy that seems to be working. Minster's growth over the last ten years has been remarkable by any standards. In 1992 the company had three branches with a turnover of around 1 million [pounds sterling]. Today there are 39 branches turning over …