Skedaddle
$75,000
$49,500
2
1989
Ancaster,ON
Bill Dowd
Overview
By constructing and installing permanent wildlife and pest protection solutions, Skedaddle provides customers with peace of mind when it comes to their largest asset, their homes.
In every home, there are vulnerable areas that allow mice, bats, birds, raccoons, etc., to enter. Skedaddle provides homeowners with a permanent solution to issues that inevitably arise as humans and animals collide.
Our unique and proprietary methodology focuses on placing a one-way door in these weak areas, waiting for the animals to exit, and sealing the entry holes. From there, we provide our customers with a lifetime guarantee that the animal will not enter the dwelling again.
With every city facing some sort of animal issue, this is a highly in-demand concept in an extremely fragmented industry. The only “competition” we ever experience is “Chuck-in-a-truck” trappers, who can never match our level of expertise and professionalism.
With over 35 years in this industry, we are certain Skedaddle will thrive in any city we enter. If you don’t believe there’s a need for this type of service in your area, ask around because everyone we talk to has an animal encounter story!
Franchise Unit Trends and Revenue
2
1
$571,522
* in 2023
Franchise Fees
$49,500
6.5%
Gross Sales
0.5%
Gross Sales
Why Choose Skedaddle?
Low Investment & Strong Sales Growth: Skedaddle Owners can start their business for only $102K. Not only that, our U.S. Franchise Owner saw over 36% sales growth over the last three years!
Semi-Absentee Opportunity: If a Franchise Owner wants in on this lucrative and needs-based service but does not want to get their hands dirty, they can hire a salesperson to interact with customers and oversee the day-to-day.
Minimal Competition: While there are many pest control and home inspection companies out there, the number of companies focused on protecting and preventing animals from entering homes is slim to none. When we are faced with any type of competition, it is a “Chuck-in-a-truck” trapper, and our professionalism allows us to acquire the customer every time.
Recession-Resistant, In-Demand Service: Animal encounters happen no matter what is going on with the economy, and they are usually problems homeowners won’t deal with themselves. Every home in any city is vulnerable to mice, bats, birds, etc., yet no national company is focused on this necessary protection service.
Multiple Revenue Streams: Not only will Franchise Owners generate strong profits from our home protection services, but we also offer three additional revenue streams they can add to their businesses. Attic restoration, pest control, and holiday decorating will allow them to generate revenue year-round.
Home-Based & Scalable: We are home-based or can be run out of a small storage facility. Because of our low investment, low overhead, and the in-demand and necessary nature of our work, this is a concept that is extremely scalable. While we don’t require it, we would love to see Owners with 5-10+ vehicles running in their market.
Call Center: We offer a corporate call center that is open 7 days a week to assist Owners with scheduling, fielding calls, and sending appointment reminders. This allows our Franchise Owners to focus on interacting with customers, marketing, and revenue-generating activities. In fact, our call center currently receives 500–600 calls a day!
Starting Costs and Investment Requirements
$102,100 - $251,600
$200,000
$75,000
Training and Support
Our initial training program takes place at our headquarters in Ancaster, Ontario, and includes 31 hours in a classroom and 42 hours of on-the-job training. Owners will learn about the corporate history and profile of the company, marketing, admin tasks, human resource management and safety, and wildlife services. Training is primarily hosted by our Chief Operating Officer, Barry Dowd, CEO & Founder Bill Dowd, and Director of Technical Services Corey Lewis. For supplemental services, this will be an additional 20 hours in a classroom and 96 hours of on-the-job training, and Owners will learn about Pest Control Services, Attic Restoration Services, and Holiday Lighting Services.
With over 33 years in the industry, there is no situation we haven’t experienced, allowing our support team to always be a call away for assistance on specific issues. We also offer Franchise Owners top-of-the-line technology, online learning content, and a corporate call center to support them in running the day-to-day aspects of their business.
The corporate team assists Franchise Owners in creating a location-specific website and maintaining ongoing SEO. We assist Owners with launching Google Adwords and creating content that can be shared to help promote their business. We also help to obtain and wrap the Franchise Owner’s vehicle(s), which is a highly cost-effective method of outdoor advertising. Networking plays a big part in obtaining a strong customer base, so we help Owners partner with local humane societies. Humane societies receive over 12,000 calls a year for services that are then referred to Skedaddle!
History
If you’re wondering what a 4-time Stanley Cup champion and a home protection company have in common, you must not know the Skedaddle story!
After playing Major Jr A hockey for the Ottawa 67s and then with the New York Islanders, Skedaddle Founder Bill Dowd found himself looking for his next career.
In 1989, Bill saw an opportunity for a much-needed service in his market. He started his own home protection business based on innovative practices that completely seal, protect, and prevent problems from occurring as humans and animals inevitably interact.
After playing hockey all over Canada and becoming familiar with different provinces, Bill began to establish Skedaddle territories in Hamilton, Ottawa, and Montreal. One observation he had was that whenever the company expanded, it seemed to experience double-digit growth year after year!
Over the next 20+ years, the business continued to grow across Canada. Our success can be attributed to Bill’s unique and proprietary methodology of sealing weak and vulnerable areas of customers' largest asset, their homes.
After dialing in the U.S. program, we already have one Owner in Milwaukee who has purchased a second territory in Madison and plans to expand and purchase the entire state due to his overwhelming success!
Now, with over 30 territories across North America, we are certain our model will be successful in every city we enter. We truly cannot wait to take over as the largest, most professional wildlife protection company across the country.
Ideal Candidate
Franchise Owners do not need a wildlife or service background. They also do not need to feel passionate about animals. Most Owners will oversee the business from a management standpoint.
Because of this, they must be problem solvers who can stay organized with many tasks and demands. They also must love people and be able to provide excellent customer service.
We are looking for the following characteristics:
- Business acumen
- Sales or management experience
- Customer service-oriented
- Growth-minded
- Strong communication skills
- Motivated & outgoing
