The Poppies Story
Supporting franchisees for over 40 years. It's simple — if our franchisees do well, we do well, and that's why we do all we can to help you develop your business and succeed.
The UK's pioneering cleaning franchise
Poppies was the first domestic cleaning franchise in the UK, and the model has stood the test of time ever since.
Susan Rorstad founded Poppies, and her success in growing an elite franchise brand across the UK saw her awarded an MBE by Prime Minister John Major for services to domiciliary care in the 1994 New Year's Honours.
The Poppies Way is tried, tested and proven to get results. It isn't just how we do things for our franchisees and clients — it's why. We're a serial franchisor, recognised in the Elite Franchise Top 100, and we believe our people deserve the best in marketing plans, fast growth opportunities, training and infrastructure to give every franchisee the strongest possible chance of success when the proven way is followed.
We run a selective recruitment process to ensure we're partnering with the very best people in each area, and our territories are exclusive — once one is taken, it's gone.
A network built to last
Figures from our own franchisee survey.
- of franchisees are committed to growing their Poppies business
- 90%of franchisees are committed to growing their Poppies business
- of franchisees have been with us for more than 10 years
- 89%of franchisees have been with us for more than 10 years
- of the network has grown beyond pre-Covid figures
- 79%of the network has grown beyond pre-Covid figures
- years of proven domestic cleaning experience
- 45+years of proven domestic cleaning experience
Our history
From one founder's idea on April Fools' Day 1980 to a nationwide franchise network.
- 1980
1980
Sue Rorstad founds Poppies on April Fools' Day with a simple mission: premium home cleaning that customers can trust.
- 1983
1983
The first Poppies franchise opens in Durham. It still trades today — with one of its original team members still on the books.
- Late
Late 1980s
Demand takes the network to 85 franchises covering every corner of the country.
- 1994
1994
Sue Rorstad is awarded an MBE by Prime Minister John Major for services to domiciliary care.
- 1996
1996
Chris Wootton joins Poppies — also on April Fools' Day — opening his franchise in Ormskirk, Lancashire, and working closely with Sue.
- 2018
2018
Chris Wootton takes over the business from Sue and begins modernising the model.
- 2020
2020
Marketing growth plans, new technology and fast-track launch support are introduced for new franchise partners.
- Toda
Today
Poppies is a bfa member, an Elite Franchise Top 100 brand, and still recruiting a limited number of franchise partners each year.
Hear from our managing director
“We tailor our training to each of our franchise partners. This way we recognise each person's needs, transferable skills, and the things they bring to the business.”
Ready to discover more?
For over 40 years our premium, high-quality cleaning service has made us trailblazers of the cleaning franchise sector. Find out how the Poppies Way could work for you.