That was always the point. Will and Kerry Hayton have spent five and a half years building a My Property Pros franchise in Buckingham that no longer depends on them being in it. Over 700 regular customers, a stable team, systems that have taken 90 minutes out of every working day. Now they’re using that capacity to push into higher-value work.
Leaving a job that wanted more than he had
Will Hayton was a first-time dad with a demanding marketing career when he worked out the two things couldn’t hold together much longer. He wanted to be at home for his son. His job wasn’t going to allow it, and no amount of negotiating was going to change that.
And he was ambitious about what he replaced it with. He wanted a business substantial enough to be worth the risk of leaving, with recurring revenue, proven systems and genuine room to scale. He launched My Property Pros Buckingham in March 2021. Kerry joined him soon after.
Five and a half years on, they run a thriving multi-van franchise serving over 700 regular customers, with two employees who have made the team exceptionally stable. The operation runs like clockwork with or without Will and Kerry there day to day, and that resilience is precisely what has freed them up to chase higher-value opportunities and build an increasingly premium service mix.
“We saw great success in our first year and, since then, we’ve consistently grown, so we’re almost always at full capacity. Over the past few years, we’ve invested a lot into upgrading our equipment, processes and systems, and it’s been 100% worth it. We even set up our own clean water supply in our workshop, which gives us 1,500 litres on demand each day. This has dramatically improved our efficiency, letting us set up for the day ahead each evening. In total, it saves us around 90 minutes per day, amounting to almost 23 days a year. Those systems, together with a really capable team, mean the business is incredibly stable and can run smoothly whether we’re there or not.”
Will Hayton
At the time Will launched the franchise, Kerry still ran her own business, but the commercial potential of MPP was clear and she soon became involved.
“I ran my own business alongside the franchise for a while, but in the end, the potential return of being involved with MPP was bigger. It’s been a journey but has definitely exceeded our expectations!”
Kerry Hayton
The early questions
Like any ambitious new venture, the first year came with hard questions about income, risk and whether the opportunity could really deliver at the level Will and Kerry believed it could. Those questions weren’t only coming from inside the household.
“Our parents are very supportive of us in general, but they definitely weren’t 100% on board with this at first! Will’s dad is an accountant, so for him, the main concerns were around income and the financial risk. It gave us a bit of a wobble about whether or not we were making the right decision!”
Kerry Hayton
“I think it’s safe to say that we have blown their expectations out of the water! My dad’s main concern now is whether we’ll be able to reach his mossy roof with our roof wand over their new extension!”
Kerry Hayton
The real test of that stability came from something no stats sheet captures. Partway through building the business, Will and Kerry’s second son was born, and for a while, Will couldn’t be as hands-on as usual. The business didn’t stop for it. It ran on the team and the systems they’d already put in place, which is the clearest proof yet of the point the headline makes.
The rebrand that changed the ceiling
In 2024, three years into their franchise journey, Will and Kerry were excited to learn from founders Karen and Dave Prewer that the business was about to undergo a rebrand. It was set to boost the company’s market presence and introduce several new, high-revenue opportunities, with roof cleaning the standout addition.
“The rebrand has been a game changer for our business and has made a huge difference in the type of enquiries we get. Many of our existing customers didn’t realise we offered more than just window cleaning, but now it’s so much easier to upsell and position the brand as the go-to for all things exterior cleaning.”
Kerry Hayton
“Since the rebrand, we’ve really shifted focus to bigger, higher-margin projects like pressure washing, soft washing, roof cleaning and commercial exterior cleaning. It’s been a real turning point for our business, with some days bringing in up to £1,200, which is super motivating. Our existing customers are also jumping on board, especially with the roof cleaning service. We’re continuing to build those higher-value services while increasing our commercial work as well, which gives the business even more potential.”
Will Hayton
Commercial work is now one of the fastest growing parts of the network, and franchisees building in that direction are not doing it alone. My Property Pros has built MAX, an in-house outreach system contacting around 1,200 prospective commercial clients a day, and has appointed a second commercial salesperson to keep pace with the pipeline it generates. Leads are qualified centrally and passed to the franchisee whose territory they fall in, which means a franchisee with capacity to take on larger contracts can grow that side of the business without building a sales function of their own. Will and Kerry are about to switch on their own commercial outreach through it, and it’s already part of what they’re looking forward to in the next phase.
“We’ve got the team and the systems in place for bigger jobs, so we’re in a strong position,” says Will. “We’re just about to switch on commercial outreach through MAX and the sales team, which will be a great opportunity to scale up again without me having to go and find every piece of work myself.”
Two roles, one network
For Kerry, the next big step came when she took on the role of Marketing Executive with the My Property Pros franchisor. Her focus is now on the brand’s national marketing, including the website, leaflets, social media and video content. She fits in bits and bobs for Will too when she can, around her franchisor role and a busy family life with two small children.
“The support from the other franchisees in the network has been incredible and really motivating, and a crucial component of our success. When I decided to step back from MPP Buckingham and take on the role at head office, I never had any doubts because I knew Will had the full support of the network. Plus, with Karen and Dave always there to back us up, it felt like the right move. There’s a strong sense of community across the network, with people there to support each other, and that makes a real difference.”
Kerry Hayton
The next phase
Looking ahead, the focus is firmly on scaling the value and capability of the Buckingham business.
“At the moment, we’re focused on growing more locally and making the most of the capacity we’ve built. The team is stable and the business runs itself day to day. The next stage is about adding more vans as demand grows, continuing to build higher-margin services such as roof cleaning and soft washing, and increasing our commercial work. One of the things I love most about being a franchisee is building a strong local team and seeing people develop. Down the line, I might even explore bringing someone on to take a directorial role as the business continues to grow.”
Will Hayton
For those thinking about becoming a franchisee, Will has some valuable advice to offer.
“Self-motivation is key, but if you want the opportunity to build a serious business with flexibility and control over how you scale it, this is a brilliant model. The systems, recurring customer base and range of services give you a strong platform, but there’s also plenty of scope to push into larger, higher-value work. It’s hard to beat the feeling of being your own boss and building something with real long-term value.”
Will Hayton
About My Property Pros
Founded in 1996, My Property Pros is the UK’s first and only national exterior property cleaning franchise. Having identified and leveraged a gap in the market close to three decades ago, the brand is now firmly established as a highly profitable, award-winning, multi-van franchise opportunity. Franchisees benefit from cutting-edge technology, proprietary software systems and a team that’s absolutely dedicated to their success.
MPP franchisees operate from fully equipped, eye-catching vans, the ultimate advert on wheels. A range of complementary, in-demand services ensures strong year-round sales and plenty of opportunities to cross-sell to existing customers, from roof and render cleaning to gutter clearing and maintenance, pressure washing and window cleaning. Thanks to state-of-the-art technology, almost all cleaning is completed with both feet firmly on the ground.
Individual results vary. The figures in this case study relate to Will and Kerry Hayton’s business and were confirmed by them in writing. They are not a guarantee or projection of earnings for any other franchisee.
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