In Three Years, This Biohazard Cleaning Franchise Has More than Doubled its Number of Units This is Steri-Clean's first year on the Franchise 500.

In the 1990s, Cory Chalmers was working as a fireman and paramedic. On a mission to help people in crisis, and with extensive experience with hazardous materials and emergency management, he founded the company that would become Steri-Clean, a franchise that provides specialized cleaning and decontamination services with a focus on helping clients recover from traumatic events such as crime scenes and hoarding situations.

Since then, Chalmers and Steri-Clean have been featured on more than a dozen TV shows, including a regular appearance with "Hoarders" on A&E. Now, Steri-Clean is making a new kind of appearance: Its first year on BIZ Experiences's Franchise 500.

Having more than doubled its number of franchise units between 2021 and 2024 (58 total), Steri-Clean ranks at #325 on this year's list and #1 in the biohazard cleaning category. "Steri-Clean stands out because of our compassionate approach, innovative systems, and a commitment to excellence," Chalmers says.

When BIZ Experiences evaluates franchises for the Franchise 500, we look at more than 150 data points — including very visible ones like size and growth, but we also take a holistic view of the business, the industry it operates in, and the opportunities available to prospective franchisees. That includes things like franchisee support and training, brand strength and marketing, and more.

With strong financials, Steri-Clean ranks among the top 20% of all companies on the 2025 Franchise 500 for size and growth.

Clearing a path to franchise success

Chalmers says current and aspiring Steri-Clean franchisees have a lot to be excited about. A few of the brand's new initiatives include:

Nationwide hotel contracts: Steri-Clean recently partnered with three national hotel chains with more than 12,000 hotels collectively, providing franchisees with consistent and scalable revenue opportunities. "The exposure from working with recognizable brands elevates our franchisees' credibility within their local markets," Chalmers says.

Proprietary software investments: CleanNet, Steri-Clean's proprietary job management and CRM software, is an all-in-one platform that simplifies the management of leads, customer communication, and team coordination. The app offers a suite of tools, including the ability to create estimates, generate invoices, take and store job photos, and produce detailed room diagrams. Fully customizable, it allows each franchise to tailor pricing, legal wording, and other specifics to their unique geographical or socio-economic needs.

Enhanced SEO and video marketing strategies: Chalmers says Steri-Clean has made significant investments in SEO to help the brand appear at the top of search engine rankings on Google and other platforms. He says Steri-Clean also connected with the film crew of the "Hoarders" TV show to create a series of professional-quality videos and commercials to help attract customers and new franchisees alike.

Franchise Advisory Council: At the end of 2024, Steri-Clean created the council to help foster collaboration, ensure open communication, and provide franchisees with a platform to voice their ideas, concerns, and feedback. The council serves as a bridge between the corporate team and franchise owners, allowing for shared decision-making and the exchange of insights that benefit the entire network.

"By incorporating franchisee input into policies, tools, and strategies, the council helps Steri-Clean continually refine its operations, enhance support systems, and ensure that every franchise location has the resources and guidance needed for success," Chalmers says. "This collaborative approach strengthens the Steri-Clean brand while empowering franchisees to play an active role in shaping the company's future."

Click here to learn more about Steri-Clean and their exciting franchise opportunities.