Top ServiceMaster Clean Franchisee Launches Merry Maids Franchise

Siva and Ayranna Kugathas are no strangers to the technicalities of operating a successful cleaning business.

Siva is the owner of ServiceMaster Clean AAA, one of the largest ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services franchise operations in the UK, which covers 19 territories spanning from Inverness to Dover. Having grown from just a single territory in Guildford, which he purchased in 2017, Siva is turning his hand to home cleaning by heading up an existing Merry Maids business in Inverness.

He is joined on his new venture by his daughter Ayranna, who has been working in AAA, specialising in HR, and is now taking charge of Merry Maids.

We sat down with them to delve into their plans for the business and the value they will deliver to new and existing customers and staff.

Meet Siva and Ayranna

As an astute businessman with 20 years of experience in franchising for brands like KFC and Pizza Hut before buying his ServiceMaster Clean franchise, Siva knew the success that could be achieved through investing in a successful franchise.

Using the ServiceMaster Clean model and thorough strategies that combat common hurdles in the cleaning industry, Siva has transformed a good business into something great.

He has been ambitious from the start, with an initial goal of creating more job opportunities and rapid growth within the local area.

His practices around employee mentorship, customer satisfaction, ‘celebrity service’ and employing a dedicated sales team allowed him to transform his business into a bastion of success.

Initially doubling the size of his operation in just 18 months, he has also acquired 18 further territories in seven years. As a top-performing franchisee, he is committed to exceeding client expectations and driving the business.

Ayranna recently completed a degree in Information Technology for Business, all while working as a Human Resources Manager at ServiceMaster Clean AAA, where she’s not only overseen HR responsibilities like recruitment, training, and employee relations, but also supported many other areas of the business.

“Because it’s a multi-territory franchise, I’ve had the opportunity to be involved in day-to-day operations, client management, and strategic planning. That experience gave me a strong understanding of how a service-based business runs, from both a people and performance perspective,” she says.

“This has been a huge advantage in preparing me for business ownership. As the HR Manager, I’ve developed strong people management skills, dealt with a variety of staffing challenges, and ensured compliance with employment law and best practice—all of which are crucial for running a successful team.”

Beyond HR, Ayranna has also been involved in many other aspects of the business, such as supporting operational decisions, helping with client relationships, and contributing to strategy discussions. This hands-on experience has given her a real understanding of what it takes to run and grow a business.

Combined with her degree in Information Technology for Business, Ayranna also brings a tech-driven, process-oriented mindset key to improving efficiency, adopting digital tools, and staying competitive.

“I’ve been running ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services AAA for the last eight years. And we have been very successful. We are the biggest at the moment within ServiceMaster. With that experience, we think we are ready to take on a new challenge and be part of Merry Maids,” Siva adds.

Why Merry Maids?

After growing his commercial cleaning business to new heights, Siva sat down with ServiceMaster Brands UK’s Managing Director, Alan Lewin, who inspired him to invest in the Merry Maids brand for his next venture, and one he could involve his daughter in at a higher level.

On a fundamental level, the overlap between the models of success that can be achieved in both brands and markets is the same, as Siva says:

“You do marketing, sales and cleaning. But, if you look a bit deeper, commercial cleaning is part of people’s work lives. Cleaning is important, but they don’t pay as much attention as they would in their own home. When you’re allowing somebody to come and clean your own home, your toilet, your kitchen, and your bedroom, it’s very, very personal. So, there’s a lot of difference in that way, if you look at what our staff will be doing. But if you’re looking at a businessman’s point of view, both are the same: it’s marketing and selling.”

Ayranna, having already had experience at a ServiceMaster Clean franchise, also understands the systems, values, and support structure that come with being part of the ServiceMaster brand.

“While Merry Maids is a different type of service, the core principles of delivering high-quality, reliable cleaning and managing a team are very similar,” she says.

“From contract cleaning, I’ve learned how to manage teams, handle feedback, and assist in delivering high standards—all of which can be applied to home cleaning. And stepping into a bigger role in the business is both exciting and meaningful,” she adds.

“It’s an opportunity to build something alongside my dad, who has years of experience and a strong track record in the industry. I’m grateful to be learning directly from him while also bringing in my own perspective.”

For Siva, working alongside Ayranna is also a huge achievement:

“In my view, parents enjoy their children’s success more than their own success. So, to have my daughter leading a brand for us is a proud moment for me. And she’s the right person to do that.”

Why franchising?

Siva is also no stranger to operating multi-brand franchise businesses, having previously worked for two brands under one umbrella, and deeply values the balance of support and independent entrepreneurship a franchise business can afford.

“A franchise system is tried and tested, and we know it works,” he says.

“Any business will always have challenges, and you have to find your own way of overcoming those. With a franchise, somebody has already gone through those hurdles and already has an answer.”

“In a business like ServiceMaster, from the day that our academy started and throughout, you can expect support all along the way. And I am very grateful for signing up with a company like ServiceMaster, because, over the eight years, I’ve seen the support they’ve given me, and I don’t expect anything different from them with Merry Maids either. We’re able to run our own business while benefiting from a proven structure, trusted brand name, and ongoing support.”

Ayranna echoes this, adding,

“I value the fact that we don’t have to start from scratch. There are established systems, training, and guidance available, which means we can focus on growing the business and delivering great service, rather than figuring everything out alone. The structure gives us a clear framework to work within, but there’s still flexibility to bring our own ideas and leadership style to the table.”

Integrating in Inverness

Customers of Merry Maids Inverness will know of the business’s long history and established presence within the local area. While under new ownership, the business retains the same staff and office managers of Andrea and Kelly, who ensure the business’s smooth day-to-day operations.

Having spent time in Inverness, getting to know the business’s staff and existing structure, Siva and Ayranna have integrated themselves into the business and, galvanising the team behind them, are excited to drive it to new heights.

“It’s been a smooth and insightful process, Ayranna says.

“I’ve been learning how things operate while thinking of ideas to improve and grow the business. I’m excited to get started, learn new things, and play an active role in helping the business grow. It’s a great opportunity to take on new challenges and apply what I’ve learned so far.”

Siva, in turn, is excited to bring the same energy and growth that he has instilled across his other businesses.

“ I’m really excited because it’s a new journey for me as well. I’m in my fifties, and I have done a few of these in the past. But this is something new.  I’m really excited to go and do the same again and be successful.”

Merry Maids Brand Leader Vikki Donnachie says she is ecstatic to welcome Siva and Ayranna to the brand:

“I am very much looking forward to welcoming Siva and Ayranna to the Merry Maids network and building on their existing success within ServiceMaster, which I am certain they will do through their commitment to their community, staff and service standards.”

Interested and want to know more about Merry Maids ?

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