Jan-Pro Northwest: Building Business Through Clean Spaces
When most people think of commercial cleaning, they picture empty offices after hours, mops and vacuums at work in the background. But for Charlie Niemi, owner of Jan-Pro Northwest, the story runs deeper.
“We’re not just a cleaning company,” Niemi said. “Really, what our company is about is helping small business owners grow and develop their business.”
For more than two decades, Jan-Pro Northwest has served Eastern Washington and North Idaho with a unique model that blends entrepreneurship, opportunity, and community impact. Founded locally over 20 years ago, the business today supports 85 franchisees who clean everything from banks and car dealerships to medical clinics and manufacturing facilities.
And yet, as Niemi is quick to point out, the company’s purpose extends beyond spotless floors and disinfected surfaces. It’s about changing lives.
A Different Kind of Cleaning Company
Jan-Pro operates on what Niemi describes as a three-tier franchise model. At the national level, Jan-Pro International supports regions across the country and world. Niemi runs the Spokane/North Idaho region as a “regional developer.” Local franchisees then purchase cleaning businesses within that territory.
“All of our cleaners are independent contractors—they are franchisees of ours,” Niemi said. “That’s our difference. Our cleaners are business owners.”
That ownership model means each franchisee has a personal stake in the quality of their work. “I often say this franchisee has a vested interest in cleaning your facility, so much so that they’ve essentially paid us for the right to clean your facility,” Niemi said.
Compared to traditional cleaning companies with hourly employees, Niemi believes this structure creates a higher standard of service. “When you’re an independent contractor or business owner, you just have a bigger vested interest—and there’s a pride of ownership that starts to happen.”
Lowering the Barrier to Business Ownership
One of the most distinctive aspects of Jan-Pro Northwest is how accessible it is for people to start.
“Where else can you start a business for as little as $2,500 and have guaranteed income?” Niemi asked.
Jan-Pro offers 19 different franchise plans, ranging from $2,500 to about $40,000, making it possible for people to step into business ownership without the prohibitive costs of traditional franchises.
That affordability has opened doors for many in the Spokane Valley area, including immigrants who may not otherwise have the chance to build businesses in the U.S. “The American dream is to be a business owner—especially for immigrants,” Niemi said. “You come to America, you build a business.”
Training for Success
Affordability doesn’t mean shortcuts. Every franchisee goes through a five-course certification program before taking on clients.
“Unlike the hourly employee model, where you’re hired today and sent out tomorrow with a broom, our franchisees sit through training modules on customer service, business ownership, Jan-Pro standards, and proper cleaning techniques,” Niemi said.
We want clients to know we’re not just wiping things down—we’re protecting their workplace.
Jan-Pro even maintains a mock office at its headquarters, where new franchisees learn the details of cleaning desks, conference tables, and bathrooms with professional precision.
“We use commercial grade, hospital grade disinfecting chemicals and a microfiber system designed to prevent cross-contamination,” Niemi explained. “We want clients to know we’re not just wiping things down—we’re protecting their workplace.”
Serving Businesses Across the Region
From Cheney to Coeur d’Alene, Jan-Pro Northwest covers the full I-90 corridor, cleaning facilities of every size.
“If you have a desk and a toilet, you’re our ideal client,” Niemi joked.
While some clients only need weekly service, others—such as banks, dealerships, and healthcare offices—require daily attention. The company’s wide network of franchisees allows Niemi’s team to scale services up or down quickly, even covering special requests like large events or seasonal needs.
“Because of the breadth and depth of our contractors, we can fulfill special services as needed,” Niemi said.
More Than Cleaning: A Mission of Helping People
What makes Niemi most passionate isn’t the contracts or the square footage cleaned—it’s the stories of the people building a future through Jan-Pro.
“Simply put, we help people,” he said. “We help franchisees grow and develop their business, and we help clients have clean, safe, healthy environments. That’s our purpose.”
For Niemi, that mission aligns closely with Spokane Valley’s identity as a community built on small business. “If Spokane is truly about small businesses, then let’s help small businesses. Let’s help small immigrant businesses,” he said. “We’re helping people together. Our clients join us in that purpose.”
Why It Matters for Local Businesses
Beyond community impact, Jan-Pro Northwest solves a practical problem for employers: maintaining a professional, welcoming environment without pulling staff away from their core work.
“What’s your time worth? What’s a clean, healthy environment worth?” Niemi asked. “What’s the morale on your team worth when they don’t have to take turns scrubbing toilets?”
It’s a question that resonates with many business owners who want to show employees they are valued. Clean spaces aren’t just about appearances—they reflect culture.
Looking Ahead
As Jan-Pro Northwest continues to grow, Niemi remains focused on the simple but powerful mission that drives the company.
“We’re here to help people grow their business, start their business, and fulfill their dream of business ownership,” he said. “That’s what we’re about.”
From the nightly work of cleaning offices to the broader purpose of building small businesses, Jan-Pro Northwest is leaving its mark on the Spokane Valley—one sparkling clean space at a time.
