Opens in a new tab

FRANCHISE RESALES

Buy a Kitchen Guard Franchise

Kitchen Guard is a B2B commercial services franchise specializing in kitchen exhaust and hood cleaning, filter exchange, light technical repairs, and green steam cleaning for restaurants, hotels, hospitals, stadiums, schools, and other facilities with commercial kitchens. Its core services are mandated under National Fire Protection Association standards (NFPA 96), so demand is compliance-driven rather than discretionary.

Originally founded in San Diego in 2009 as Green Guard Services, the business grew across Southern California before being acquired in 2023 by EverSmith Brands, a commercial services franchisor backed by The Riverside Company, and rebranded as Kitchen Guard. Franchising began in 2024, and the system is now expanding across the United States from its San Diego headquarters.

The model is built around recurring revenue: clients typically sign multi-year service contracts (around 24 months) with cleanings scheduled several times a year. No retail premises are required, as owners run a van-based, route-driven operation serving local commercial accounts, supported by EverSmith’s national accounts program and cross-brand network.

Latest Resales

  • There are currently no Kitchen Guard resales available
Register your interest

Why buy a Kitchen Guard Franchise?

Buying a Kitchen Guard franchise offers entry into an essential, compliance-driven service category where demand is regulated rather than optional. Because commercial kitchens must maintain their exhaust systems to meet fire codes, the work recurs on a predictable schedule, supporting contracted, repeat revenue instead of one-off project sales.

The model carries low fixed overhead: it is van-based with no storefront, and owners scale by adding routes, technicians, and revenue streams such as the filter exchange program and light repairs. As part of EverSmith Brands, franchisees gain access to a roster of national accounts, including multi-location healthcare and restaurant clients, that can support early customer acquisition, plus cross-brand visibility and home-office support. The brand’s track record since 2009 and its work for recognizable venues lend credibility when approaching new commercial clients.

Kitchen Guard Franchise Costs & Information

Based on 2024 data reported in the 2025 FDD

  • Brand Profile

    • Year Founded

      2009

    • Franchising Since

      2023

    • New Startup Cost

      $197,950 – $264,150

    • Avg. Resale Price

      Contact us for details

  • Franchise Fees

    • Initial franchise Fee

      $49,000

      for new territories

    • Transfer Fee

      $15,000

      $5,000 if to existing franchisee; +$2,500 per add'l agreement

    • Royalty Fee

      8–10%

      of Gross Billings or Minimum Royalty Fee

    • Marketing Fee

      2%

      of Gross Billings

  • Unit Performance

    • Total Units *

      6

    • New Units Opened *

      5

    • Units Transferred *

      0

    • Avg. Unit revenue *

      Not Disclosed

    * Based on 2024 data reported in the 2025 FDD

Kitchen Guard – Additional  Information

  1. Training & Support

    Initial training covers 120 hours of classroom and 80 hours of on-the-job instruction, including a 10-day onsite technical program for the owner and staff covering cleaning techniques, equipment, point-of-sale and CRM tools, with onboarding running about 60-90 days. Ongoing support includes a learning management system, a dedicated sales-excellence leader, a field-based franchise business manager for logistics, scheduling and recruitment, FranConnect system support, and preferred-vendor networks. Resale buyers should confirm what transfer training and FranConnect, CRM and POS access carry over to incoming owners and staff.

  2. Ideal Owner

    Kitchen Guard suits B2B-minded operators who are comfortable with relationship selling and managing a field-based service team rather than working hands-on as a technician. The model rewards owners who can build recurring commercial accounts, coordinate scheduling and technician dispatch, and drive contract renewals. Industry experience is not required, since technical training is provided, but a business or multi-unit management background helps; the brand is often run semi-absentee with a manager in place. Process-driven, sales-oriented owners focused on local account growth fit best.

  3. Recognition & Awards

    Having launched franchising in 2024, Kitchen Guard is early in building formal franchise-awards recognition, but its credibility rests on a long operating history and strong commercial relationships. The original San Diego business has operated since 2009, and the brand has served clients including SoFi Stadium, the San Diego Zoo, Holiday Inn, and Johnson Controls. It is profiled in franchise directories including Entrepreneur and Franchise Direct, and is backed by EverSmith Brands. For resale buyers, brand-level recognition should be weighed alongside the specific territory's local reputation, client reviews, and referral strength.

  4. Industry / Market

    Kitchen Guard operates in the US commercial kitchen exhaust cleaning market, a compliance-driven niche tied to the broader foodservice sector. The National Restaurant Association projects US restaurant industry sales of about $1.5 trillion in 2025, with roughly one million foodservice locations nationwide. Every commercial kitchen must have its exhaust system cleaned on a recurring schedule under NFPA 96 fire-safety standards, so demand is regulated and relatively recession-resistant. For resale buyers, this supports stable, repeat revenue, though local demand depends on restaurant density and the maturity of the territory's account base.

Learn more about
how to own a Kitchen Guard franchise resale

Please fill out the form below and a Franchise Flippers expert will be in touch with you shortly.

The Franchise Brand Index

This page is part of Franchise Flippers’ independent franchise Index, designed as an educational resource to help potential buyers explore the franchise resale market and compare brands.

Trademark & Affiliation Disclaimer

This website is an independent, informational resource. All trademarks, logos, and brand names displayed are the property of their respective owners and are used solely for identification and educational purposes. Their use does not imply any affiliation with, endorsement by, or sponsorship from the respective trademark holders.