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FRANCHISE RESALES

Buy a RealClean Aircraft Detailing Franchise

RealClean Aircraft Detailing is a specialist aviation service franchise providing interior and exterior cleaning and detailing for general and commercial aircraft. It serves private owners, corporate flight departments and commercial operators who need their aircraft kept to a high cosmetic standard, covering routine cleaning, full detailing and bright-work polishing.

Founded in 2004 at Aurora Municipal Airport in Illinois, RealClean began franchising as one of the first dedicated aircraft-detailing franchises in the United States. Work is performed on-site at airports and hangars, and the brand’s signature dry-wash method uses an eco-friendly, waterless process that complies with airport environmental rules. The model is territory-based and staffing-led, with owners building a team of trained detailers to service local aviation clients.

The company is led by founder Dustin Zeitler, a commercial pilot and certified aircraft mechanic, alongside co-owner Luke Goucher. Franchise development is run with Franchise FastLane, and franchisees receive proprietary operating and CRM software, a full operations manual and aviation-specific systems built over the brand’s two decades in the field.

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Why buy a RealClean Aircraft Detailing Franchise?

RealClean operates in a niche corner of aviation services with limited direct franchise competition, having been among the first to bring a structured franchise model to aircraft detailing. Its two decades of operating history and recognised eco-friendly dry-wash method give a new owner a defined service offering that an independent start-up would have to build from scratch.

The territory-based, mobile model carries no retail premises, and franchisees benefit from group purchasing through established supplier relationships and from customised operating and CRM software the franchisor estimates can save $60,000-$80,000 a year. Aviation clients such as flight departments and operators often need ongoing, repeat cleaning, supporting relationship-led revenue rather than one-off jobs. To buy a RealClean Aircraft Detailing franchise is to enter a B2B service category tied to private and business aviation activity.

RealClean Aircraft Detailing Franchise Costs & Information

Based on 2024 data reported in the 2025 FDD

  • Brand Profile

    • Year Founded

      2004

    • Franchising Since

      2023

    • New Startup Cost

      $235,641 – $414,419

    • Avg. Resale Price

      Contact us for details

  • Franchise Fees

    • Initial franchise Fee

      $56,500

      for new territories

    • Transfer Fee

      20%

      of Franchise Fee or $10,000, whichever greater; $1,500 to owned entity

    • Royalty Fee

      7.5%

      of Gross Revenue

    • Marketing Fee

      1.5%

      of Gross Sales

  • Unit Performance

    • Total Units *

      1

    • New Units Opened *

      0

    • Units Transferred *

      0

    • Avg. Unit revenue *

      Not Disclosed

    * Based on 2024 data reported in the 2025 FDD

RealClean Aircraft Detailing – Additional  Information

  1. Training & Support

    Incoming franchisees receive 40 hours of in-person, on-the-job training at RealClean's headquarters, plus onsite and in-field instruction from aviation experts. Owners are equipped with a comprehensive operations manual, a Learning Management System portal, hiring best-practice guidance and customised operational and CRM software, and benefit from ongoing operations and marketing support plus supplier discounts negotiated across the network. Buyers of an existing unit should confirm what initial training, software access and supplier terms transfer to incoming ownership.

  2. Ideal Owner

    RealClean suits a hands-on local operator comfortable building B2B relationships with chief pilots, flight departments and aircraft owners. No prior aviation experience is required, as training covers the technical side, but owners should be detail-focused, service-minded and able to recruit, train and manage a team of detailers. The model rewards people who can win and retain repeat client accounts, coordinate scheduling across airports and hangars, and uphold consistent quality on high-value aircraft.

  3. Recognition & Awards

    RealClean has built its reputation over more than 20 years of aircraft care, marking its 20-year milestone in 2024, and positions itself as one of the first dedicated aircraft-detailing franchises in the United States. The brand is a member of the International Franchise Association and works with national franchise developer Franchise FastLane, and it has earned strong client testimonials from corporate flight departments. For resale buyers, brand-level recognition should be weighed alongside the specific territory's reputation, client reviews and referral relationships with local operators and FBOs.

  4. Industry / Market

    Demand sits within US general aviation, which spans more than 200,000 registered aircraft. Owners spend heavily to protect asset value, with professional cleaning budgets for a midsize jet running around $20,000 a year, and general aviation activity is projected to grow at roughly a 5% compound annual rate through 2030. Detailing demand is recurring rather than seasonal, as aircraft need ongoing care regardless of economic cycle. For resale buyers, local demand depends on the number of based aircraft and active operators within the territory.

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