Country
Chile
Import/Export
Export
Topic
Zero Project 2020/2021
Transfer Model
Social Franchise
Status
Seco Chile is a social enterprise that provides ecological car-washing services to businesses and institutions across Chile. Currently, 55 per cent of its employees are persons with disabilities, and employment is open to anyone physically able to wash a car regardless of age, gender, education level, or type of disability. Further, full training is offered. The average wage is 15 per cent higher than Chile’s minimum wage. From 2017 to 2020, Seco Chile has grown from 95 to over 300 employees.
Solution
Many people with disabilities in Chile are unable to complete secondary education and consequently cannot find employment.
With its franchisees, Seco Chile provides manual car-washing services in the private car parks of businesses, hospitals, universities, etc.
There is no education barrier to working at Seco Chile. Before starting, all employees are trained in the washing process, protocols, and use of materials. There are flexible working conditions depending on the needs of employees. Individual clients must book in advance, so schedules for the day can be planned. The workday is limited to a maximum of six hours. The service is paid for by bank transfer or, in company locations, can be deducted from the client’s pay check. A supervisor oversees each location and is responsible for contact with clients, scheduling, and quality control. Twelve supervisors working for Seco Chile are people with disabilities.
Seco Chile has developed its own cleaning product that is ISO 9001 certified and biodegradable. No water or electrical equipment is needed, just the cleaning product and a cloth.
Seco Chile has developed a social franchise model. A Seco Chile location with a four-person team washing six cars a day has an annual income of appx. €68,000, allowing for a decent profit margin.
Impact
In the last 3 years we have grown in terms of number of customers (from 13 to 45), in number of employees (from 95 to more than 300), and the presence has expanded to almost all major cities in Chile
Needs
We are looking for local entrepreneurs, Disabled People Organisations, and companies that are interested in becoming franchise partners.
We are looking for corporates interested in implementing this car wash service in their parking lots. “
Transfer Model
Seco Chile has developed a social franchise model, providing training and all necessary support to help franchisees develop their inclusive and ecological car wash services,
Franchisees pay a franchising fee to use the branding and approach, commit to Seco Chile’s mission and values, and buy the cleaning product directly from Seco Chile.
