Wash Drones

Success Story

Taking Commercial Cleaning to New Heights

Wash Drones was founded to tackle a major challenge in commercial exterior cleaning: traditional methods like scaffolding and rope access are costly, slow, and put workers at significant risk.

Using precision drone technology, Wash Drones eliminates the need for workers at height, safely and efficiently cleaning high-rise buildings, facades, solar panels, and other hard-to-reach surfaces.

The business focused on proving the technology worked in the field. It started with securing the Liverpool City Council contract, becoming the first company to clean an Australian public building by drone. As the operating model matured, they took on more complex challenges, completing the four-storey Shangri-La Hotel in Cairns in just one week (a job that traditionally took over a month). This success paved the way for high-stakes heritage projects like the Big Merino, demonstrating the tech’s ability to handle serious height and access risks safely.

With a proven operating model and growing demand across commercial sectors, Wash Drones faced a new challenge: how to scale the business without compromising safety standards or service quality.

The Challenge: Scaling a High-Tech, High-Compliance Business

As Wash Drones prepared to expand, they faced several hurdles:

  • Navigating Dual Compliance: The business had to satisfy both the Franchising Code of Conduct and strict aviation regulations set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Few franchises operate in such a tightly regulated environment, and getting it wrong could compromise the entire network.

  • Transferring Technical Expertise: Drone piloting, aviation safety protocols, and commercial cleaning operations all needed to be systematically transferred to franchise partners. The business required a structured training and accreditation framework that maintained rigorous standards while remaining scalable.

  • Building a Franchise Ecosystem: Wash Drones needed more than a franchise agreement. They needed a complete turn-key ecosystem covering hardware, training, accreditation, insurance, marketing, operational support, and ongoing research and development to ensure every franchisee could succeed.

  • Attracting the Right Partners: The ideal franchisee needs an operational background, a safety mindset, and alignment with the vision of transforming how commercial cleaning is done in Australia.

How DC Strategy Supported the Franchise Build

DC Strategy helped Wash Drones navigate franchise law and CASA aviation regulations, drafting compliant agreements and structuring operational frameworks that satisfied both the Franchising Code of Conduct and strict aviation safety requirements.

  • Legal and Compliance Framework: DC Strategy drafted agreements that protected the brand's intellectual property, safety record, and compliance obligations while satisfying both franchise law and aviation regulations under the Franchising Code of Conduct.

  • Franchise Strategy and Structure: DC Strategy structured a franchise model that integrated aviation operations manuals with standard business workflows, ensuring every franchisee could operate at the same high standard while meeting CASA requirements.

  • Franchise Recruitment and Lead Generation: DC Strategy helped define the ideal franchisee profile and launched targeted recruitment campaigns to attract candidates with the right operational experience and safety mindset. This support allowed Wash Drones to stay focused on refining the operating model, qualifying the right franchise partners, and converting interested parties into pioneering franchise operators.

  • Launch and Ongoing Support: From launching at the Sydney Franchising Expo to onboarding the first wave of franchise partners, DC Strategy guided the path so Wash Drones could focus on execution.

You can’t scale alone. Franchising requires the right partners around you, but success still comes down to execution. DC Strategy helped us navigate the path, and Wash Drones did the work to build something sustainable. Choosing the right advisors was a smart decision.

— Matt Riley, Franchise Development Director, Wash Drones

Achievements and Milestones

With a robust franchise system in place, Wash Drones moved quickly from concept to national network:

  • Successful Franchise Launch: The franchise model launched in 2025, immediately attracting interest from operators looking to own a drone cleaning business.

  • First Franchise Agreements Secured: Wash Drones signed its first franchise agreements for key locations across Victoria and New South Wales, marking the foundation of a national footprint.

  • First Wave Onboarding: By January 2026, Wash Drones officially launched its first wave of franchisees in Geelong, Melbourne North, and South West Sydney, expanding the network's footprint and validating the franchise model in the market.

  • Proven Commercial Viability: The franchise network continues to secure projects that prove the technology works faster and costs less than traditional cleaning methods, building confidence for future franchise partners.

What's Next for Wash Drones?

The journey is just beginning. Wash Drones is focused on controlled expansion in 2026:

  • National Growth: Building on the momentum from late 2025, Wash Drones is expanding beyond New South Wales and Victoria while deepening its footprint in those core markets.

  • Disciplined Expansion: The priority remains maintaining service quality, protecting the Wash Drones brand, and ensuring every franchisee meets the rigorous standards the network represents.

  • Future Innovation: With a proven Australian model, Wash Drones is positioned to explore opportunities in international markets where commercial drone services are gaining traction.

  • Uncharted Potential: The technology has applications beyond buildings. Franchisees can explore use cases like cleaning boats in harbours or industrial infrastructure. These are exciting times for early franchisees.

A Vision for Safer Workplaces

Wash Drones is more than a cleaning company. It's a safety innovation that removes workers from height risks while delivering superior results faster and more cost-effectively than traditional methods.

Their success story shows that even highly technical and regulated industries can be successfully franchised when properly structured.

DC Strategy is proud to be part of their journey as they build a national network founded on safety and operational excellence.

Are you ready to own a Wash Drones franchise? Get started today.