ServiceMaster Ltd has acquired the Rosemary Bookkeeping franchise business, for an undisclosed fee, as it looks to grow its operation across the UK.

The Leicester-based business, ServiceMaster, is one of the UK’s largest and longest-established multi-brand franchisors, having launched in the UK in 1959 which now offers five franchise brands.

Rosemary Bookkeeping, which was founded in 2009, provides a practical, friendly approach to bookkeeping for micro, small and medium-sized companies and has close working relationships with accountancy firms. The business currently has 15 franchise outlets across the UK and ServiceMaster has big plans to expand on this figure.

Alan Lewin, managing director of ServiceMaster said: “We are delighted to be able to announce the acquisition of Rosemary Bookkeeping.  The investment makes good business sense to us as an organisation as it tucks neatly into our structure as a multi-brand franchisor and also serves to complement and broaden the business to business range of services offered by the already established ServiceMaster portfolio of franchise brands here in the UK.

“Existing Rosemary Bookkeeping franchisees will benefit from access to the skills and resources provided by the ServiceMaster Franchise Services Group. As one of the UK’s leading and longest-established franchisors, we are able to provide additional help in marketing, sales and other operational areas of franchise development and management to help existing Rosemary Bookkeeping Franchise Partners realise the significant growth potential of their franchise. We will also be actively recruiting new investors into the Rosemary Bookkeeping network as we start to drive and market the opportunity under the ServiceMaster Franchise Services Group banner.”

Lisa Curteis QFP, founding director of Rosemary Bookkeeping added: “Launching Rosemary Bookkeeping fulfilled a personal ambition to share my business know-how with others and I’m proud that we’ve been able to take the business this far and I’m excited for the future of our Franchise Partners and our brand with ServiceMaster.”

Joanna Dennis FCCA, director of Rosemary Bookkeeping said: “My greatest pleasure has come from supporting and witnessing our Franchise Partners to create, develop and grow their businesses and with the acquisition by ServiceMaster, I’m confident that they will go on to greater things.”

ServiceMaster has over 300 franchisees operating in close to 700 licensed areas under its brands, including Merry Maids, ServiceMaster Clean, Furniture Medic, TruGreen Professional LawnCare and now Rosemary Bookkeeping.