Chem-Dry
| Company type | Franchise |
|---|---|
| Industry | Carpet and upholstery cleaning |
| Founded | 1977 in California, United States |
| Founder | Robert Harris |
| Headquarters | Logan, Utah and Nashville, Tennessee , United States |
Area served | Global |
| Products | Carpet and upholstery cleaning services, property restoration |
| Owner | BELFOR Franchise Group |
| Parent | Harris Research Inc. (HRI) |
| Website | www |
Chem-Dry (an abbreviation of CHEMISTRY-DRY) is a U.S.-based franchise specializing in carpet and upholstery cleaning, with corporate offices located in Logan, Utah, and Nashville, Tennessee.
History
Established in California in 1977, Chem-Dry began offering franchises the following year, and as of 2024, it boasts over 1,683 locations globally.
The company’s founder, Robert Harris, created the proprietary cleaning solution after encountering challenges with conventional steam cleaning techniques. His inspiration came from observing a flight attendant use club soda to remove a stain from a silk tie, prompting him to adapt this carbonated liquid for carpet cleaning purposes.
In 2006, The Home Depot acquired Chem-Dry. Subsequently, in 2011, The Home Depot divested Harris Research Inc. (HRI)—the parent company of Chem-Dry—to Baird Capital Partners. This transaction also included N-Hance, a franchise specializing in cabinet and floor refinishing with more than 200 outlets. HRI further broadened its service offerings in 2018 by purchasing Delta Restoration Services, thereby adding property restoration to its portfolio.
In 2019, BELFOR Franchise Group took ownership of HRI, integrating Chem-Dry and N-Hance into its collection of 14 service-oriented brands.
Entrepreneur magazine placed Chem-Dry at number 188 on its Franchise 500 list for 2025.