Daoust

What Daoust does

Daoust (Groupe Daoust / Forget Inc.) is a Quebec-based, privately-held eco-friendly cleaning franchise network founded in 1980. Operating under the Daoust Forget (traditional dry cleaning) and Daoust Valet (modern door-to-door cleaning and laundry) brands, the company serves individual consumers, businesses, and specialty textile customers across Quebec through 120+ franchise locations and a mobile-app-enabled pickup/delivery service handling approximately 800,000 clients per year.

At the core of the offering is the proprietary Aquaperformance water-based cleaning technology, launched in 2015 after five years of research. The system coats fabric fibers with an eco-friendly protective layer before water immersion, enabling the removal of organic and animal-based stains that traditional solvent dry cleaning cannot address while consuming 10x less electricity and 4x less water per cycle. The platform runs on Miele high-performance machines configured with 100+ specialized programs, integrated water metering, and add-on services including ozone disinfection (99.99% bacteria/virus elimination), waterproofing, anti-stain, ultrasonic delicate-fabric treatment, and Super Blanc oxygen bleaching. An R&D micro-particle counter extends the eco-positioning into environmental data capture.

The business operates three revenue streams: transaction-based individual garment cleaning (unit-priced $3.29–$79.99 with free pickup/delivery over $30), franchise/license fees ($50,000 initial, $180K–$450K total investment), and recurring commercial/B2B accounts (uniforms, linens, tablecloths, rugs) with scheduled 72-hour pickup-and-delivery. Customers access services through 90+ physical storefronts, the Daoust Valet door-to-door channel, or via iOS/Android apps and the website. Daoust is led by CEO Hugo Cerqueira, with founder/owner Lionel Frerot, and received a $2M growth-capital investment from Fondaction in 2017.

Name

Daoust

Legal name

Groupe Daoust / Forget Inc.

Website

https://daousteco.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Daoust is a Quebec-based eco-friendly cleaning franchise network operating 120+ locations under the Daoust Forget and Daoust Valet brands, serving approximately 800,000 individual and business clients per year through proprietary Aquaperformance water-based cleaning technology.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Dry Cleaning & Laundry Services

NAICS

Drycleaning and Laundry Services (except Coin-Operated) (812320), Janitorial Services (561720), Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Services (56174)

SIC

Soap, Detergents, Cleang Preparations, Perfumes, Cosmetics (2840)

akta.pro primary industry

Suede Cleaning & Care (HSAJAHAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Bathroom Deep Cleaning (Tile/Grout, Descaling, Mold/Mildew) (HSAEABAB)

Keywords

• Eco-friendly dry cleaning
• Wet cleaning services
• Franchise cleaning network
• Garment care services
• Commercial laundry services

Headquarters

HQ city

Laval

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Cleaning & Laundry Services: Transaction-based cleaning services for individual garments, laundry, and specialized treatments. Unit pricing model with items like shirts ($6.99-$14.49), coats ($22.99-$79.99), and laundry bags. Expert treatments include disinfection from $11.99, Super White from $3.29, waterproofing, and ozone treatment. Free pickup and delivery for orders over $30.
2. Franchise Fees: Initial franchise fee of $50,000 with total investment ranging from $180,000 to $450,000 depending on store size and location. Franchisees receive equipment, training, marketing support, and ongoing operational assistance.
3. Commercial/Business Accounts: B2B services for professionals including uniform cleaning, bedding, tablecloths, and upholstery with scheduled pickup and 72-hour delivery. Custom pricing through business accounts.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Daoust is an eco-friendly cleaning company that operates the largest water-based cleaning franchise network in North America, with 120+ branches across Quebec. It provides residential dry cleaning, laundry, housekeeping, and specialized textile care (delicate fabrics, wedding dresses, leather, suede) under the Daoust Valet and Daoust Forget brands, plus commercial laundry and uniform cleaning for businesses. Its core differentiator is the proprietary Aquaperformance water-based cleaning technology that replaces toxic dry cleaning solvents with an eco-friendly process using biodegradable, phosphate-free soaps.

Product overview

Daoust is a Quebec-based eco-friendly cleaning franchise network operating under multiple brands. The company offers two main service lines: Daoust Forget (traditional dry cleaning with 45+ years of history) and Daoust Valet (modern door-to-door cleaning and laundry services). At the core of the offering is the proprietary Aquaperformance technology - a 100% ecological water-based cleaning system that eliminates toxic dry cleaning solvents. Additional services include expert treatments (disinfection using ozone, waterproofing, anti-stain, sizing/finishing, Super Blanc), ultrasonic stain removal for delicate fabrics, repair/sewing, and specialized cleaning for rugs, carpets, ventilation ducts, and mattresses. The Daoust Valet sub-brand provides residential housekeeping and commercial laundry services for businesses, all with pickup and delivery. The company operates over 120 franchises across Quebec serving 800,000 clients annually.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Daoust Valet (Door-to-Door Pickup & Delivery Service) Door-to-door residential and commercial cleaning service with pickup and delivery, offering garment cleaning, laundry, and housekeeping services for individual and business customers. Free pickup/delivery for orders over $30.
• Daoust Forget (In-Store Dry Cleaning) Traditional dry cleaning service with 45+ years of history in Quebec, now integrating the eco-friendly Aquaperformance water-based technology. Available at 90+ branch locations throughout Quebec.
• Daoust Valet Business Services (B2B Commercial Laundry) Commercial laundry and cleaning service for businesses including uniforms, lab coats, bedding, towels, tablecloths, carpets, and rugs with scheduled pickup and 72-hour delivery turnaround and customized invoicing. Uses the exclusive Aquacare eco-friendly cleaning process.
• Daoust Valet Housekeeping (Residential Cleaning)

Quantifiable outcome

• 10x less electricity and 4x less water consumption than conventional dry cleaners
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• MielecoreTechnology or IntegrationMiele is the supplier of high-performance cleaning machines used in Daoust's Aquaperformance technology. The partnership enables Daoust's water-efficient machines that use half as much water as standard domestic washing machines and three times less electricity. This equipment forms the foundation of Daoust's eco-friendly cleaning operations.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Tide Cleaners: P&G-owned pickup-and-delivery dry cleaning and laundry service operating across the US with a strong digital app experience. Direct comparison to Daoust Valet's door-to-door model and consumer brand positioning.
• Rinse: US-based on-demand garment care and dry cleaning service with scheduled pickup/delivery via app. Comparable to Daoust Valet on the digital-first, B2C garment care side.
• CD One Price Cleaners: US dry cleaning franchise with single-price-per-garment model. Closest franchise-based peer to Daoust's 120+ unit Quebec network.
• 5àsec: Leading European dry cleaning franchise network with hundreds of locations across France, Spain, and beyond. Comparable to Daoust in franchise-driven geographic expansion of professional garment care.
• ZIPS Dry Cleaners: US dry cleaning franchise chain offering same-day service at a flat per-garment price. Similar franchise model and price-point positioning to Daoust's unit-based pricing.

Regional players

• Oxxo Care Cleaners: Mexican-origin dry cleaning franchise with US locations. Comparable franchise model serving a different North American geography from Daoust's Quebec base.
• Jeeves London: UK-based dry cleaning and laundry service offering pickup/delivery in London. Comparable in service model (pickup/delivery + digital) but operates in a different geography.

Others

• Miele Professional: Supplier of the high-performance commercial laundry machines that power Daoust's Aquaperformance technology. A critical enabling partner and ecosystem comparable rather than direct competitor.

Broad incumbents

• Ecolab: Global leader in cleaning and sanitization solutions for commercial and industrial customers. A broad incumbent whose institutional cleaning chemicals and services compete tangentially with Daoust's commercial/B2B offering.
• CWS Cleanrooms / CWS Workwear: European provider of workwear rental, cleaning, and hygiene services for businesses. Comparable to Daoust Valet's B2B uniform, linen, and workwear cleaning subscription service.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/DaoustNettoyeursEco
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/daoustnettoyeursecoperformants
• Instagraminstagram.com/daoustnettoyeurseco

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Daoust