The Cleaning Authority

Cleaning Authority Franchise: Katie Dills on Hiring, Validation

1851 Franchise

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From franchisee to Brand President, Dills emphasizes hiring and retention, validation, and “Meet Your Team Day” to vet fit and prepare owners for the realities of the business.

“People First” and a Playbook: The Cleaning Authority’s Katie Dills on What Actually Helps Franchisees Win

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COLUMBIA, Md.&nbsp;—&nbsp;<a href="https://cleaningauthorityfranchise.com/">The Cleaning Authority</a> closed out 2025 with steady franchise development and is entering 2026 focused on growth and long-term franchisee support.The brand signed 17 franchisee agreements in 2025, awarding 17 territories across a mix of new market entry and additional development in existing regions.New and expanded territories during the year included Melbourne, North Jacksonville, and Pensacola, Florida; Long Beach, California; Middlesex County, Massachusetts; Middletown, New York; Lawrenceville and Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey; and Central Texas, Rockwall, and the San Antonio Missions, Texas.“Our focus in 2025 was being intentional about where and how we grow,” said Jordan Wilson, chief development officer at Authority Brands. “We’re looking for franchise owners who understand the business and want to build strong operations in their local markets.”Looking ahead to 2026, The Cleaning Authority plans to continue adding territories in markets where demand for residential cleaning has remained strong. These include parts of Florida and California, as well as areas across the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, and South.“Growth for us isn’t about speed,” Wilson said. “It’s about expanding responsibly while setting franchisees up to perform.”In Q1 2026,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/the-cleaning-authority/info">The Cleaning Authority</a> ranked No. 173 on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.entrepreneur.com/franchise500">Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500</a>, up from No. 226 in 2025. Last year, the brand placed No. 16 on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.franchisedirect.com/top100globalfranchises/rankings">Franchise Direct’s Top 100</a>. The franchise was also included in&nbsp;<a href="https://franserve.com/fran-tastic-brands/">FranServe’s 2025 FRAN-TASTIC Brands</a> and ranked No. 191 on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.franchisetimes.com/top-400-2025/">Franchise Times Top 400</a>.&nbsp;With more than 45 years in business and over 225 locations in North America, The Cleaning Authority enters th eyear focused on supporting existing owners while expanding in markets where the model continues to perform.“Residential cleaning is a year-round need,”&nbsp;Wilson&nbsp;said. “That consistency continues to make this a solid business for our franchise owners.”About The Cleaning AuthorityFounded in 1977, The Cleaning Authority franchise specializes in residential house cleaning services across the United States and Canada, with over 250 franchise locations. Committed to delivering exceptional quality and customer service, The Cleaning Authority follows a structured approach using the Detail-Clean Rotation System in conjunction with a Professional House Cleaning Checklist. This method divides the home into zones, ensuring a rotating deep-cleaning schedule so that every area receives thorough attention at the right frequency. All cleaning crews undergo professional training, and customer satisfaction is a top priority. To learn more about this franchise and becoming a franchise owner, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://thecleaningauthority.com">thecleaningauthority.com</a>.&nbsp;

The Cleaning Authority Signs 17 Franchise Deals in 2025 and Sets Its Focus for 2026

After adding 17 territories last year, The Cleaning Authority plans to continue growing at a measured pace in select markets. 

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After years spent raising her children and building a corporate career,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-oakley-archer-2a15635?trk=public_post_feed-actor-name">Shannon Oakley</a> didn’t initially set out to become a franchise owner. But today, as the owner of&nbsp;<a href="https://cleaningauthorityfranchise.com/">The Cleaning Authority</a> locations in Spokane and Bellevue, Washington, she’s proof that thoughtful preparation, strong relationships and an established system can pave the way to sustainable entrepreneurship.Oakley’s journey began in a very different chapter of life.“I was a stay-at-home mom for a long time while my husband worked,” she said. “When my kids were school-age, I chose to start working as a barista at Starbucks.”What began as a part-time role quickly turned into a corporate career. Oakley moved up through the ranks, working across multiple stores and gaining experience in financial management. “It was a great company to work for,” she said. “I worked across different stores, financial management — it gave me great exposure.”That operational foundation would prove invaluable when she transitioned into a management role at&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/the-cleaning-authority/info">The Cleaning Authority</a> in Spokane in 2016.&nbsp;“I transitioned into a job at The Cleaning Authority, managing the location first with the intention to purchase,” she said. “But I wanted to make sure it was a place I wanted to be long term. That was a great opportunity.”<h2>Understanding the Business Beyond the Surface</h2>From the outside, residential cleaning may appear straightforward. Oakley quickly learned otherwise. “I really tried to understand the industry because it is actually a lot more complex than people realize,” she said. “House cleaning can’t be automated. It is a human workforce, and with that comes a lot of aspects.”For Oakley, that wasn’t intimidating; it was motivating.“We are a people company, and that is really what drew me in,” she said. “In our office, we have a wonderful opportunity of working with local employees and supporting them while we continue to support customers through cleaning. The relationships I was able to build were the driving force.”<h2>Taking the Leap Into Ownership</h2>In 2020, that opportunity for ownership came sooner than expected. “The owner at the time approached me and asked if I wanted to purchase the business,” Oakley said. “Entrepreneurship was definitely something that I knew I would get into eventually.”While ownership can often feel isolating, Oakley says&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/the-cleaning-authority/cleaning-authority-franchise-opportunity-2730072">The Cleaning Authority’s established franchise system made the decision easier</a>.“With The Cleaning Authority, the support system they offer is really different than any other franchise,” she said. “They not only offer the playbook, but also the support along with it from people who have done the work and found success. You have other owners who have come before you, who have already been in your shoes and can walk alongside you.”For Oakley, that community element was critical. “It doesn’t have to be lonely at the top, if you create relationships with other owners,” she said.<h2>Stability in an Essential Industry</h2>Oakley stepped into ownership during one of the most challenging periods for small businesses: the COVID-19 pandemic. But she says&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/the-cleaning-authority/cleaning-authority-franchise-journal-feature-2730681#featured">the resilience of the residential cleaning industry</a> quickly became clear.“Coming back from COVID was not easy, but it happened because our industry is always needed,” she said. “It’s not going away. People are always going to live in houses, and they will always need help keeping them clean.”Oakley’s success in Spokane opened the door to further growth. In 2023, she expanded her footprint. “I had the opportunity to purchase an additional location of The Cleaning Authority over in Bellevue,” she said. “Now we are looking at what the future looks like over there.”That move into multi-unit ownership reflects her confidence in the brand. “The system that we have in place works — it’s just a matter of how closely you are dedicated to aligning with it,” Oakley said. “If you want to reinvent the wheel, this brand is not for you.”From stay-at-home mom to corporate leader, from manager to multi-unit franchisee, Oakley’s path shows how franchise ownership can offer both stability and long-term opportunity.To learn more about The Cleaning Authority franchise opportunity, visit<a href="https://cleaningauthorityfranchise.com/">&nbsp;https://cleaningauthorityfranchise.com/</a>.

Leveraging her corporate experience, Shannon Oakley successfully transitioned from managing a single The Cleaning Authority location to becoming a multi-unit franchisee.

From Manager to Multi-Unit Owner: How This Franchisee Built Stability and Success With The Cleaning Authority in Spokane, Washington

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“People First” and a Playbook: The Cleaning Authority’s Katie Dills on What Actually Helps Franchisees Win

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