Buy a Franchise
Franchise Opportunity Deep Dive: With more than 365 locations, The Maids is leading the way in the booming home cleaning industry with a proven model backed by innovation and health-first services.
The Maids is a proven leader in the residential cleaning industry, offering a unique health-focused service model and a proprietary cleaning system. With more than 365 locations in the U.S. and Canada, The Maids franchise provides a recurring revenue business in a high-demand sector. Franchisees benefit from exclusive territories, strong brand recognition (backed by a partnership with Mr. Clean) and a scalable business opportunity focused on customer satisfaction and team efficiency.
The Maids was founded in 1979 by Daniel J. Bishop in Omaha, Nebraska. After success with a janitorial business, Bishop launched The Maids to focus exclusively on residential deep cleaning. The brand quickly expanded through franchising and became a pioneer in cleaning for health, introducing a unique 22-step process and proprietary equipment.
Mission: To impact lives one clean at a time by creating healthier homes and enabling greater freedom for clients and franchisees.
Vision: To be the most trusted name in residential cleaning by continuously evolving to meet the needs of health-conscious consumers.
Available markets throughout the U.S. and Canada. Use the map on The Maids franchise website to check availability in your area.
Initial Costs: The estimated initial investment required to begin operation of a franchise with a single territory ranges from $117,720 to $141,200. The 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) breaks these costs down as follows:
| Type of Expenditure | Min | Max |
| Initial Territory Fee | $60,000 | $60,000 |
| SMART Start Package | $19,900 | $19,900 |
| Grand Opening Advertising | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| Office Security Deposit | $0 | $2,150 |
| Office Fixtures, Decorating & Furniture | $500 | $2,000 |
| Auto Down Payments/Lease Payments & Paint or Wrap Installation | $1,800 | $4,500 |
| Telephone & Internet | $900 | $1,800 |
| Insurance Deposit | $2,200 | $3,200 |
| Washer & Dryer | $1,000 | $2,000 |
| Startup Professional Services | $500 | $1,500 |
| Training Expenses | $1,040 | $4,650 |
| Additional Funds (3 Months) | $24,880 | $34,500 |
Initial Franchise Fee: The initial franchise fee depends on the number of territories purchased:
Number of Territories | Initial Franchise Fee |
1 | $60,000 |
2 | $110,000 |
3 | $145,000 |
4 | $170,000 |
5 | $190,000 |
Each Additional Territory | $20,000 for each additional contiguous territory |
This fee is payable upon signing the franchise agreement.
The brand offers a discount of $1,000 on the initial franchise fee for qualifying veterans of the U.S. military through the VetFran program.
Ongoing Fees: According to the 2026 FDD, The Maids franchisees are responsible for the following ongoing payments and fees:
| Type of Fee | Amount |
| Continuing License Fees | 3.9% - 6.9% of gross revenue/week |
| Technology Innovation Fund Fee | 0.25% of gross revenue/week |
| Marketing Fund Fee | 2% of gross sales/week |
| Software & Support Fee | $140/month |
ROI Potential: According to the 2026 FDD, the 106 franchised outlets operating for the entirety of FY 2025 reported the following revenue:
Average | Median | High | Low | Number & Percentage of Reporting Franchised Outlets That Met or Exceeded Average | |
| 106 Franchisees (338 Territories) | $1,184,666 | $764,050 | $7,223,182 | $52,996 | 31 (32%) |
Before opening, The Maids walks new franchisees through the investment and financing process, helping them understand costs, cash flow and expectations up front. New owners also receive guidance on business planning and launch logistics so they can hit the ground running in their local markets.
New owners and their teams go through hands-on training that covers marketing, hiring, operations, scheduling and The Maids’ signature team cleaning process. This includes an intensive, multi-day program before opening so franchisees understand the model, service standards and how to deliver a consistent customer experience from day one.
Once the business is open, franchisees receive ongoing coaching and operational support from The Maids’ corporate team. Field support, structured systems and regular check-ins help owners manage their teams, maintain quality and navigate the challenges that come with growth.
The Maids equips franchisees with business management software that supports scheduling and dispatch, customer account management, payments and performance tracking. Integrated marketing and technology tools help owners attract customers online, track results and manage daily operations more efficiently.
The Maids does not require previous experience in the cleaning industry. Instead, the brand looks for franchisees with strong motivation, leadership and operational skills and a track record of working well with teams and customers.
From a time and resource standpoint, The Maids expects new franchisees to start as hands-on owner-operators who are actively involved in staffing, scheduling and daily operations. While successful owners can eventually hire a manager and move into a more strategic role, the system is built around active ownership rather than a true semi-absentee or passive model.
The Maids helps franchisees navigate funding by offering guidance on financing options and connecting qualified candidates with preferred lenders. The brand is an SBA-approved franchise and actively partners with lenders who specialize in SBA loans and understand its model, which makes it easier for prospective owners to secure competitive, long-term financing. The franchise development team supports candidates through the application process, helping them structure a plan that fits their needs and increases their chances of approval.
“After being in the business for 18 years, we have decided to pass the business along to the second generation — our daughters.”
- Wes Dunn, Franchisee — Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, North Carolina
“There are all kinds of performance group support, like having monthly or quarterly calls with your peers. There is also the marketing team to help us with any local initiatives we have on our plate.”
- Lynn Mulroy, Franchisee — Ajax-Pickering-Whitby, Ontario
“Of course there are things that still need to be done. I can just do it from the beach at 2 a.m. in Hawaii if I want.”
- Mark Gilbert, Franchisee — Sterling, Virginia
Visit the franchise website for more testimonials and success stories.
The U.S. residential and commercial cleaning services market is projected to grow by $37.8 billion from 2025 to 2029, with a CAGR of 5.9%. As AI transforms how services are delivered — from scheduling to customer care — brands like The Maids are well-positioned to lead with health-focused, tech-enabled operations in a fast-growing industry.
The Maids competes with brands like Molly Maid, Merry Maids, ecomaids and Home Clean Heroes*. Its partnership with Mr. Clean and proprietary cleaning process, as well as its consistent rankings on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 list, set it apart.
Want to learn more about franchise opportunities on 1851 Franchise? Be sure to visit our Power Rankings to read more on brands making moves.
Check out these three 1851 brands:
Every great franchisee had help buying a franchise. Want to learn more about how 1851 helps franchisees find the right franchise opportunity? Visit www.1851growthclub.com and start your journey.
Disclaimer: This content is for information only. You should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice. Nothing contained on this site constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, endorsement, or offer to buy or sell any franchises, securities, or other financial instruments in this or in any other jurisdiction in which such solicitation or offer would be unlawful under the franchise and/or securities laws of such jurisdiction.
All content in this article is information of a general nature and does not address the detailed circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Nothing in the article constitutes professional and/or financial advice, nor does any information in the email constitute a comprehensive or complete statement of the matters discussed or the law relating thereto. You alone assume the sole responsibility of evaluating the merits and risks associated with the use of any information or other content in this article before making any decisions based on such information or other content.
Sign up for the 1851 Franchise newsletter to get our biggest stories before everyone else
By signing up, you agree to our user agreement (including class action waiver and arbitration provisions), and acknowledge our privacy policy.
