The Maids Franchise Cost, Profit and Fees Breakdown for 2026

Franchise overview

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.

• Partnership with Mr. Clean, the only franchise in the category to do so.

• Proprietary 22-step cleaning process.

• Team-based, time-efficient cleaning methods.

• Over 40 years of brand legacy and trust.

• Proven business model with strong unit economics.

• Extensive training and start-up guidance.

• Exclusive protected territories (over 1,400 defined).

• Ongoing operational and marketing support.

• Tools for lead generation, employee retention and customer care.

• Backed by a brand that averages $1 million or more in annual franchisee revenue.

Available markets throughout the U.S. and Canada. Use the map on The Maids franchise website to check availability in your area.

Initial costs and fees

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:

Initial Franchise Fee: The initial franchise fee depends on the number of territories purchased:

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:

ROI Potential: According to the 2026 FDD, the 106 franchised outlets operating for the entirety of FY 2025 reported the following revenue:

Training and support

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.

• Liquid Capital: $70,000

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.

Market and competition

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.

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