The Maids is a residential cleaning franchise with 1,600+ units using a proprietary 22-Step Cleaning Process and four-person team model focused on health-conscious cleaning.
At a Glance
- Liquid Capital Required: $50,000 (Liquid Capital refers to readily available cash or cash-equivalent assets that can be accessed without borrowing, selling a primary residence, or relying on future income.)
- Net Worth Required: Contact franchisor
- Ownership Model: Owner-operator
- Location Type: Office/warehouse (teams deployed to homes)
- Time Commitment: Full-time
- Experience Required: None — business and leadership background helpful
Top 5 Reasons to Invest
- $1M+ average revenue — reported in Item 19 financial disclosure
- Descending royalty — starts at 6.9%, drops to 3.9% as you grow
- 45 years franchising — operating since 1979, franchising since 1980
- Recurring revenue model — weekly, bi-weekly, monthly cleaning contracts
- Mr. Clean partnership — exclusive brand approval adds consumer trust
About The Maids Franchise
The Maids was founded in 1979 and began franchising in 1980, making it one of the longest-running residential cleaning franchises in North America. The company operates 1,600+ units across 45+ states and Canadian provinces, serving 3,600+ communities.
The business model centers on a proprietary 22-Step Cleaning Process delivered by four-person teams — a structure developed through time and motion studies to maximize efficiency and quality. The brand positions itself as the only residential cleaning company focused on “cleaning for health,” using HEPA filtration vacuums and environmentally preferable products.
Why Franchise With The Maids?
- Proven revenue economics — Item 19 reports average franchisee revenue exceeding $1 million, with top 25% averaging $2.7 million.
- Descending royalty structure — Starts at 6.9% and can drop to 3.9% as revenue grows, improving margins at scale.
- Team-based cleaning model — Four-person teams increase efficiency and reduce dependence on any single employee.
- Mr. Clean Approved partnership — Exclusive brand relationship adds instant consumer credibility and trust.
- SBA lending relationships — Established track record helps franchisees secure competitive financing.
ABF Exclusive Insights
Market Analysis: The U.S. cleaning industry exceeds $20 billion annually and grows at 6.6% per year. The Department of Commerce projects 80% of two-income households will use outside cleaning services. Demand continues rising as homes get larger and schedules get busier.
Competitive Advantage: Most residential cleaning companies compete on price. The Maids competes on health — HEPA filtration, eco-friendly products, and a systematic 22-Step process that removes 99% of dust, allergens, and bacteria. The Mr. Clean partnership reinforces this positioning with a nationally recognized trust signal.
ABF Timing Insight: With 45 years of franchising history, Item 19 financial data available, and a descending royalty that rewards growth, The Maids offers a mature, validated model. For investors with $50,000 liquid capital seeking recurring residential revenue with strong brand recognition, this is one of the most established options in the category.
Training & Support
- SMART Start Program — Up to seven weeks of foundation training covering business operations, sales, marketing, and technology.
- Headquarters training — Six to eight days of administrative and technical cleaning system training at corporate offices.
- Power Training — Four days of on-site training at your location to prepare your first team for service delivery.
- Executive coaching — Certified business coaches provide daily support and motivation from launch through growth phases.
- Marketing support — National brand campaigns plus local marketing strategies, lead generation, and customer retention systems.
Franchise Owners That Thrive
- Business leaders — corporate executives, managers, and entrepreneurs with people and operations skills
- Relationship builders — comfortable earning trust in local communities
- Team managers — able to recruit, train, and retain cleaning staff
- Growth-oriented — motivated to scale beyond a single territory
- Values-aligned — committed to health-focused service and customer satisfaction
Franchise Fit & Capital Readiness
Who Is NOT A Good Fit for This Franchise
- Seeking passive or absentee ownership — this requires hands-on leadership of staff and operations
- Uncomfortable managing hourly employees and team logistics
- Expecting immediate profitability without building a customer base
- Less than $50,000 in liquid capital available
Candidates who do not meet the financial criteria below are typically not approved by the franchisor.
Investment Readiness Check
- Ownership timeline: Approximately 7-10 weeks from signing to launch
- Total investment: ~$150,000 average (includes SMART Start package, territory fee, and operating capital)
- Franchise Fee: ~$65,000 (based on territory size at $0.50 per household)
- Minimum Liquid Capital: $50,000 — required for consideration
- SBA financing relationships available; veteran and minority entrepreneur support
All financial thresholds are set by the franchisor and are non-negotiable during approval.
Franchisor Authority Disclosure
America’s Best Franchises provides guidance and introductions. Final approval criteria, financial thresholds, and territory decisions are determined exclusively by the franchisor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Do I need cleaning industry experience to own The Maids franchise?
A. No. Most franchisees have no residential cleaning background. The Maids provides comprehensive training on the 22-Step Cleaning Process, team management, sales, and operations. Business acumen and leadership skills matter more than industry experience.
Q. How does the team-based cleaning model work?
A. The Maids uses four-person teams to clean homes. This approach — developed through time and motion studies — increases efficiency, ensures consistent quality, and reduces dependence on any single employee.
Q. What is the Mr. Clean partnership?
A. The Maids is the only residential cleaning franchise approved as “Mr. Clean Approved,” a partnership that adds nationally recognized consumer trust and differentiates the brand from competitors.
Next Steps
By submitting this form, you confirm that you meet the liquid capital requirement of $50,000 established by the franchisor.
Complete the form below to request a qualification review and discuss territory availability for The Maids.
This profile represents general franchise information. Individual results may vary. Refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document for complete details.
“The amazing aspect is that we have no trouble finding customers. Home services are in such demand. The Maids provides the absolute highest quality service. Customers just love it.”
“We flew to Omaha, Nebraska, to meet with ‘The Maids’ and tour the home office. I was very impressed with the staff there, the way things were set up there, and the way things were handled with me being a prospective buyer coming in. It affirmed my decision that that’s the one we needed to choose.”