Cleaning franchises are the most accessible entry point in franchising — you can start for under $5,000. But the gap between the cheapest units and the best-earning operations is enormous. Jan-Pro unit franchisees average $36,000–$52,000 in annual billing. SERVPRO restoration franchisees average over $700,000.
This guide ranks 12 commercial cleaning, residential cleaning, and restoration franchises by real investment, revenue, and owner earnings — using data from their actual Franchise Disclosure Documents, not marketing materials.
Quick Comparison: 12 Cleaning Franchises (2026 FDD Data)
| Franchise |
Type |
Min. Investment |
Royalty |
Avg. Revenue |
Units (US) |
| SERVPRO | Restoration | $232,975 | 10% | $730,000+ | 2,200 |
| ServiceMaster Restore | Restoration | $285,000 | 10% | $650,000 | 900 |
| Paul Davis Restoration | Restoration | $241,000 | 6% | $580,000 | 350 |
| Molly Maid | Residential | $120,000 | 6.5% | $318,000 | 480 |
| The Maids | Residential | $133,000 | 3.5–6.9% | $280,000 | 1,150 |
| Merry Maids | Residential | $106,000 | 7% | $240,000 | 900 |
| Two Maids | Residential | $68,000 | 6% | $210,000 | 120 |
| Jani-King | Commercial | $11,500 | 10% | $72,000 | 8,000 |
| Jan-Pro | Commercial | $4,830 | N/A (mgmt fee) | $52,000 | 9,000 |
| Coverall | Commercial | $15,450 | 5% | $61,000 | 8,500 |
| Stratus Building Solutions | Commercial | $3,800 | 5% | $44,000 | 2,100 |
| Anago Cleaning Systems | Commercial | $11,560 | 10% | $48,000 | 1,600 |
Tier 1: Restoration Franchises (Highest Revenue)
Restoration franchises handle water damage, fire damage, mold remediation, and biohazard cleanup. They have the highest average revenue in the cleaning category — jobs average $3,000 to $30,000+ — but also require more capital, equipment, and training.
Restoration · #1 Revenue
SERVPRO
SERVPRO is the market leader in disaster restoration with the largest US footprint (2,200 units) and a nationally recognized brand that drives significant insurance-referral business. The average franchise generates over $730,000 in annual revenue — some established units exceed $2M. Owner earnings for active operators typically run $80,000–$150,000 annually.
✅ Best for: Operators who want the largest brand and insurance network. SERVPRO's relationships with national insurance adjusters drive consistent commercial referrals that smaller restoration brands can't match.
⚠️ Watch for: 10% royalty + 3% advertising fund = 13% total fee burden on all revenue. At $730K revenue that's $94,900/year in fees. High-performing markets can absorb this; underperforming markets cannot.
Restoration
ServiceMaster Restore
ServiceMaster Restore is a smaller but established restoration brand with an 80-year track record. Average unit revenue of $650K is slightly below SERVPRO but some franchise owners operate both ServiceMaster Restore and ServiceMaster Clean under the same umbrella, capturing both residential and commercial segments.
✅ Best for: Operators seeking an established restoration brand with lower competition (900 units vs. SERVPRO's 2,200) and potential to layer on ServiceMaster Clean commercial accounts.
Tier 2: Residential Cleaning Franchises
Residential cleaning franchises (home cleaning services) operate during daytime hours, manage teams of cleaners, and build recurring customer relationships. Revenue is lower than restoration but startup costs are also lower.
Residential · Established Brand
Molly Maid
Molly Maid (owned by ServiceMaster) is the most recognized residential cleaning brand in the US. The 480-unit system generates $318,000 average revenue per franchise — meaningfully above Merry Maids and Anago. Owner earnings average $45,000–$75,000 for active owner-operators running a team of 4–8 cleaners.
✅ Best for: First-time franchise buyers who want brand recognition, proven systems, and national marketing support at a moderate $120K investment.
Residential · Growth Play
Two Maids
Two Maids is the fastest-growing residential cleaning franchise in the US, growing from 30 to 120 units in the past 3 years. The unique "Pay for Performance" pricing model — where customers rate cleaners and compensation adjusts accordingly — drives high retention and positive reviews. At $68K minimum investment, it's the lowest-cost residential cleaning entry point with a viable business model.
✅ Best for: Entrepreneurs who want a lower entry cost and are comfortable being an early mover in a fast-growing system with available territory.
⚠️ Watch for: Only 120 units means less franchisee community, fewer performance benchmarks, and a less proven track record vs. Molly Maid or The Maids.
Tier 3: Commercial Cleaning Unit Franchises (Lowest Entry Cost)
Commercial cleaning unit franchises like Jan-Pro, Coverall, and Stratus are fundamentally different from the other categories. You're purchasing a guaranteed revenue base (a set of cleaning contracts) rather than a business territory. These are often owner-operator businesses, not scalable enterprises — though master franchise and regional developer opportunities exist at higher investment levels.
Commercial · Largest Network
Jan-Pro Cleaning & Disinfecting
Avg. Billing
$36,000–$52,000
Jan-Pro is the largest commercial cleaning franchise network in the world with ~9,000 US units. At $4,830 minimum investment, it's the lowest entry point of any major franchise system. Unit franchisees purchase a guaranteed initial billing base (monthly cleaning contracts) and perform the cleaning work themselves or with employees. The management fee to the regional developer (not a royalty) typically runs 8–10% of billing.
The business model reality: A Jan-Pro unit at $36K–$52K annual billing will net an active owner-operator $18,000–$28,000 after equipment, supplies, and the management fee — this is part-time or supplemental income territory, not a full-time business replacement. Most Jan-Pro unit owners either run multiple units or upgrade to Jan-Pro International (the regional development franchise, $70K–$90K investment).
✅ Best for: Part-time income seekers, side-hustle franchise buyers, or entrepreneurs building toward a regional developer position. Not suitable as a primary full-time business at the unit level.
Commercial
Coverall
Coverall is Jan-Pro's closest competitor with 8,500 US units and a slightly higher average billing per franchisee ($61K vs. Jan-Pro's $52K). The 5% royalty structure (vs. Jan-Pro's management fee model) is slightly more transparent. Like Jan-Pro, the unit business is owner-operator focused; master franchise opportunities exist for those targeting regional scale.
Which Cleaning Franchise Is Right for You?
The right choice depends entirely on your capital, time availability, and income goals:
- Under $50K + part-time: Jan-Pro or Stratus unit franchise. Expect $18,000–$30,000 annual net income as an owner-operator.
- $68K–$130K + want a real business: Two Maids or Molly Maid residential cleaning. Expect $45,000–$75,000 annual owner earnings with a team of 4–8.
- $230K–$300K + want highest revenue: SERVPRO or ServiceMaster Restore. Expect $80,000–$150,000+ owner earnings once established (typically 2–3 years to reach average revenue).
One important note: cleaning franchise earnings vary significantly by territory, owner involvement, and local competition. The averages above are Item 19 FDD data points — your market and execution will determine your actual results.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest cleaning franchise to start in 2026? +
Jan-Pro has the lowest entry point at $4,000 to $50,000 for a unit franchise, making it one of the cheapest franchises of any category. Stratus Building Solutions starts at $3,800. Both are commercial cleaning unit franchises — you're purchasing a client base (guaranteed billing) rather than a full business system. The low entry cost means lower revenue potential per unit; most owners purchase multiple units or upgrade to regional developer status over time.
Is a cleaning franchise profitable? +
Profitability depends heavily on model type. Commercial cleaning unit franchises (Jan-Pro, Coverall, Stratus) operate on thin margins — owner-operators typically net $15,000 to $35,000 annually on a single unit. Regional developers and master franchisees earn significantly more ($80,000–$200,000+). Residential cleaning franchises (Molly Maid, The Maids) and restoration franchises (ServiceMaster, SERVPRO) have higher revenue per owner but also higher investment requirements. SERVPRO averages $650K+ in revenue with reported owner earnings of $80,000–$150,000 annually for active operators.
What royalty rate do cleaning franchises charge? +
Cleaning franchise royalties range from 3.5% (Jan-Pro at the regional developer level) to 10% (Molly Maid). Jan-Pro unit franchisees pay no royalty to the franchisor — they pay a management fee to their regional developer instead. SERVPRO charges 10% royalty. Restoration franchises with higher average unit revenue (ServiceMaster: $650K+, SERVPRO: $700K+) can absorb higher royalty percentages because the base revenue is much larger than residential or small commercial cleaning.
What's the difference between commercial and residential cleaning franchises? +
Commercial cleaning franchises (Jan-Pro, Coverall, Stratus, Jani-King) service offices, schools, and commercial facilities — typically evening/night operations with recurring contracts. Residential cleaning franchises (Molly Maid, The Maids, Merry Maids, Two Maids) clean homes — typically daytime operations managing a team of cleaners. Commercial cleaning has more predictable, contract-based revenue. Residential has higher per-visit revenue but more customer churn and scheduling complexity. Restoration franchises (SERVPRO, ServiceMaster) are a separate category — they handle water, fire, and mold damage with much higher per-job revenue ($3,000–$30,000+).
Do cleaning franchises need a physical location? +
Most commercial cleaning unit franchises (Jan-Pro, Stratus, Coverall) are home-based — no retail or office location needed. Residential cleaning franchises typically require a small office or can be home-based in early stages. Restoration franchises (SERVPRO, ServiceMaster) require warehouse space for equipment storage (trucks, drying equipment, restoration tools), which is typically included in the investment estimate. The home-based nature of commercial cleaning is a major advantage: no lease, no retail overhead, and lower break-even requirements.
AI-assisted research. Not professional advice. Consult a qualified franchise attorney and financial advisor before making franchise investment decisions.
Learn more
📊 Model Your Cleaning Franchise Investment
See if SERVPRO, Molly Maid, or a Jan-Pro regional development hits your ROI target — personalized 5-year P&L, break-even timeline, and SBA loan scenarios. Free preview, no signup required.
Build My Financial Model →
Free startup cost breakdown · Full 5-year model from $79 one-time