Merry Maids

#38

At a Glance

Products & Services: Residential cleaning

Number of Locations: 1,663

Total Investment: $55.35K - 78.45K

Founded: 1979

Began Franchising: 1980

About Merry Maids

Dallen W. Peterson founded Merry Maids in 1979 in Omaha, Nebraska. The company cleans more than 300,000 homes, apartments and condominiums each month in North America. It has franchises in Denmark, Hong Kong, Japan and the United Kingdom. In 1988 Merry Maids joined the ServiceMaster Quality Service Network, which includes franchise companies AmeriSpec, Terminix and Furniture Medic. Merry Maids is based in Memphis, Tennessee.

Franchise Units

Year	U.S.	Canadian	International	Company Owned
2012	726	70	647	220
2011	658	70	623	246
2010	714	71	607	236
2009	727	71	610	212

Where Seeking Franchisees: Franchisor is seeking new franchise units worldwide.

Startup Costs, Ongoing Fees and Financing

Total Investment: $55,350 - $78,450
Franchise Fee: $33,500 - $47,500
Ongoing Royalty Fee: 5-7%
Term of Franchise Agreement: 5 years, renewable

Financial Requirements

Net Worth: $60,000 - $70,000
Liquid Cash Available: $60,000 - $70,000

Operations

60% of all franchisees own more than one unit. Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (98% of current franchisees are owner/operators).

Financing Type	In-House	Third Party
Franchise Fee
Startup Costs
Equipment
Inventory
Accounts Receivable
Payroll

How This Franchise Supports Franchisees

Training: Available at headquarters: 8 days. At franchisee's location: As needed. Additional training in Memphis, Tennessee and regional locations

Ongoing Support: Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations

Marketing Support: National media,

Other marketing support: Yellow Pages ads and placement support; internet ad composition site