Merry Maids

Residential cleaning
2024 Franchise 500 Rank
#102 Ranked #119 last year
See the Full List
Initial investment
$127K - $166K
Units as of 2024
1,692 Increase 0.3% over 3 years

Company Overview

About Merry Maids

Industry Maintenance
Related Categories Residential Cleaning, Commercial Cleaning, Home Repairs/Handyman Services, Miscellaneous Maintenance Businesses, Cleaning/Restoration
Founded 1979
Parent Company ServiceMaster Systems LLC
Leadership Jean Grossman, President
Corporate Address 1 Glenlake Pkwy. N.E., #1400
Atlanta, GA 30328
Social Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest
Sponsored Content

More from Merry Maids

Who We Are

Merry Maids® was incorporated Omaha, Nebraska in 1979 and became part of the ServiceMaster family of brands in 1988. For four decades, we have been working hard to build Merry Maids into the successful business it is today, and it’s paid off in a big way: Currently, 1,000 independently owned and operated Merry Maids franchises in North America clean 120,000+ homes in the United States and Canada alone. 

Inspired by ServiceMaster founder Marion Wade’s vision to deliver exceptional service and quality to customers, Merry Maids has grown into an established leader in the residential cleaning industry, earning recognitions like:

  • One of Entrepreneur Magazine’s Top Residential Cleaning Companies.
  • Ranked #102 on 2024 Entrepreneur Magazine Franchise 500 List
  • 40+ years on the Entrepreneur Magazine Franchise 500 List
  • Entrepreneur Magazine’s “America’s Top Global” franchise list.
  • Ranked 9th on Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500’s 2023 Top Franchises for Less Than $100,000 list.
  • Rankings on Franchise 500’s 2023 Top Global Franchises and 2023 Top Brands for Multi-Unit Owners lists.

Our extensive name recognition provides a solid foundation for franchise owners to build their business with customers who already know about the high level of quality service that Merry Maids provides. 

By the Numbers

We believe in letting the numbers speak for themselves. Here’s a quick look at where Merry Maids stands:

  • $1,023,937* – Average Gross Sales Single-Unit Groups Top 10% Quartile
  • $3,078,657* – Average Gross Sales Multi-Unit Top 10% Quartile
  • $94,480 – Starting Low Initial Investment
  • 1000+ – Locations Across North America
  • 40+ – Years of Experience
  • $37,500 – Starting Initial Franchise Fee, Depending on Territory
  • $94,480 to $144,425 – Estimated Total Franchise Investment 

*Based on annual gross sales during the covered period for 12 months ending December 31, 2022 for Merry Maids® Ownership Groups, as stated in the 2023 Merry Maids® Franchise Disclosure Document.

Join an Industry with Uncapped Growth Potential

As cultural and societal shifts continue to make life busier than ever, the $1.2 billion residential cleaning industry* continues to grow year after year. With longer work weeks, hectic schedules, an increase in dual-income households, and a growing view that maid services are a necessity rather than a luxury, Merry Maids has the power to give families back the time they deserve to enjoy more of the things they love. 

We do more than just take care of homes—we take care of people. By owning a Merry Maids franchise, you can capitalize on a growing need while also providing an invaluable service to families in your community. 

Wondering if this industry is a good fit for you? Regardless of your experience, our systematic approach to training, cleaning, office management and developing your customer base was designed to give you the confidence to succeed. Our professional home cleaning system combines efficient two-person teams, capable of cleaning three to four homes each day, with effective management techniques and proven marketing procedures. 

*Source: IBISWorld Report (January 2022)

Getting Started

Ready to get started? We’ve designed a simple and efficient process to help you launch your Merry Maids franchise as quickly as possible.

  1. Gather the Information. Simply fill out the information request on our website to get started. 
  2. Begin the Conversation. We’ll schedule a call together so you can learn more about this opportunity. 
  3. Meet Our Franchise Development Experts. You’ll have the chance to attend a webinar led by our Franchise Development Manager to explore whether we’re the right fit for one another.
  4. Complete Your Application. Finalize your franchise application and complete the necessary background check forms. 
  5. Sign the Franchise Agreement. We’ll provide you with a franchise agreement to sign and seal the deal!
  6. Complete the Training Process. We’ll provide you with all the coursework necessary to build a successful Merry Maids franchise, starting with independent training modules.
  7. Attend an Initial Training Seminar in Memphis, TN. Our team of professionals will equip you with additional knowledge to get your business up and running as you move toward long-term success. 

Support for Success

Whether you’ve barely touched a vacuum or have owned a cleaning company before, we will train you on the top-of-the-line franchisee training Merry Maids® model. Merry Maids offers some of the cleaning franchise industry's most comprehensive training. Simply put, we want to make sure we give you the tools and training you need to help prepare you for running a smooth, functioning operation, including:

  • Pre-Academy online training
  • A 10-day training program, including five days in-person at our headquarters in Memphis, TN, where instructors will real-world experience in the residential cleaning industry will help you master the Merry Maids methods, from training and marketing to scheduling, cleaning, and more. 
  • In-depth interaction with the Merry Maids franchise development team. 
  • Assistance from an established Merry Maids franchise owner.
  • A dedicated Business Development consultant who will help guide you on your path to success. 

A True Partnership

Our commitment to you doesn’t end once you’ve opened your franchise—though you may be going into business for yourself, you can trust that you’ll never be in it by yourself. We invest in our franchisees’ success by providing resources and support designed to help you every step of the way with:

  • Business set-up.
  • The creation of sales.
  • Marketing plans, including a personalized e-commerce platform, print and digital materials, branding strategy, promotions, and more.
  • Financial guidance.
  • Business evaluations.
  • Continued learning through group presentations, in-person training, conventions, workshops, and more.

About the ServiceMaster® Family of Brands

ServiceMaster® Brands is a leading franchisor of residential and commercial services in the restoration, cleaning, moving, junk removal, and bioremediation industries. The company is home to over 3,200 franchisees across 4,600+ locations serving over 1 million homes and businesses each year. ServiceMaster was founded with a deep commitment to its franchisees and has franchise opportunities available in ServiceMaster Restore®, ServiceMaster Clean®, Merry Maids®, and TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®.

Business Overview

Franchising Since 1980 (44 years)
# of employees at HQ 122
Where seeking

This company is offering new franchises throughout the US.

This company is offering new franchises in the following international regions: Asia, Europe (Eastern), Europe (Western), Canada

# of Units 1,692 (as of 2024)

Information for Franchisees

Here's what you need to know if you're interested in opening a Merry Maids franchise.

Financial Requirements & Ongoing Fees

Here's what you can expect to spend to start the business and what ongoing fees the franchisor charges throughout the life of the business.

Initial Franchise Fee Information Circle
$55,000
Initial Investment Information Circle
$126,880 - $165,610
Net Worth Requirement Information Circle
$150,000
Cash Requirement Information Circle
$50,000
Veteran Incentives Information Circle
20% off franchise fee
Royalty Fee Information Circle
7%
Ad Royalty Fee Information Circle
1.3%
Term of Agreement Information Circle
10 years
Is franchise term renewable? Yes

Financing Options

Some franchisors offer in-house financing, while others have relationships with third-party financing sources to which they refer qualified franchisees.

Third Party Financing Merry Maids has relationships with third-party sources which offer financing to cover the following: franchise fee, startup costs, equipment, inventory

Training & Support Offered

Franchisors offer initial training programs and a variety of ongoing support options to help franchisees run their businesses.

On-The-Job Training 10 hours
Classroom Training 64 hours
Ongoing Support
Purchasing Co-ops
Newsletter
Meetings & Conventions
Toll-Free Line
Online Support
Security & Safety Procedures
Field Operations
Proprietary Software
Franchisee Intranet Platform
Marketing Support
Ad Templates
National Media
Regional Advertising
Social Media
SEO
Website Development
Email Marketing

Operations

Additional details about running this franchise.

Is absentee ownership allowed? No
Can this franchise be run from home/mobile unit? Information Circle
No
Can this franchise be run part time? Information Circle
No
Are exclusive territories available? Information Circle
Yes

Franchise 500 Ranking History

Compare where Merry Maids landed on this year's Franchise 500 Ranking versus previous years.

Additional Rankings

Curious to know where Merry Maids ranked on other franchise lists? Find out below.

Sign Up for Our Franchise Newsletter

Stay up to date on the latest news and trends affecting the franchise industry.

Related Franchise Content

Catch up on the latest franchise news, trends, and more.

Franchise

Why Opening a Second Location Requires a Fresh Strategy (Even If Your First Was a Hit)

Here are some key points to consider before adding another location to your burgeoning multi-unit brand.

Franchise

Jeff's Bagel Run Offers a Dynamic, Rapidly Expanding Franchise Concept!

Jeff's Bagel Run franchisees provide their customers with a unique and high-quality product offering that includes bagels made from scratch and custom coffee programs.

Franchise

Subway's CEO Steps Down Amid a Major Transition for the Sandwich Giant

John Chidsey will step down at the end of 2024, marking the close of a transformative five-year tenure.

Franchise

You Can Start These 10 Franchises for $10,000 or Less

Many budget-friendly franchise opportunities are in industries with high demand, such as home services, cleaning or mobile businesses.

Franchise

The Top 10 Burger Franchises in 2024

Taste the sizzle success with the best burger franchises, according to the 2024 Franchise 500 Ranking.

Franchise

An Executive's 5-Minute Guide to Building a Legacy Team

This guide delves into the critical aspects of building a legacy team, emphasizing the importance of nurturing a strong internal culture and leading by example to attract and retain top talent.

See more franchise content
Disclaimer
The information on this page is not intended as an endorsement or recommendation of any particular franchise or business opportunity by Entrepreneur Media. Our listings and rankings are solely research tools you can use to compare opportunities. Entrepreneur stresses that you should always conduct your own independent investigation before investing in a franchise or business opportunity. That should include reviewing the company's legal documents, consulting with an attorney and an accountant, and talking to former and current franchisees/licensees/dealers.
Updated: December 12th, 2022