Merry Maids Franchise Cost & Requirements (2026 Review)

Merry Maids is the largest residential cleaning franchise system in the United States, founded in 1980 and operating approximately 1,690 franchised locations. The brand competes in the residential cleaning segment alongside independent operators and regional chains, with name recognition that supports lead generation and customer acquisition.

How much does a Merry Maids franchise cost?

Total initial investment ranges from $94,480 to $170,110. The franchise fee is $55,000. Merry Maids requires a minimum net worth of $90,000 and liquid capital of at least $50,000. The investment includes access to the brand's proprietary cleaning products, scheduling software, and initial training program.

Territory and ongoing fees

Merry Maids offers limited territorial protection anchored to a minimum of 40,000 qualified households — defined as households with annual income of $75,000 or more. Territory is not fully exclusive but is protected for core operations.

Ongoing fees include a royalty of 5–7% of weekly gross sales (the upper end applies in most agreements), a marketing contribution of 1.3% of gross sales, and a technology fee of $499 per month. Combined, total ongoing obligations reach approximately 9% of revenue plus the flat technology fee. Operators should factor the $499/month tech fee separately since it applies regardless of sales volume.

Revenue and income expectations

FDD Item 19 data shows average gross sales of approximately $256,865 per year across all Merry Maids franchisees. That is a relatively low volume for a service business with fixed overhead. Operators who can scale beyond the average — through additional crews, marketing investment, and recurring contract retention — tend to achieve meaningfully better results than the median.

The recurring revenue model

Residential cleaning operates on repeat business: weekly, biweekly, and monthly contracts that compound over time. Strong franchisees focus on customer retention as much as acquisition. Churn is the primary unit economics risk. Operators who manage team quality and consistency typically see strong retention; those who experience crew turnover tend to struggle with churn.

Who Merry Maids may fit best

Merry Maids works well for buyers who have management or operations backgrounds, want a service business with recurring revenue, and are comfortable hiring and supervising cleaning crews. It is less suited to buyers who want a passive investment or who cannot access the $50,000 in liquid capital required.

Bottom line

Merry Maids offers a recognized brand, a recurring revenue model, and protected territory — three characteristics that give it a structural advantage over pure independents in the residential cleaning market. The average sales volume in the FDD is modest, so underwriting realistic growth projections based on your specific market is essential before signing.