The Maids franchise unit economics
The Maids franchisees run residential cleaning businesses whose maid teams clean homes on recurring service plans and take one-time special projects.
The Maids franchise at a glance
The 2026 FDD from The Maids International, LLC reports revenue for 97 franchised outlets holding 338 territories, revenue per cleaning and per recurring customer, and an income statement for the franchisor’s 6 company-owned offices.
The Maids reports that 338 franchised territories averaged $386,244 of revenue in the 12 months to September 30, 2025, at a median of $305,937, according to Item 19 of The Maids’ 2026 FDD, issued 18 January 2026. Fees paid to The Maids come to about 9.19%* of sales. The Maids franchise costs $117,720 to $141,200 to open.
- A Maids franchise costs $117,720 to $141,200 to open as a single territory, including the $60,000 initial franchise fee and the $19,900 SMART Start Package.
- The Maids reports that the 97 franchised outlets holding those territories averaged $1,184,666 each, at a median of $764,050.
- The Maids reports regular maid service revenue of $221.39 per cleaning and $4,202.89 a year per recurring customer, across the 97 reporting outlets.
- The Maids charges a continuing license fee of 6.9% to 3.9% of weekly gross revenues, a 2% marketing fund fee, a 0.25% technology fund fee and $140 a month for software.
- The Maids’ 6 company-owned offices reported net income of $1,322,138, 15.5% of $8,546,259 of revenue, for the 12 months to September 30, 2025.
- The Maids’ Item 20 table shows 394 franchised and 31 company-owned outlets at September 30, 2025, with each territory counted as one outlet.
These figures come from The Maids's 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document, as the brand reported them, and were read by Averan Advisors.
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Talk to Averan → Averan The Maids Conversion Package →- 338 franchised territories averaged $386,244 of revenue, at a median of $305,937. The median is 79.2%* of the average. 183 territories, 56%, met or exceeded the average. Territory revenue ran from $42,433 to $1,278,507.
- A recurring regular customer averaged $4,202.89 of revenue a year, and a regular cleaning averaged $221.39. That is about 19* regular cleanings a customer a year at the average price. Regular maid service was 95.1% of all cleans and special projects 4.9%.
- The continuing license fee falls from 6.9% to 3.9% as weekly gross revenues rise. Owners of several Maids businesses may combine weekly gross revenues to reach a lower rate if they report for all of them on the same day. Businesses bought from another franchisee after December 31, 2012 are excluded.
- The 6 company-owned offices kept net income of 15.5% of revenue. Their continuing license fees were 5.4% of revenue. The FDD states the affiliate may pay a lower license fee rate than franchisees, and that its marketing and technology fund lines include credits for prior-year overcharges.
- Revenue per franchised territory was 40.1%* higher than per company-owned territory. The company offices averaged $275,686* a territory across 31 territories, against $386,244 for the 338 franchised territories. Each company office held 5.17* territories on average and each franchised outlet 3.48*.
Revenue per outlet and territory
How much does a Maids franchise make?
| Measured by | Average | Median | Highest | Lowest | Met or exceeded average | Average regular maid customers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outlet | $1,184,666 | $764,050 | $7,223,182 | $52,996 | 31 outlets (32%) | 235.7 |
| Territory | $386,244 | $305,937 | $1,278,507 | $42,433 | 183 territories (56%) | 68.6 |
Source: Item 19, Table II; cents dropped from the printed figures. The group includes 11 outlets in 20 territories that closed during the period and excludes 9 outlets in 11 territories that opened during it. Franchised outlets report weekly to the franchisor. The customer column is calculated by the franchisor as described in note 1 to Table II.
The 338 reporting franchised territories averaged $386,244 of revenue in the 12 months to September 30, 2025. The median territory had $305,937. 183 territories, 56%, met or exceeded the average. The highest territory had $1,278,507 and the lowest $42,433.
The 97 franchised outlets holding those territories averaged $1,184,666, at a median of $764,050. 31 outlets, 32%, met or exceeded the average. Outlet revenue ran from $52,996 to $7,223,182, a highest-to-lowest ratio of 136* times, against 30.1* times for territories.
An outlet is one owner’s business and can hold several territories. The 97 outlets held 338 territories, 3.48* each on average. A single-territory franchise is priced in Item 7, so the territory figures are the closer match to that purchase.
Item 19 states that the average territory had 68.6 regular maid service customers and the average outlet 235.7. Note 1 says these come from average revenue times 95.1%, divided by $4,202.89. Applied to the printed averages, that formula gives 87.4* customers a territory and 268.1* an outlet. The FDD does not explain the difference.
Company-owned offices
Company-owned income statement, 2025
| Line | All 6 offices | Average office | Share of revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total revenue | $8,546,259 | $1,424,377 | 100% |
| Direct labor | $3,295,480 | $549,247 | 38.6% |
| Continuing licensing fees | $457,373 | $76,229 | 5.4% |
| Vehicle: gas, maintenance and insurance | $340,338 | $56,723 | 4.0% |
| Payment processing fees | $200,646 | $33,441 | 2.3% |
| Marketing fund fees | $171,345 | $28,558 | 2.0% |
| Total cost of sales revenue | $4,936,889 | $822,815 | 57.8% |
| Employee benefits | $299,476 | $49,913 | 3.5% |
| Payroll taxes | $324,008 | $54,001 | 3.8% |
| Rent, utilities and maintenance | $420,503 | $70,084 | 4.9% |
| Total cost of revenue | $6,065,117 | $1,010,853 | 71.0% |
| Gross profit | $2,481,142 | $413,524 | 29.0% |
| Marketing and advertising | $343,868 | $57,311 | 4.0% |
| Payroll and related expenses | $536,642 | $89,440 | 6.3% |
| Total operating expenses | $1,159,260 | $193,210 | 13.6% |
| Net income | $1,322,138 | $220,356 | 15.5% |
Source: Item 19, Table III, from the affiliate’s unaudited internal books. Selected lines; totals are as printed and include lines not shown. The median office had revenue of $1,195,040 and net income of $208,952. Revenue from 6 territories sold to a franchisee during the period is excluded.
The 6 company-owned offices reported net income of $1,322,138 on $8,546,259 of revenue, 15.5%. The average office had $1,424,377 of revenue and $220,356 of net income. The median office had $1,195,040 of revenue and $208,952 of net income.
Direct labor was 38.6% of revenue. With payroll taxes, employee benefits and office payroll and related expenses, wage-related lines came to $4,455,606*, 52.1%* of revenue. Note 3 states company offices may have higher management salaries than an owner-operated franchise.
Continuing licensing fees were 5.4% of revenue at the company offices. The FDD states the affiliate may pay a lower license fee rate than franchised outlets and than the rates in Item 6. Note 4 states the marketing and technology fund lines include credits for prior-year overcharges, so those percentages are lower than franchisees pay.
The highest company office had $2,513,955 of revenue in 4 territories and the lowest $686,848 in 5 territories. 3 of the 6 offices met or exceeded the average; they operated in 11, 5 and 1 territories.
Price and customer spread
Revenue per cleaning and per customer, 2025
| Measure | Average | Median | Highest | Lowest | Outlets at or above average | Territories at or above average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular maid service, revenue per cleaning | $221.39 | $204.61 | $357.16 | $123.18 | 35 (36.1%) | 151 (46.2%) |
| Regular maid service, annual revenue per recurring customer | $4,202.89 | $3,998.27 | $8,101.26 | $1,540.02 | 40 (41.2%) | 168 (52%) |
| Regular maid service, share of cleans | 95.1% | 95.3% | N/A | N/A | 53 (54.6%) | 189 (57.8%) |
| Special projects, revenue per cleaning | $861.58 | $791.39 | $3,884.40 | $284.41 | 43 (44.3%) | 163 (50%) |
| Special projects, annual revenue per recurring customer | $837.07 | $737.33 | $5,147.74 | $192.37 | 38 (39.2%) | 112 (34.3%) |
| Special projects, share of cleans | 4.9% | 4.9% | N/A | N/A | 43 (44.3%) | 137 (42%) |
Source: Item 19, Table I, as printed. Revenue per cleaning is total reported revenue divided by total reported cleans. Annual revenue per recurring customer is recurring revenue divided by the number of customers with a service plan for more than one cleaning. Special projects are one-time projects, not regularly scheduled cleanings.
Item 19 splits results by outlet and by territory, not into quartiles or bands. It gives the average, median, highest and lowest for revenue, price per cleaning and revenue per customer, and the number of outlets and territories at or above each average.
Regular maid service averaged $221.39 per cleaning, with outlets ranging from $123.18 to $357.16. Annual revenue per recurring customer ranged from $1,540.02 to $8,101.26. At the averages, a recurring customer bought about 19* regular cleanings a year.
A special project averaged $861.58, 3.89* times a regular cleaning. Special projects were 4.9% of cleans. Their annual revenue per recurring customer averaged $837.07.
Revenue per franchised territory was $386,244, and revenue per company-owned territory was $275,686*. The franchised figure is 40.1%* higher. Per office or outlet the order reverses: $1,424,377 for a company office against $1,184,666 for a franchised outlet. A company office held 5.17* territories on average and a franchised outlet 3.48*.
Brand charges
Brand charges
| Charge | Rate or amount | At territory average, $386,244 | At outlet average, $1,184,666 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Continuing license fee | 6.9% to 3.9% of weekly gross revenues | $25,106* (6.5% band) | $71,080* (6.0% band) |
| Marketing fund fee | 2% of gross revenues | $7,725* | $23,693* |
| Technology innovation fund fee | 0.25% of gross revenues | $966* | $2,962* |
| Software and support fee | $140 a month, plus $85 a month for each additional office | $1,680* | $1,680* |
| Minimum weekly license fee | None in months 1–6; $150 in months 7–24; $200 in months 25–48; $250 after | Not reached | Not reached |
| National Sales Center | $60 a week, $36 per sold quote, $7.50 per unsold quote; required in the first year | Not included | Not included |
| Local marketing requirement | $2,500 a month for the first territory; $500 for the second; $250 for each further one | Not included | Not included |
| Total brand charges | $35,477* (9.19%*) | $99,415* (8.39%*) |
Source: Item 6 and its notes. Averan totals assume revenue spread evenly over 52 weeks, which sets the license fee band, and one office. The local marketing requirement is spending in the territory, not a fee paid to the franchisor. Other charges in Item 6 (convention, renewal $3,750, transfer $15,000, audit, non-compliance) are not included.
The continuing license fee is set each week on that week’s gross revenues. The bands are 6.9% up to $6,730, 6.5% to $13,460, 6.0% to $28,840, 5.5% to $48,070, 5.0% to $76,920, 4.5% to $134,615 and 3.9% above that. An owner with several Maids businesses may combine their weekly gross revenues to reach a lower band if all reports are filed the same day.
At the average territory the recurring charges come to $35,477*, 9.19%* of revenue. At the average outlet they come to $99,415*, 8.39%*. The local marketing requirement adds $30,000* a year of required spending for one territory, 7.77%* of the territory average.
A minimum weekly license fee applies from month 7 and reaches $250 a week from month 49. That is $13,000* a year. At the 6.9% rate, weekly revenue of about $3,623*, or $188,406* a year, produces a $250 fee.
After the first 12 months, missing the minimum in more than 6 weeks in any 12-month period gives the franchisor the right to reduce the territory or to terminate. The franchise agreement states that this termination is on written notice without an opportunity to cure. A franchisee in default for 30 days after notice pays 6.9% on all gross revenues until the default is cured.
The franchisor’s financial condition is listed as a special risk. The Hawaii addendum states that its liabilities exceed its assets. Hawaii defers payment of the initial fee until the business opens, and California and Illinois required surety bonds of $250,000 and $150,000.
Cost to open
Cost to open
| Item | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Initial franchise fee | $60,000 | $60,000 |
| SMART Start Package | $19,900 | $19,900 |
| Grand opening marketing | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| Office security deposit | $0 | $2,150 |
| Office fixtures, decorating and furniture | $500 | $2,000 |
| Auto down payments or lease payments, paint or wrap | $1,800 | $4,500 |
| Telephone, internet and computer systems | $900 | $1,800 |
| Insurance deposit | $2,200 | $3,200 |
| Washer and dryer | $1,000 | $2,000 |
| Start-up professional services | $500 | $1,500 |
| Wages, travel and living during SMART Start training | $1,040 | $4,650 |
| Additional funds, 3 months | $24,880 | $34,500 |
| Total | $117,720 | $141,200 |
Source: Item 7, Table A. Additional funds include $19,000 to $25,500 of payroll for a team of 3 to 4 employees and exclude license, marketing and technology fund fees and the owner’s own pay.
A single territory costs $117,720 to $141,200 to open, of which $79,900 is paid to the franchisor or its affiliates. That is the $60,000 initial franchise fee and the $19,900 SMART Start Package of training, supplies, uniforms and equipment. The total equals 30.5%* to 36.6%* of the average territory’s revenue.
The initial fee falls per territory when several are bought at signing: $60,000 for 1, $110,000 for 2, $145,000 for 3, $170,000 for 4 and $190,000 for 5. Five territories cost $38,000* each. Each further contiguous territory is $20,000. A territory added after signing costs $60,000 under a new franchise agreement.
The cover page gives totals of $167,720 to $191,200 for 2 territories and $247,720 to $271,200 for 5. These include the opening costs of the first territory only. Initial fees collected in the year to September 30, 2025 ranged from $20,616 to $134,925.
Item 11 states a franchisee generally opens within 120 days of signing. The franchise term is 10 years, with two renewal terms of 5 years each.
Locations
Locations, 2023 to 2025
| Year | Franchised at start | Opened | Terminated | Not renewed | Franchised at end | Company-owned at end | Total at end |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 375 | 5 | 11 | 0 | 369 | 34 | 403 |
| 2024 | 369 | 22 | 6 | 0 | 385 | 36 | 421 |
| 2025 | 385 | 30 | 20 | 1 | 394 | 31 | 425 |
Source: Item 20, Tables 1, 3 and 4, totals rows. No outlets were reacquired or ceased for other reasons in the three years. Some state rows in Table 3 for 2025 (New York, Washington) do not add across; the totals do.
Item 20 counts each territory as one outlet. Franchised outlets went from 375 at the start of fiscal 2023 to 394 at September 30, 2025. In fiscal 2025, 30 opened, 20 were terminated and 1 was not renewed. Company-owned outlets went from 36 to 31.
Item 1 and note 2 to Item 20 give a different count for the same date. They state that at September 30, 2025, 106 franchisees operated 338 territories and the franchisor operated 31, a total of 369. Table 1 shows 394 franchised and 31 company-owned, a total of 425. The FDD does not explain the difference.
4 franchised outlets were transferred to new owners in fiscal 2025, and 4 franchise agreements were signed but not yet opened at September 30, 2025, all in Florida. In company-owned outlets, 4 Tennessee outlets closed and 1 was sold to a franchisee in 2025. Item 19 separately states that 6 company territories were sold to a franchisee during the measurement period.
Questions we get asked
Questions owners ask
How much does it cost to open a Maids franchise?
The 2026 FDD estimates $117,720 to $141,200 for a single territory. That includes the $60,000 initial franchise fee, the $19,900 SMART Start Package and $24,880 to $34,500 of additional funds for the first 3 months.
What fees does The Maids charge?
A continuing license fee of 6.9% to 3.9% of weekly gross revenues, a 2% marketing fund fee, a 0.25% technology innovation fund fee and a software fee of $140 a month. A minimum weekly license fee of $150 to $250 applies from month 7, and the local marketing requirement is $2,500 a month for the first territory.
How much revenue does a Maids franchise make?
Item 19 reports that 338 franchised territories averaged $386,244 in the 12 months to September 30, 2025, at a median of $305,937. The 97 outlets holding them averaged $1,184,666, at a median of $764,050.
Does The Maids FDD show profit?
It shows an income statement for the 6 company-owned offices, not for franchised outlets. They reported net income of $1,322,138, 15.5% of revenue. The FDD states those offices may pay a lower license fee rate than franchisees.
How many Maids locations are there?
Item 20 shows 394 franchised and 31 company-owned outlets at September 30, 2025, counting each territory as one outlet. Item 1 states that 106 franchisees operated 338 territories and the franchisor 31 on that date.
How big is a Maids territory?
A territory has about 90,000 to 150,000 households and is drawn largely on ZIP code boundaries. The FDD states that the franchisee does not receive an exclusive territory.
Questions worth putting to The Maids
These are questions the filing leaves open. An owner or a buyer can put them to the franchisor directly.
- Is the revenue in Item 19 gross sales or collected revenue, and how many locations sit below the average?
- Which factors does The Maids see in its highest-selling locations, such as territory, years open and staffing?
- How long does a new location take to reach the average you publish, and what does the build-up look like month by month?
- At what level of sales do the minimum charges stop applying and the percentage take over?
- How many Maids locations closed, were sold, or changed hands last year, and why?
Run your own numbers.
The Franchise Numbers Check runs the same checks on your own numbers. It scores where you stand and compares you with Item 19 of your brand’s FDD. It works out what one location earns and spends, and builds a 13-week cash forecast. It also checks whether you are ready to open another one. It is free and it runs in your browser.
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Other brands in the Residential Cleaning guide: MaidPro · Merry Maids · Molly Maid · The Cleaning Authority · Two Maids.
Questions owners ask next
The figures above raise these, and each one is answered on its own page.
- At what level of sales does a minimum fee stop costing me more than the percentage?It works out the sales level where a minimum fee stops applying.
- How much cash do I fund before a new location covers its own costs?It builds a 13-week forecast for the months before break-even.
- What does this location earn on the money I put into it?It works out the payback period and cash-on-cash return for one unit.
- How much of Item 19 can I rely on?It explains what an Item 19 financial performance representation tells you and what it leaves out.
Where these figures come from
Every figure here comes from The Maids International, LLC’s 2026 FDD and is unaudited by us. We are unaffiliated with the brand. Calculations of our own are labeled where they appear. The figures describe past performance at other businesses and are not a projection of yours. This page is an educational summary. It is not an offer to sell a franchise, and it is not financial, legal or tax advice. The Maids is a trademark of its owner. How Averan reads a Franchise Disclosure Document.
These figures come from the brand's disclosure. They are not a forecast, an offer to sell a franchise or advice. Source: The Maids International, LLC, 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document, issued 18 January 2026.