Molly Maid vs Merry Maids
Franchise Comparison (2026)
2026 FDD Data
Merry Maids has lower total investment ($94K-$144K vs $134K-$192K), discloses $438K average revenue, and requires less capital ($30K liquid vs $50K). Molly Maid has a lower franchise fee ($14.9K) but adds territory fees. Both have ~465 locations and similar market presence.
Molly Maid and Merry Maids are two of the largest residential cleaning franchises in America, both founded in 1979 with approximately 465-485 locations each. Merry Maids discloses $438K average revenue and has lower entry costs ($94K-$144K), while Molly Maid requires more investment ($134K-$192K) but has a lower base franchise fee. Both offer different royalty structures—Molly Maid charges a flat weekly advertising fee while Merry Maids uses a percentage. This comparison helps investors choose between these established cleaning brands.
Quick Comparison
Molly Maid
$14,900 + territory
Merry Maids
$37,500 - $51,500
Molly Maid
$134K - $192K
Merry Maids
$94K - $144K
Molly Maid
6.5%
Merry Maids
5% - 7%
Molly Maid
464
Merry Maids
485
Molly Maid
N/A
Merry Maids
$438,000
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Molly Maid | Merry Maids |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Investment | ||
| Franchise Fee | $14,900 | $37,500 |
| Total Investment (Low) | $133,700 | $94,480 |
| Total Investment (High) | $191,700 | $144,425 |
| Net Worth Required | $250,000 | $90,000 |
| Liquid Capital Required | $50,000 | $30,000 |
| Ongoing Fees | ||
| Royalty Rate | 6.5% | 7% |
| Advertising Fund | 2% | 2% |
| Technology Fee | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
| System Size & Growth | ||
| Total Units | 464 | 485 |
| Franchised Units | 464 | 485 |
| Company-Owned Units | 0 | 0 |
| 3-Year Net Growth | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
| Financial Performance (Item 19) | ||
| Item 19 Disclosed | No | Yes |
| Average Revenue | N/A | $438,000 |
| Median Revenue | N/A | Not Disclosed |
| Franchise Terms | ||
| Initial Term | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
| Renewal Term | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
| Territory Protection | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
| Requirements | ||
| Owner-Operator Required | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
| Training Hours | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
| Years Franchising | 47 years | 47 years |
| Risk Indicators | ||
| Litigation Matters | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
| Termination Rate | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
Key Differences
Merry Maids lower investment ($94K-$144K vs $134K-$192K)
Merry Maids discloses $438K average revenue; Molly Maid does not
Molly Maid franchise fee $14.9K + $45-65K territory; Merry Maids $37.5-51.5K all-in
Molly Maid 13% three-year failure rate (higher risk)
Merry Maids ranks #159 vs Molly Maid #100 on Franchise 500
Molly Maid has 100+ hours training; Merry Maids has 74 hours
Investment Fit Analysis
Who Should Consider Molly Maid
Molly Maid suits investors who value extensive training and are comfortable with higher investment for a flat-fee advertising model that benefits high-volume operations.
More extensive training (100+ hours)
Higher investment ($134K-$192K)
Flat weekly ad fee (helps at high volume)
Part of Neighborly family of brands
13% three-year failure rate
#100 on Franchise 500
Who Should Consider Merry Maids
Merry Maids suits budget-conscious investors seeking disclosed financial performance and lower entry requirements, backed by the ServiceMaster network.
Lower investment ($94K-$144K)
Disclosed $438K average revenue
Part of ServiceMaster family
Lower liquid capital required ($30K)
Largest US residential cleaning franchise
Territory-based franchise fee
Frequently Asked Questions
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Disclaimer
This comparison is provided for informational purposes only. Data has been aggregated from publicly available sources including Franchise Disclosure Documents, industry publications, and franchise analysis websites.
Prospective franchisees should review the complete FDD for each franchise, conduct their own due diligence, and consult with qualified legal and financial advisors before making any investment decisions.