Window Gang vs Merry Maids Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Window Gang vs Merry Maids including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Window Gang Franchise
Merry Maids Franchise
Investment $80,900 - $118,300$89,619 - $125,023
Franchise Fee $60,000$37,500 - $51,500
Royalty Fee 7%5-7%
Advertising Fee -1.3%
Year Founded 19861979
Year Franchised 19961980
Term Of Agreement 10 years5 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years5 years
Renewal Fee $2.5K-


Business Experience Requirements

 
Window Gang Franchise
Merry Maids Franchise
Experience
  • Marketing skills

  • General business experience
  • Management experience

  • Financing Options

     
    Window Gang Franchise
    Merry Maids Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees Yes/YesYes/No
    Start-up Costs No/YesNo/No
    Equipment No/YesYes/No
    Inventory No/YesYes/No
    Receivables No/YesNo/No
    Payroll No/YesNo/No

    Training & Support

     
    Window Gang Franchise
    Merry Maids Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 64 hours Classroom Training: 16 hours Additional training in Memphis, Tennessee and regional locations
    Support Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations
    Marketing Social media SEO Website development Ad slicks, National media
    Operations Franchise can be run from home.

    65% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 5

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (85% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    60% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 12

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (98% of current franchisees are owner/operators)


    Expansion Plans

     
    Window Gang Franchise
    Merry Maids Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion NoYes

    Company Overviews

    About Window Gang

    Tim McCullen founded Window Gang in 1986 in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina as a summer job. As the company gained clients, McCullen decided to franchise beginning in 1996. Window Gang has locations along the East Coast from Virginia to Georgia. The private company is based in Beaufort, North Carolina.

    Veteran Incentives  10% off franchise fee
    "Entrepreneur
    #256 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #238 in Franchise 500 for 2021.



    About Merry Maids

    Dallen W. Peterson founded Merry Maids in 1979 in Omaha, Nebraska. The public 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.

    Veteran Incentives  20% off franchise fee
    ""   "Entrepreneur
    #62 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #113 in Franchise 500 for 2021.