CottageCare vs Merry Maids Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
CottageCare Franchise
Merry Maids Franchise
Investment $49,500 - $75,500$89,619 - $125,023
Franchise Fee $9,500 - $17,000$37,500 - $51,500
Royalty Fee 5.5%5-7%
Advertising Fee -1.3%
Year Founded 19881979
Year Franchised 19891980
Term Of Agreement 10 years5 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years5 years
Renewal Fee $3K-


Business Experience Requirements
 
CottageCare Franchise
Merry Maids Franchise
Experience -
  • General business experience
  • Management experience
    		•

    Financing Options
     
    CottageCare Franchise
    Merry Maids Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/NoYes/No
    Start-up Costs No/NoNo/No
    Equipment No/NoYes/No
    Inventory No/NoYes/No
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support
     
    CottageCare Franchise
    Merry Maids Franchise
    Training -Additional training in Memphis, Tennessee and regional locations
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Internet, Field operations/evaluationsNewsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations
    Marketing -Ad slicks, National media
    Operations 25% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 10

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (90% 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
     
    CottageCare Franchise
    Merry Maids Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesYes

    Company Overviews

    About CottageCare

    Using the experience he gained as the operator of a housecleaning franchise in the '70s and '80s, Tom Schrader founded Overland Park, Kansas-based Cottage Care in 1988. Franchisees offer a variety of tailored cleaning services for bathrooms, furniture, kitchens, floors and carpets.
    CottageCare has the distinguished record of using environmentally friendly cleaning products since our beginning in the mid-’70s. We were eco-friendly before the recent popular trend of all natural products.  Every product we use is non-toxic and non-abrasive which protects the environment, our customers’ homes, and the crew members providing our services.  It’s always been that way, and always will. 

    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.