Merry Maids vs ServiceMaster Clean Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Merry Maids Franchise
ServiceMaster Clean Franchise
Investment $89,619 - $125,023$76,500 - $274,500
Franchise Fee $37,500 - $51,500$31,500 - $69,500
Royalty Fee 5-7%4%-10%
Advertising Fee 1.3%0.5%-1%
Year Founded 19791947
Year Franchised 19801952
Term Of Agreement 5 years5 years
Term Of Agreement 5 years5 years
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
Merry Maids Franchise
ServiceMaster Clean Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • Management experience

  • General business experience
    		•

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

    Training & Support
     
    Merry Maids Franchise
    ServiceMaster Clean Franchise
    Training Additional training in Memphis, Tennessee and regional locations Classroom Training: 80 hours Additional Training: Annual convention and regional seminars
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluationsPurchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Franchisee Intranet Platform
    Marketing Ad slicks, National mediaCo-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media Website development
    Operations 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)

    		 Franchise can be run from home.

    International franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 10-15% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 3

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (95% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    Expansion Plans
     
    Merry Maids Franchise
    ServiceMaster Clean Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesYes

    Company Overviews

    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.



    About ServiceMaster Clean

    ServiceMaster was incorporated in 1947 as Wade, Wenger and Associates. Marion Wade got the idea for his company after an accident with chemicals left him temporarily blind in 1945. Today, it is part of the ServiceMaster Co. franchise family which includes franchise companies Merry Maids, Furniture Medic and Terminix. ServiceMaster Residential/Commercial Services is headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, and has enjoyed more than 25 years of consecutive growth.

    1. Disaster Restoration Services: provides disaster restoration services directly to residential and commercial customers and to customers following a fire, flood, earthquake or storm. The total investment necessary to begin operation of this franchise ranges from $229,500 to $274,500. This investment includes from $144,500 to $189,500 that must be paid to the franchisor.
    1. Janitorial Services: provides contracted janitorial services on a continuing basis and may also provide carpet, furniture and other periodical non-janitorial cleaning and maintenance to management or tenants of commercial or institutional buildings. The total investment necessary to begin operation of this franchise ranges from $76,500 to $86,500, which includes $51,500 that must be paid to the franchisor.
    1. Recovery Management Services: provides recovery management and disaster restoration services directly to commercial customers that have the capacity to provide commercial restoration opportunities meeting or exceeding $500,000 in contract value. The total investment necessary to begin operation of this franchise ranges from $165,150 to $274,150. This includes 61,000 that must be paid to the franchisor.
    Veteran Incentives  20% off franchise fee
    "Top  ""
    #87 in Canada's Top franchises.

    "franchiserankingscom"
    #71 on Franchise Rankings.com
    #77 in Franchise 500 for 2020.