Merry Maids vs Sometimes Spouse Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Merry Maids Franchise
Sometimes Spouse Franchise
Investment $89,619 - $125,023$31,150 - $66,618
Franchise Fee $37,500 - $51,500$24,999
Royalty Fee 5-7%7%
Advertising Fee 1.3%-
Year Founded 19792013
Year Franchised 19802015
Term Of Agreement 5 years-
Term Of Agreement 5 years-
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Merry Maids Franchise
Sometimes Spouse Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • Management experience
  • -

    Financing Options

     
    Merry Maids Franchise
    Sometimes Spouse Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees Yes/NoYes/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/No-/Yes
    Equipment Yes/No-/Yes
    Inventory Yes/No-/Yes
    Receivables No/No-/Yes
    Payroll No/No-/Yes

    Training & Support

     
    Merry Maids Franchise
    Sometimes Spouse Franchise
    Training Additional training in Memphis, Tennessee and regional locations On-The-Job Training: 40 hours Classroom Training: 40 hours
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluationsPurchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
    Marketing Ad slicks, National mediaAd Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
    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)

    Number of Employees Required to Run: 2 - 5

    Expansion Plans

     
    Merry Maids Franchise
    Sometimes Spouse Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion No-
    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 Sometimes Spouse

    Sometimes Spouse believes in family first, which is our culture.  Sometimes Spouse helps you every step of the way in your business, while you are building something for you and your family.
    Sometimes Spouse equips franchisees with skills, systems, knowledge and tools to grow their handyman and household services business.  Sometimes Spouse also has a residual income stream built into the business plan.
    Home Based Business - Training - Technology - Take Control of Your Life - #familyfirst

    Veteran Incentives  $4,000 off franchise fee