Key Takeaways
- The cleaning services market is projected to grow from $79.02 billion in 2025 to $146.94 billion by 2035.
- Top franchise opportunities include residential, commercial, and specialty cleaning brands like Molly Maid.
- Cleaning franchise owners receive training, marketing, and operational support as they build an independent business.
Are you wondering how to start a maid service business? A residential and commercial cleaning franchise could be the answer. With strong, recession-resistant growth projected for the cleaning services industry over the next decade, now may be the best time to get started.
Here are the top residential and commercial cleaning franchise opportunities to consider in 2026.
Molly Maid
Molly Maid® offers award-winning residential and commercial cleaning services with the industry’s best brand recognition. Franchise owners receive ongoing training, mentorship, and marketing support. As part of the Neighborly® family of brands, Molly Maid franchise owners can benefit from vendor discounts, cross-promotional opportunities, and built-in credibility through the largest network of home service providers in the country.
MaidPro
MaidPro is a residential cleaning franchise that reports offering home cleaning services throughout the U.S. and Canada. The franchisor provides in-house marketing, lead generation, and personal business coaching for owners.
The Cleaning Authority
The Cleaning Authority provides full-service residential cleaning. They advertise that services are limited to standard business hours (no weekends). The business model is designed to minimize day-to-day management to promote absentee ownership.
JAN-PRO Commercial Cleaning
JAN-PRO is a commercial cleaning franchise offering clients and in-house marketing on the franchise owner’s behalf. They assert that they provide any needed certifications and additional support.
Coverall
Coverall provides commercial cleaning and janitorial services. In-house financing, field support, and billing and collections services are reportedly available for their franchise owners. They state franchise owners receive relevant certifications and a customer portfolio to get started.
The Maids
The Maids say they offer eco-conscious cleaning services for homes, apartments, and small businesses, using a proprietary 22-step cleaning process. The brand has over 1,400 exclusive territories, with more than 180 locations in the U.S. and Canada.
Merry Maids
Merry Maids is a nationwide house cleaning service with high brand awareness and proprietary cleaning systems. They say that their franchise owners receive training, marketing, tech support, and management software. Merry Maids also allows those who already own a cleaning service to transition into the franchise model.
Why Residential and Commercial Cleaning Franchises Are a Smart Investment
The global cleaning services market has proven to be incredibly recession-resilient. The industry was valued at $79.02 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach $146.94 billion by 2035. With steady projected growth on the horizon, 2026 may be the best time to invest in a residential and commercial cleaning franchise.
Franchise Investment & Costs Comparison
|
Franchise Brand |
Category |
Estimated Initial Investment 1 Item 7 of the 2026 FDD 2 Item 7 of the 2025 FDD |
|
Molly Maid |
Residential & commercial |
$144,150 – $203,9501 |
|
MaidPro |
Residential |
$109,860 – $158,6501 |
|
The Cleaning Authority |
Residential |
$76,000 – $147,1001 |
|
JAN-PRO |
Commercial |
$127,500 – $7,69,0001 |
|
Coverall |
Commercial |
$17,986–$64,2801 |
|
The Maids |
Residential |
$81,720 – $159,7002 |
|
Merry Maids |
Residential |
$126,880 – $165,6102 |
Note: Franchise investment costs can change over time due to factors such as market conditions, location, equipment and operating costs, and updates to franchise fees. Always review the franchisor’s most current Item 7 of the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) for the latest investment ranges, fees, and other financial requirements.
Franchise Owner Support & Training: What You Can Expect
Pursuing a residential or commercial cleaning franchise opportunity means going into business for yourself, but not by yourself. One advantage of choosing a franchise over starting an independent cleaning business is access to an established system, training, and ongoing business support.
The exact resources vary by brand, but cleaning franchise training and support may include:
Cleaning methods, safety, tools, and quality assurance
Training can help you and your team understand the brand’s cleaning processes, safety practices, equipment, and service standards so you can deliver a consistent customer experience.
Team leadership guidance and systems
As your cleaning business grows, you may receive resources and systems for recruiting, onboarding, training, scheduling, and managing employees.
Pricing, sales, and marketing resources
Franchise systems may provide established pricing strategies, sales processes, brand materials, local marketing resources, and guidance for attracting and retaining customers.
Software, reporting, and business planning
Technology and established business systems can help franchise owners manage scheduling, customer information, performance reporting, and other day-to-day operations.
Client intake and customer management
Some cleaning franchises provide systems or centralized resources to help manage inquiries, schedule services, and turn prospective customers into recurring clients.
Coaching and continuous support
Franchise owner support doesn’t necessarily end after opening day. Ongoing coaching and access to experienced support teams can help owners evaluate performance, address challenges, and identify opportunities for growth.
When comparing the best cleaning franchises for your goals, look beyond the initial investment. Consider the quality of the training, technology, marketing resources, operational systems, and ongoing support included in the franchise opportunity.
Ready to Invest in a Residential and Commercial Cleaning Franchise with Neighborly?
If you’re comparing residential and commercial cleaning franchise opportunities, consider more than startup costs. Brand recognition, recurring revenue potential, training, marketing resources, and ongoing support can all help you find the right fit.
Molly Maid® stands out as a cleaning franchise to consider in 2026. With more than 40 years of experience and the support of the Neighborly® family of brands, Molly Maid offers an established business model, ongoing training and coaching, marketing resources, and a dedicated network designed to help franchise owners grow.
Ready to explore whether Molly Maid is right for you? Download the Molly Maid Franchise Guide to learn more about the opportunity.
All third-party trademarks referenced are the property of their respective owners, including but not limited to MaidPro, The Cleaning Authority, Coverall, Merry Maids, and JAN-PRO. Such references are used for identification and comparison purposes only and do not imply any affiliation with, endorsement by, or sponsorship from these entities.
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