Jani-King vs Merry Maids
Jani-King vs Merry Maids: Jani-King costs $170K to $2.9M to open; Merry Maids costs $30K to $512K. Jani-King has 59 units, Merry Maids has 107. SBA loan history: Jani-King = 66 loans (13.6% default); Merry Maids = 124 loans (3.2% default). The franchise with more SBA funded units, a lower SBA default rate, and a lower royalty load is the safer financing bet; see the comparison below.
Jani-King vs Merry Maids: Capital, Scale & Lending Analysis
Analysis based on FDD filings and SBA 7(a) loan level data. Each pairing reflects a unique combination of capital intensity, system scale, and financing path.
Capital Intensity
Merry Maids requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($30K vs $170K for Jani-King), a 466% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $100K for Jani-King versus $29K for Merry Maids, Merry Maids has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 6% for Jani-King and 7% for Merry Maids, giving Jani-King the lighter per-unit drag on operating income.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Merry Maids operates 107 units to Jani-King's 59.
SBA Lending Profile
Merry Maids has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 124 7(a) approvals compared with 66 for Jani-King. Jani-King's peak SBA year was 1996 (18 loans); Merry Maids's peak was 2023 (17 loans). Merry Maids's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Jani-King has the most SBA funded units in CO, with 9. Merry Maids leads in CA, with 14. Borrowers should pick the brand whose strongest SBA state matches their own state for warmer lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded Jani-King deals is $179K vs $273K for Merry Maids, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 13.6% for Jani-King and 3.2% for Merry Maids, Merry Maids has the cleaner SBA loss record by 10.4 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 32 (Fair) for Jani-King and 78 (Strong) for Merry Maids, giving Merry Maids the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 32/100 | 78/100 |
Health Tier | Limited | Strong |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Stable |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 66 | 124 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 13.6% | 3.2% |
Peer Tier | established | major |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $170K to $2.9M | $30K to $512K |
Franchise Fee | $100K | $29K |
Royalty Rate | 6% | 7% |
Ad Fund | 1% | 2% |
Liquid Capital | N/A | $50K |
Net Worth Required | N/A | $100K |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Disclosed | Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 59 | 107 |
Franchised Units | 59 | 107 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | 20 yrs | 10 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | N/A | 1979 |
Franchising Since | 1974 | N/A |
Years Franchising | 52 yrs | N/A |
Headquarters | NC | Memphis, TN |
Category | Janitorial Services | Janitorial Services |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2025 | 2026 |
Which Is Better, Jani-King or Merry Maids?
Lower upfront capital required
Merry Maids
Jani-King: $170K starting · Merry Maids: $30K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Merry Maids
Jani-King: 66 SBA loans · Merry Maids: 124 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Merry Maids
Jani-King: 13.6% · Merry Maids: 3.2%
Larger system & brand presence
Merry Maids
Jani-King: 59 units · Merry Maids: 107 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Jani-King
Jani-King: 6% · Merry Maids: 7%
More lender financing options
Merry Maids
Jani-King: 32 unique lenders · Merry Maids: 61 unique lenders
Decision matrix uses publicly disclosed FDD and SBA loan data. Not a recommendation. Your best franchise depends on capital, market, operating capacity, and risk tolerance.
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About These Franchises
Jani-King vs Merry Maids: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Jani-King and Merry Maids is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $30K to $2.9M.
Jani-King has 66 SBA loans on record and Merry Maids has 124. Those totals are cumulative history rather than a measure of current appetite. Recent lending activity is trending down for at least one of these brands, so current lender appetite has to be checked deal by deal rather than assumed from the totals.
SBA 7(a) loans are the most common franchise funding vehicle, offering up to $5M with as little as 10% down. PeerSense connects franchise buyers with the specific lenders who have approved loans for these brands, not generic referrals, but lenders with actual franchise lending track records.
Data sourced from SBA loan records, Franchise Disclosure Documents, and public filings. Updated regularly. Not financial advice, consult with a lending professional before making investment decisions.
Jani-King vs Merry Maids, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Jani-King or Merry Maids?
How much does a Jani-King franchise cost compared to Merry Maids?
Can I finance Jani-King or Merry Maids with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Jani-King or Merry Maids?
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Page Review
Reviewed by Edward L. Freeman, Founder and Managing Director, PeerSense
- PeerSense is a capital advisory firm that places commercial financing with direct capital sources; the capital source sets final terms.
- Edward L. Freeman founded PeerSense in January 2020.
- He is a Registered Franchise Consultant with Business Alliance, Inc., a credential issued in March 2022, and worked as a franchise consultant there from March 2022 to May 2023.
- His recorded experience includes a $22 million SBA construction loan, with about $16 million funded on the deal.
- In the 12 months through September 30, 2026, PeerSense tracked 912 publicly announced financings with a disclosed size of $361.32 billion. PeerSense Capital Data Report · Methodology page
Last reviewed LinkedIn profileAbout Edward Freeman