Jani-King vs Molly Maid
Jani-King vs Molly Maid: Jani-King costs $170K–$2.9M to open; Molly Maid costs $30K–$267K. Jani-King has 59 units, Molly Maid has 147. SBA loan history: Jani-King = 66 loans (13.6% default); Molly Maid = 185 loans (7.6% default). The franchise with more SBA-funded units, lower default rate, and lower royalty load is the safer financing bet — see the comparison below.
Jani-King vs Molly Maid — Capital, Scale & Lending Analysis
Data-driven differentiation pulled from 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
Molly Maid 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 $30K for Molly Maid — Molly Maid has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 6% for Jani-King and 6.5% for Molly Maid, giving Jani-King the lighter per-unit drag on operating income.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Molly Maid operates 147 units to Jani-King's 59 — roughly 2× the system size.
SBA Lending Profile
Molly Maid has the deeper SBA lending track record with 185 historical 7(a) approvals versus 66 for Jani-King. Jani-King's peak SBA year was 1996 (18 loans); Molly Maid's peak was 2023 (13 loans). Molly Maid's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Geographically, Jani-King concentrates in CO (9 SBA-funded units) while Molly Maid leads in CA (26) — pick the brand whose strongest state matches yours for warmest lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded Jani-King deals is $179K vs $187K for Molly Maid — useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 13.6% for Jani-King and 7.6% for Molly Maid — Molly Maid has the cleaner historical loss profile by 6.0 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 32 (Fair) for Jani-King and 78 (Strong) for Molly Maid, giving Molly Maid 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 | 185 |
SBA Volume | — | — |
Default Rate | 13.6% | 7.6% |
Peer Tier | established | major |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $170K – $2.9M | $30K – $267K |
Franchise Fee | $100K | $30K |
Royalty Rate | 6% | 6.5% |
Ad Fund | 1% | N/A |
Liquid Capital | N/A | $50K |
Net Worth Required | N/A | $250K |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 59 | 147 |
Franchised Units | 59 | 147 |
Company-Owned | — | — |
Term Length | 20 yrs | N/A |
Brand Information
Year Founded | N/A | 1979 |
Franchising Since | 1974 | 1960 |
Years Franchising | 52 yrs | 66 yrs |
Headquarters | None, NC | Waco, TX |
Category | Janitorial Services | Janitorial Services |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2025 | 2023 |
Which Is Better — Jani-King or Molly Maid?
Lower upfront capital required
Molly Maid
Jani-King: $170K starting · Molly Maid: $30K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Molly Maid
Jani-King: 66 SBA loans · Molly Maid: 185 SBA loans
Lower historical default rate
Molly Maid
Jani-King: 13.6% · Molly Maid: 7.6%
Larger system & brand presence
Molly Maid
Jani-King: 59 units · Molly Maid: 147 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Jani-King
Jani-King: 6% · Molly Maid: 6.5%
More lender financing options
Molly Maid
Jani-King: 32 unique lenders · Molly Maid: 76 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 Molly Maid: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Jani-King and Molly Maid 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.
Both brands have active SBA lending histories — Jani-King with 66 SBA loans and Molly Maid with 185. This means proven lender acceptance and established underwriting paths for franchise buyers.
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.