Maids (The) vs Molly Maid
Maids (The) vs Molly Maid: Maids (The) costs $33K to $179K to open; Molly Maid costs $30K to $267K. Maids (The) has 54 units, Molly Maid has 147. SBA loan history: Maids (The) = 56 loans (21.4% default); Molly Maid = 185 loans (7.6% 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.
Maids (The) vs Molly Maid: 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
Molly Maid requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($30K vs $33K for Maids (The)), a 8% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $38K for Maids (The) versus $30K for Molly Maid, Molly Maid has the lower entry fee.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Molly Maid operates 147 units to Maids (The)'s 54, roughly 3× the system size.
SBA Lending Profile
Molly Maid has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 185 7(a) approvals compared with 56 for Maids (The). Maids (The)'s peak SBA year was 1996 (12 loans); Molly Maid's peak was 2023 (13 loans). Molly Maid's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Maids (The) has the most SBA funded units in MA, with 10. Molly Maid leads in CA, with 26. Borrowers should pick the brand whose strongest SBA state matches their own state for warmer lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded Maids (The) deals is $101K vs $187K for Molly Maid, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 21.4% for Maids (The) and 7.6% for Molly Maid, Molly Maid has the cleaner SBA loss record by 13.8 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 24 (Fair) for Maids (The) 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 | 24/100 | 78/100 |
Health Tier | Limited | Strong |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Stable |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 56 | 185 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 21.4% | 7.6% |
Peer Tier | established | major |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $33K to $179K | $30K to $267K |
Franchise Fee | $38K | $30K |
Royalty Rate | N/A | 6.5% |
Ad Fund | N/A | 2% |
Liquid Capital | N/A | $50K |
Net Worth Required | N/A | $250K |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Not Disclosed | Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 54 | 147 |
Franchised Units | 54 | 147 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | N/A | N/A |
Brand Information
Year Founded | N/A | 1979 |
Franchising Since | N/A | 1960 |
Years Franchising | N/A | 66 yrs |
Headquarters | BROCKTON, MA | Waco, TX |
Category | Janitorial Services | Janitorial Services |
Website | ||
FDD Year | N/A | 2025 |
Which Is Better, Maids (The) or Molly Maid?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
Maids (The): $33K starting · Molly Maid: $30K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Molly Maid
Maids (The): 56 SBA loans · Molly Maid: 185 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Molly Maid
Maids (The): 21.4% · Molly Maid: 7.6%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
Maids (The): 54 units · Molly Maid: 147 units
More lender financing options
Molly Maid
Maids (The): 26 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
Maids (The) vs Molly Maid: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Maids (The) 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 $267K.
Maids (The) has 56 SBA loans on record and Molly Maid has 185. 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.
Maids (The) vs Molly Maid, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Maids (The) or Molly Maid?
How much does a Maids (The) franchise cost compared to Molly Maid?
Can I finance Maids (The) or Molly Maid with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Maids (The) or Molly Maid?
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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