Maids (The) vs The Cleaning Authority
Maids (The) vs The Cleaning Authority: Maids (The) costs $33K to $179K to open; The Cleaning Authority costs $50K to $439K. Maids (The) has 54 units, The Cleaning Authority has 63. SBA loan history: Maids (The) = 56 loans (21.4% default); The Cleaning Authority = 86 loans (7.0% 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 The Cleaning Authority: 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
Maids (The) requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($33K vs $50K for The Cleaning Authority), a 35% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $38K for Maids (The) versus $50K for The Cleaning Authority, Maids (The) has the lower entry fee.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, The Cleaning Authority operates 63 units to Maids (The)'s 54.
SBA Lending Profile
The Cleaning Authority has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 86 7(a) approvals compared with 56 for Maids (The). Maids (The)'s peak SBA year was 1996 (12 loans); The Cleaning Authority's peak was 2015 (17 loans). The Cleaning Authority's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Maids (The) has the most SBA funded units in MA, with 10. The Cleaning Authority leads in OH, with 11. 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 $259K for The Cleaning Authority, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 21.4% for Maids (The) and 7.0% for The Cleaning Authority, The Cleaning Authority has the cleaner SBA loss record by 14.4 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 24 (Fair) for Maids (The) and 57 (Moderate) for The Cleaning Authority, giving The Cleaning Authority the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 24/100 | 57/100 |
Health Tier | Limited | Moderate |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 56 | 86 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 21.4% | 7.0% |
Peer Tier | established | established |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $33K to $179K | $50K to $439K |
Franchise Fee | $38K | $50K |
Royalty Rate | N/A | 6% |
Ad Fund | N/A | 1% |
Liquid Capital | N/A | $40K |
Net Worth Required | N/A | $225K |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Not Disclosed | Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 54 | 63 |
Franchised Units | 54 | 63 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | N/A | 15 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | N/A | N/A |
Franchising Since | N/A | 1960 |
Years Franchising | N/A | 66 yrs |
Headquarters | BROCKTON, MA | Dayton, OH |
Category | Janitorial Services | Janitorial Services |
Website | ||
FDD Year | N/A | 2025 |
Which Is Better, Maids (The) or The Cleaning Authority?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
Maids (The): $33K starting · The Cleaning Authority: $50K starting
More SBA lender confidence
The Cleaning Authority
Maids (The): 56 SBA loans · The Cleaning Authority: 86 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
The Cleaning Authority
Maids (The): 21.4% · The Cleaning Authority: 7.0%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
Maids (The): 54 units · The Cleaning Authority: 63 units
More lender financing options
The Cleaning Authority
Maids (The): 26 unique lenders · The Cleaning Authority: 34 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 The Cleaning Authority: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Maids (The) and The Cleaning Authority is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $33K to $439K.
Maids (The) has 56 SBA loans on record and The Cleaning Authority has 86. 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 The Cleaning Authority, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Maids (The) or The Cleaning Authority?
How much does a Maids (The) franchise cost compared to The Cleaning Authority?
Can I finance Maids (The) or The Cleaning Authority with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Maids (The) or The Cleaning Authority?
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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