Merry Maids vs Molly Maid
Merry Maids vs Molly Maid: Merry Maids costs $30K to $512K to open; Molly Maid costs $30K to $267K. Merry Maids has 107 units, Molly Maid has 147. SBA loan history: Merry Maids = 124 loans (3.2% 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.
Merry Maids 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 $30K for Merry Maids), a 0% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $29K for Merry Maids versus $30K for Molly Maid, Merry Maids has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 7% for Merry Maids and 6.5% for Molly Maid, giving Molly Maid the lighter per-unit drag on operating income.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Molly Maid operates 147 units to Merry Maids's 107. Molly Maid has been operating 47 years (founded 1979) versus 47 for Merry Maids (founded 1979), a 0-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Molly Maid has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 185 7(a) approvals compared with 124 for Merry Maids. Merry Maids's peak SBA year was 2023 (17 loans); Molly Maid's peak was 2023 (13 loans). Molly Maid's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Both systems have the most SBA funded units in CA. Borrowers in that state will find the deepest lender familiarity with either brand. Average SBA loan size on funded Merry Maids deals is $273K vs $187K for Molly Maid, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 3.2% for Merry Maids and 7.6% for Molly Maid, Merry Maids has the cleaner SBA loss record by 4.4 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 78 (Strong) for Merry Maids and 78 (Strong) for Molly Maid.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 78/100 | 78/100 |
Health Tier | Strong | Strong |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Stable | Stable |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 124 | 185 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 3.2% | 7.6% |
Peer Tier | major | major |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $30K to $512K | $30K to $267K |
Franchise Fee | $29K | $30K |
Royalty Rate | 7% | 6.5% |
Ad Fund | 2% | 2% |
Liquid Capital | $50K | $50K |
Net Worth Required | $100K | $250K |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Disclosed | Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 107 | 147 |
Franchised Units | 107 | 147 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | 10 yrs | N/A |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1979 | 1979 |
Franchising Since | N/A | 1960 |
Years Franchising | N/A | 66 yrs |
Headquarters | Memphis, TN | Waco, TX |
Category | Janitorial Services | Janitorial Services |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2026 | 2023 |
Which Is Better, Merry Maids or Molly Maid?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
Merry Maids: $30K starting · Molly Maid: $30K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Molly Maid
Merry Maids: 124 SBA loans · Molly Maid: 185 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Merry Maids
Merry Maids: 3.2% · Molly Maid: 7.6%
Larger system & brand presence
Molly Maid
Merry Maids: 107 units · Molly Maid: 147 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Molly Maid
Merry Maids: 7% · Molly Maid: 6.5%
More lender financing options
Molly Maid
Merry Maids: 61 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
Merry Maids vs Molly Maid: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Merry Maids 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 $512K.
Merry Maids has 124 SBA loans on record and Molly Maid has 185. Those totals are cumulative history rather than a measure of current appetite. Both brands have an established underwriting path, though the lender that fits a specific deal still depends on its size, location and the buyer.
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.
Merry Maids vs Molly Maid, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Merry Maids or Molly Maid?
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Which has a lower SBA default rate, Merry Maids 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; it does not lend, fund, or approve loans, and 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