Merry Maids vs The Cleaning Authority
Merry Maids vs The Cleaning Authority: Merry Maids costs $30K–$512K to open; The Cleaning Authority costs $50K–$439K. Merry Maids has 107 units, The Cleaning Authority has 63. SBA loan history: Merry Maids = 124 loans (3.2% default); The Cleaning Authority = 86 loans (7.0% default). The franchise with more SBA-funded units, lower default rate, and lower royalty load is the safer financing bet — see the comparison below.
Merry Maids vs The Cleaning Authority — 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
Merry Maids requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($30K vs $50K for The Cleaning Authority), a 40% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $29K for Merry Maids versus $50K for The Cleaning Authority — Merry Maids has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 7% for Merry Maids and 6% for The Cleaning Authority, giving The Cleaning Authority the lighter per-unit drag on operating income.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Merry Maids operates 107 units to The Cleaning Authority's 63.
SBA Lending Profile
Merry Maids has the deeper SBA lending track record with 124 historical 7(a) approvals versus 86 for The Cleaning Authority. Merry Maids's peak SBA year was 2023 (17 loans); The Cleaning Authority's peak was 2015 (17 loans). Merry Maids's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Geographically, Merry Maids concentrates in CA (14 SBA-funded units) while The Cleaning Authority leads in OH (11) — pick the brand whose strongest state matches yours for warmest lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded Merry Maids deals is $273K vs $259K for The Cleaning Authority — useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 3.2% for Merry Maids and 7.0% for The Cleaning Authority — Merry Maids has the cleaner historical loss profile by 3.8 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 78 (Strong) for Merry Maids and 57 (Moderate) for The Cleaning Authority, giving Merry Maids the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 78/100 | 57/100 |
Health Tier | Strong | Moderate |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Stable | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 124 | 86 |
SBA Volume | — | — |
Default Rate | 3.2% | 7.0% |
Peer Tier | major | established |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $30K – $512K | $50K – $439K |
Franchise Fee | $29K | $50K |
Royalty Rate | 7% | 6% |
Ad Fund | 2% | 1% |
Liquid Capital | $50K | $40K |
Net Worth Required | $100K | $225K |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 107 | 63 |
Franchised Units | 107 | 63 |
Company-Owned | — | — |
Term Length | 10 yrs | 15 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1979 | N/A |
Franchising Since | N/A | 1960 |
Years Franchising | N/A | 66 yrs |
Headquarters | Memphis, TN | Dayton, OH |
Category | Janitorial Services | Janitorial Services |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2026 | 2026 |
Which Is Better — Merry Maids or The Cleaning Authority?
Lower upfront capital required
Merry Maids
Merry Maids: $30K starting · The Cleaning Authority: $50K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Merry Maids
Merry Maids: 124 SBA loans · The Cleaning Authority: 86 SBA loans
Lower historical default rate
Merry Maids
Merry Maids: 3.2% · The Cleaning Authority: 7.0%
Larger system & brand presence
Merry Maids
Merry Maids: 107 units · The Cleaning Authority: 63 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
The Cleaning Authority
Merry Maids: 7% · The Cleaning Authority: 6%
More lender financing options
Merry Maids
Merry Maids: 61 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
Merry Maids vs The Cleaning Authority: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Merry Maids 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 $30K to $512K.
Both brands have active SBA lending histories — Merry Maids with 124 SBA loans and The Cleaning Authority with 86. 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.