Molly Maid vs The Cleaning Authority
Molly Maid vs The Cleaning Authority: Molly Maid costs $30K–$267K to open; The Cleaning Authority costs $50K–$439K. Molly Maid has 147 units, The Cleaning Authority has 63. SBA loan history: Molly Maid = 185 loans (7.6% 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.
Molly Maid 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
Molly Maid requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($30K vs $50K for The Cleaning Authority), a 40% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $30K for Molly Maid versus $50K for The Cleaning Authority, Molly Maid has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 6.5% for Molly Maid and 6% for The Cleaning Authority, giving The Cleaning Authority the lighter per-unit drag on operating income.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Molly Maid operates 147 units to The Cleaning Authority's 63, roughly 2× the system size.
SBA Lending Profile
Molly Maid has the deeper SBA lending track record with 185 historical 7(a) approvals versus 86 for The Cleaning Authority. Molly Maid's peak SBA year was 2023 (13 loans); The Cleaning Authority's peak was 2015 (17 loans). Molly Maid's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Geographically, Molly Maid concentrates in CA (26 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 Molly Maid deals is $187K vs $259K for The Cleaning Authority, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 7.6% for Molly Maid and 7.0% for The Cleaning Authority, The Cleaning Authority has the cleaner historical loss profile by 0.6 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 78 (Strong) for Molly Maid and 57 (Moderate) for The Cleaning Authority, giving Molly Maid 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 | 185 | 86 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 7.6% | 7.0% |
Peer Tier | major | established |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $30K – $267K | $50K – $439K |
Franchise Fee | $30K | $50K |
Royalty Rate | 6.5% | 6% |
Ad Fund | N/A | 1% |
Liquid Capital | $50K | $40K |
Net Worth Required | $250K | $225K |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 147 | 63 |
Franchised Units | 147 | 63 |
Company-Owned | – | – |
Term Length | N/A | 15 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1979 | N/A |
Franchising Since | 1960 | 1960 |
Years Franchising | 66 yrs | 66 yrs |
Headquarters | Waco, TX | Dayton, OH |
Category | Janitorial Services | Janitorial Services |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2023 | 2026 |
Which Is Better, Molly Maid or The Cleaning Authority?
Lower upfront capital required
Molly Maid
Molly Maid: $30K starting · The Cleaning Authority: $50K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Molly Maid
Molly Maid: 185 SBA loans · The Cleaning Authority: 86 SBA loans
Lower historical default rate
The Cleaning Authority
Molly Maid: 7.6% · The Cleaning Authority: 7.0%
Larger system & brand presence
Molly Maid
Molly Maid: 147 units · The Cleaning Authority: 63 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
The Cleaning Authority
Molly Maid: 6.5% · The Cleaning Authority: 6%
More lender financing options
Molly Maid
Molly Maid: 76 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
Molly Maid vs The Cleaning Authority: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Molly Maid 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 $439K.
Both brands have active SBA lending histories, Molly Maid with 185 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.
Molly Maid vs The Cleaning Authority, Frequently Asked Questions
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