The Cleaning Authority vs The Maids
The Cleaning Authority vs The Maids: The Cleaning Authority costs $50K to $439K to open; The Maids costs $84K to $502K. The Cleaning Authority has 63 units, The Maids has 51. SBA loan history: The Cleaning Authority = 86 loans (7.0% default); The Maids = 57 loans (3.5% 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.
The Cleaning Authority vs The Maids: 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
The Cleaning Authority requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($50K vs $84K for The Maids), a 41% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $50K for The Cleaning Authority versus $60K for The Maids, The Cleaning Authority has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 6% for The Cleaning Authority and 6.9% for The Maids, giving The Cleaning Authority the lighter per-unit drag on operating income.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, The Cleaning Authority operates 63 units to The Maids's 51.
SBA Lending Profile
The Cleaning Authority has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 86 7(a) approvals compared with 57 for The Maids. The Cleaning Authority's peak SBA year was 2015 (17 loans); The Maids's peak was 2022 (10 loans). The Maids's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. The Cleaning Authority has the most SBA funded units in OH, with 11. The Maids leads in TX, with 9. Borrowers should pick the brand whose strongest SBA state matches their own state for warmer lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded The Cleaning Authority deals is $259K vs $303K for The Maids, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 7.0% for The Cleaning Authority and 3.5% for The Maids, The Maids has the cleaner SBA loss record by 3.5 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 57 (Moderate) for The Cleaning Authority and 65 (Strong) for The Maids, giving The Maids the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 57/100 | 65/100 |
Health Tier | Moderate | Strong |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Stable |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 86 | 57 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 7.0% | 3.5% |
Peer Tier | established | established |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $50K to $439K | $84K to $502K |
Franchise Fee | $50K | $60K |
Royalty Rate | 6% | 6.9% |
Ad Fund | 1% | 2% |
Liquid Capital | $40K | N/A |
Net Worth Required | $225K | N/A |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Disclosed | Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 63 | 51 |
Franchised Units | 63 | 51 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | 15 yrs | 10 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | N/A | 1979 |
Franchising Since | 1960 | 2006 |
Years Franchising | 66 yrs | 20 yrs |
Headquarters | Dayton, OH | CA |
Category | Janitorial Services | Janitorial Services |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2025 | 2026 |
Which Is Better, The Cleaning Authority or The Maids?
Lower upfront capital required
The Cleaning Authority
The Cleaning Authority: $50K starting · The Maids: $84K starting
More SBA lender confidence
The Cleaning Authority
The Cleaning Authority: 86 SBA loans · The Maids: 57 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
The Maids
The Cleaning Authority: 7.0% · The Maids: 3.5%
Larger system & brand presence
The Cleaning Authority
The Cleaning Authority: 63 units · The Maids: 51 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
The Cleaning Authority
The Cleaning Authority: 6% · The Maids: 6.9%
More lender financing options
The Cleaning Authority
The Cleaning Authority: 34 unique lenders · The Maids: 29 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
The Cleaning Authority vs The Maids: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing The Cleaning Authority and The Maids is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $50K to $502K.
The Cleaning Authority has 86 SBA loans on record and The Maids has 57. 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.
The Cleaning Authority vs The Maids, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, The Cleaning Authority or The Maids?
How much does a The Cleaning Authority franchise cost compared to The Maids?
Can I finance The Cleaning Authority or The Maids with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, The Cleaning Authority or The Maids?
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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