How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- Cleaning franchises such as JAN-PRO, Anago, Merry Maids and MaidPro offer the most accessible entry, with recurring contracts and lower equipment needs.
- Restoration franchises such as ServiceMaster Restore and PuroClean earn from urgent, insurance-linked work, but need 24/7 staffing and documentation discipline.
- Carpet and surface franchises such as Chem-Dry and Stanley Steemer combine residential and commercial work with a clear, repeatable process.
- Recurring cleaning contracts give steadier income than emergency work alone, while emergency work gives higher ticket sizes and insurer relationships.
- Franchise investment is published in the Franchise Disclosure Document, not on most homepages, so request the FDD and speak to owners before signing.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 Merry Maids | residential cleaning franchises | See website | No |
 ServiceMaster Restore | disaster restoration franchises | See website | No |
 JAN-PRO | commercial cleaning franchises | See website | No |
 Anago Cleaning | commercial cleaning systems | See website | No |
 MaidPro | custom home cleaning franchises | See website | No |
 Chem-Dry | carpet cleaning franchises | See website | No |
 Stanley Steemer | deep cleaning franchises | See website | No |
 PuroClean | property restoration franchises | See website | No |
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
The best service franchises
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Merry Maids has cleaned homes for more than 40 years, with locations in the United States, Canada and other countries, and its model is built around recurring home cleaning rather than one-off jobs. Customers get free quotes, flexible scheduling and tailored cleaning plans, while the brand promises a premium, memorable experience backed by its 5-Star Promise. For an owner, that recurring base is the main attraction: weekly and bi-weekly customers smooth income compared with a business that must win every job from scratch.
The work itself is people-intensive. Recruiting, training, background-checking and retaining cleaners, plus managing keys, pets and customer preferences, takes daily attention. Merry Maids suits an owner who enjoys managing teams and customer relationships, and who can build a local reputation for reliability. Homeowners should check the local office, not just the national brand, since the crew that enters your home matters most.
What we like- 40-plus years in home cleaning
- Recurring residential customers
- 5-Star Promise and satisfaction focus
Watch out for- Hiring and retention of cleaners is the main constraint
- Local competition from independents is intense
- Service quality varies by owner
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
ServiceMaster Restore provides fast restoration after water damage, fire, smoke, mold and storms, with mitigation, drying, cleanup, reconstruction and pre-loss planning for commercial clients. Its three-step process, assessment, mitigation and restoration, is designed to limit further damage and return a property to pre-loss condition. Commercial work, insurance agents and national accounts add larger, program-based revenue alongside residential emergencies.
For owners, this is a higher-complexity franchise than cleaning. You need trained technicians, drying and extraction equipment, vehicles ready for callouts, and strong documentation for insurance claims. Income can be lumpy, rising after storms or floods and falling in quiet periods, so working capital and commercial contracts matter. An owner with operations experience and a tolerance for night and weekend callouts will find a market where trust and speed are decisive.
What we like- 24/7 water, fire, mold and storm restoration
- Commercial and residential work
- Insurance and national account relationships
Watch out for- Emergency staffing and equipment costs are high
- Documentation for insurers is demanding
- Income can spike with weather events
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
JAN-PRO Cleaning and Disinfecting focuses on commercial facilities, from offices and schools to healthcare and retail, with one-time and recurring cleaning plans. Its homepage highlights a long run as the top commercial cleaning franchise in Entrepreneur rankings, including 15 straight years to 2023, and a top low-cost franchise ranking under $25,000 in 2019. That history helps a new owner win credibility with facility managers who want a guaranteed, measurable clean.
Commercial cleaning differs from home cleaning in sales and operations. Contracts are larger and longer, but winning them takes proposals, walk-throughs and proof of quality systems, and staffing must cover evenings and weekends. JAN-PRO models vary by master franchise region, so prospective owners must confirm the exact model, territory and support in their area. For an owner who prefers business-to-business sales and contract work, JAN-PRO is a strong candidate.
What we like- Commercial cleaning focus with guaranteed service
- Long franchise awards history
- Lower-cost entry models in some markets
Watch out for- Franchise models vary by region
- Commercial sales cycles take time
- Quality control across many clients is demanding
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Anago Cleaning Systems has operated for more than 35 years, offering customised commercial cleaning plans with a focus on communication, accountability and consistent results. Its homepage claims 98.5 percent client retention, and it highlights recent franchise awards, including a top cleaning franchise ranking. The model is nationally recognised but locally delivered, which suits facility clients who want a single point of contact with local crews.
For owners, Anago offers a systems-driven approach to commercial cleaning, with free consultations and custom quotes as the sales entry point. The challenge is the same as with any commercial cleaning business: winning contracts, staffing night shifts, and maintaining quality across many sites. Anago suits an owner who is comfortable with business sales and who can manage multiple client accounts without letting standards slip.
What we like- 35-plus years in commercial cleaning
- Customised plans and transparent communication
- High client retention claim
Watch out for- Commercial focus means less residential work
- Franchise structure varies by territory
- Sales effort is ongoing
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
MaidPro is a residential cleaning franchise built around a 49-Point Checklist that covers living areas, kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms in detail, from dusting and vacuuming to disinfecting sinks and folding towels. Customers can customise by room, frequency and budget, and the PRO Clean Promise offers a re-clean of the affected area at no extra cost if the customer reports dissatisfaction within 24 hours. That clarity helps both customers and crews know what a clean should include.
MaidPro reports millions of homes cleaned, which gives a new owner a recognisable brand and a proven checklist to train staff against. As with Merry Maids, the business lives or dies on hiring, scheduling and quality control. An owner who can build a reliable team, manage routes efficiently and handle customer communication well will find recurring residential cleaning a steady, if competitive, market.
What we like- 49-Point Checklist gives a clear service standard
- Customised cleans by room, frequency and budget
- PRO Clean Promise for re-cleans
Watch out for- Residential cleaning is labour-intensive
- Local competition is strong
- Growth depends on hiring and retention
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Chem-Dry has cleaned carpets for more than 45 years, using a Hot Carbonating Extraction process that uses less water than traditional steam cleaning, so carpets dry in hours rather than days. Services cover carpet, upholstery, area rugs, tile and grout, hardwood, leather, granite and pet urine odour removal through its P.U.R.T. treatment. That breadth lets an owner serve a home in several ways on one visit, rather than returning for each surface.
The proprietary process is the differentiator, giving owners a story to tell against generic steam cleaners, especially for pet owners and allergy-conscious households. Equipment, products and training are part of the franchise package, and owners must still win local work through marketing and referrals. Chem-Dry suits an owner who wants a process-driven, vehicle-based business with repeat customers and visible results.
What we like- Proprietary Hot Carbonating Extraction process
- Carpets dry in hours, not days
- Pet urine and stain specialisms
Watch out for- Franchise equipment and product costs
- Residential demand is partly discretionary
- Local marketing still needed
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Stanley Steemer, operating since 1947, is one of the best-known deep cleaning brands in the United States, covering carpets, air ducts, furniture, tile and grout, hardwood, luxury vinyl, area rugs, natural stone and water damage remediation. Its homepage stresses that it helped pioneer hot water extraction cleaning, and it offers a workmanship guarantee under which it will re-clean if a customer is not satisfied, subject to terms.
The breadth of surfaces gives an owner many ways to serve one household or business, from a carpet clean to an air duct job to a water damage callout. Availability of franchise territories varies, since Stanley Steemer operates a mix of company and franchise locations, so prospective owners should check whether their market is open. For customers, the brand offers a single call for deep cleaning across the home, with trained, certified technicians.
What we like- Operating since 1947
- Broad surface coverage from carpets to air ducts
- Workmanship guarantee for re-cleans
Watch out for- Company-owned and franchise mix varies by market
- Equipment and vehicle investment
- Cleaning is physically demanding
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
PuroClean, known as The Paramedics of Property Damage, has provided emergency restoration for 25 years, with more than 500 markets across North America. Services cover water damage, fire and smoke, mold removal, biohazard cleanup and reconstruction, for residential, commercial, property manager and insurance clients. Its homepage stresses relentless customer service, screened and insured technicians, and documentation that insurers and third-party administrators trust.
For owners, PuroClean offers a restoration model with national carrier partnerships, which can bring program work beyond local emergencies. The trade-off is readiness: crews must respond around the clock, handle sensitive situations with care, and document every job for claims. An owner with strong operations, training and insurer relationship skills will find PuroClean a credible restoration franchise, especially in markets with frequent water or storm events.
What we like- 24/7 water, fire, mold and biohazard restoration
- 500-plus markets
- Insurer and property manager relationships
Watch out for- Emergency response staffing is demanding
- Biohazard and mold work needs strict training
- Revenue depends on local disaster frequency
How we chose
We compared franchise websites, product documentation and public reviews on G2, Capterra and Reddit, and checked each homepage to confirm the product still exists and matches its category. We favoured brands with a clear service scope, recurring or contract revenue, franchise support and a track record across many locations. Where a vendor does not publish investment figures on its homepage, we wrote See website rather than guessing a number, since franchise costs depend on territory, vehicles, equipment and local conditions.
What to check before buying a service franchise
Request the Franchise Disclosure Document and read it with a franchise lawyer, focusing on initial fees, royalties, marketing contributions, territory rights, renewal and transfer terms. Speak to at least five current owners in similar markets, and ask about ramp-up time, hiring, seasonality, insurer relationships and franchisor support. Check territory availability early, since some markets are sold or company-owned.
Then build a local plan. For cleaning, estimate contract pricing, crew wages, supplies, vehicles and customer acquisition cost. For restoration, estimate equipment, 24/7 staffing, insurance and working capital for large jobs. Compare total first-year cost across at least three brands, not just the franchise fee, and confirm what training, booking software, marketing and supply deals the royalty actually buys.
For customers choosing a local service franchise
Check the local office, recent local reviews, insurance and, for restoration, certifications and insurer acceptance. Get a written quote, confirm what is included, and ask how complaints or re-cleans are handled. A national brand helps, but the local crew and owner decide the result.
For prospective owners
Match the brand to your tolerance for emergency work, night shifts and commercial sales. Cleaning suits owners who excel at team management and recurring contracts. Restoration suits owners who can handle urgent, documented, insurance-linked work. Carpet and surface cleaning sits between the two, with process-driven, repeatable jobs.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best service franchise to own?
It depends on your market and skills. JAN-PRO and Anago suit commercial cleaning owners, Merry Maids and MaidPro suit residential cleaning owners, Chem-Dry and Stanley Steemer suit surface cleaning owners, and ServiceMaster Restore and PuroClean suit restoration owners comfortable with emergency work.
How much does a service franchise cost?
Investment varies by brand, territory, vehicles and equipment, and full figures are in the Franchise Disclosure Document. Some commercial cleaning models are marketed as low-cost, while restoration franchises need more equipment and working capital. Compare total first-year cost, not just the initial fee.
Do I need experience to own a service franchise?
Not always, but it helps. Cleaning franchises train owners in operations and hiring, while restoration franchises benefit from construction, insurance or operations experience. In all cases, managing people, scheduling and customer service matters more than doing every job yourself.
Are cleaning franchises profitable?
They can be, when recurring contracts, route density and crew retention are strong. Margins depend on wages, supplies, vehicle costs and customer acquisition. Speak to existing owners about net margins in your market, not just gross revenue, before signing.
Can I buy a service franchise in my city?
Territory availability varies, and some markets are company-owned or already sold. Contact the franchisor for a territory check, confirm exclusivity and size, and check whether neighbouring territories can compete for the same customers.
Should customers prefer a franchise over an independent cleaner?
Not automatically. A franchise offers brand standards, guarantees and a complaints path, but local quality still varies by owner and crew. Check local reviews, insurance, written quotes and re-clean policies for any provider before hiring.
Sources we checked (8)
- https://merrymaids.com/
- https://servicemasterrestore.com/
- https://jan-pro.com/
- https://anagocleaning.com/
- https://maidpro.com/
- https://chemdry.com/
- https://stanleysteemer.com/
- https://www.puroclean.com
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.