Chem-Dry
Chem-Dry franchises enable the establishment and operation of businesses providing carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning, hard surface cleaning, spot removal, and other related services to residential and commercial customers using a proprietary system and trademarks. Franchisees are granted exclusive geographic territories and must adhere to the franchisor's methods outlined in operations manuals, with the option to operate from home for the first 24 months. The business model focuses on building a network of local franchise owners targeting markets with demand for professional cleaning services.
Disclaimer: This information was extracted using AI from public Franchise Disclosure Documents and should be independently verified. This is not financial or legal advice. Always review official FDD filings before making investment decisions.
Overview
Financial Requirements
Tiered royalty (4-7% of gross sales, starting at 7%) + up to 3% brand marketing fee + $450/mo technology fee
Franchise Stats
Financial Performance
Item 19 Financial Performance
This franchise did not provide Item 19 financial performance data.
Be careful if you are interested in investing. The lack of financial performance representations may indicate limited data or varying results across franchises.
Extracted Item 19 Section
How Chem-Dry Compares to Other Cleaning Services Franchises
Key Insights
- #3 largest franchise system in Cleaning Services
| Franchise | Investment Range | Franchise Fee | Royalty | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Chem-Dry Current | $119K - $265K | $36K | 7.0% | 1,099 |
| THE MAIDS | $82K - $160K | $57K | 6.9% | 1,517 |
| THE MAIDS | $118K - $141K | $60K | 6.9% | 1,472 |
| MERRY MAIDS | $127K - $170K | $55K | 7.0% | 802 |
| OpenWorks | $4K - $134K | $25K | 15.0% | 615 |
| OXI FRESH CARPET CLEANING | $54K - $105K | $48K | N/A | 481 |
Cleaning Services Average 72 franchises | $187K - $374K | $45K | 7.1% | - |
* Comparison based on latest FDD filings. Investment ranges from Item 7, fees from Item 5. Showing top 5 of 72 Cleaning Services franchises by location count.
Locations & Growth
Outlet Growth Over Time
Total outlets at end of each year
Geographic Distribution (2024)
Outlets by state across the United States
+35 more states
Franchisee Contacts
Unlock Franchisee Contact Database
980 franchisee contacts on file. Upgrade to see names, locations, phone numbers, and matched SBA loan data.
Upgrade to Pro$199/year · Cancel anytime
Due Diligence
Litigation (Item 3)
Breach of post-termination covenants, breach of contract, and related claims involving former franchisees (one franchisor-initiated lawsuit settled with injunctions; one franchisee-initiated lawsuit with parallel arbitration).
Bankruptcy (Item 4)
No bankruptcy history reported in the FDD.
System Health (Item 20)
Franchise system changes reported in the most recent fiscal year
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to open a Chem-Dry franchise?
The total initial investment to open a Chem-Dry franchise ranges from $119,263 to $265,110. This includes a franchise fee of $36,000. Ongoing royalty fees are 7.0% of gross sales.
How many Chem-Dry franchise locations are there?
As of the 2025 FDD, Chem-Dry has 1,099 franchise locations. The company has been franchising since 1978.
Is Chem-Dry a good franchise to buy?
Chem-Dry shows several positive indicators: established brand with 1,099+ locations. However, franchise success depends on many factors including location, local market conditions, and owner involvement. We recommend speaking with existing franchisees and consulting with a franchise attorney before making a decision.
Interested in Chem-Dry?
Talk to a franchise advisor to get personalized guidance and learn if Chem-Dry is the right fit for you.
Talk to an Advisor