THE CLEANING AUTHORITY
The Cleaning Authority franchise offers residential cleaning services similar to a maid service (Core Services), with options for Non-Core Services such as carpet cleaning, window cleaning, furniture cleaning, and light commercial cleaning for properties under specified size limits. Franchisees operate in defined territories—Enterprise Markets (30,000+ Designated Households) or Hometown Markets (fewer)—using the franchisor's proprietary system, marks, standards, and operations manual to serve high-income residential customers and select commercial clients. The business model emphasizes team-based cleaning, customer warranties, and royalty payments on revenue, targeting affluent households with annual incomes of at least $70,000 ($85,000 in California).
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
6% royalty (tiered lower at higher revenue volumes) + 1% brand fund (max $200/wk) + $37-$40/wk technology fee (~$159-$174/mo)
Franchise Stats
Financial Performance
Item 19 Financial Performance
Data Based On: 206 Enterprise Market Territories operating for the entire 2024 fiscal year, segmented into Top, Middle, and Lower Thirds by Gross Revenue.
* Average Gross Revenue was calculated as a weighted average using the 'Total Actual Gross Revenue' and 'Total Number of Reporting Territories' for each segment (Top Third, Middle Third, Lower Third) from Table 1. Calculation: ($168,743,478 + $87,558,225 + $44,026,914) / (69 + 68 + 69) = $300,328,617 / 206 = $1,457,905.91. Median Gross Revenue is taken from the Middle Third Reporting Territories, as an overall median was not explicitly provided, adhering to the instruction to use the middle segment's median. Revenue Top Quartile and Revenue Bottom Quartile are represented by the Average Gross Revenue of the Top Third and Lower Third segments, respectively. Profit estimates (net income, net profit, EBITDA, and best guess profit range) are set to null because while COGS percentages and ranges for some operating expenses (rent, telephone, employee advertising) are provided in Note 4, other significant expenses such as 'manager salaries or owner draws' and the 'weekly Local Marketing Fee' are not quantified or are referred to other sections of the FDD (Items 6, 7, 8, and 11), making a comprehensive and reliable profit estimation impossible from the available information in Item 19.
Extracted Item 19 Section
How THE CLEANING AUTHORITY Compares to Other Cleaning Services Franchises
Key Insights
- Lower than average SBA loan default rate in Cleaning Services
| Franchise | Investment Range | Franchise Fee | Royalty | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
THE CLEANING AUTHORITY Current | $93K - $147K | $20K | 6.0% | 233 |
| THE MAIDS | $82K - $160K | $57K | 6.9% | 1,517 |
| THE MAIDS | $118K - $141K | $60K | 6.9% | 1,472 |
| Chem-Dry | $119K - $265K | $36K | 7.0% | 1,099 |
| MERRY MAIDS | $127K - $170K | $55K | 7.0% | 802 |
| OpenWorks | $4K - $134K | $25K | 15.0% | 615 |
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
+25 more states
SBA Loan History
Historical SBA 7(a) loan data for THE CLEANING AUTHORITY franchisees (2014 - 2025)
Loans by Year
* Data sourced from SBA 7(a) FOIA loan records. Default rate calculated from charged-off loans.
Franchisee Contacts
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Due Diligence
Litigation (Item 3)
One lawsuit by franchisee association alleging inadequate disclosures, interference with association rights, lack of marketing fund transparency, and above-market pricing; one action against former franchisee for unpaid fees and non-compete breach (with counterclaims alleging misrepresentations).
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 THE CLEANING AUTHORITY franchise?
The total initial investment to open a THE CLEANING AUTHORITY franchise ranges from $92,850 to $147,100. This includes a franchise fee of $20,000. Ongoing royalty fees are 6.0% of gross sales.
How much revenue does a THE CLEANING AUTHORITY franchise make?
According to the 2025 FDD, the average gross revenue for a THE CLEANING AUTHORITY franchise is $1,457,905.91. The median revenue is $1,264,579.
How many THE CLEANING AUTHORITY franchise locations are there?
As of the 2025 FDD, THE CLEANING AUTHORITY has 233 franchise locations. The company has been franchising since 1996.
Can you get an SBA loan for a THE CLEANING AUTHORITY franchise?
Yes, SBA loans are available for THE CLEANING AUTHORITY franchises. Historical data shows 79 SBA 7(a) loans have been approved for THE CLEANING AUTHORITY franchisees, with an average loan amount of $257,103. The historical default rate is 7.6%.
Is THE CLEANING AUTHORITY a good franchise to buy?
THE CLEANING AUTHORITY shows several positive indicators: established brand with 233+ locations, transparent financial performance data (Item 19), low SBA loan default rate. 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 THE CLEANING AUTHORITY?
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