Blog › Franchise Comparison
$109K to enter. 8% of revenue forever. Here's what the MaidPro playbook actually costs.
MaidPro is one of the fastest-growing residential cleaning franchises in the United States, with 237+ franchise locations and a reputation for a simpler fee structure than many competitors. If you're researching cleaning franchise options, MaidPro likely appeared near the top of your list.
The appeal is real: MaidPro's 6% flat royalty is lower than some competitors, their total investment is in the $110K–$160K range, and their average franchisee generates around $462,000/year in gross sales. That sounds compelling until you do the actual math on what 8% of $462,000 costs you every year, indefinitely.
This article gives you the real numbers from MaidPro's FDD and a clear-eyed comparison against building independently with HomePro Systems.
MaidPro is a residential cleaning franchise headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, and currently owned by The Riverside Company through Threshold Brands. Founded in 1991 and franchising since 1997, MaidPro has 237+ franchise locations as of 2024. Franchisees pay 6% royalties on gross sales plus 2% to the brand fund, with total initial investments of $109,860–$158,650. Average franchisee gross sales are approximately $461,941/year per FDD Item 19 data.
MaidPro's differentiator in the residential cleaning space has historically been owner-operator flexibility — they tend to attract hands-on owners who want to build a local cleaning business with brand support, rather than purely passive investors. The company's PE-backed ownership through Threshold Brands means there's institutional infrastructure, but also the typical PE priorities around growth metrics and system standardization.
A MaidPro franchise requires a total initial investment of $109,860–$158,650 based on 2025 FDD data. The initial franchise fee is up to $45,000, though MaidPro frequently offers waivers and discounts. Ongoing fees are 6% royalties plus 2% brand fund — totaling 8% of gross consumer sales every month — plus a $500/month technology fee ($6,000/year).
| Initial franchise fee (mid-range) | $22,500 |
| Startup costs (equipment, marketing, working capital) | $65,000 |
| Royalties @ 6% on $15K/mo × 48 months | $43,200 |
| Brand fund @ 2% on $15K/mo × 48 months | $14,400 |
| Technology fee @ $500/mo × 60 months | $30,000 |
| Total 5-Year Cost | ~$175,100 |
Assumes ramp to $15K/mo by month 13. Actual costs depend on current FDD and territory. Initial franchise fee often discounted.
Get the systems, SOPs, scripts, and AI coaching that drive a professional cleaning business — for $79/mo. No franchise fee. No royalties.
Start Free Today See Pricing →A MaidPro franchise includes initial training (5 days at corporate), an operations manual, access to the MaidPro brand and marketing materials, territory protection, a technology platform (the $500/month fee), vendor relationships, and ongoing corporate support. MaidPro is known for a relatively simple fee structure compared to many cleaning franchises.
MaidPro's 6% flat royalty with no tiered schedules is genuinely one of the cleaner structures in the residential cleaning franchise space. There's no confusion about rate changes at different revenue levels — you always know exactly what you owe.
MaidPro franchisees receive defined geographic territories. No other MaidPro franchisee can operate in your protected area, which has meaningful value in competitive markets where residential cleaning demand is concentrated.
Initial training covers cleaning techniques, customer service, scheduling, hiring, and business operations. For someone new to running a service business, the structured curriculum is valuable.
MaidPro has built regional brand recognition in their strongest markets. In areas with multiple MaidPro locations, the brand carries consumer trust that helps with initial client acquisition.
The $500/month fee covers MaidPro's scheduling, billing, and client management software. This is functional technology, though it comes at a premium price compared to independent alternatives.
MaidPro costs $109,860–$158,650 to enter plus 8% of revenue every month plus $500/month in technology fees. HomePro Systems costs $79/month (Sage included) with no entry fee and no royalties. At MaidPro's average system revenue of $462,000/year, their total annual fees (royalties + brand fund + tech) are approximately $43,960. HomePro's annual cost is $948–$1,188.
| Factor | MaidPro Franchise | HomePro Systems (Independent) |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Investment | $109,860–$158,650 | $0 |
| Monthly Cost | 6% royalty + 2% brand fund + $500 tech fee | $79/mo flat (Sage included) |
| Brand | MaidPro's brand | Your own brand |
| Territory | Protected geographic territory | No restrictions — market-based |
| AI Coaching | No | Sage (GPT-4o, voice, EN/ES) |
| Operations Manual / SOPs | ✅ Included | ✅ Included in Pro ($79/mo) |
| Technology Platform | $500/mo (included) | Choose your own tools |
| Pricing Freedom | Guided by franchise standards | Complete freedom |
| Exit | Franchise agreement terms | Cancel anytime |
| 5-Year Total Cost | ~$175,100 | ~$4,740–$5,940 |
HomePro Systems is built for residential cleaning operators who want to run a professional, scalable business without paying franchise royalties. Here's what's included:
See also: Why Independent Operators Are Choosing HomePro Over Franchises
MaidPro makes the most sense for someone who has never run a business, wants an established brand name in a market where MaidPro has strong recognition, and has $110,000–$160,000 to invest plus living expenses for the ramp-up period. MaidPro's simpler fee structure (vs. some competitors) makes it more transparent than average — but the math still heavily favors independent operation for experienced operators.
Consider MaidPro if you:
At $15,000/month in residential cleaning revenue — achievable with 4–6 regular residential clients per day:
| MaidPro Franchise | HomePro Systems |
| Entry: ~$87,500 (mid-range) | Entry: $0 |
| Royalties + brand fund (8%): $57,600 | Subscription (5 yr): $4,740–$5,940 |
| Technology fees (5 yr): $30,000 | Startup costs: ~$2,000 |
| Total: ~$175,100 | Total: ~$7,940 |
The difference — roughly $167,000 — stays in the independent operator's pocket over 5 years. That's enough to purchase equipment, hire two additional cleaners, or significantly accelerate business growth.
Per MaidPro's FDD Item 19 data, average franchisee gross sales are approximately $461,941/year. After paying 8% in royalties and brand fund ($36,955), the $500/month technology fee ($6,000), payroll (typically 40–50% of revenue), supplies, insurance, and other operating costs, owner take-home income typically falls in the $40,000–$80,000 range in mature years. The top quintile of MaidPro franchisees generate significantly more, while the bottom quartile operates near break-even.
Most MaidPro franchisees reach break-even in 18–36 months, depending on market penetration speed and initial investment amount. The higher your initial investment, the longer the break-even period. A franchisee who paid the full $45,000 franchise fee faces a longer payback than one who received a fee waiver.
MaidPro's 6% flat royalty is simpler and slightly lower than Molly Maid's 3–6.5% (which can be comparable at lower revenue). MaidPro has stronger average performance data. However, Molly Maid's brand recognition is broader nationally, and Molly Maid's total investment range ($109K–$156K) is similar. Both are legitimate businesses with real ongoing royalty costs. For most independent operators, neither franchise delivers better economics than building independently with professional systems.
MaidPro is owned by The Riverside Company through its Threshold Brands portfolio, which also owns Merry Maids parent activities and other home service brands. This PE ownership means franchisees operate within a system managed for institutional returns, which affects everything from fee structures to strategic decisions about the franchise network.
For most residential cleaning operators with any prior business experience, going independent with professional systems is the better choice. The MaidPro playbook is solid — their training, systems, and fee structure are among the better options in the residential cleaning franchise space. But the math is clear: 8% of revenue plus $500/month plus $109K to enter is a very expensive way to access operational knowledge that's available for $79/month through HomePro.
The residential cleaning business rewards reliability, quality, and referrals above all else. Those things are earned by you — not by the brand name on your truck. The operators who build strong independent businesses invest that savings back into their teams, their marketing, and their customer experience.
Professional cleaning business systems, AI coaching, and complete SOPs for $79/month (Sage included). No franchise fees. No royalties. Your business, your brand, your revenue.
Start Free Today Start HomePro Pro — $79/moDisclaimer: MaidPro franchise cost figures are based on publicly available Franchise Disclosure Documents and third-party FDD analysis current as of early 2026. Franchise costs and programs change annually — always request and review the current FDD before making any investment decision. HomePro Systems is not affiliated with MaidPro or Threshold Brands.
Another residential cleaning franchise with similar economics. See how the full numbers compare.
Read Article →We've run the numbers on 8 major cleaning franchises. Here's what they actually cost over 10 years.
Read Guide →