Top Cleaning Franchises in 2025 | Expert Picks
The cleaning industry continues to shine as one of the most reliable franchise sectors out there. With consistent demand from both homes and businesses, cleaning services rarely go out of style—and they've only gotten more essential since the pandemic made everyone hyper-aware of germs and sanitization.
What makes cleaning franchises particularly attractive is their flexibility. Some let you start from home with minimal investment, while others offer sophisticated systems for managing large commercial contracts. Whether you're looking for a side business or a multi-unit empire, there's likely a cleaning franchise that fits your goals.
Here's our breakdown of the top cleaning franchises to consider this year, from budget-friendly options to established industry leaders.
Jan-Pro built its reputation on commercial cleaning with a twist—they use a unique "master franchise" system. The company focuses on detailed cleaning protocols and hospital-grade disinfection, making them particularly popular with medical offices, schools, and businesses that need consistent, thorough cleaning.
Franchise Opportunity Jan-Pro has over 10,000 franchisees across the US and internationally. What makes them stand out is their tiered entry system. You can start as a unit franchisee (actually doing the cleaning) for as little as $4,830, or become a master franchisee who recruits and manages unit franchisees in your territory (which requires a much larger investment).
The company provides comprehensive training through their "Jan-Pro University" program, covering everything from cleaning techniques to business management. They also help with customer acquisition—master franchisees typically secure the contracts and pass them to unit franchisees, making this a good option if you're worried about sales and marketing.
MaidThis is a newer player that's carved out a specific niche: cleaning vacation rentals and Airbnbs alongside traditional residential cleaning. They've built their brand around being tech-forward, with systems designed specifically for the short-term rental market where turnovers need to happen quickly and reliably.
With around 20 units so far, MaidThis is still growing but offers exclusive territories to franchisees. Their model is particularly appealing if you're in a tourist-heavy area where vacation rentals are booming.
The initial investment includes a comprehensive marketing package and their proprietary booking software. Training includes both in-person sessions at headquarters and ongoing virtual support. What makes MaidThis interesting is their focus on being an absentee-friendly business—they emphasize building systems so you can manage the business without doing the cleaning yourself.
Voda specializes in water damage restoration, carpet cleaning, and general cleaning services. They've positioned themselves at the intersection of everyday cleaning and emergency restoration services, which gives franchisees multiple revenue streams.
Voda has about 30 locations, primarily in the western and central United States. Their model requires a physical location and specialized equipment for restoration services, which explains the higher investment range.
The company provides two weeks of initial training at its headquarters, covering both technical skills and business operations. They also offer ongoing support with their proprietary job management software and marketing assistance. This franchise is best suited for someone looking to be more hands-on, as the restoration side requires technical expertise and emergency response capabilities.
MaidPro focuses on residential cleaning with a strong emphasis on customer service and technology. They've developed their own proprietary software that handles scheduling, billing, and customer management, making it easier to run the business efficiently.
With over 285 locations across North America, MaidPro offers a well-established system. They provide exclusive territories and allow franchisees to operate from home, keeping overhead costs low.
Their training program includes a week at "MaidPro University" in Boston, followed by ongoing support through regional meetings and their online learning platform. What sets MaidPro apart is their sliding royalty scale—the more revenue you generate, the lower your royalty percentage becomes, which incentivizes growth.
Two Maids has made a name for itself with its unique "Pay for Performance" model, where cleaning technicians' pay is directly tied to customer satisfaction ratings. This creates built-in quality control and has helped the brand grow rapidly since they began franchising.
Two Maids has expanded to over 90 locations across the US. Unlike some cleaning franchises, they require a retail storefront, which contributes to the higher initial investment but also provides visibility.
The company offers a comprehensive two-week training program at their headquarters, covering everything from hiring practices to their performance-based pay system. They also provide ongoing marketing support and access to their proprietary scheduling software. This franchise is ideal for someone who wants to build a larger residential cleaning operation with multiple teams.
Molly Maid is one of the most recognized names in residential cleaning, with over 40 years in the industry. They focus exclusively on home cleaning services and have built their brand around reliability and trust—important factors when you're sending people into customers' homes.
With more than 500 locations across the US, Molly Maid offers the advantage of strong brand recognition. They provide protected territories based on household count rather than geography, ensuring enough potential customers.
Training includes a comprehensive program at their Michigan headquarters, followed by in-field support from a dedicated business advisor. They also offer robust marketing support, including national advertising campaigns that benefit all franchisees. Molly Maid is best suited for owner-operators who want to leverage an established brand in the residential cleaning space.
The Maids differentiates itself with its team-based cleaning approach and signature 22-Step Healthy Touch® Deep Cleaning System. They focus on thorough, health-focused residential cleaning, using backpack vacuums with HEPA filtration and environmentally friendly cleaning products.
With approximately 175 franchises serving 90 major US and Canadian markets, The Maids offers exclusive territories based on population. Their model requires a physical office space and company-branded vehicles.
The company provides comprehensive training at their headquarters, followed by on-site support during your grand opening. They also offer ongoing business coaching and national marketing campaigns. The Maids is ideal for someone who wants to build a structured residential cleaning business with standardized processes and multiple teams.
Anago specializes in commercial cleaning with a two-tiered franchise system similar to Jan-Pro. They focus on providing services to offices, medical facilities, schools, and retail spaces, with an emphasis on green cleaning practices.
Anago has over 1,700 unit franchisees across the US and internationally. Their master franchise model allows entrepreneurs to buy the rights to develop an entire region, then sell and support unit franchises within that territory.
For unit franchisees, the investment is relatively low, and Anago provides initial customers as part of the package. Master franchisees receive comprehensive training on sales, operations, and franchise development. This dual approach makes Anago accessible to both entry-level entrepreneurs (unit) and those looking for a larger business development opportunity (master).
Stratus Building Solutions focuses on commercial cleaning with a strong emphasis on environmentally friendly practices. They've developed their own line of Green Seal certified cleaning products and equipment, positioning themselves as a leader in green commercial cleaning.
With over 2,000 unit franchisees across the US and Canada, Stratus uses the master-unit franchise model. Unit franchisees can start with a very low investment (under $5,000 for their basic package), making this one of the most accessible franchise opportunities available.
The company provides initial and ongoing training, with master franchisees handling local support for unit franchisees. Stratus is particularly appealing for first-time business owners or immigrants looking for an entry point into entrepreneurship, as they offer financing options and don't require previous business experience.
ServiceMaster Clean is one of the oldest and most established names in the cleaning industry. They offer multiple service lines including commercial cleaning, residential disaster restoration, and healthcare cleaning, giving franchisees diverse revenue opportunities.
With over 700 franchises globally, ServiceMaster offers the stability of a long-established brand. They provide exclusive territories and allow franchisees to choose between different business models based on their interests and investment capacity.
Training includes a comprehensive program at their headquarters, followed by field support and ongoing education through their ServiceMaster Academy. They also provide national accounts programs that can help jumpstart a new franchise. This opportunity is best suited for someone looking for a proven system with multiple potential growth paths.
Corvus focuses exclusively on commercial cleaning, with a franchise model designed to be accessible to first-time business owners. They emphasize their support systems and customer acquisition assistance, which helps new franchisees get off the ground quickly.
Corvus has over 1,600 franchisees across 18 regional offices in the US. Their model is home-based, keeping overhead costs low, and they offer some of the most affordable entry points in the commercial cleaning franchise space.
The company provides initial training at their regional offices, followed by ongoing support from local teams. What makes Corvus stand out is their commitment to providing initial customers—they guarantee a certain amount of monthly revenue to start, which reduces the risk for new franchisees.
Chem-Dry specializes in carpet and upholstery cleaning using their patented hot carbonating extraction process. They've expanded to offer additional services including tile cleaning, wood floor cleaning, and pet odor removal, creating multiple revenue streams for franchisees.
With over 2,500 franchises in 55 countries, Chem-Dry is one of the largest cleaning franchises globally. They offer exclusive territories and a home-based business model that keeps overhead costs manageable.
Training includes a comprehensive 5-day program at their headquarters, covering both technical skills and business operations. They also provide ongoing support through regional trainers and their online learning platform. Chem-Dry is ideal for someone interested in specialized cleaning services rather than general residential or commercial cleaning.
Stanley Steemer is one of the most recognized brands in carpet cleaning, with their familiar yellow vans and "Tough on Dirt, Gentle on Carpet" slogan. They've expanded beyond carpets to offer tile and grout cleaning, hardwood floor cleaning, and water damage restoration.
With approximately 280 locations across the US, Stanley Steemer offers the advantage of strong brand recognition. Their model requires a physical location and specialized equipment, which explains the higher investment range.
The company provides comprehensive training at its headquarters, including hands-on technical training and business management education. They also offer national advertising support and a centralized call center that can help generate leads. Stanley Steemer is best suited for someone looking to build a substantial business with multiple service vehicles and technicians.
Fish Window Cleaning specializes in—you guessed it—window cleaning services for both commercial and residential clients. They've built their brand around reliability and safety, with a focus on recurring service contracts that provide stable revenue.
With over 275 franchises across the US, Fish Window Cleaning offers exclusive territories based on population. Their model requires a small office space but is otherwise relatively low in overhead costs.
The company provides a comprehensive four-week training program, including one week at their headquarters and three weeks of on-site support during your launch. They also offer ongoing support with marketing, hiring, and operational challenges. This franchise is ideal for someone looking for a specialized cleaning service with both residential and commercial applications.
City Wide takes a different approach to the cleaning industry—they act as a management company that connects commercial clients with a network of independent service providers. Beyond just cleaning, they coordinate over 20 building maintenance services, from janitorial to handyman work to parking lot maintenance.
With about 70 franchises across the US and Canada, City Wide offers large exclusive territories (typically 1 million+ in population). Their model requires an office location and focuses on sales and management rather than performing the actual cleaning services.
The company provides comprehensive training at its headquarters, followed by ongoing support from business coaches. What makes City Wide unique is that franchisees don't have to worry about hiring and managing cleaning staff—instead, they build relationships with existing service providers and focus on client acquisition and retention. This is ideal for someone with sales and management experience who wants to build a substantial B2B service business.
Window Gang offers multiple exterior cleaning services beyond just windows, including pressure washing, gutter cleaning, and house washing. This diversification allows franchisees to maximize revenue from each customer by offering complementary services.
With around 40 locations across the US, Window Gang provides exclusive territories based on population. Their model requires a small office space and service vehicles but can be started with a relatively modest investment compared to some other specialty cleaning franchises.
The company provides two weeks of initial training at its headquarters, covering technical skills, sales strategies, and business operations. They also offer ongoing support with their proprietary scheduling software and marketing materials. Window Gang is well-suited for someone looking to build a year-round exterior cleaning business with multiple service offerings.
The income potential of cleaning franchises varies widely based on several factors, but most successful owners can expect to generate anywhere from $100,000 to $500,000 in annual revenue after a few years in business.
Commercial cleaning franchises typically offer higher revenue potential than residential ones, but they also come with more complex operations and staffing needs. For example, a well-established commercial cleaning franchise might generate $300,000-$500,000 annually, while a residential cleaning business might bring in $150,000-$300,000.
What really drives profitability in cleaning franchises is:
According to data from various Franchise Disclosure Documents, profit margins in cleaning businesses typically range from 10-20% for commercial cleaning and 20-40% for residential cleaning. Master franchisees who manage multiple unit franchisees can see even higher margins since they're earning royalties rather than doing the cleaning themselves.
Remember that these figures represent established franchises. Most new businesses take 6-12 months to reach break-even, and 2-3 years to reach their full earning potential.
Cleaning franchises offer some of the most accessible entry points in the franchise world, with initial investments ranging from as little as $4,000 to upwards of $300,000 depending on the brand and business model.
Here's a breakdown of typical costs:
The most affordable options are typically unit franchises within master franchise systems like Jan-Pro, Anago, or Stratus Building Solutions, where you can get started for under $10,000 in some cases.
Mid-range options ($75,000-$150,000) include most residential cleaning franchises like MaidPro, Two Maids, and The Maids, which require more substantial marketing budgets and sometimes retail locations.
The higher-end investments ($150,000+) are typically specialty cleaning franchises like Stanley Steemer or restoration-focused businesses like Voda, which require specialized equipment and vehicles.
Cleaning franchises offer several compelling advantages that make them worth considering:
Growing specialty niches - Beyond traditional cleaning, there's increasing demand for specialized services like:
The cleaning industry also benefits from low customer acquisition costs compared to many other businesses, since satisfied customers tend to provide referrals and long-term loyalty.
Before signing on the dotted line, make sure you've thought through these important factors:
The cleaning industry offers solid opportunities, but success depends on choosing the right franchise model for your goals, skills, and local market conditions. Take time to speak with multiple current franchisees—both new and established—to get a realistic picture of what owning the business is really like.
Remember that while the initial investment might be lower than other franchise categories, building a successful cleaning business still requires dedication, strong people management skills, and a commitment to consistent service quality.
Still feeling overwhelmed by all the cleaning franchise options? You're not alone. Finding the right franchise isn't just about the numbers—it's about matching a business to your personal goals, skills, and lifestyle preferences.
If you're struggling to narrow down your choices or want personalized guidance on which cleaning franchise might be right for you, we're here to help. Our team of franchise experts can walk you through the options based on your budget, experience, and business objectives.
Explore Franchise Opportunities today and take the first step toward business ownership with confidence.
Our list of franchises is created and checked by experts. Every 6 months, our franchise agents review and update this list to ensure it's accurate and up-to-date. This assists interested parties in discovering the top franchise opportunities available.
Legal Disclaimer:The information in this document is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as legal or professional advice. The content is provided "as is" without any guarantees or warranties.
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Javier is an experienced franchise industry professional with a focus on development, operations, and performance. With almost a decade of experience in the industry, he has witnessed both the successes and failures of franchise owners. Javier strongly believes that buying a franchise is not just an investment, but a life-changing event that presents a unique opportunity for personal and professional growth. He enjoys helping aspiring franchise owners navigate the decision-making process and increase their chances of success.
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