2026 FDD Issued Apr 1, 2026 Minnesota Commerce (CARDS) Checked Oct 23, 2026
Molly Maid Franchise Cost (2026)
A Molly Maid franchise costs an estimated $144,150 – $203,950 to open, according to Item 7 of the 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD). That total includes the $14,900 initial franchise fee (Item 5) and covers this format: Standard territory. Item 6 lists license fee: 3% – 6.5% of Gross Sales, subject to the conditions below.
- Total investment
- $144K – $204KItem 7 source and qualifications
- Franchise fee
- $14.9KItem 5 source and terms
- License Fee
- 3% – 6.5% of Gross SalesItem 6 conditions and fee bases apply
- Brand fund
- 2% of Gross SalesItem 6 conditions and fee bases apply
- Liquid capital
- $60KFranchisor website, checked October 30, 2026 · See conditions
- Net worth
- $250KFranchisor website, checked October 30, 2026 · See conditions
- Units (2025)
- 432Item 20 source and scope
- Franchise exit rate
- 5% / yrCalculated 3-year average; definition and source
What stands out about Molly Maid
License fees decline through progressive annual sales brackets rather than applying the lowest percentage to every sale. Roll-in businesses receive different opening treatment, and minimum fees depend on territory households and operating age. The Item 6 Fees Chart is therefore necessary to interpret the headline range; it cannot be replaced by one percentage.
Required software is not a single technology package. Item 6 separately identifies the package, business-management software and accounting software, while call-center costs also include per-booking charges. Local marketing uses territory households and allows specific spending credits. Those inputs are not supplied by an annual revenue average, so no combined fee illustration is shown.
What are the initial franchise fees and financial requirements for Molly Maid?
Item 5 lists an initial franchise fee of $14,900 for Molly Maid. Check the cited Item 5 for payment timing, discounts and format-specific terms.
The linked franchisor page cites the 2026 Molly Maid SPV LLC FDD. An older Molly Maid landing page still refers to a 2020 FDD and gives different capital wording; this record uses the 2026 page. These minimums come from the franchisor’s website, not from the FDD, and can change: Molly Maid franchise page (checked October 30, 2026).
Item 5 (PDF pages 23-25) charges a $14,900 initial franchise fee plus a Territory Fee of $1.10 per Target Household, typically $49,500-$77,000 for a standard market and $33,000-$49,500 for a mid-size market. Both are paid in full when the Franchise Agreement is signed and are non-refundable. Qualifying veterans receive 20% off the Territory Fee, owners rolling in an existing cleaning business with at least $250,000 in sales receive 10%-50% off, and existing franchisees of at least two years receive a multi-unit discount; the initial franchise fee is waived for certain contiguous expansions. In 2025, initial fees paid averaged about $68,244 and ranged from $38,091 to $84,379.
Source: Molly Maid 2026 FDD, Item 5, PDF p. 23.
How much does it cost to open a Molly Maid franchise? (Item 7)
Source: Molly Maid 2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 39.
Item 7 of Molly Maid’s 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document estimates the total cost to open one standard territory at $144,150 – $203,950. This total includes the initial franchise fee.
| Expense Category | Low ($) | High ($) |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $14,900 | $14,900 |
| Territory Fee | $49,500 | $77,000 |
| Initial Startup Package | $8,000 | $9,000 |
| Software Enrollment and Training Fee | $1,250 | $1,250 |
| Auto Lease Deposit and Lease Expense | $3,900 | $5,500 |
| Computer Hardware | $2,200 | $4,500 |
| Leasehold Improvements | $1,000 | $5,000 |
| Real Estate, Utility Deposits and Three Months Rent | $4,000 | $7,000 |
| Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment | $2,500 | $3,500 |
| Permits and Licenses | $100 | $1,000 |
| Insurance Deposit and Three Months Insurance Expense | $2,800 | $5,300 |
| Training Expenses for Travel, Food and Lodging | $4,000 | $5,000 |
| Professional Fees | $0 | $5,000 |
| Additional Funds - 3 Months | $50,000 | $60,000 |
| Total | $144,150 | $203,950 |
For comparison, the median high-end investment among 5 cleaning records without a source-review hold is $203,950.
Item 7 (PDF pages 39-40) prints $144,150-$203,950 for a standard territory, of which $65,650-$93,150 is paid to the franchisor or its affiliate. The Territory Fee is $49,500-$77,000 and additional funds for three months are $50,000-$60,000.
What ongoing royalties and fees does Molly Maid charge? (Item 6)
Source: Molly Maid 2026 FDD, Item 6, PDF p. 26.
Item 6 of Molly Maid’s 2026 FDD lists the charges below. Recurring charges and charges triggered by a transfer, renewal or other event have different conditions. Read each fee’s basis and notes before comparing rates.
How to read an Item 6 fee table.
| Fee Type | Amount / Rate | Payment Frequency | Notes & Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| License Fee | 3% – 6.5% of Gross Sales | Every period | Standard progressive annual tiers range 6.5% down to 3%; roll-in rates differ. Weekly minimum license fees apply under the Fees Chart on PDF pages 37-39. (Item 6, PDF p. 26) |
| MAP Contribution | 2% of Gross Sales | Every period | Current weekly contribution per franchise agreement. (Item 6, PDF p. 26) |
| Local Marketing Requirement | Varies | Every period | Annual $1 per territory household, falling to $0.50/$0.25/$0.15 at the weekly sales thresholds maintained for a quarter, as stated on page 35. Certain local group spending credits apply. (Item 6, PDF p. 26) |
| Local Marketing Groups | Varies | When it applies | If designated, participation required; contributions not above 3% of Gross Sales, with group procedures and approvals. (Item 6, PDF p. 26) |
| Software System Fees | Varies | Every period | Technology Package $155.45 monthly. Additional email $5.50/$19/$30 per account and portal accounts $20-$40 monthly. QuickBooks Online through ZorWare $30-$220 monthly. Required Housecall Pro is separately $405 monthly to Codefield (page 36); selected software and vendor increases apply. (Item 6, PDF p. 27) |
| Late Fees on Software System Fees | Varies | When it applies | Lesser of $25 monthly or lawful maximum if unpaid within 30 days of invoice. (Item 6, PDF p. 28) |
| Call Center Services Fees | Varies | Every period | Required rollover and after-hours calls: $250-$449.99 monthly plus $25-$40 per booked appointment based on booking volume. Change provisions continue on page 29. (Item 6, PDF p. 28) |
| Reunion, Regional Meetings and Additional Training | Varies | When it applies | Current fee up to $1,000 plus attendee expenses. Required Reunion nonattendance may cost $2,000 prorated by missed days; change provisions apply. (Item 6, PDF p. 29) |
| Renewal Fee | $5,000 | When it applies | On signing renewal agreement. (Item 6, PDF p. 30) |
| Transfer | Varies | When it applies | Generally $15,000 for first agreement plus $2,500 per additional simultaneous agreement. Specified financially qualified assignees pay greater of this amount or approval/assistance costs. Broker fee and transferee initial package, typically $4,000, may apply. Pages 30-31. (Item 6, PDF p. 30) |
| Interest | Varies | When it applies | 12% annually or lawful maximum on unpaid balances. (Item 6, PDF p. 31) |
| Late Fees under Franchise Agreement | $10 | When it applies | Per day overdue until paid. (Item 6, PDF p. 31) |
| Audit | Varies | When it applies | Audit costs/expenses plus underpayment, interest and late fees if sales understatement reaches 2% or requested information is not supplied within 30 days. (Item 6, PDF p. 31) |
| Audit Noncompliance Fee | Varies | When it applies | $500 per unavailable document up to $2,500 per audit, and/or audit costs if rescheduled for noncooperation. (Item 6, PDF p. 32) |
| Indemnification and Attorneys’ Fees and Costs | Varies | When it applies | Covered loss and qualifying enforcement/indemnity costs. (Item 6, PDF p. 32) |
| Territory Violation | Varies | When it applies | First intentional violation: 50% of cumulative revenue from wrongfully serviced customer; subsequent violation: 100%, with termination rights. (Item 6, PDF p. 32) |
| Amendment Fee | $300 | When it applies | Requested agreement modifications; general release conditions may apply. (Item 6, PDF p. 32) |
| Tax Reimbursement | Varies | When it applies | Applicable taxes and charges other than income tax on required payments. (Item 6, PDF p. 33) |
| Dishonored Check or ACH Draft | $50 | When it applies | Each returned check or refused draft for insufficient funds. (Item 6, PDF p. 33) |
| Additional Training Fee | Varies | When it applies | Currently up to $100 per hour per attendee for requested additional training, plus attendee expenses. (Item 6, PDF p. 33) |
| Key Accounts/Management Fee | Varies | When it applies | Up to 3% of Gross Sales related to defined Key Account work if participating; third-party fees may be additional. (Item 6, PDF p. 34) |
| Training Fee under Buyer Commitment Agreement | $14,900 | When it applies | Only if a transferee buyer requests training before closing; additional to transfer requirements. (Item 6, PDF p. 34) |
Explore annual fees and payback assumptions
This fee schedule cannot be reduced to the calculator’s simple sales-based formula. Enter your own assumptions and check them against the Item 6 terms.
Molly Maid startup investment and modeled fees over 10 years
Item 6 license fees use progressive annual sales tiers, roll-in rules and weekly minimums tied to territory households. Local marketing is a household-based requirement with credits, and required call-center charges depend on bookings. A single flat percentage would not preserve these formulas. See the fee amounts and definitions in Item 6 above. Open the calculator with your own assumptions.
Item 20: Molly Maid franchised outlet history
Source: Molly Maid 2026 FDD, Item 20, PDF p. 85.
Item 20 Table 3 reports 432 franchised outlets at the end of 2025. The company-owned table reports a further 0 outlets. Our calculated average annual franchised exit rate is 5% across the 3 reported years, using the definition below.
| Year | Franchised at Start | Opened | Reported Exits | At End | Franchise Exit Rate (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 481 | 7 | 24 | 464 | 5% |
| 2024 | 464 | 9 | 25 | 448 | 5.4% |
| 2025 | 448 | 5 | 21 | 432 | 4.7% |
Franchised units went from 481 to 432 over 3 years (-49).
Reported exits include terminations, non-renewals, franchisor reacquisitions and other cessations. A reacquired outlet may continue operating. How we calculate the exit rate. How to read the Item 20 outlet tables. Compare Molly Maid’s exit rate with other brands.
20 units changed owners in 2025.
Item 20 Table 3 (PDF pages 81-85) prints national totals on PDF page 85. There are no company-owned outlets (Table 1, PDF page 79); transfers come from Table 2 (PDF pages 79-81).
How much do Molly Maid franchise owners make? (Item 19)
Source: Molly Maid 2026 FDD, Item 19, PDF p. 77.
Item 19 of the 2026 FDD reports average gross sales per target household of $22 (FY2025, 188 reporting franchise owners representing 402 franchised businesses open for all of 2025). Molly Maid’s Item 19 reports gross sales per target household, not total sales per business, and no profit or owner pay. Without business-wide sales and costs, this measure cannot show what an owner earns.
See every Molly Maid Item 19 figure, with its period and sample.
Payback calculator (enter your own assumptions) Check any inputs against this record’s Item 7 startup costs and Item 6 fee rules.
How to interpret Molly Maid’s Item 19 figures and sample limits.
How long is the Molly Maid franchise agreement term?
Source: Molly Maid 2026 FDD, Item 17, PDF p. 71.
The standard Molly Maid franchise agreement runs 10 years, with renewal terms of 10 years.
10-year initial term with one additional 10-year renewal term.
How long does it take to open a Molly Maid franchise? (Item 11)
Source: Molly Maid 2026 FDD, Item 11, PDF p. 62.
Item 11 of the 2026 FDD states the time from signing the franchise agreement to opening: typically within two weeks after the initial training program, which generally takes place four to eight weeks after signing.
Franchises with a similar investment range
These published records are selected by proximity to Molly Maid’s $144,150 low-end Item 7 investment, starting with Cleaning. Formats, fees and source qualifications differ; the figures are not interchangeable budgets:
- Merry Maids $127K – $169K Source review pending Cleaning
- The Cleaning Authority $119K – $163K Cleaning
- MaidPro $110K – $159K Cleaning
- The Brothers that just do Gutters $145K – $285K Home Services
- Two Men and a Truck $147K – $512K Source review pending Home Services
- Mosquito Joe $150K – $192K Home Services
Compare other cleaning franchises
Frequently Asked Questions about Molly Maid
- Can the ongoing fees for Molly Maid be modeled as one flat percentage?
- Item 6 license fees use progressive annual sales tiers, roll-in rules and weekly minimums tied to territory households. Local marketing is a household-based requirement with credits, and required call-center charges depend on bookings. A single flat percentage would not preserve these formulas.
Sources
Molly Maid SPV LLC Franchise Disclosure Document, issued April 1, 2026, as filed with the Minnesota Commerce (CARDS). Read the source FDD PDF. How to get this FDD yourself.
- Item 5: cited PDF p. 23
- Item 6: cited PDF p. 26
- Item 7: cited PDF p. 39
- Item 19: cited PDF p. 75
- Item 20: cited PDF p. 85
- Agreement term (Item 17): cited PDF p. 71
Page references for Molly Maid use the PDF viewer's digital page count, not printed page headers. Some viewers download the document instead of opening the referenced page.
If the state document viewer does not open, use Minnesota Commerce's public filing instructions to look up the filing by franchisor name and document date.
Document & verification changelog
- October 30, 2026: Record updated.
- October 30, 2026: Added liquid-capital and net-worth qualification amounts from Neighborly's current Molly Maid franchise investment page, which cites the 2026 FDD. An older franchisor page still refers to 2020; the new amounts are not attributed to the FDD.
- October 23, 2026: Source check completed against the recorded FDD.
- October 23, 2026: Complete source recheck against the April 1, 2026 FDD: cover, Item 1, Item 5, the Item 6 schedule corrected on October 19 (PDF pages 26-39), every Item 7 row and total, Item 17, Item 19 Parts I-II and Item 20 Tables 1-4. Added Item 5 and Item 7 notes and the Item 19 median; corrected the Item 19 note, which had misdescribed the systemwide sales chart; removed an unstated franchising start year and liquid-capital and net-worth figures without an FDD or exact website source; corrected the Item 20 page. The source hold is cleared.
- October 19, 2026: Source review hold recorded: The October 19 audit found and corrected material Item 6 transcription errors against PDF pages 26-39. This targeted fee review does not clear the earlier whole-record verification: the other FDD sections and their narrative still require a complete source recheck. The simplified fee model is withheld for the contractual reasons stated above. The prior source-check date is historical.
- October 16, 2026: Initial cost profile published from the 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document (issued April 1, 2026).