2026 FDD Issued Apr 30, 2026, amended Sep 29, 2026 Minnesota Commerce (CARDS) Checked Oct 23, 2026
The Cleaning Authority Franchise Cost (2026)
The Cleaning Authority franchise costs an estimated $119,100 – $163,350 to open, according to Item 7 of the 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD). That total includes the $50,000 initial franchise fee (Item 5) and covers this format: Standard Territory. Item 6 lists royalty fee: 6% of Gross Revenue, subject to the conditions below.
- Total investment
- $119K – $163KItem 7 source and qualifications
- Franchise fee
- $50KItem 5 source and terms
- Royalty
- 6% of Gross RevenueItem 6 conditions and fee bases apply
- Brand fund
- 2% of Gross RevenueItem 6 conditions and fee bases apply
- Units (2025)
- 244Item 20 source and scope
- Franchise exit rate
- 2.8% / yrCalculated 3-year average; definition and source
What stands out about The Cleaning Authority
The local marketing obligation changes only after the revenue-threshold year. Before that transition, Item 6 requires a fixed annual spend, prorated for the opening calendar year. Later spending uses a percentage of revenue, with possible performance-based increases. A flat local advertising percentage would erase the higher early-stage obligation.
Call-center services are priced by the kind and number of calls rather than as one monthly subscription. The proprietary software has a weekly access charge, and additional technology may be required. These billing bases require operating information beyond the Item 19 sales figure, so the page withholds a combined fee estimate.
What are the initial franchise fees and financial requirements for The Cleaning Authority?
Item 5 lists an initial franchise fee of $50,000 for The Cleaning Authority. Check the cited Item 5 for payment timing, discounts and format-specific terms.
Item 5 (PDF pages 16-18) sets a $50,000 base franchise fee for a Territory of 30,000-60,000 Designated Households, plus currently $0.75 for each additional household the franchisor agrees to add. Both are paid in a lump sum when the Franchise Agreement is signed (unless financed under Item 10) and are not refundable. Discounts include 30% for existing franchisees adding a territory, a reduced $15,000 per territory for qualifying franchisees of affiliated brands, 30% for veterans and active-duty personnel, and $5,000 for minority-, women- and LGBTQ+-owned businesses; most cannot be combined. Initial fees collected in 2025 ranged from $7,500 to $63,770.
Source: The Cleaning Authority 2026 FDD, Item 5, PDF p. 16.
This record lists no minimum net worth or liquid-capital requirement for The Cleaning Authority, because no sourced figure has been recorded. Ask the franchisor for its current financial qualifications in writing.
How much does it cost to open The Cleaning Authority franchise? (Item 7)
Source: The Cleaning Authority 2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 28.
Item 7 of The Cleaning Authority’s 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document estimates the total cost to open one standard territory at $119,100 – $163,350. This total includes the initial franchise fee.
| Expense Category | Low ($) | High ($) |
|---|---|---|
| Franchise Fee | $50,000 | $50,000 |
| Computer, including Training Software Access Fee | $1,750 | $2,750 |
| Washer, Dryer & Furniture | $1,850 | $3,350 |
| Cleaning Equipment and Supplies | $2,500 | $3,500 |
| Travel and Living Expenses While Training | $3,250 | $4,250 |
| Insurance and Insurance Deposits | $5,500 | $7,500 |
| Opening Inventory | $2,500 | $3,000 |
| Office Rent and Security Deposit | $6,000 | $12,000 |
| Vehicle Lease or Purchase | $0 | $2,000 |
| Full Time Manager | $0 | $13,750 |
| Local Marketing | $18,750 | $31,250 |
| Additional Funds (3 months) | $27,000 | $30,000 |
| Total | $119,100 | $163,350 |
For comparison, the median high-end investment among 5 cleaning records without a source-review hold is $203,950.
Item 7 (PDF pages 28-30) prints $119,100-$163,350 for a standard territory, including about $51,750-$52,750 paid to the franchisor. Local marketing for the first three months is $18,750-$31,250 and additional funds for three months are $27,000-$30,000.
What ongoing royalties and fees does The Cleaning Authority charge? (Item 6)
Source: The Cleaning Authority 2026 FDD, Item 6, PDF p. 19.
Item 6 of The Cleaning Authority’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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royalty Fee | 6% of Gross Revenue | Every period | Currently paid weekly unless a different period is designated. (Item 6, PDF p. 19) |
| Brand Fund Contribution | 2% of Gross Revenue | Every period | May increase above 2% on 30 days’ notice if at least 50% of franchised businesses consent. (Item 6, PDF p. 19) |
| Local Marketing Spend | Varies | Every period | $75,000 per calendar year through the first year annual Gross Revenue reaches $500,000; 1% of cumulative calendar-year revenue thereafter. First year prorated by full remaining months. Performance increases may reach the greater of $50,000 or 5% of Gross Revenue. (Item 6, PDF p. 19) |
| Key Account Programs | Varies | When it applies | Varies by circumstances, participating franchisees and program factors; payable to franchisor or vendor. (Item 6, PDF p. 19) |
| Call Center Fee | Varies | Every period | For franchisor services, $2.97 per new-prospect call and $4.21 per other call. Required approved systems may be supplied by another approved provider. Costs and minimums may change as specified. (Item 6, PDF p. 20) |
| Technology Fees | $40.24 per week | Every period | Current TCA IQ Software Access Fee; may increase up to 10% annually, with additional required services possible on notice. (Item 6, PDF p. 21) |
| Brand Fund Materials | Varies | When it applies | Costs of reproducing or customizing materials. (Item 6, PDF p. 21) |
| Additional Opening Support Fee | Varies | When it applies | Reasonable fee up to $500 per day plus travel, meals and lodging if extra opening support is requested and supplied. (Item 6, PDF p. 21) |
| Training Fees - Remedial and Optional Training | Varies | When it applies | Currently not charged; a reasonable fee up to $500 per day plus expenses may apply under the stated remedial, repeat or optional training conditions. (Item 6, PDF p. 22) |
| Annual Conference | Varies | When it applies | Up to $600 per attendee if a conference is scheduled. After reaching $600, increases capped at 10% cumulatively per year. (Item 6, PDF p. 22) |
| Non-attendance Fee | Varies | When it applies | $500 for first missed required conference and $2,000 for consecutive missed conferences. (Item 6, PDF p. 22) |
| Service Deficiency | Varies | When it applies | Actual costs if a qualifying customer complaint leads to re-performance or reimbursement. (Item 6, PDF p. 22) |
| Transfer Fee | Varies | When it applies | Generally $10,000 plus applicable referral arrangement charges. If franchisor identifies buyer, add greater of $15,000, 3% of purchase price capped at $50,000, or actual identification costs. Family exceptions apply. (Item 6, PDF p. 23) |
| Change of Ownership Fee | Varies | When it applies | Greater of $500 or external legal/administrative costs, plus required training fees, for changes without change of control. May rise up to $100 each calendar year. (Item 6, PDF p. 23) |
| Procurement of Insurance | Varies | When it applies | Insurance cost plus reasonable fee up to 25% of premium if coverage is not maintained. (Item 6, PDF p. 23) |
| Vendor Review | Varies | When it applies | Reasonable review costs and personnel expenses on a proposed vendor, regardless of approval. (Item 6, PDF p. 23) |
| Management Fee | Varies | When it applies | Up to $500 per day plus costs and overhead for stated death, incapacity or criminal-charge circumstances. (Item 6, PDF p. 24) |
| Step In Fee | Varies | When it applies | Up to $500 per day plus costs and overhead while operating the business during a default. (Item 6, PDF p. 24) |
| Interest | Varies | When it applies | Lesser of 12% annually or lawful maximum on overdue amounts. (Item 6, PDF p. 24) |
| Late Fee | Varies | When it applies | For payments over 30 days overdue: $100 second occurrence, $200 third and $300 thereafter. (Item 6, PDF p. 24) |
| Insufficient Funds Fee | Varies | When it applies | Greater of $50 or the bank charge. (Item 6, PDF p. 24) |
| Indemnity for Tax Withholding | Varies | When it applies | Penalties, interest and expenses from failing legally required withholding. (Item 6, PDF p. 24) |
| Audit Costs | Varies | When it applies | Actual costs including travel and lodging for the stated missing-report, missing-record or greater-than-2% understatement conditions. (Item 6, PDF p. 25) |
| Enforcement Costs | Varies | When it applies | Reasonable actual enforcement costs including attorneys’ fees. (Item 6, PDF p. 25) |
| Defense Costs | Varies | When it applies | Actual defense costs when the franchisee’s proceeding does not prevail. (Item 6, PDF p. 25) |
| Indemnification | Varies | When it applies | Covered actual losses, costs and expenses from the business. (Item 6, PDF p. 25) |
| Liquidated Damages | Varies | When it applies | Greater of two years of royalty fees calculated under the preceding-year formula or $100,000 if terminated for franchisee default. (Item 6, PDF p. 25) |
| De-Identification Fee | Varies | When it applies | Actual costs if the franchisee fails to de-identify after termination or expiration. (Item 6, PDF p. 26) |
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.
The Cleaning Authority startup investment and modeled fees over 10 years
Item 6 local marketing is $75,000 annually through the revenue-threshold year, then a sales percentage, with possible performance-based increases. Call-center costs depend on calls and technology costs may change. One annual sales input cannot establish the total or the transition year. See the fee amounts and definitions in Item 6 above. Open the calculator with your own assumptions.
Item 20: The Cleaning Authority franchised outlet history
Source: The Cleaning Authority 2026 FDD, Item 20, PDF p. 78.
Item 20 Table 3 reports 241 franchised outlets at the end of 2025. The company-owned table reports a further 3 outlets. Our calculated average annual franchised exit rate is 2.8% across the 3 reported years, using the definition below.
| Year | Franchised at Start | Opened | Reported Exits | At End | Franchise Exit Rate (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 218 | 13 | 10 | 221 | 4.6% |
| 2024 | 221 | 16 | 4 | 233 | 1.8% |
| 2025 | 233 | 13 | 5 | 241 | 2.1% |
Franchised units went from 218 to 241 over 3 years (+23).
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 The Cleaning Authority’s exit rate with other brands.
7 units changed owners in 2025.
Item 20 Table 3 (PDF pages 75-78) prints national totals on PDF page 78; counts are territories, each under a separate Franchise Agreement. Table 4 (PDF page 79) reports 3 company-owned territories in Maryland at each year end. Transfers come from Table 2 (PDF pages 72-74).
How much do The Cleaning Authority franchise owners make? (Item 19)
Source: The Cleaning Authority 2026 FDD, Item 19, PDF p. 68.
Item 19 of the 2026 FDD reports top third average gross revenue of $2,486,854 (2025, 71 top-third Reporting Territories open all of 2025). The Cleaning Authority’s Item 19 reports sales but no profit, costs or owner pay. Rent, payroll, supplies, loan payments and Item 6 fees such as the royalty (6% of Gross Revenue) come out of sales before an owner is paid, so these figures cannot show what an owner earns.
See every The Cleaning Authority 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 The Cleaning Authority’s Item 19 figures and sample limits.
How long is the The Cleaning Authority franchise agreement term?
Source: The Cleaning Authority 2026 FDD, Item 17, PDF p. 62.
The standard The Cleaning Authority franchise agreement runs 15 years, with renewal terms of 10 years.
How long does it take to open The Cleaning Authority franchise? (Item 11)
Source: The Cleaning Authority 2026 FDD, Item 11, PDF p. 43.
Item 11 of the 2026 FDD states the time from signing the franchise agreement to opening: 30 to 90 days.
Franchises with a similar investment range
These published records are selected by proximity to The Cleaning Authority’s $119,100 low-end Item 7 investment, starting with Cleaning. Formats, fees and source qualifications differ; the figures are not interchangeable budgets:
Compare other cleaning franchises
Frequently Asked Questions about The Cleaning Authority
- Can the ongoing fees for The Cleaning Authority be modeled as one flat percentage?
- Item 6 local marketing is $75,000 annually through the revenue-threshold year, then a sales percentage, with possible performance-based increases. Call-center costs depend on calls and technology costs may change. One annual sales input cannot establish the total or the transition year.
Sources
The Cleaning Authority, LLC Franchise Disclosure Document, issued April 30, 2026, as amended September 29, 2026, as filed with the Minnesota Commerce (CARDS). Read the source FDD PDF. How to get this FDD yourself.
- Item 5: cited PDF p. 16
- Item 6: cited PDF p. 19
- Item 7: cited PDF p. 28
- Item 19: cited PDF p. 68
- Item 20: cited PDF p. 78
- Agreement term (Item 17): cited PDF p. 62
Page references for The Cleaning Authority 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 29, 2026: Record updated.
- October 23, 2026: Source check completed against the recorded FDD.
- October 23, 2026: Complete source recheck against the April 30, 2026 FDD as amended September 29, 2026: cover, Item 1, Item 5, the Item 6 schedule corrected on October 19 (PDF pages 19-27), every Item 7 row and total, Item 17, Item 19 Table 1 and Item 20 Tables 1-4. Recorded the amendment date; removed an all-territory average that Item 19 does not print and an unstated founding year; corrected the company-owned counts (3 each year, not 0) and the Item 7, Item 19 and Item 20 page citations; added Item 5 and Item 7 detail. 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 19-27. 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 30, 2026).
- September 29, 2026: Amendment date recorded for the source FDD.