Merry Maids is a leading residential cleaning franchise founded in 1979 in Omaha, Nebraska. The brand was created by Dallen Peterson and his family, who developed a systematized approach to home cleaning that launched the business into franchising from the start.

In 1988, ServiceMaster acquired Merry Maids, providing the brand with additional resources and support while preserving its customer-first philosophy.

Now headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Merry Maids has grown to over 1,300 locations worldwide. The franchise offers a wide range of residential cleaning services, including regular home cleaning, deep cleaning, move-in/move-out cleaning, and specialty services such as green cleaning and enhanced disinfection.

Training

Merry Maids provides a comprehensive training program to help franchisees effectively operate their cleaning service business. Below are the key training components:

1. Initial Training Program: Merry Maids furnishes a structured Initial Training Program for one person per franchise, covering operational and administrative topics. This includes sample hiring practices, procedures for employee training and retention, and service delivery techniques, including a practical demonstration in a test home.
2. Brand and Operations Training: The franchisor spends six hours training on brand standards related to products, equipment, and procedures. An additional four hours focus on reviewing the Operations Manual, which details employee relations, training tools, and disciplinary practices.
3. Ongoing Support and Advisory Services: Franchisees receive access to an online portal with the Operations Manual, advisory support for marketing and operational concerns, and promotional updates. Regular meetings such as conventions and roadshows are also organized to enhance learning and system alignment.

Territory Protection

Merry Maids offers territorial protection to its franchisees by granting them a defined geographic area called a “Designated Territory.” This territory is based on demographic data, customer density, and potential service volume, and is specified in the Franchise Agreement.

While Merry Maids commits not to open another franchise within this Designated Territory, the protection is conditional on the franchisee meeting performance benchmarks. Franchisees are required to actively market and service their entire Designated Territory to retain exclusivity.

If they fail to meet certain sales or performance criteria, the franchisor may reduce the size of the protected area or allow additional franchises within it. This approach ensures both growth opportunity for the franchisee and quality assurance for the brand across its markets.