The Cleaning Authority

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The Cleaning Authority

Business Services
Commercial Cleaning

The Cleaning Authority Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2025)

The Cleaning Authority offers professional residential cleaning services, providing customers with thorough and customizable cleaning solutions to keep their homes clean and organized.

Established in 1977 in the Baltimore-Washington D.C. metro area, The Cleaning Authority quickly became one of the first companies in its region to offer comprehensive residential cleaning services. Today, it is recognized as a leading franchise across the United States and Canada.

Headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, The Cleaning Authority launched its franchising program in 1996. Since then, it has grown steadily, now boasting more than 208 locations throughout North America.

The brand specializes in thorough home cleaning using its unique Detail-Clean Rotation System, designed to deliver consistent, high-quality results with each visit.

A major factor behind The Cleaning Authority’s success is its strong support for franchise owners, offering in-depth training, advanced technology tools, and strategic marketing initiatives to help drive growth and maintain customer loyalty.

Initial investment

Here's what you would need to invest if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.

The Cleaning Authority offers 2 types of franchises:

Franchise Type Initial Investment Range
THE CLEANING AUTHORITY Franchised Business (Enterprise Market) $105,278 to $172,654
THE CLEANING AUTHORITY Franchised Business (Hometown Market) $82,462 to $132,027

‍

We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a The Cleaning Authority Franchised Business for an Enterprise Market. For more information on costs required to start a The Cleaning Authority franchise, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).

Type of Expenditure Amount
Territory Fee $22,500 – $45,000
Franchise Fee $20,000 – $20,000
Computer, including Training Software Access Fee $1,750 – $2,750
Washer, Dryer & Furniture $1,650 – $3,150
Cleaning Equipment and Supplies $2,500 – $3,500
Travel and Living Expenses While Training $3,000 – $4,000
Insurance and Insurance Deposits $5,500 – $7,500
Opening Inventory $2,250 – $2,750
Office Rent and Security Deposit $6,000 – $12,000
Local Marketing Fee Deposit – 50% of first 13 weeks $6,564 – $13,127
Local Marketing Fees – remaining 50% of first 13 weeks $6,564 – $13,127
Vehicle Lease or Purchase $0 – $2,000
Full-Time Manager $0 – $13,750
Additional Funds (3 months) $27,000 – $30,000
TOTAL $105,278 – $172,654

The Cleaning Authority offers 2 types of franchises:

Franchise Type Initial Investment Range
THE CLEANING AUTHORITY Franchised Business (Enterprise Market) $105,278 to $172,654
THE CLEANING AUTHORITY Franchised Business (Hometown Market) $82,462 to $132,027

‍

We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a The Cleaning Authority Franchised Business for an Enterprise Market. For more information on costs required to start a The Cleaning Authority franchise, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).

Type of Expenditure Amount
Territory Fee $22,500 – $45,000
Franchise Fee $20,000 – $20,000
Computer, including Training Software Access Fee $1,750 – $2,750
Washer, Dryer & Furniture $1,650 – $3,150
Cleaning Equipment and Supplies $2,500 – $3,500
Travel and Living Expenses While Training $3,000 – $4,000
Insurance and Insurance Deposits $5,500 – $7,500
Opening Inventory $2,250 – $2,750
Office Rent and Security Deposit $6,000 – $12,000
Local Marketing Fee Deposit – 50% of first 13 weeks $6,564 – $13,127
Local Marketing Fees – remaining 50% of first 13 weeks $6,564 – $13,127
Vehicle Lease or Purchase $0 – $2,000
Full-Time Manager $0 – $13,750
Additional Funds (3 months) $27,000 – $30,000
TOTAL $105,278 – $172,654

Franchise Disclosure Document

Number of units

Training

The Cleaning Authority offers several training programs to prepare franchisees for successful business operations. Here are the programs provided:

  1. Initial Training Program
    The Cleaning Authority requires the Key Person and any designated Owners to attend and successfully complete a pre-opening training program. This program typically lasts 10 business days and is conducted at the franchisor's headquarters, covering leadership, operations, and service delivery topics.
  2. Additional and Optional Training
    After opening, The Cleaning Authority provides access to additional required and optional training programs. These programs may be delivered in person, by video, online, or through other methods, focusing on updates to operations, services, or technology.
  3. Employee Training
    Franchisees are responsible for training all employees of the franchised business, although The Cleaning Authority provides training modules, guidelines, and access to online resources to support this responsibility.

Territory Protection

The Cleaning Authority grants franchisees a protected territory during the term of the Franchise Agreement, provided they stay in compliance. Within this territory, the franchisor will not open another Cleaning Authority location or authorize others to operate under the brand.

The territory is defined by zip codes and is based on a specific number of designated households. However, The Cleaning Authority reserves the right to advertise, recruit employees, and service national accounts within a franchisee’s territory.

Franchisees do not have rights of first refusal for neighboring areas, and territories may be reconfigured upon renewal. While protection exists against direct brand competition, full market exclusivity is not guaranteed.

KEY FRANCHISE STATS

All you need to know about this franchise

Started franchising
1996
Franchisees

?

221
+
6%
6%
Franchise fee

?

$20,000
Investment

?

$82,000 - $173,000
Revenue (AUV)

?

Undisclosed
Upgrade

$1,405,000

+
n.a.
n.a.
Operating Profit

?

Upgrade

n.a.

Home based

?

No
Upgrade
No
Passive investment

?

Yes
Upgrade
Yes
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Competitors

Below are some of

The Cleaning Authority

key competitors in the

Commercial Cleaning

sector.

Franchise
Franchisees
Initial fee
Total investment
Revenue
Upgrade
Gross Profit
Upgrade
EBITDA
Upgrade

221

New
+
6%
6%

$20,000

$82,000

$173,000

n.a.

$1,405,000

$xxx,xxx

38.0%

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

20

New
+
11%
11%

$29,750

$44,000

$61,000

n.a.

$306,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

330

New
+
-3%
-3%

$27,000 - $40,700

$85,000

$114,000

n.a.

$753,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

448

New
+
-7%
-7%

$14,900

$140,000

$197,000

n.a.

$759,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

94

New
+
11%
11%

$50,000

$96,000

$220,000

n.a.

$1,021,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

1517

New
+
4%
4%

$0.5 per household

$82,000

$160,000

n.a.

$83,000

$xxx,xxx

34.7%

xx%

n.a.

14.2%

xx%

n.a.

269

New
+
2%
2%

$59,900

$107,000

$174,000

n.a.

$560,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

59

New
+
13%
13%

$49,000

$199,000

$253,000

n.a.

$240,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

148

New
+
2%
2%

$45,000

$80,000

$127,000

n.a.

$405,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

615

New
+
-15%
-15%

$2,500 - $72,000

$4,000

$134,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

45

New
+
7%
7%

$98,000

$219,000

$339,000

n.a.

$2,485,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

5

New
+
n.a.
n.a.

$49,000

$198,000

$264,000

n.a.

$69,000

$xxx,xxx

64.4%

xx%

n.a.

12.9%

xx%

n.a.

45

New
+
2%
2%

$75,000

$110,000

$355,000

n.a.

$3,206,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

74

New
+
-15%
-15%

$6,999

$36,000

$107,000

n.a.

$399,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

117

New
+
2%
2%

$8,000

$11,000

$78,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

70

New
+
-26%
-26%

$20,000

$86,000

$129,000

n.a.

$103,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

5588

New
+
-6%
-6%

$40,320

$18,000

$64,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

419

New
+
1%
1%

$36,000

$56,000

$110,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

24

New
+
0%
0%

$74,500

$165,000

$195,000

n.a.

$504,000

$xxx,xxx

94.6%

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

24

New
+
-11%
-11%

$30,000

$52,000

$83,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

1060

New
+
31%
31%

$33,000

$40,000

$53,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

238

New
+
-3%
-3%

$45,000

$106,000

$131,000

n.a.

$375,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

44

New
+
n.a.
n.a.

$28,500 - $62,000

$58,000

$939,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

41

New
+
78%
78%

$40,000

$86,000

$263,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

131

New
+
2%
2%

$59,900

$169,000

$244,000

n.a.

$546,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

69

New
+
3%
3%

$25,000

$43,000

$59,000

n.a.

$265,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

0

New
+
n.a.
n.a.

$50,000

$153,000

$176,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

1099

New
+
-24%
-24%

$36,000

$101,000

$265,000

n.a.

$218,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

117

New
+
29%
29%

$19,950

$93,000

$150,000

n.a.

$567,000

$xxx,xxx

53.8%

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

58

New
+
-30%
-30%

$45,000

$129,000

$151,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

56

New
+
2%
2%

$10,000 to $75,000

$148,000

$462,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

158

New
+
-19%
-19%

$3,000

$16,000

$418,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

130

New
+
8%
8%

$60,000

$116,000

$170,000

n.a.

$423,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

103

New
+
-9%
-9%

$40,000

$126,000

$300,000

n.a.

$387,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

48

New
+
7%
7%

$65,000

$108,000

$149,000

n.a.

$432,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

2202

New
+
12%
12%

$90,000

$241,000

$302,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

20

New
+
100%
100%

$38,000

$127,000

$223,000

n.a.

$149,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

29

New
+
190%
190%

$59,500

$95,000

$141,000

n.a.

$889,000

$xxx,xxx

47.0%

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

210

New
+
-2%
-2%

$100,000

$158,000

$522,000

n.a.

$1,196,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

2

New
+
-71%
-71%

$10,000 - $38,000

$11,000

$223,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

933

New
+
-6%
-6%

$55,000

$127,000

$166,000

n.a.

$788,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

Competitors

You've Got Maids

You've Got Maids is a residential cleaning franchise providing professional maid services with a focus on eco-friendly practices and exceptional customer service.

Franchisees

?

74
+
-15%
-15%
Investment

?

$36,000 - $107,000
Business Services
Commercial Cleaning

Renue

Renue is a commercial cleaning and sanitization franchise specializing in deep cleaning and surface restoration for hotels, healthcare facilities, and offices.

Franchisees

?

24
+
0%
0%
Investment

?

$165,000 - $195,000
Business Services
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Buildingstars

Buildingstars provides commercial cleaning and janitorial services, focusing on quality and customer satisfaction to maintain clean and professional workspaces.

Franchisees

?

1060
+
31%
31%
Investment

?

$40,000 - $53,000
Business Services
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Sparkle Squad

Sparkle Squad provides residential and commercial window cleaning services. Their eco-friendly solutions and professional techniques leave windows spotless and sparkling.

Franchisees

?

0
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$153,000 - $176,000
Business Services
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ecomaids

Ecomaids offers eco-friendly cleaning services for residential and commercial clients. Franchisees receive comprehensive training, marketing support, and operational tools to build a green cleaning business.

Franchisees

?

58
+
-30%
-30%
Investment

?

$129,000 - $151,000
Business Services
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IMAGE ONE FACILITY SOLUTIONS

IMAGE ONE offers comprehensive cleaning services for commercial properties, including janitorial and maintenance solutions. Franchisees receive training, marketing support, and the tools needed to manage a successful commercial cleaning business.

Franchisees

?

20
+
11%
11%
Investment

?

$44,000 - $61,000
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