Janitorial and Cleaning Franchises

When it comes to franchise business opportunities, janitorial and cleaning business may offer one of the easiest franchises to get into. They often enable franchisees to start small and then build their business as they go along. Generally, they also have lower costs than many other franchises, and they can often be operated out of your home.

Here are several of the top-rated janitorial cleaning franchises:

Jani-King Franchise

Jani-King is ranked number 15 on Entrepreneur.com’s famous list of the top 500 franchises. It offers the best training in the business, and it is a business that is sure to last. Jani-King started franchising in 1974, and it calls itself the “King of clean.” It now has more than 9,700 franchises in the US and an additional 2,200 in foreign countries. This cleaning business can be run from the franchisees home, and the franchisee must participate in the business.

Franchise Fee: Starts about $10,000
Personal Net Worth: Varies
Cost to Open Business: $11.4K-35.1K+

Jani-Pro Franchising Int’l. Inc.

Jani-Pro started franchising in 1992 and has a “Cleaning Greener” theme as its motto, and emphasizes its use of fewer chemicals. It is a commercial cleaner that focuses on banks, schools, churches, gyms, medical offices, car dealerships, and more. Currently there are more than 8,100 business franchises in the US, and about 750 in foreign countries. Jani-Pro does offer exclusive territories. This franchise can be run from the franchisees’ home and they must participate in the business.

Franchise Fee: $2.8K-44K
Personal Net Worth: $1K-14K+
Cost to Open Business: $3.3K-54.3K

ServiceMaster Clean Franchises

The ServiceMaster Clean franchise opened its doors in 1952. The company specializes in restoration after a disaster and residential and commercial cleaning. ServiceMaster is only one of the companies, as it also owns TruGreen, Terminix, American Home Shield, Merry Maids, and Furniture Medic AmeriSpec. Currently, there are more than 3,000 franchises in the US, and more than 1,500 in other countries. The company is seeking to open more franchises in America, Canada, and Europe. The business can be run from home and owner must participate in the business.

Franchise Fee: $16.9K-54K
Personal Net Worth: $50K-75K
Cost to Open Business: $21.2K-126K

Stratus Building Solutions

The Stratus Building Solutions started as recently as 2005 and now has more than 1,300 franchises in the US. They offer the use of environmentally friendly chemicals in their business and seek out commercial buildings, medical buildings, schools, and more. They are currently seeking to expand their franchises around the world. This franchise can be run from home and the owner must be active in the business. Some in-house financing may be available.

Franchise Fee: $3K-47K
Personal Net Worth: $50K-75K
Cost to Open Business: $3.5K-57.8K

Vanguard Cleaning Systems

Vanguard Cleaning Systems have been franchising since 1984. There are about 1,400 franchises in the US and close to 60 in Canada. Vanguard offers two levels of franchises – a Master Franchise program and a single unit franchise. The business can be run from your home and the owner must participate in the business. These franchises can even be run on a part-time basis.

Franchise Fee: $7.7K-37K
Cash Liquidity Requirement: $2.8K-9K
Cost to Open Business: $8.2K-38.1K

Bonus Building Care Franchises

After the divorce from Jim Cavanaugh and losing the business her and her husband founded (Jani-King), Arleen Cavanaugh started Bonus Building Care. Franchising started in 1996 and now there are more than 2,330 franchises in the United States – mostly in the Midwest and the south. The franchise can be run from home and the owner must participate in the business.

Franchise Fee: $7.5K
Cost to Open Business: $8.8K-14.7K

The Maids Home Service Franchises

The Maids Home Service offers house cleaning for those who either do not have time or simply choose to let others do it for them. Teams of four women travel together for efficiency and speed when cleaning a residence. The Maid Home Service started franchising in 1981 and now has over 1,000 franchises in the US, and 32 in Canada. Franchisees may own more than one unit and they are not required to participate in the business.

Franchise Fee: $10K
Personal Net Worth: $300K-500K
Cost to Open Business: $105K-155K

Chem-Dry Carpet Drapery & Upholstery Cleaning

Chem-Dry opened its doors to franchisees in 1978. Since that time, this popular company has cleaned carpets, draperies, and upholstery to the satisfaction of many customers. There are now over 2,530 franchises in the US, and another 1,600 in foreign countries. Chem-Dry is now owned by Home Depot. This franchise can be run from home and owners are not required to participate in the business.

Franchise Fee: $25.3K-120.8K
Personal Net Worth: $75K
Cost to Open Business: $105K-155K

Merry Maids Franchises

Merry Maids started franchising in 1980 and now has more about 750 franchises in the US, and more than 500 in other countries. Altogether, Merry Maids cleans more than 300,000 homes each month in North America alone. Merry Maids is part of the ServiceMaster Quality Service Network, which also owns Amerispec, Terminix, and Furniture Medic. Franchisees may own more than one franchise, and owners are not required to participate in the business.

Franchise Fee: $21K-31K
Personal Net Worth: $60K-70K
Cost to Open Business: $25K-59.5K