How to Finance a Maid Brigade Franchise: Costs and Territories
By Anthony Cornella
A Maid Brigade franchise loan finances a residential cleaning business whose biggest costs are people and marketing, not buildings or heavy machinery. The franchisor publishes an itemized start-up budget, prices its franchise by the number of qualified households in a territory and builds a full first year of advertising into the opening investment, all of which shape how a lender sizes the loan.
This article covers what the franchisor discloses about its investment, how territory pricing works, where SBA 7(a) and other financing fits, and how lenders evaluate a new territory, a resale and an owner’s growth plans.
US Professional Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Maid Brigade; the name is used only to describe the business. Figures from the franchisor’s disclosure document and website can change, loan programs and terms vary by lender and borrower, and every loan is subject to lender review and approval. Nothing here is legal, tax or investment advice, and buyers should review the current Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and franchise agreement with a qualified franchise attorney and accountant.
Maid Brigade Franchise Loan at a Glance
- Initial franchise fee: $49,900, according to the investment page on the franchisor’s franchise website.
- Onboarding fee: $9,100.
- Opening inventory: $4,600.
- First-year advertising and marketing: $39,600.
- Total initial investment: $120,616 to $136,616, including additional funds for an office, computer and vehicle.
- Territory: generally between 25,000 and 40,000 qualified households, defined by the franchisor as households with annual income of $100,000 or more.
- Franchisor financing: the franchisor says third-party financing is available through approved lenders.
- Head office: Atlanta, where Discovery Day is held.
- SBA Franchise Directory: listed (identifier S1068) with no special notes.
What Is Maid Brigade?
Maid Brigade is a residential cleaning franchise that has been in the franchise cleaning business since the mid-1980s, according to the company. Its franchise recruitment, operations and support teams work from a head office in Atlanta, where candidates attend Discovery Day. The franchisor says its home office team members have a combined tenure of more than 180 years with the brand.
The service. Franchise owners run teams that clean customers’ homes on a recurring or one-time basis. The brand promotes PUREcleaning, a multi-point cleaning process followed by a non-toxic, registered disinfectant applied with an electrostatic sprayer, which it describes as exclusive to its franchise owners. The company also highlights a green cleaning certification as part of its positioning.
The business model. Owners can start from a home office or a small commercial space, and the franchisor notes that team members can use their own cars. The owner’s job is building the customer base, hiring and managing cleaning teams, and running the office. Most of the work happens during business hours, which the franchisor presents as a lifestyle advantage.
Why lenders view it the way they do. A cleaning franchise has modest fixed assets, so collateral is limited. Lenders focus instead on recurring revenue potential, the owner’s ability to recruit and keep staff, and enough working capital to cover payroll while the customer base grows. A published, itemized investment gives lenders a clear view of where the money goes.
Maid Brigade Franchise Costs
Initial franchise fee. The franchisor’s investment page lists an initial franchise fee of $49,900. It explains that the fee is based on the number of households in the territory that qualify today, so a buyer’s fee is tied to the market being purchased.
Onboarding fee. A separate $9,100 onboarding fee appears in the franchisor’s investment table. Ask how it relates to training and launch support when you review the FDD.
Real estate and office. There is no storefront build-out. Owners can begin from a home office or lease a small, cost-effective commercial space. Lenders treat an office lease as a modest occupancy cost rather than a major capital item.
Opening inventory and equipment. The investment table lists $4,600 for opening inventory, covering cleaning supplies and equipment for the first teams. Vacuums, electrostatic sprayers, caddies and supplies are relatively low-cost but are replaced regularly.
First-year advertising and marketing. The largest item after the franchise fee is $39,600 for first-year advertising and marketing. Because the business must win recurring customers quickly, the franchisor builds this spend into the opening budget rather than leaving it to cash flow.
Total investment. The franchisor lists a total initial investment of $120,616 to $136,616, which includes additional funds for an office, computer and vehicle. The itemized lines are:
- Initial franchise fee: $49,900
- Onboarding fee: $9,100
- Opening inventory: $4,600
- First-year advertising and marketing: $39,600
- Additional funds for office, computer and vehicle: the remainder of the stated total
Read Item 7 of the current FDD for each line’s range and assumptions, including the period the additional funds are meant to cover.
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your Maid Brigade Franchise Loan
Royalty and brand fees. The franchisor’s website does not list its royalty or other ongoing fees. Item 6 of the FDD sets out the royalty, any marketing or technology fees, renewal and transfer fees, and other charges. Build every one of them into your projections.
Payroll is the big expense. In a residential cleaning business, labor drives cost. Wages, payroll taxes, workers’ compensation and insurance often outweigh franchise fees. The franchisor emphasizes a livable wage and a safe working environment as part of its culture, so model compensation realistically.
How lenders factor these costs in. Lenders project revenue from the expected number of recurring customers, deduct labor, supplies, vehicle and office costs, marketing, royalties and other franchise fees, then test whether cash flow supports the loan payment. A Maid Brigade franchise loan is easier to approve when the plan shows how marketing spend converts to recurring customers and how fast teams can be added.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
The franchisor’s website does not publish minimum net worth or liquid capital requirements, so confirm any financial qualifications with the franchisor and in the FDD. Its Ideal Candidate page describes the qualities it looks for:
- Strong interpersonal skills and enjoyment of working with employees and customers
- Satisfaction from solving customer problems and helping employees do their best
- No requirement to be a polished salesperson
- A plan for dividing roles from day one: a customer-facing owner may hire an office person, while an operations-focused owner may hire a manager to be the face of the business
The approval process. The franchisor describes five steps: an introductory call and territory check with its VP of Franchise Recruitment; an executive video call with the President and VP of Operations; Discovery Day in Atlanta; a decision, typically the day after Discovery Day, followed by signing the franchise agreement; and training and opening. Lining up financing before Discovery Day keeps the process moving.
Training and mentoring. New owners complete mentor training at a top-performing franchise location, followed by on-site training at their own office that includes their employees. Each new owner is paired with a franchise owner who has at least 10 years of experience. Lenders view structured training and mentoring as a strength for first-time owners.
Ways to Own a Maid Brigade
A new territory. Many candidates start with a new territory sized by qualified households. The loan covers the franchise fee, onboarding, supplies, marketing and working capital. See our franchise start-up financing page for how we structure new territories.
Buying an existing franchise. A resale comes with recurring customers, trained staff and financial history, which lets lenders underwrite actual cash flow. The franchisor must approve the transfer. Our article on buying a franchise resale explains the process, and our cleaning business acquisition financing page covers purchase loans.
Converting an existing cleaning company. An independent cleaning business owner may ask whether the franchisor will consider a conversion. If allowed, financing would be based on the existing company’s history. Confirm with the franchisor before planning around this option.
Financing Options for a Maid Brigade Franchise
SBA 7(a) loans. With its listing on the SBA Franchise Directory, Maid Brigade fits well with an SBA 7(a) loan, which can combine the franchise fee, onboarding, marketing, equipment and working capital in one loan.
SBA 504 loans. The 504 program finances owner-occupied real estate and long-lived equipment. Owners can start from a home office or leased space, so 504 rarely applies unless an owner later buys an office building.
Conventional term loans. Borrowers with strong credit and personal collateral may qualify for a conventional business loan, which can also suit owners buying a second territory later.
Equipment and vehicle financing. Branded vehicles, vacuums, electrostatic sprayers and office technology can be financed separately to preserve cash. Learn more about franchise equipment financing and leasing.
Working capital and lines of credit. Cleaning teams are paid every pay period, while new customers take time to accumulate. Seasonal swings, such as spring cleaning and holiday demand, also affect revenue. A line of credit can cover payroll during ramp-up; see our cleaning business working capital options.
Seller financing on resales. A seller may carry part of the price on a resale. Any seller note generally must be acceptable to the senior lender, is typically subordinate to it, and loan programs may limit how it is structured.
SBA Loans for Maid Brigade Franchisees
The SBA Franchise Directory lists brands whose franchise agreements have been reviewed for SBA eligibility. SBA lenders generally rely on it to confirm the franchise relationship is eligible. A listing does not approve any individual borrower.
Maid Brigade’s listing. Maid Brigade is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory under identifier S1068, with no special notes. In plain English, no brand-specific conditions are flagged. The franchisor’s own site also notes that it is SBA-certified. Confirm current status with your lender when you apply.
Loan size. The SBA 7(a) program maximum is currently $5 million, and program rules can change. A single Maid Brigade territory requires a small fraction of that. Our SBA loan calculator gives rough payment estimates for planning only.
Application tips. Use the franchisor’s itemized budget and the FDD’s Item 7 as your use-of-proceeds list, document your equity, and include a hiring and marketing plan that shows how you will reach recurring revenue.
How Lenders Evaluate a Maid Brigade Franchise Loan
Personal credit and financial history. Lenders review credit, tax returns and a personal financial statement, and typically require a personal guarantee.
Net worth and liquidity. Lenders want equity for the injection and reserves afterward, because the business may run lean while customer counts build.
Industry and management experience. Management, customer service or staffing experience matters. Lenders want to know who will handle sales and customers and who will run scheduling and the office.
Business plan and projections. A strong plan models how first-year marketing produces leads, how many become recurring customers, how many cleaning teams you need and when you will hire them. A franchise business plan for an SBA loan organizes these assumptions for underwriters.
The FDD and franchise agreement. Lenders review the term, renewal, transfer conditions, territory definition and Item 6 fees. The franchisor publishes 2024 sales data for its franchisees on its website; check Item 19 of the FDD for its financial performance representations and build your own projections from defensible assumptions. Our article on how lenders read an FDD explains what matters.
Historical financials for a resale. Lenders review the seller’s profit and loss statements, tax returns, customer counts and retention, and payroll records.
Equipment, Vehicles and Technology
Maid Brigade owners need cleaning equipment for each team: vacuums, electrostatic sprayers used in the PUREcleaning process, supplies and caddies. Equipment wears out and must be replaced, so plan an ongoing equipment budget.
Vehicles are another consideration. The franchisor notes that team members can use their own cars, which keeps start-up costs down, but some owners prefer branded vehicles for marketing. Office technology, scheduling and the franchisor’s dashboard of analytics, training materials and marketing tools round out the operating setup.
Multi-Unit Growth and Development
Growth for a Maid Brigade owner usually starts by adding teams in the existing territory. Once that territory is well served, an owner may look at additional territories.
Financing growth. With operating history, lenders can underwrite growth on actual cash flow. A term loan can cover a second territory’s fee and marketing, while equipment financing supports additional teams.
Managing the organization. As the business grows, owners typically add office staff and managers. Lenders want to see that management depth exists before financing expansion.
Real-World Scenarios
A corporate professional launching a territory. A former operations manager uses savings as equity and finances the franchise fee, onboarding, first-year marketing and working capital with an SBA 7(a) loan, starting from a home office.
A couple dividing roles. One spouse handles customers and sales while the other runs scheduling and payroll. The lender sees a clear management structure and approves a loan with a line of credit for payroll.
A buyer acquiring a resale. A buyer purchases an established franchise with recurring customers. The lender reviews the seller’s financials and customer retention, the franchisor approves the transfer, and a seller note sits behind the senior loan.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Underestimating payroll during the months before customer counts build
- Skipping the Item 6 review because the website does not list ongoing fees
- Treating first-year marketing as optional rather than essential
- Choosing a territory without understanding its count of qualified households
- Not planning who will handle customers and who will run the office
For more pitfalls in this industry, read the loan mistakes cleaning and restoration owners make.
Next Steps to Finance Your Maid Brigade Franchise
Step 1: Call the franchisor and check territories. Confirm available markets and household counts.
Step 2: Review the FDD. Study Items 5, 6, 7, 10, 12, 17 and 19 with a franchise attorney and accountant.
Step 3: Talk with a financing specialist. Learn how much you can borrow and how much equity you need.
Step 4: Build a business plan. Model marketing, customer acquisition, hiring and payroll.
Step 5: Attend Discovery Day. Meet the Atlanta team and confirm the fit.
Step 6: Apply for financing. Submit your personal financial statement, tax returns, plan and franchise documents.
Step 7: Close, train and open. Complete training, hire your first team and launch marketing.
Maid Brigade Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does a Maid Brigade franchise cost?
The franchisor lists a total initial investment of $120,616 to $136,616, including additional funds for an office, computer and vehicle.
What is the Maid Brigade franchise fee?
The franchisor’s investment page lists an initial franchise fee of $49,900, based on the number of qualified households in the territory.
What royalty does Maid Brigade charge?
The franchisor’s website does not list it. Item 6 of the current FDD sets out the royalty and other ongoing fees.
How much liquid capital or net worth do I need?
The website does not publish these requirements. Lenders will expect equity for the injection and personal reserves, so confirm the franchisor’s requirements in the FDD.
Can I get an SBA loan for a Maid Brigade franchise?
Yes, subject to lender approval. Maid Brigade is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory (S1068) with no special notes.
Does Maid Brigade offer financing?
The franchisor says third-party financing is available through approved lenders. Check Item 10 of the FDD for any direct franchisor financing.
How big is a Maid Brigade territory?
The franchisor describes territories of between 25,000 and 40,000 qualified households, defined as households with annual income of $100,000 or more.
Do I need an office?
No. Owners can start from a home office or a small commercial space.
Can I finance equipment and vehicles separately?
Yes. Vehicles, cleaning equipment and technology can often be financed through equipment loans or leases.
Can I buy an existing Maid Brigade?
Yes, with franchisor approval. Lenders base resale financing on the business’s historical results.
Can a first-time business owner qualify?
Yes, if approved by the franchisor and the lender. Mentor training and pairing with an experienced franchise owner strengthen a first-time owner’s application.
Final Thoughts
Maid Brigade publishes a clear, itemized start-up budget and prices territories by qualified households, which makes it easier to build a solid Maid Brigade franchise loan request. The key to approval is a realistic plan for marketing, hiring and payroll during the early months, backed by enough equity and working capital to reach steady recurring revenue.
US Professional Funding helps franchise owners and buyers finance start-ups, acquisitions, equipment, working capital and refinancing. Learn more about our franchise financing and cleaning and restoration business financing solutions.
