Chem-Dry vs Merry Maids
Franchise Comparison 2026
Both Chem-Dry and Merry Maids are cleaning & maintenance franchises. Chem-Dry requires an investment of $92K – $250K while Merry Maids requires $127K – $170K. In terms of revenue, Merry Maids reports higher average unit revenue at $487K. On SBA loan performance, Merry Maids has a lower charge-off rate (5.0%) compared to Chem-Dry (29.7%). FranchiseVerdict rates Chem-Dry D (Below Average) and Merry Maids B (Above Average).
| Metric | Chem-Dry | Merry Maids |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict Grade | CAverageAverage | BAbove AverageAbove Average |
| Investment Range | $92K – $250K | $127K – $170K |
| Franchise Fee | $36K | $55K |
| Royalty Rate | Tiered 4%-7% of Gross Sales: 7% on first $500K, 6% on $500K-$1M, 5% on $1M-$1.5M, 4% above $1.5M (Standard Territory); similar tiers at half the thresholds for Small Territory | 7.0% |
| Average Revenue (Item 19) | $218K | $487K |
| SBA Charge-Off Rate | 29.7% (98 loans) | 5.0% (115 loans) |
| Total Units | 963 | 802 |
| Unit Growth (YoY) | N/A | N/A |
| Year Began Franchising | 1978 | 2021 |
| FDD Year | 2026 | 2025 |
Investment Range
$92K – $250K
$127K – $170K
Franchise Fee
$36K
$55K
Royalty Rate
Tiered 4%-7% of Gross Sales: 7% on first $500K, 6% on $500K-$1M, 5% on $1M-$1.5M, 4% above $1.5M (Standard Territory); similar tiers at half the thresholds for Small Territory
7.0%
Average Revenue (Item 19)
$218K
$487K
SBA Charge-Off Rate
29.7% (98 loans)
5.0% (115 loans)
Total Units
963
802
Unit Growth (YoY)
N/A
N/A
Year Began Franchising
1978
2021
FDD Year
2026
2025