For entrepreneurs looking at the home services sector, The Cleaning Authority stands out as one of the longest-running residential cleaning franchise systems in North America, built around a proprietary cleaning method and a recurring-revenue business model.
Franchise · B2C Services
The Cleaning Authority Franchise
A residential cleaning franchise with a proprietary rotation system and 240+ locations across North America
$50,000
franchise fee
$20,000
personal capital
USD 77k – 175kk
investment
240
U.S. locations
How much does a The Cleaning Authority franchise cost?
Franchise fee
Amount paid when signing the contract
$50,000
Personal capital
Own funds required to complete the financing
$20,000
Total investment
Estimated total budget for the opening
$76,600 – $175,250
Ongoing royalty
6%
Advertising royalty
2%
Locations in the U.S.
240
Figures declared by the franchisor — sources and verification date at the bottom of the page.
What it's about
- Founded
- 1996
- Units in the market
- 240
- Locations
- 240
- Type of business
- Residential cleaning services franchise
- Company
- The Cleaning Authority (Authority Brands)
Fact sheet
The right questions before you start
Inside the Detail-Clean Rotation System
The Cleaning Authority operates in the residential cleaning space, with additional services that can include light commercial cleaning, carpets, windows, and furniture. The brand's signature operating method, known as the Detail-Clean Rotation System, structures how franchisees schedule and deliver recurring home cleanings, aiming for consistency across visits rather than one-off jobs. The company is part of Authority Brands, a multi-brand platform focused on the home services industry, which gives franchisees access to shared resources across a larger corporate infrastructure. The business operates from a local office rather than a retail storefront, since crews are dispatched to clients' homes.
Why residential cleaning remains a resilient franchise category
Recurring cleaning services generate repeat, subscription-like revenue, which is part of what makes this category appealing to franchise buyers. The Cleaning Authority states it has helped over 240 individuals build franchise businesses across North America, with other industry sources citing location counts ranging from roughly 225 to 244 depending on the year and data source. All reported locations appear to be franchised, with no corporate-owned units identified. Franchisees also benefit from being part of the larger Authority Brands network, which positions itself around supporting small business owners within a bigger operational system.
What it costs to open a location
The official franchise website lists a franchise fee of $50,000, with a 30% VetFran discount available to honorably discharged veterans on their first franchise. Separately, several third-party Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) summaries covering 2022 through 2026 report lower franchise fees, in the range of $15,000 to $20,000 depending on whether the territory is categorized as an Enterprise Market or Hometown Market, along with total estimated initial investments ranging from roughly $77,000 to $175,000 across different FDD years. These third-party figures are not confirmed on the official site, which does not publish a full cost breakdown. On royalties, the company's own materials do not disclose a specific percentage, but independent FDD-based sources consistently point to a royalty in the 5-6% range on gross sales, plus an additional 1-2% marketing or brand fund contribution. Prospective franchisees should request the current FDD directly from the franchisor to confirm exact figures before signing.
How much does it cost to open a The Cleaning Authority franchise?
The official franchise fee is listed at $50,000 on the company's franchise website, with a 30% discount for qualifying veterans. Independent FDD summaries from recent years report total initial investments ranging from roughly $76,600 to $175,250, though these third-party figures have not been confirmed directly by the franchisor, so requesting the current FDD is recommended.
What does a The Cleaning Authority franchise actually do day to day?
Franchisees manage a local residential cleaning business, overseeing cleaning crews who service homes using the brand's Detail-Clean Rotation System. The role centers on operations management, staffing, customer service, and local marketing rather than performing cleaning tasks personally, since crews are hired and trained to deliver the service.
Do I need cleaning experience to become a franchisee?
No. The company explicitly states that no prior experience in the cleaning industry is necessary to franchise with The Cleaning Authority. The business is designed so franchisees focus on business management, team leadership, and customer relationships, with training provided to cover the operational side of the cleaning service itself.
What training and support does The Cleaning Authority provide to new franchisees?
New franchisees receive initial training at company headquarters covering operations, marketing, and customer service, plus ongoing educational resources. Support continues with a dedicated team for day-to-day operational questions, access to a network of fellow franchise owners, and marketing assistance including digital campaigns, direct mail, and national advertising efforts.
How many The Cleaning Authority locations are there in the US and Canada?
The official franchise site states the brand has helped over 240 individuals become franchise owners across North America. Other industry sources report figures ranging between 225 and 244 locations depending on the year of reporting. All known locations appear to be franchised, with no corporate-owned units identified.
Sources and data verification
The figures on this page come from the following sources:
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