ServiceMaster Clean Franchise Costs, Fees & FDD

Year Business Began: 1947

Franchising Since: 1948

Headquarters: Atlanta, Georgia

Estimated Number of Units: 950

Franchise Description: The franchisor is ServiceMaster Clean/Restore SPE LLC. The franchisor is a direct subsidiary of ServiceMaster Systems LLC. Franchisees operate a ServiceMaster Clean business, which provides to management or tenants of commercial or institutional buildings contracted janitorial services on a continuing basis and carpet, furniture and other periodical non-janitorial cleaning and maintenance.
Training Overview: AOS Training is a school of intensified training and is two weeks long (which may not be consecutive and may include evenings and weekends). AOS Training is held in Memphis, Tennessee or any other site designated by the franchisor. At any time, the franchisor may provide all or part of the AOS Training, or any other training programs, virtually via videoconference or another online platform. Currently, AOS Training is held in-person for two full weeks, which cannot be split between sessions. Attendees are required to complete some initial coursework online prior to attending AOS Training in the franchisor’s learning management system, which is referred to as ServiceMaster Brands University (SMBU). The franchisor shall provide other training programs as each is developed and it deems appropriate. Franchisees are required to attend at least three seminars, workshops, conventions, conferences, regional meetings, or other equivalent meetings designated by the franchisor and offered by the franchisor during each year. Currently, the franchisor provides regional workshops, several training sessions and breakouts at its annual convention; the franchisor has webinars on various topics throughout the year for franchise owners, and it offers other training courses available online through SMBU; and regional workshops from time to time in various regions.

Territory Granted: The franchisor will designate the territory within which franchisees will perform services and must locate their offices. The franchisor will consider total population and relative affluence to determine the territory; the franchisor does not offer a minimum territory. Currently, the franchisor determines territories using zip codes. Franchisees may not alter the territory and must receive written permission from the franchisor before relocating their office within the territory. Franchisees will not receive an exclusive territory. Franchisees may face competition from other franchisees, from company-owned businesses, or from other channels of distribution or competitive brands controlled by the franchisor.

Obligations and Restrictions: If franchisees do not personally supervise the business, or if they are a corporation, partnership, or limited liability company, they must employ a manager who will be responsible for direct, on-premises supervision of the business. The manager must have successfully completed the AOS training program but need not have an ownership interest if the franchisee is a corporation, partnership, or limited liability company. Franchisees must offer and provide the services the franchisor requires. Franchisees must not actively solicit sales from customers outside of their defined territory. Beginning in the 13th full month of operation, franchisees must maintain minimum monthly gross service sales levels to continue to operate the franchised business.

Term of Agreement and Renewal: The length of the initial franchise term is five years. If franchisees satisfy the conditions for renewal, they will have the option of entering into a renewal agreement for one additional, consecutive five-year term.

Financial Assistance: The franchisor and its affiliates do not offer direct or indirect financing arrangements for any purpose in establishing or operating the franchise. The franchisor and its affiliates do not guarantee a franchisee’s promissory note, lease, or any other obligation they may make to others. The franchisor has relationships with certain banks and third-party lenders in different regions and may be able to refer franchisees to a preferred source of financing for initial franchise fees and franchise growth initiatives, but it does not have any arrangements with such lenders and do not receive any benefits from such lenders if franchisees obtain financing from them. The franchisor offers initial franchise fee discounts for individuals who have at least two years’ experience owning or being employed by any business offering the services franchised by the franchisor, are honorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces, or converting an existing business to a Merry Maids franchised business.

Estimated Initial Investment

Type of Fee	Low	High
Initial Franchise Fee	$32,500	$32,500
Equipment and Supplies	$10,000	$40,000
Vehicles	$8,000	$12,500
Technology System	$1,800	$3,000
Travel and Other Expenses During AOS Training	$4,000	$7,000
Insurance	$3,750	$6,500
Local Advertising	$500	$1,500
Online Marketing Fund Deposit	$4,750	$4,750
Miscellaneous Opening and Real Estate Expenses	$4,000	$7,000
Professional Fees	$5,000	$15,000
Additional Funds – first 3 months	$30,000	$50,000
ESTIMATED TOTAL	$104,300	$179,750

 
Other Fees

Type of Fee	Amount
Royalty	The greater of (a) the minimum monthly royalty or (b) (i) the gross service sales for contracted recurring services in such month multiplied by the applicable royalty rate (which will range from 7% to 4% as set forth in the royalties scale) plus (ii) the gross service sales for other services in such month multiplied by 10%.
Advertising Fund Contribution	Currently, the greater of 0.5% of the monthly gross service sales or $25 per month.
Local Advertising Commitment	The difference between the amount franchisees spend on eligible marketing and the required local advertising commitment in each month.
AOS Training for Additional Persons, Subsequent or Replacement Trainees, and for Transferees	Currently, $5,000 per person for a two-week program.
Ongoing Training Programs and Meetings	The then-current registration fees, which are currently $300 to $2,500 per attendee for training programs and $1,000 per attendee for regional meetings.
Annual Convention	Currently, $1,000 per attendee.
Certification Fees	Currently, $1,500 – $2,500 per person per license.
Delinquent Report Fee	$100 per delinquent report.
Technology Fee	The then-current fee.
Digital Platform Fee	Currently, $250 per month per office location.
National Accounts Fees	Per job fee and referral fee, which will vary depending on national account program.
Optional Program Participation Fees	Currently, not charged. Will vary based on optional program.
Product or Equipment Evaluation Testing Fees	$500 per cleaning product and $1,000 per equipment product.
Renewal Fee	6% of the franchise fee charged to new franchisees at the time of renewal.
Lead Fee	$10,000
Transfer Fee	The sum of (a) $12,000, except (i) $3,500 if the transfer is to an owner’s adult child who is at least 18 years of age or to a qualified manager of the franchise (as specified in the manual), (ii) $500 if the transfer is to a spouse of an existing owner, and (iii) $500 if the transfer is to an existing owner of the franchise; plus (b) the franchisor’s and its affiliates’ costs and expenses related to the transfer (including attorneys’ fees).
Change Fee	Currently, $500 per change per Franchise Agreement.
Interest and Late Fees	For fees: 2% per month in interest compounded daily or the maximum permitted by law, whichever is less. For fees, reports, and other information and materials: $200 weekly late fee for first four late weeks and $500 weekly late fee thereafter; and all other costs incurred by the franchisor (including bank charges and attorneys’ fees).
Audit	$5,000 plus the cost of audit, the amount of the underpayment, and interest on the underpayment.
Inspection Fee	$500 per representative per day, plus the franchisor’s actual costs and expenses, which include travel and living expenses for its representatives.
Insurance Procurement Fee	Up to 150% of any costs and expenses that the franchisor and its affiliates incur to obtain and maintain insurance.
Customer Complaint Management Fee	$500, plus any costs and expenses that the franchisor and its affiliates incur to attempt to resolve such complaint.
Performance After Default	Up to 120% of any costs and expenses that the franchisor and its affiliates incur to perform such obligation.
Non-Compliance Fee	$1,000, unless otherwise specified in the manual.
Enforcement Expenses	The franchisor’s and its affiliates’ costs and expenses.
Tax Reimbursement Fees	Will vary under circumstances.
Indemnification	Varies by nature of claims.
Liquidated Damages	The average monthly amount of royalties and ad fund contributions that the franchisee owed to the franchisor during the past 12 months times the lesser of remainder of term of Franchise Agreement or 24 months.
Appraiser’s Fee	50% of appraiser’s fee for the first appraiser; 100% of appraiser’s fee for the second and third appraiser.

The above information has been compiled from the FDD of ServiceMaster Clean. Year of FDD: 2025.
Franchise Direct's Disclaimer