Molly Maid
Molly Maid offers premium home cleaning services to residential homeowners through a structured franchise system. Known for meticulous cleaning standards, Molly Maid operates in the home service industry.
About Molly Maid
Molly Maid is an American cleaning company that operates a multi-national franchise with over 400 franchisees worldwide. It is a subsidiary of Neighborly.
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Molly Maid franchise FAQ
How much does it cost to open one — the total initial investment?
The total initial investment necessary to begin operation of a Molly Maid franchise ranges from $152,150 to $211,950. This includes the $65,650 to $93,150 payment to the franchisor or affiliate, plus additional expenses such as the Initial Startup Package costing approximately $8,000 - 9,000, vehicles ranging from $23,500 to $26,500 each, and potential leasehold improvements or construction costs. [p.2, p.132]
What is the initial franchise fee?
The initial franchise fee is $14,900 plus a territory fee of $1.10 per Target Household (TH). If you are an existing Molly Maid franchisee operating another business, only the territory fee applies, which is $1.10 per TH. [p.131]
What are the ongoing royalty and advertising fees?
This isn't specified in the excerpts. The provided FDD excerpts discuss synthetic royalties and master license fees from affiliated entities, as well as MAP (Marketing, Advertising, and Promotion) fund contributions and expenditures, but do not detail specific ongoing royalty or advertising fees for franchisees.
How long is the initial franchise agreement, and can I renew it?
The initial franchise agreement is typically granted for an initial term of ten years with an option to renew [p.265]. The ability to renew depends on the terms specified in the franchise agreement [p.4] which may allow the franchisor to change its business model without your consent, potentially requiring additional investments or harming your franchise business [p.4].
Can I sell or transfer my franchise, and what does that require?
You can sell or transfer your franchise, but it requires the franchisor's approval except for good cause. The transferee must purchase a Transfer Initial Package costing $4,000 and pay a transfer fee of $15,000 (or more if the assignee has at least $5 million in outside investments), plus additional fees for simultaneous transfers. [p.6, p.42]
On what grounds can the franchisor terminate the agreement?
The franchisor can terminate the agreement at any time with or without cause for any reason whatsoever by providing written notice of intent to terminate [p.321]. Additionally, termination can occur if the franchisee is in default of their Franchise Agreement or fails to comply with specified terms and conditions [p.321].
What financial requirements — net worth and liquid capital — do I need to qualify?
This isn't specified in the excerpts. The FDD focuses on working capital needs rather than net worth or specific liquid capital requirements for qualifying as a franchisee.
Do I get an exclusive or protected territory?
You do not receive an exclusive territory, but you have protection from new franchises being established in your designated area if you comply with your Franchise Agreement [p.63]. However, this does not prevent competition from other franchisees, outlets owned by the company, or other competitive brands [p.63].
What training and ongoing support does the franchisor provide?
The franchisor, Neighborly, provides training and ongoing support through its subsidiary ZorWare [p.325]. This support includes service for training, maintenance, and support provided over telephone and internet during normal business hours, though the specifics can change in the future. Additionally, Neighborly's subsidiary TDGC offers support and supervision to Canadian franchisees operating under certain trademarks [p.15-17].
How many franchised outlets are there, and how many have closed or been terminated?
As of December 31, 2025, there were a total of 262 ShelfGenie franchised outlets in operation in the U.S. [p.15] However, this excerpt does not specify the number of closed or terminated outlets. This isn't specified in the excerpts.
Does the franchisor share any financial performance or earnings information?
Yes, the franchisor can provide financial performance information if there is a reasonable basis for it and if the information is included in the disclosure document. This includes actual records of existing outlets you are considering buying [p.75]. However, the franchisor does not furnish any oral or written information about actual sales, costs, income, or profits except as specified in Item 19 [p.79].
What am I restricted to selling, and where must I buy supplies?
You are restricted in terms of what you can sell, as the franchise agreement may prohibit operating a similar business during the term of the franchise. Regarding supplies, you may have to purchase or lease items from the franchisor or a limited group of suppliers designated by them, which could be more expensive than other options [p.4].