How much does it cost to open a ServiceMaster Clean franchise?

The total initial investment for a ServiceMaster Clean franchise ranges from $104,300 to $179,750. This includes the franchise fee of $32,500, buildout costs, equipment, and initial working capital.

What are the ongoing fees for a ServiceMaster Clean franchise?

ServiceMaster Clean franchisees pay an ongoing royalty fee and a 2.0% advertising/marketing fund contribution. These are typically calculated as a percentage of gross revenue.

How much money can you make with a ServiceMaster Clean franchise?

Based on Item 19 financial performance data, the median ServiceMaster Clean franchise generates $357,712 in annual revenue. Estimated owner profit is approximately $64,388.

Early Access — All reports and features are 100% free while we collect feedback. Send us feedback

Cleaning

ServiceMaster Clean Franchise Cost Breakdown

Complete investment analysis based on official FDD data

Total Investment

$104,300 – $179,750

Franchise Fee

$32,500

Royalty Rate

N/A

Initial Investment Range

Low: $104,300 High: $179,750

The total initial investment to open a ServiceMaster Clean franchise ranges from $104,300 to $179,750, as disclosed in their Franchise Disclosure Document. This includes the one-time franchise fee of $32,500.

Midpoint estimate: $142,025

Franchise Fee

$32,500

One-time initial fee

The ServiceMaster Clean franchise fee is a one-time upfront payment made to the franchisor when you sign the franchise agreement. This fee grants you the right to operate under the ServiceMaster Clean brand and is included in the total initial investment range above.

Ongoing Fees

Royalty Fee

N/A

Ad/Marketing Fund

2.0%

of gross revenue

Other Ongoing Fees

Fee Type	Rate	Type	Notes
Royalties	7.0	VARIABLE	Greater of Minimum Monthly Royalty or calculated amount. Minimum Monthly Royalty: $0 (months 0-4), $250 (months 5-12), $455 (months 13-24), $892 (months 25-36), $1,671 (months 37-48), $2,982 (months 49+). Contracted Recurring Services use tiered rates 4%-7%. Other Services charged at flat 10%. Due by 20th of month. Transferred franchises eligible for adjusted royalties during transition period. Conversion franchises may be eligible for adjusted royalties. Untimely renewal increases rate by 2.5%.
Ad Fund Contribution	0.5	PCT	Greater of 0.5% of monthly Gross Service Sales or $25 per month. Due by 20th of month. Total Ad Fund Contribution and Local Advertising Commitment will not exceed 2.5% of Gross Service Sales.
Local Advertising Commitment	2.0	PCT	Currently 2% of monthly Gross Service Sales must be spent on Eligible Local Marketing. If franchisee fails to meet commitment, must pay difference to Ad Fund. Total Ad Fund Contribution and Local Advertising Commitment will not exceed 2.5% of Gross Service Sales. Due upon demand if not spent.
Technology Fee	360.0	VARIABLE	For Management Software: $360/month if annual Gross Service Sales ≤$750,000; $430/month if $750,001-$2,000,000; $545/month if $2,000,001-$7,000,000; $750/month if >$7,000,000. Due by 20th of month. Fee will not exceed $1,500 per month. Fee determined by prior calendar year's sales.
Digital Platform Fee	250.0	FIXED	Currently $250 per month per office location for social media, digital media, and marketing/business intelligence platform maintenance. Due by 20th of month. Fee will not exceed $500 per month per office location.
AOS Training for Additional Persons, Subsequent or Replacement Trainees, and for Transferees	5000.0	FIXED	Currently $5,000 per person. Will not exceed $8,110 per person. Due at closing for transfers; due upon demand for all other trainees. Initial training for two people included in Initial Franchise Fee. Does not include wages, travel, hotel, or some meal costs.
Ongoing Training Programs and Meetings	300.0	VARIABLE	Currently $300-$2,500 per attendee for training programs and $1,000 per attendee for regional meetings. Will not exceed $4,000 per training program/seminar/workshop or $2,000 per regional meeting. Must attend at least three seminars/conventions/meetings per year. Due upon registration.
Annual Convention	1000.0	FIXED	Currently $1,000 per attendee. Will not exceed $2,000 per attendee. Required attendance varies by number of franchises owned (1-7 representatives for 1-13+ franchises). 150% penalty fee for each required absent representative without valid business reason. Due upon registration.
Certification Fees	1500.0	VARIABLE	Currently $1,500-$2,500 per person per License. For Optional Programs certifications (National Accounts, specialized industries, CIMS). If provided by franchisor/affiliates, fee will not exceed 110% of actual costs. Currently renewed every two years. Payable as incurred.
National Accounts Fees	N/A	VARIABLE	Per job fee and referral fee vary depending on National Account Program. Fees retained will not exceed 10% of total customer payments. Due monthly as incurred. Only applicable if participating in optional National Accounts Program.
Optional Program Participation Fees	N/A	VARIABLE	Currently not charged. Will vary based on Optional Program. Due monthly as incurred. Amount and type of fees vary by program and may be payable to franchisor, affiliates, insurance carriers, or program participants.
Product or Equipment Evaluation Testing Fees	500.0	FIXED	$500 per cleaning product and $1,000 per equipment product. Due at time of submission of request for approval of non-approved products. Plus shipping and handling charges.
Renewal Fee	6.0	PCT	6% of the franchise fee charged to new franchisees at the time of renewal. Due when Franchise Agreement is renewed.
Lead Fee	10000.0	FIXED	$10,000. Payable if franchisor refers a qualified lead to an existing franchise owner and such lead purchases the franchise owner's interest within 18 months of referral. Due at closing of transfer.
Transfer Fee	12000.0	VARIABLE	$12,000 (standard); $3,500 if transfer to owner's adult child (18+) or qualified manager; $500 if transfer to spouse or existing owner; plus franchisor/affiliate costs and expenses (including attorneys' fees). 25% non-refundable application fee due at submission of transfer request. Transferees must also pay for AOS Training, laptop and software. Due at closing of transfer.
Change Fee	500.0	FIXED	Currently $500 per change per Franchise Agreement. Will not exceed $750. For non-control transfers, changing entity name, DBA name, form of entity, or modifying Franchise Agreement. No charge for DBA or entity form changes during first year. Due as incurred.
Interest and Late Fees	2.0	PCT	For fees: 2% per month interest compounded daily or maximum permitted by law, whichever is less. For fees, reports, and other information: $200 weekly late fee for first four late weeks and $500 weekly late fee thereafter, plus all other costs (bank charges, attorneys' fees). Due when overdue amount is paid.
Audit	5000.0	FIXED	$5,000 plus cost of audit, amount of underpayment, and interest on underpayment. Payable only if audit shows understatement of at least 1% of Gross Service Sales for any given month. Due upon demand.
Inspection Fee	500.0	FIXED	$500 per representative per day, plus actual costs and expenses (travel, living expenses). Payable if franchisor conducts follow-up inspection to confirm correction of deficiencies. Due upon demand.
Insurance Procurement Fee	N/A	VARIABLE	Up to 150% of any costs and expenses that franchisor and affiliates incur to obtain and maintain insurance. Payable if franchisee fails to obtain or maintain required insurance coverage. Due as incurred.
Customer Complaint Management Fee	500.0	FIXED	$500 plus any costs and expenses to resolve complaint. Will not exceed $750 (fixed portion). Payable if franchisor intervenes in customer complaint/dispute to protect brand or because franchisee has not adequately resolved complaint. Due as incurred.
Performance After Default	N/A	VARIABLE	Up to 120% of any costs and expenses that franchisor and affiliates incur to perform obligation. Payable if franchisee fails to perform any obligation under Franchise Agreement. Due as incurred.
Non-Compliance Fee	1000.0	FIXED	$1,000 per single violation per day, unless otherwise specified in Manual. Will not exceed $2,000 per single violation per day. May be charged repeatedly (as frequently as daily) if non-compliance is ongoing. May vary based on severity, number, and repetition of defaults. Due as incurred.
Enforcement Expenses	N/A	VARIABLE	Attorneys' fees and related costs franchisor/affiliates incur to (a) enforce Franchise Agreement terms or other agreements, or (b) defend claims brought by franchisee on which franchisor substantially prevails. Due on invoice.
Tax Reimbursement Fees	N/A	VARIABLE	Will vary under circumstances. Reimbursement for certain sales, use, personal property and other taxes franchisor or affiliates incur related to goods, services, and licenses provided to franchisee. Due as incurred.
Indemnification	N/A	VARIABLE	Varies by nature of claims. Franchisee must indemnify franchisor and affiliates in connection with operation of Clean Franchise, including litigation costs in defending claims. Due on demand.
Liquidated Damages	N/A	VARIABLE	Average monthly Royalties and Ad Fund Contributions owed during past 12 months times lesser of remainder of Franchise Agreement term or 24 months. If less than 12 months have passed since opening, calculated based on time between opening and termination. Payable if franchisor terminates due to default or franchisee purports to terminate. Due within 7 days of termination.
Appraiser's Fee	50.0	PCT	50% of appraiser's fee for first appraiser; 100% of appraiser's fee for second and third appraiser. Payable to franchisor or third-party appraiser. Only if franchisor elects to purchase franchisee's assets on termination/expiration and parties cannot agree on purchase price. Due on invoice.

What You Get

Financial Performance (Item 19)

Median Revenue

$357,712

per year, per location

Profitability Estimate

Estimated Owner Profit

$64,388

per year

Profit Margin

18.0%

of revenue

Estimation method: benchmark

Estimated ROI (Simple Payback): 2.2 years

Based on midpoint investment of $142,025 and estimated annual owner profit of $64,388.

Unit Growth & Failure Rate

Avg. Annual Closure Rate

2.0%

Low risk — below industry average

Net Unit Growth

-93 units

From 2022 to 2024

Unit Activity History

Year	Start	Opened	Closed	Transfers	End
2022	714	+4	-27	—	673
2023	673	+10	-12	—	617
2024	617	+22	-2	—	621

Is a ServiceMaster Clean Franchise Worth It?

Based on the FDD data, here is a data-driven snapshot of the ServiceMaster Clean franchise opportunity:

Overall Score

68/100

Moderate opportunity

Est. Payback Period

2.2 yrs

Fast payback

Risk Level

Low

2.0% annual closure rate

ServiceMaster Clean shows a moderate score across our evaluation criteria. Careful due diligence is recommended. With median unit revenue of $357,712 , prospective franchisees should model their own financial projections carefully. For a complete analysis including risk factors, deal-breaker flags, and detailed financial modeling, see the full report.