If you’re researching cleaning franchise opportunities, The Cleaning Authority franchise is likely on your radar. As one of the most established names in residential cleaning, The Cleaning Authority offers a turnkey way to start a cleaning business franchise focused on house cleaning. But is it the right fit for you – and how does it stack up against a commercial cleaning model like Assett Franchise? In this in-depth review, we’ll break down The Cleaning Authority opportunity, compare the residential cleaning industry to the commercial cleaning industry, and show how Assett Franchise provides a cleaner alternative for entrepreneurs seeking stability and scale.
What Is The Cleaning Authority Opportunity?
The Cleaning Authority is a long-running franchise in the residential cleaning industry, offering professional house cleaning services to homeowners. Founded in 1977, it began franchising in the mid-1990s and has since grown to over 225 locations across North America. Today, it operates as part of the Authority Brands family of home service franchises, making it a prominent player in the home cleaning sector.
Company Overview and Industry
The Cleaning Authority is a residential cleaning franchise, essentially a maid service business for home cleaning needs. Franchisees operate professional teams that perform routine house cleanings, deep cleans, move-in/move-out cleans, and related services for local homeowners. The company started as one of the first whole-house cleaning services in the Baltimore-Washington area in 1977. After a change in ownership in 1989, it began franchising in 1995 to expand its reach.
Over the past few decades, The Cleaning Authority’s franchise network has continued to expand steadily. As of 2025, it has roughly 240–250 franchise locations across the United States and Canada. This expansion included some notable milestones – for instance, in 2014, a private equity firm acquired a majority stake in the company, and in 2017, it became the flagship brand of Authority Brands, one of the nation’s leading home services franchisors. Being part of a larger franchise group provides franchisees with corporate support and resources, but also means the brand is now governed by a parent company rather than its original founders.
In terms of industry, The Cleaning Authority operates in the home cleaning services market, serving individual homeowners and renters. This is a sizeable segment within the broader cleaning industry. Residential cleaning has proven to have consistent demand – many busy families and professionals hire cleaning services to save time and keep their homes healthy. In fact, house cleaning businesses are often considered recession-resistant because a clean home is viewed as a necessity for health and comfort, and many households continue regular cleanings even in tough economic times. The Cleaning Authority has capitalized on this demand by building a trusted consumer brand over 40+ years, known for its “Detail-Clean Rotation System” and satisfaction guarantees in home cleaning.
What Franchisees Get
Services and Customer Base: Franchisees of The Cleaning Authority primarily serve residential clients – cleaning private homes, apartments, and condos. The core service is routine housekeeping on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly schedule, which provides a recurring revenue stream from loyal customers. The company also enables franchisees to offer add-on services like one-time deep cleans, carpet cleaning, window cleaning, and even light commercial cleaning for small offices. However, the bread-and-butter is regular home cleaning. The customer base is broad but generally consists of middle to upper-income homeowners who value convenience; The Cleaning Authority defines its target territory households as those with $70k+ in annual income (even higher in some markets), indicating a focus on clients willing to pay for ongoing cleaning help.
Training and Support: The Cleaning Authority provides a structured training and support system to help new franchise owners. New franchisees attend an initial training program (approximately two weeks of combined classroom and on-the-job training) to learn the business model. This covers everything from the proprietary cleaning methods and customer service standards to office management and marketing. Once the franchise is up and running, ongoing support includes regional meetings, an intranet for franchisee support, and access to tools like a proprietary scheduling software and a mobile app for customers. In fact, The Cleaning Authority launched a customer-facing app that notifies clients when cleaners are on the way or finished, enhancing convenience and safety.
Franchisees also benefit from marketing support at both national and local levels. The franchisor runs national brand campaigns and provides advertising templates, a company website, SEO efforts, and social media marketing support. There is even a national call center that helps handle customer inquiries and set appointments for local franchises, which can lighten the load on franchisees (though note, there is a small fee per call for this service). The Cleaning Authority emphasizes that franchise owners do not need prior cleaning industry experience – their systems and support are designed to help newcomers run the business efficiently. Owners typically focus on managing teams of cleaners and handling customer relationships, not doing the cleaning themselves. In fact, because clients prefer home cleaning on weekdays during work hours, franchisees usually operate Monday–Friday daytime schedules and enjoy evenings and weekends off – a quality-of-life perk that many service businesses can’t offer.
Tools and Systems: Part of what franchisees “get” is a proven business model with established processes. The Cleaning Authority’s model includes a unique cleaning methodology (ensuring consistent quality), scheduling and routing systems for cleaning crews, and business management software to track clients and finances. They also promote values like using environmentally friendly products and having bonded & insured cleaning crews, which appeal to customers and are enforced across the franchise network. As a franchisee, you receive playbooks for operations and employee management, and you can tap into a network of fellow franchise owners for best practices. Overall, franchise owners get a turnkey package: a recognized brand name, training, marketing support, and ongoing coaching that can help them ramp up a home cleaning business relatively quickly.
Startup Costs and Ongoing Fees
Like any franchise, The Cleaning Authority requires an upfront investment and ongoing fees. Here’s a summary of the financial picture:
- Initial Investment: The total initial investment to open a The Cleaning Authority franchise ranges from approximately $76,000 to $147,000 according to entrepreneur.com. This includes all startup expenses such as the initial franchise fee, territory fee, equipment, initial training, initial marketing, office setup, and working capital for the first few months. The range varies mainly based on the size of the territory and market (“Hometown” markets on the lower end, and larger “Enterprise” markets on the higher end). Notably, The Cleaning Authority offers two types of territories – hometown (smaller population) and enterprise (larger population) – which is why the initial investment has a lower and upper band. For example, an enterprise market with more households might require a higher territory fee and more initial marketing budget, thus closer to the $147K figure.
- Franchise Fee and Territory Fee: The initial franchise fee is between $15,000 and $20,000. In addition, there is a territory fee of $11,250 up to $45,000, which secures your exclusive geographic territory. In practice, many franchisees pay around $30,000 combined for franchise rights (the exact fee depends on market size and any discounts). The Cleaning Authority does offer incentives: for instance, veterans get 30% off their first franchise’s fees, and there are diversity discounts for women, minorities, and LGBTQ+ owners. According to Entrepreneur magazine, candidates must also meet a net worth requirement of about $225,000 and have at least $50,000 in liquid capital to qualify financially – fairly accessible compared to many franchises.
- Equipment and Setup: Because this is a cleaning business, the hard assets needed are relatively modest. Part of your investment goes toward cleaning equipment and supplies (vacuums, mops, cleaning solutions), a washer/dryer for laundering cleaning cloths, office furnishings, and possibly a vehicle or van for your cleaning teams. The franchise expects you to establish a small office (often light industrial or flex office space) to serve as a base of operations – the Item 7 estimates include about 3 months of rent and security deposit (approximately $6,000–$12,000) for an office. While this isn’t a retail business, having a dedicated office helps with hiring and managing staff, storing supplies, and presenting a professional image. Some franchisees may initially work from a home office, but generally an external office is recommended as the business grows.
- Ongoing Royalties: The Cleaning Authority charges an ongoing royalty fee of 6% of gross revenue. In certain cases, the royalty can be as low as 4% – the franchise uses a sliding scale that rewards higher-performing franchises with a slightly reduced royalty rate. This royalty is paid weekly and is the franchisor’s main source of income for providing support and brand value.
- Advertising Fees: Franchisees contribute 1% of gross revenue to the National Brand Fund (marketing fund). Uniquely, this is capped at $200 per week maximum, so for smaller franchises that 1% might be more than $200, they only pay the cap. Additionally, there is a local marketing requirement – franchise owners must spend a certain amount on local advertising in their territory. The FDD describes this as a calculated amount based on the number of households and customers (roughly equating to 9%–13% of revenue for most franchises). In other words, you’re expected to reinvest a significant portion of sales into local marketing (like direct mail, digital ads, or promotions) to keep growing the customer base. While this sounds high, remember that many residential cleaning clients are acquired through local advertising efforts, so it’s vital for the business model.
- Other Fees: There are a few other fees to be aware of. The Cleaning Authority operates a central call center that can handle customer calls and set appointments – franchisees pay a small fee per call (around $2.58 for new lead calls, $3.05 for other calls). There’s also a technology fee for the software system (about ~$36 per period, rising to ~$40 in 2025), and occasional costs like an annual conference fee (if you attend the franchise convention). None of these ancillary fees are very large individually, but it’s good to know they exist. Overall, once your business is running, you can expect roughly 7% of sales in royalties/brand fund, plus the commitment to spend 10%+ on local marketing. These are important when calculating your ongoing profit margins.
Financially, The Cleaning Authority is considered a low-cost franchise within the franchising world. Its initial investment (~$80K–$150K) is far lower than brick-and-mortar businesses like restaurants or gyms, and it has even been ranked among top franchises under $100K. The relatively low overhead (no expensive equipment or large real estate) makes it appealing for first-time business owners. That said, prospective franchisees should plan for working capital to cover expenses until the customer base is built up. The franchise’s Item 19 (financial performance data) indicates that the average franchisee’s annual revenue is about $1.1 million (as of the 2020 report), and these revenues come from servicing hundreds of recurring customers. Building up to that scale takes time, so the initial few months require active marketing and community networking.
Now that we’ve covered what The Cleaning Authority franchise offers, let’s examine how the residential cleaning industry operates and compares to the commercial cleaning industry – and why someone considering a cleaning franchise might lean toward one or the other.
How the Industry Itself Compares
When evaluating any franchise, it’s crucial to look not just at the franchisor, but at the industry it plays in. In this case, The Cleaning Authority is an indirect competitor to Assett Franchise because it focuses on residential cleaning (homes) whereas Assett is in commercial cleaning (offices, facilities, B2B contracts). Both fall under the broad “cleaning services” umbrella, but the day-to-day business and long-term prospects can differ in practical, financial, and operational ways.
Below, we’ll compare the residential cleaning industry (as exemplified by The Cleaning Authority) with the commercial cleaning industry (the arena Assett operates in). We’ll be honest about the pros and cons of each – and show why commercial cleaning often comes out ahead for entrepreneurs seeking stability, scalability, and profitability.
The Cleaning Authority’s Industry Advantages (Residential Cleaning)
Every industry has its advantages. For residential cleaning franchises like The Cleaning Authority, several positives stand out:
- Strong Consumer Demand: There is a large and growing market for home cleaning services. Many dual-income families, busy professionals, and seniors simply don’t have the time or ability to clean their homes regularly, leading them to seek reliable maid services. The customer base – essentially any household that values a clean living environment – is enormous. The Cleaning Authority alone serves over 45,000 families each week, typically on a bi-weekly service schedule, indicating tens of thousands of loyal repeat customers. This recurring service model means franchise owners can build up a steady book of business with loyal clients who schedule ongoing cleanings. Even during economic downturns, home cleaning often remains in demand, as people still need clean, sanitary homes for health. Many homeowners view cleaning as a necessity rather than a luxury, helping the residential cleaning segment show resilience when times are tough.
- Recurring Revenue from Repeat Clients: Residential cleaning franchises benefit from a recurring revenue model. Customers usually sign up for weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly cleaning plans, which means predictable income for the franchise (even if there isn’t a long-term contract, there is an assumed ongoing relationship). For example, The Cleaning Authority reports that most of its customers have their homes cleaned every two weeks, providing franchisees with a dependable cycle of jobs. This repeat business reduces the pressure to constantly find new customers from scratch; as long as you keep current clients happy, they continue to generate revenue. Additionally, satisfied homeowners often refer friends and neighbors, creating a virtuous cycle of word-of-mouth growth in local communities.
- Established Brand & Systems: Another advantage of an opportunity like The Cleaning Authority is buying into a well-established brand with decades of experience. The company’s 40+ year history and nationwide presence give it brand recognition that can help attract customers who have “heard the name” or seen national advertising. For a franchisee, this credibility can make it easier to secure business than starting an independent cleaning company. Moreover, the franchisor’s long track record means the operating systems are proven – from their cleaning methods to their marketing approach. The Cleaning Authority’s model has “stood the test of time” through various economic cycles, so as an owner you know the playbook has worked in many markets. In practical terms, this includes benefits like a refined training program, ongoing R&D (e.g. the company quickly rolled out new sanitization services and a customer app in response to COVID-19 (according to franchisechatter.com), and collective buying power for supplies. All of these help a residential cleaning franchisee hit the ground running with support behind them.
- Lifestyle-Friendly Operating Hours: Compared to some service businesses, residential cleaning offers a fairly work-life-balance-friendly schedule. Home cleaning is typically done during weekday daylight hours – for instance, crews might clean homes from 8am to 5pm, when clients are at work. This means franchise owners (and their staff) generally do not have to work late nights or frequent weekends. The Cleaning Authority even highlights that except for an occasional weekend estimate or networking event, owners can have their nights and weekends free. For entrepreneurs who value a normal schedule or have families, this aspect is very appealing. It’s a stark contrast to, say, a restaurant franchise (nights/weekends) or even commercial cleaning, which often happens after business hours (evenings or overnight). Residential cleaning franchises let you keep a more traditional work week while still growing a business.
- Lower Equipment Needs & Simplicity: Running a home cleaning service is relatively straightforward in terms of operations. The cleaning tasks are simple (though not necessarily easy) and don’t require heavy machinery or technical expertise – mostly it’s the labor of dusting, vacuuming, mopping, etc., with standard cleaning tools. The equipment costs are low; for example, a franchisee might spend just a few thousand dollars on supplies and basic equipment to get started. There’s no need for expensive vehicles (many use a personal car or small van) or specialized facilities. This low complexity means fewer things can go wrong – there’s no complex machinery to maintain, no perishable inventory, and no specialized licenses required. It can be easier to train employees to do house cleaning than to, say, train pest control technicians or fitness instructors. For someone new to business ownership, the learning curve in residential cleaning is manageable. Plus, franchisors like The Cleaning Authority provide detailed checklists and systems (such as their Detail-Clean Rotation System) to ensure consistency, taking a lot of guesswork out of the process. In short, the residential cleaning industry offers a simple, repeatable service that franchisees can learn and scale up systematically.
- Personal Satisfaction and Impact: Although harder to quantify, some entrepreneurs appreciate the personal aspect of residential cleaning. You’re often building relationships directly with homeowners and families, becoming a trusted part of their household routine. There can be satisfaction in knowing you’re helping busy parents have more free time or providing a clean, healthy home for an elderly client. Companies like The Cleaning Authority promote values of customer care and even community service (for example, their franchisees participate in the “Cleaning Authority Cares” charitable cleaning program). If you enjoy working with people and making an immediate visible difference (a sparkling kitchen floor can be a gratifying sight!), the home cleaning industry provides that human connection. Franchise owners often become local community figures, known as “the cleaning company that helps all our neighbors,” which can be rewarding for the right personality.
To sum up, the residential cleaning industry offers recurring revenue, huge market demand, a refined business model, and a daytime-work lifestyle. These are significant advantages that have attracted many franchise buyers to brands like The Cleaning Authority. However, it’s important to weigh these against the challenges and differences when compared to commercial cleaning, which we’ll explore next.
Compared to Commercial Cleaning Industry
The commercial cleaning industry (janitorial services for offices, schools, medical facilities, etc.) shares some similarities with residential cleaning – both involve keeping spaces clean – but the business dynamics can be quite different. Here’s how the commercial cleaning industry stacks up, and why it’s often considered the better opportunity for long-term stability, scalability, and profitability:
- Massive $100B+ B2B Market: Commercial cleaning is a huge industry in the U.S. and globally. In fact, as of 2022 the U.S. commercial cleaning services industry is nearly $100 billion in size (and over $400 billion globally), representing roughly one-third of all cleaning services worldwide. This market includes cleaning for office buildings, retail stores, warehouses, schools, healthcare facilities, government buildings – virtually any commercial or public space you can think of needs cleaning. The client base is essentially every business or organization with a physical location, which is an enormous and ever-renewing pool of potential customers. Because cleanliness is a fundamental need for businesses (for health regulations, employee morale, and public image), demand remains high in all economic climates. Commercial cleaning is often described as essential and recession-resistant – it’s not an optional luxury but a must-have service to keep businesses running safely. Even during recessions or crises, companies cannot afford filthy premises; for example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the emphasis on sanitization made commercial cleaning even more crucial. This all means that by choosing commercial cleaning, you’re playing in a giant, stable market with plenty of opportunity to grab contracts.
- Long-Term Contracts = Steady, Predictable Income: A key difference in commercial cleaning is the prevalence of long-term contracts or agreements with clients. Whereas a homeowner might schedule cleaning visits and can cancel anytime if budgets get tight, businesses typically sign ongoing janitorial contracts for a set service level. These contracts often run for 1–3 years and auto-renew, or they’re open-ended with 30-60 day cancellation notice but with the expectation of continuity. As a result, a commercial cleaning franchise can lock in a book of business that delivers predictable recurring revenue month after month. For example, an Assett franchise might secure contracts to clean an office building every weekday and a medical clinic every weekend – those clients will reliably pay a fixed amount every month for those services. This predictable revenue stream is a huge advantage for planning and growth. It smooths out the volatility; even if one client downsizes, the bulk of your contracts keep generating income. In contrast, residential customers can be more fluid – they might pause service for a vacation, skip a cleaning to save money, or cancel with little notice. Commercial contracts provide a stability and guarantee that helps during economic ups and downs (businesses may cut budgets, but they usually renegotiate cleaning contracts rather than drop them entirely, since cleaning is essential). Overall, the contract-based model in commercial cleaning makes it easier to forecast revenue and scale your business with confidence.
- Higher Revenue per Customer (Scalability): In commercial cleaning, each client generally represents a much larger revenue opportunity than a single residential customer. Think about it: a homeowner might pay $150 for a bi-weekly house cleaning, whereas a medium-sized office might pay $2,000 per month for nightly cleaning – that’s $24,000 a year from one client. In fact, commercial cleaning contracts often range from about $12,000 up to $120,000 per year per client depending on the facility size and frequency of service. With just a handful of good contracts, a commercial franchise can reach six-figure revenues. This is in stark contrast to residential cleaning, where you’d need dozens or hundreds of individual houses on the schedule to approach those numbers. The larger account sizes in commercial cleaning mean faster scalability – you can grow your revenue dramatically by landing a few key clients (say, a couple of office buildings, a school, and a medical facility). It’s not uncommon for a single commercial contract to equal the revenue of 10–20 residential cleaning accounts. For franchise owners, this concentration of revenue is efficient: you have fewer “customers” to manage (maybe 10-20 contracts vs. 100+ homes) to reach a million dollars in sales. Of course, competition for big contracts can be tough, but once you have them, it’s a stable base. As an example, Assett Franchise owners leverage this by focusing on signing multiple long-term facility contracts, quickly accumulating monthly recurring billings that add up to a high annual revenue. (By comparison, The Cleaning Authority’s COO noted that their average franchise serves 800+ recurring residential customers to reach $1.1M in revenue – that’s a lot of individual clients to manage. In commercial, you might achieve similar revenue with perhaps a few dozen contracts.)
- Recession-Resilience and Essential Service: Both residential and commercial cleaning tout themselves as recession-resistant, but commercial cleaning tends to have the edge here. Cleaning offices and public facilities is considered an essential service for health and safety – during a recession, a homeowner might tighten their belt and start DIY cleaning to save money, but a business cannot simply stop cleaning its premises without severe consequences. As one industry source puts it, even if businesses cut costs elsewhere, “they cannot afford to compromise on the cleanliness and hygiene of their premises”. A dirty workplace could lead to health code violations, employee illness, or loss of customers. This makes commercial cleaning contracts relatively secure even in economic downturns. Franchises in this sector continued to operate (and in some cases grew) during COVID lockdowns, because clients urgently needed sanitization services to meet regulations. Commercial cleaning’s essential nature insulates it from the worst of recessions – it’s in the exclusive group of industries that tend to hold steady or even expand when the economy dips. That translates to peace of mind for franchise owners and lenders. Commercial cleaning also benefits from having low overhead costs (just like residential) – mainly labor and supplies – which makes it easier to stay profitable even if revenue fluctuates slightly. All these factors contribute to commercial cleaning being regarded as one of the most recession-resistant franchise industries around.
- Low Cost of Entry, High Ceiling: Both residential and commercial cleaning franchises are relatively low cost to start, especially compared to food or retail franchises. However, commercial cleaning often combines that low entry cost with a higher income potential ceiling. As noted above, because commercial contracts are larger, a successful franchise can scale to seven-figure revenues without a commensurate increase in complexity. You don’t need expensive equipment or real estate to grow – adding revenue mostly means hiring more cleaners and supervisors and buying more cleaning supplies, which scale linearly. There’s no huge capital investment required to take on a new contract (unlike, say, a manufacturing business that would need new machinery to scale output). A cleaning franchise can start with a few employees and basic equipment under $100K, and potentially grow to a business doing $1M+ a year with a staff of 20 or so – all without ever needing heavy machinery or large facilities. In fact, many commercial cleaning businesses can be run from a modest office or even a home office in the beginning (Assett Franchisees eventually have an office, but it’s not a retail presence – it’s mainly for operations). The scalability is impressive: you can multiply your revenue by simply replicating the cleaning processes at additional client sites. The profit margins in commercial accounts can also be healthy; since it’s B2B, pricing is based on calculated labor hours and overhead plus a profit markup, and clients pay by invoice, so there’s less haggling over small fees that you might get with individual consumers. Summed up, commercial cleaning offers high reward for relatively low risk – a small initial outlay can blossom into a large, valuable business.
- Operational Differences – Simpler Client Management: Serving business clients (B2B) versus homeowners (B2C) comes with some practical differences. Commercial clients tend to be more professional and predictableto work with. We care about results, of course, but the relationship is governed by a clear service agreement and professional norms. You deal with facility managers or business owners, and communication is businesslike. In residential cleaning, by contrast, franchisees sometimes navigate more emotional or personal expectations – you’re working in someone’s home, and homeowners can be particular about how things are done, or they might cancel service due to personal budget reasons or hire an independent cleaner undercutting your price. The sales cycle is also different: residential cleaning sales often come from local marketing and convincing individual homeowners one by one, whereas commercial cleaning sales involve bidding on contracts and building B2B relationships. While landing a big commercial contract can be more effort up front, once you have it, the client retention can be high (many stay for years as long as quality is maintained) and you’re not fielding as many one-off complaints or schedule changes as you might with dozens of homeowners. In short, commercial cleaning is often a steadier, less hands-on clientele management scenario – clients are more focused on reliability and professionalism than the little details, and they tend to stick with a good provider. This isn’t to say commercial cleaning is easy (high expectations and competition mean you must deliver great service), but many find it a bit more akin to a straightforward B2B service business, whereas residential can feel more personal and sometimes fickle with consumer whims.
- Recurring & Additional Revenue Streams: Like residential, commercial cleaning is inherently recurring – most clients need service daily or weekly indefinitely. But another advantage is the ability to provide add-on services to commercial clients on top of the base janitorial contract. For example, a client who trusts you with nightly cleaning may also request periodic floor stripping and waxing, carpet shampooing, window washing, or special disinfection projects. These can be significant one-time or recurring upsells that boost your revenue per client according to assettfranchise.com. Assett Franchise (and similar commercial franchises) often offer a menu of extra services – floor care, deep cleans, even supplemental services like light maintenance or pest control through partners – allowing the franchisee to be a one-stop solution. Residential franchises also offer add-ons (like cleaning ovens or refrigerators, etc.), but the ticket sizes are smaller. In commercial, an upsell job can be thousands of dollars. This means more revenue streams from the same client, improving profitability without needing new customer acquisition. For instance, a yearly carpet cleaning for an office might add a nice boost to the annual contract value. Commercial clients appreciate having one vendor to handle multiple needs, and franchisees benefit from higher account yields.
- Semi-Absentee Ownership Potential: One of the biggest draws of the commercial cleaning industry for entrepreneurs is the ability to structure the business so that it can run with minimal day-to-day owner involvement – in other words, a semi-absentee or manager-run model. Commercial cleaning is often done after-hours (e.g., your cleaning crews work at night in offices), which means the owner doesn’t necessarily have to be on-site supervising all the time. With the right systems and team in place, owners can focus on high-level business development and let operations run smoothly via supervisors. Assett Franchise, for example, is specifically designed so that franchisees can operate the business in as little as 5-10 hours per week once it’s established, effectively working on the business rather than in it. This is achieved through robust processes, software, and middle management that handle scheduling, quality control, and hiring. The Cleaning Authority (residential) also allows some absentee ownership (Entrepreneur notes it’s allowed, but you cannot run it from home – you need an office and full-time effort initially). However, residential cleaning often requires a bit more direct customer interaction and frequent scheduling tweaks, which can tie the owner in more closely. Commercial franchises are frequently cited as ideal for executive ownership: you can keep a day job or manage multiple businesses because the cleaning crews do their work mostly autonomously after you’ve set up the contracts. In summary, the commercial cleaning industry provides a realistic path to owning a business that doesn’t demand your constant presence, giving you flexibility that few other small businesses offer.
In comparing the two industries, it’s clear that while residential cleaning (like The Cleaning Authority’s realm) has its merits, the commercial cleaning industry offers compelling advantages for long-term business success. The commercial side boasts a gigantic, essential market with contractual, high-value clients and the ability to build a scalable, semi-absentee enterprise with recurring B2B revenue. It avoids some of the limitations of residential cleaning, such as homeowner seasonality or the need to win dozens of individual customers to scale up. In the next section, we’ll bring it back specifically to Assett Franchise – showing how Assett takes those industry advantages and adds unique value on top.
How the Assett Franchise Compares
So, how does Assett Franchise measure up when you put it side by side with an opportunity like The Cleaning Authority? Assett is a newer franchise brand (family-owned and founded in 2019) that deliberately positions itself as a simpler, more scalable alternative in the cleaning franchising world. It operates in the thriving commercial cleaning sector and has built its model for entrepreneurs who want to run a business – not be stuck in the day-to-day grind.
Let’s explore a few key ways Assett Franchise differentiates itself and delivers more advantages for someone considering a cleaning franchise.
Simpler Systems, Bigger Potential
First and foremost, Assett Franchise is already in the commercial cleaning industry – so all the benefits we outlined for commercial cleaning (huge market, recession resilience, recurring B2B contracts, etc.) apply out of the gate. By choosing Assett, you’re tapping into that $100+ billion essential services market that serves offices, schools, medical facilities and more bizbuysell.com. This gives you a foundation of stability and demand that can often surpass what an indirect competitor in residential cleaning can offer.
Assett’s model is specifically built for owners who want to work on the business, not in it. It is what’s known as an executive model commercial cleaning franchise. That means as a franchisee, you act as a CEO-type: your focus is on acquiring contracts and overseeing operations, while your hired cleaning crews perform the cleaning. In fact, Assett makes it clear that owners are “not supposed to be the one doing the cleaning”– a stark difference from some low-cost cleaning franchises where franchisees essentially become cleaners themselves. Assett ensures you have the infrastructure (training, business plans, support systems) to manage and delegate effectively. For someone transitioning out of a corporate career, this is ideal – you leverage your leadership and management skills to build a company, rather than doing manual labor.
When it comes to income potential, Assett’s results speak loudly. Thanks to the commercial contracts approach, Assett franchise units have demonstrated $1M+ in recurring revenue potential. In fact, the average Assett franchise unit earned about $1.53 million in annual gross sales in 2024 – a figure that rivals or exceeds many older residential cleaning franchises. The model was forged by the founder’s own experience: he grew his pilot cleaning business from $0 to over $550,000 in recurring revenue in just the first 12 months, and continued scaling from there, proving that rapid growth is achievable with the right systems. Assett franchisees operate in exclusive territories and enjoy lower fees (royalty ranges 3%–7%) than many competing franchises, meaning they can keep more of what they earn. The combination of high revenue potential and reasonable overhead creates an opportunity for excellent ROI and profitability. And crucially, you don’t need prior cleaning industry experience – Assett provides a full business playbook and intensive training to get you up to speed. Their support includes everything from initial launch planning to ongoing coaching from the founder and corporate team (who are easily accessible, since the brand is founder-led). The simplicity of the cleaning concept, paired with Assett’s refined processes, means even first-time entrepreneurs can quickly grasp how to run the business effectively.
In summary, Assett offers a simpler, highly scalable franchise system. You’re stepping into a proven commercial cleaning model with the potential to build a $1M+ recurring revenue business that you oversee like an executive. Compared to a franchise like The Cleaning Authority, which is a solid business but might top out around a similar revenue after many years (and with hundreds of home clients to manage), Assett gives you a blueprint to reach that scale with fewer clients and less complexity. It’s a more streamlined path to a large, stable business.
Automated Hiring = Time and Money Saved
One of the most innovative and differentiating features of Assett Franchise is its proprietary Automated Hiring System. This system directly tackles what is often the single biggest headache in any cleaning business: finding and retaining reliable staff. The commercial cleaning industry is notorious for high employee turnover and constant hiring needs as you grow – many business owners end up spending countless hours posting job ads, interviewing candidates, and training new hires, only to do it again when turnover occurs. Assett’s founder recognized that staffing is the true limit on growth for most cleaning companies, so he developed a solution to remove this bottleneck.
Assett’s automated hiring system is a tech-driven, streamlined process that handles much of the recruitment and vetting of cleaning staff with minimal owner involvement. It continually attracts and filters applicants, using automation to schedule interviews, conduct initial screenings, and onboard new hires. The result? Franchise owners get back 20–30 hours per week that they would have spent on hiring tasks. According to Assett, this system reduces the owner’s hiring process workload to just 2–5 hours a week, instead of a full-time chore. That is an enormous saving of time – equivalent to hiring a full-time HR manager, but without the salary expense.
By removing the recruitment burden, Assett franchisees can scale faster and farther. You can take on new cleaning contracts confidently because you know the system will help you quickly find the workers to service them. You’re no longer turning down growth because you’re short-staffed or afraid of the hiring grind. The automated hiring system not only sources candidates efficiently, but it also helps identify higher-quality hires and reduces turnover by ensuring better matches and thorough training support. Assett franchisees can maintain a consistently staffed workforce without the typical struggle, leading to better service for clients and happier employees who feel supported.
Financially, this translates into savings as well: you don’t need to hire an HR specialist or recruiter, and you can avoid the growth plateau that many independent cleaning businesses hit when the owner simply can’t handle more hiring. Assett even notes that franchisees can forgo an expensive full-time manager initially because the automated system handles much of that coordination. In essence, Assett’s automated hiring is like having a “built-in HR department” that comes with your franchise. This is a game-changer in the service business world – few, if any, other cleaning franchises offer anything comparable.
For a prospective franchise owner, this means more time saved and less stress. Instead of being bogged down in interviewing cleaners every week, you can focus on higher-value activities: building client relationships, ensuring quality, and planning strategic growth. Assett’s system allows you to work smarter, not harder, by offloading the most labor-intensive management task to automation. The ultimate benefit is that you can grow your business larger and faster than you could if you were manually trying to recruit dozens of employees. It’s no exaggeration to say this unique feature gives Assett franchisees a significant competitive edge in the market – while others struggle with staffing, you have a machine-powered pipeline of personnel.
In short, Assett’s automated hiring system eliminates what is often the Achilles heel of cleaning businesses. It delivers tangible savings of time (20+ hours/week) and money (no need for extra HR staff), and it ensures you can scale up a high-quality workforce with ease. This is a clear advantage over older franchise models that leave hiring entirely to the owner. Assett recognized that to truly be semi-absentee, you need to automate and streamline hire – and they have done exactly that.
Personalized and Founder-Led
Another area where Assett Franchise distinguishes itself is in its personal touch and leadership approach. Assett is not a faceless corporate franchise; it’s a family-owned brand led by its founder, Matt, who remains actively involved in the business. This offers a very different experience for franchisees compared to joining a large, private equity-owned system like The Cleaning Authority.
Founder Access and Guidance: When you join Assett, you’re effectively partnering with the person who created the system and grew the prototype location successfully. The founder and his team provide direct mentorship to every new franchisee. You aren’t separated by layers of bureaucracy – you can pick up the phone and talk to leadership who genuinely care about your success. Matt started the business from scratch and scaled it, so he has first-hand knowledge and passion that he shares with franchisees. This kind of access to the top is increasingly rare in franchising (many older brands are now run by management teams and have hundreds of franchisees, making one-on-one attention scarce). Assett prides itself on being “personally owned & operated” by the founder, and being selective in awarding franchises to ensure each owner gets the support they need. For franchisees, this means you’re not just a number – you become part of a close-knit franchise family where the leadership knows you by name and is invested in helping you hit your goals.
Not Private-Equity Controlled: Unlike The Cleaning Authority, which, as noted, was acquired by investors in 2014 and folded into a larger conglomerate, Assett is independently owned. This has some subtle but important implications. Assett doesn’t answer to outside investors looking for short-term returns – its focus can genuinely be on franchisee success and long-term brand quality. Decisions are made with the franchise owners and customers in mind, not just the bottom line. Many franchise buyers appreciate this family business ethos, as it can foster more trust and transparency. For example, policy changes or initiatives can be discussed openly with franchisees; there’s a sense of partnership rather than top-down mandates. Assett’s leadership often shares that they “seek to be a blessing” to franchisees and operate on core convictions of putting People First, Partnership in Everything, and Professionalism. These values create a culture where franchisees feel supported and part of something meaningful, not just a cog in a big profit machine.
Community-Focused and Mission-Driven: Assett Franchise has a clear mission beyond just financial growth. It started as a way for the founder to create freedom for his family and to positively impact employees and clients – and that DNA is evident in how the franchise operates. Franchisees are encouraged to build relationships in their local communities, and to treat every employee and client with care and respect, reflecting the company’s values. Because the network is still relatively small (and growing strategically), there’s a camaraderie among franchise owners. You gain a direct peer network that often communicates to share tips and celebrate each other’s wins. Being part of an emerging brand like Assett also means you have the chance to help shape the future of the franchise. Your feedback can directly influence new tools or programs. This level of engagement and influence is something you likely won’t have in a much larger, established franchise system where “things have always been done this way.” Some entrepreneurs find this exciting – you’re on the ground floor of a growing brand, getting in early on a concept with a lot of upside.
In comparing the two: The Cleaning Authority offers a very polished, long-standing system, but it is a cog in a bigger corporate machine (Authority Brands) at this point. New franchisees there will get a good playbook, but they may not have direct interaction with the people at the top, and the culture is more corporate. Assett offers a personalized franchise experience – you join a family-like environment led by a founder who’s walked the walk, and you benefit from a high level of support and caring that can make your business journey that much smoother.
Bottom line: Assett Franchise is personal and founder-led, which translates into franchisees getting more hands-on guidance, a voice in the system, and a mission-driven culture to be part of. If you value mentorship and community, Assett provides an atmosphere where you’re growing your business with the franchisor, side by side, rather than feeling like just another unit in a vast system.
Final Thoughts
The Cleaning Authority is a strong franchise in its category – it has a respected brand, a proven model for residential cleaning, and could be a worthwhile business for the right owner (particularly someone passionate about home services and who appreciates the daytime hours and established brand). For the right type of buyer – perhaps someone who prefers working closely with homeowners and wants a franchise with decades of history – The Cleaning Authority franchise can deliver a solid, community-based business.
However, as we’ve explored, Assett Franchise offers more advantages for entrepreneurs who are looking for a different caliber of opportunity. If you want a scalable, stable business that can grow to seven figures in B2B recurring revenue, Assett checks that box with the power of the commercial cleaning industry. If you seek low operational complexity and simplicity in running the business, Assett’s executive model and streamlined systems mean you’re not dealing with as many moving parts or customers as a comparable residential franchise. If predictable recurring revenue and being in a truly essential, recession-resistant sector are priorities, Assett aligns perfectly by focusing on long-term commercial contracts in a $100B+ market. And if your goal is to minimize risk and achieve a faster ROI, Assett’s low-cost startup combined with high earning potential (and unique tools like the automated hiring system to fuel growth) put you on that path.
Importantly, Assett is a modern business model built for executive ownership. For someone transitioning from a career or seeking an investment that doesn’t become an all-consuming job, this matters. You can own a Assett commercial cleaning franchise and have the flexibility to keep another job or pursue other interests, especially after the initial ramp-up, because the business can be structured to run with minimal daily intervention. Few franchise opportunities offer that level of potential freedom and control.
In the end, the decision comes down to your personal goals and what you want your business and life to look like. The Cleaning Authority franchise will give you a playbook to operate a local residential cleaning service – you’ll build relationships with homeowners, manage cleaning teams, and grow steadily with the backing of a known name. Assett Franchise, on the other hand, is designed to help you build a larger-scale enterprise with recurring B2B income, a lean operation, and an exit strategy if you ever choose (a business doing $1M+ in contracts can be an attractive asset to sell down the line). It offers a chance to step into a CEO role from day one, with the tools to make that feasible even if you’ve never run a company before.
Both paths require hard work and dedication – no franchise is truly “easy money.” But if you’re exploring franchise opportunities and want a model that can deliver long-term income, flexibility, and control, we’d encourage you to look closely at the commercial cleaning route. Assett Franchise, in particular, is built to help first-time owners succeed with a simple model, unbeatable hiring automation, and hands-on support from people who genuinely care about your success.
If you’re ready to learn more about how Assett Franchise can help you build a business that works for your life, we’d love to chat. Visit https://assettfranchise.com to connect with our team and take the next step toward owning a scalable, recurring-revenue business in the thriving commercial cleaning industry. We’re here to answer your questions and show you how you can achieve your entrepreneurial goals with Assett’s modern franchise model – a cleaner alternative that just might be the perfect fit for your future.
