# Cleaning franchise for sale: resales vs new units, where to look and what to check

> A cleaning franchise for sale is one of two things: a new territory the franchisor is selling, or a resale, meaning an existing franchisee’s business with clients, staff and a franchise agreement that must be transferred. Resales are listed on franchise resale sites, business-for-sale marketplaces and through brokers; new units are sold by the franchisor. New units come with a disclosure document; resales usually do, and the franchisor may also share the outlet’s actual records.

Published 2026-11-06 by Broombook · Start your cleaning business · 12 min read  
Canonical page: https://broombook.com/guides/cleaning-franchise-for-sale

## Key takeaways

- New unit: you pay the franchisor’s fee and build from zero. Resale: you pay the seller for an operating business, plus a transfer fee set in Item 6 of the FDD.
- Resales are listed on FranchiseResales.com, Franchise Direct’s resale section, general business-for-sale marketplaces such as BizBuySell, and by business brokers.
- Item 17 of the FDD discloses the franchisor’s transfer rules; Item 20 shows how many outlets were transferred in each of the last three years.
- Under 16 CFR 436.5(s), a franchisor may give you the actual records of the existing outlet you are buying, the one case where numbers outside Item 19 are allowed.
- New-unit availability is wide: Fish Window Cleaning has over 270 locations with territory to grow and Dryer Vent Squad posts 200+ territories available.
- In a hypothetical resale with $90,000 of seller’s discretionary earnings, a 2x to 3x multiple puts the price at $180,000 to $270,000 before the transfer fee.

## Is the cleaning franchise for sale a resale or a new unit?

Ask that first, because the two are different purchases. A new unit is a license: the franchisor sells you a territory, you pay the franchise fee, you train, and you open with no clients. A resale is a business: a current franchisee sells you their clients, crews, vehicles and the remaining years on their franchise agreement, and the franchisor must approve the transfer.

|  | New unit | Resale (existing franchise) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Who you pay | The franchisor (franchise fee) and vendors (Item 7 items) | The seller (purchase price) and the franchisor (transfer fee, sometimes training) |
| Price basis | Item 7 estimated initial investment | The business’s earnings, usually a multiple of seller’s discretionary earnings |
| Revenue on day one | None | The seller’s recurring clients, if they stay |
| Franchise agreement | New, full term (often 10 years) | The seller’s remaining term, or a new agreement at current terms, depending on Item 17 |
| Earnings information | Item 19 only | Item 19, plus the outlet’s actual records if the franchisor provides them |
| Why it is for sale | The franchisor wants to grow | Retirement, burnout, relocation, a better offer, or a business that is not working |

Most “cleaning franchise opportunities” you see advertised are new units, because franchisors market them. Resales are quieter, often better value, and need more checking. This guide covers both; for the mechanics of fees and royalties across brands, start with our [cleaning business franchise guide](https://broombook.com/guides/cleaning-franchise).

## Where are cleaning franchises for sale listed?

New units are listed by the franchisor and by franchise directories. Resales show up in four places: dedicated franchise resale sites, general business-for-sale marketplaces, business brokers, and the franchisor itself, which usually knows which owners want out before anyone else does.

### New units

- **The franchisor’s site.** Every brand has a territory map or an availability form. Fish Window Cleaning says it has over 270 locations with plenty of available territory and protected territories built around zip codes ([Fish Window Cleaning franchise page](https://www.fishwindowcleaning.com/franchise/)). Dryer Vent Squad posts 200+ territories available and 60 to 90 days to start ([Dryer Vent Squad franchise page](https://www.dryerventsquad.com/franchise)).
- **Franchise directories.** Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 directory lists investment ranges, fees, unit counts and growth rates drawn from each brand’s disclosure document, for example Fish Window Cleaning’s 276 units and $111,900 to $179,900 investment ([Entrepreneur: Fish Window Cleaning](https://www.entrepreneur.com/franchises/directory/fish-window-cleaning/282348)) and Oxi Fresh’s 445 units ([Entrepreneur: Oxi Fresh](https://www.entrepreneur.com/franchises/directory/oxi-fresh-carpet-cleaning/329409)). A falling unit count in a directory is a reason to ask about closures.

### Resales

- **Franchise resale sites.** FranchiseResales.com is built around established franchises for sale and lets owners list directly ([FranchiseResales.com](https://www.franchiseresales.com/)). Franchise Direct runs a franchise resales section and its guidance tells buyers to find out why the seller is leaving and whether there is a transfer fee ([Franchise Direct: franchise resales](https://www.franchisedirect.com/franchise-resales/)).
- **General marketplaces.** BizBuySell and similar business-for-sale sites carry franchised cleaning businesses alongside independents; filter by “franchise” and by your metro.
- **Brokers.** Business brokers list cleaning companies, franchised or not, and usually require a signed non-disclosure before sharing financials.
- **The franchisor.** Ask the franchise development team which territories near you have owners looking to sell. Many brands keep an internal list and would rather place a buyer than see a closure in Item 20.

For “cleaning franchise near me” searches, the practical move is to combine a franchisor availability check with a marketplace search filtered to your county. Our [guide to buying a cleaning business](https://broombook.com/guides/buy-a-cleaning-business) lists the marketplaces and explains how to read a listing.

## What does a cleaning franchise resale cost?

A resale costs the purchase price you negotiate with the seller plus the franchisor’s transfer fee, and often a training fee for you as the new owner. The purchase price is set like any small business: a multiple of seller’s discretionary earnings (SDE), adjusted for how many clients are recurring and whether the staff will stay.

Here is a hypothetical example, with round numbers chosen only to show the pieces:

| Item (hypothetical resale) | Amount | Where it is set |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Seller’s discretionary earnings | $90,000 | The seller’s tax returns and P&L, verified by you |
| Purchase price at 2x to 3x SDE | $180,000 to $270,000 | Negotiated with the seller |
| Transfer fee (example) | $10,000 | Item 6 of the FDD; who pays it is negotiable |
| New-owner training and travel | Varies | Items 6 and 11 of the FDD |
| Working capital | One to three months of payroll | Your own budget |

- **The transfer fee is a real number in the FDD.** It is listed with every other fee in Item 6, and the conditions for transfer are in Item 17. Franchise Direct’s resale guidance asks the right question: is there a transfer fee, and does the buyer or the seller pay it ([Franchise Direct](https://www.franchisedirect.com/franchise-resales/)).
- **The royalty may not reset.** You inherit the seller’s rate if you take over their agreement, or sign a new one at today’s rate. Ask which, because brands change their fee schedules between FDD years.
- **Compare with a new unit.** If a brand’s new territory costs $93,440 to $149,890 (Two Maids’ posted range, [Two Maids](https://www.twomaidsfranchise.com/investment)) and a resale in the same metro is priced at $250,000 with $90,000 of SDE, the premium is buying clients and staff. Decide whether you could build that book for less than the difference.

The valuation method, including how to adjust SDE and what multiples small cleaning companies actually trade at, is in [buying a cleaning business](https://broombook.com/guides/buy-a-cleaning-business). The [profit calculator](https://broombook.com/tools/cleaning-business-profit-calculator) helps you rebuild the seller’s numbers with your own wages and the brand’s royalty.

## Which FDD items matter most when you buy an existing franchise?

Items 17, 20 and 19, in that order, plus Items 5 and 6 for the fees. For a resale the federal rule applies when the franchisor is significantly involved, for example when you sign its current agreement; approving the transfer alone does not count ([16 CFR 436.1(t)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-16/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-436/subpart-A/section-436.1)). When it applies, 16 CFR 436.2 requires the franchisor to furnish its current FDD at least 14 calendar days before you sign a binding agreement or make any payment to the franchisor or an affiliate ([16 CFR 436.2](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-16/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-436/subpart-B/section-436.2)). Ask for the FDD either way.

- **Item 17, Renewal, Termination, Transfer and Dispute Resolution.** The rule requires a table cross-referencing each provision of the franchise agreement, including transfer: whether the franchisor must approve the buyer, what conditions it can impose, whether it has a right of first refusal, and whether you must sign the then-current agreement ([16 CFR 436.5(q)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-16/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-436/subpart-C/section-436.5)). Read this before you negotiate with the seller; a right of first refusal means the franchisor can take the deal you built.
- **Item 20, Outlets and Franchisee Information.** Tables showing, for each of the last three years, how many outlets were transferred, terminated, not renewed, reacquired or ceased operations, plus a list of current franchisees and those who left in the last year ([16 CFR 436.5(t)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-16/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-436/subpart-C/section-436.5)). A brand with many transfers and few closures is one where resales are normal. Many closures near your territory is a warning.
- **Item 19, Financial Performance Representations.** For a resale you get something better than the system average: the rule says financial performance information that differs from Item 19 may be given if the franchisor provides the actual records of an existing outlet you are considering buying ([16 CFR 436.5(s)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-16/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-436/subpart-C/section-436.5)). Ask the franchisor, not only the seller, for the outlet’s reported revenue; franchisors see every royalty report.
- **Items 5 and 6, Initial Fees and Other Fees.** The transfer fee, any training fee for the new owner, the royalty, brand fund, technology and call center fees, and renewal fees.
- **Item 3, Litigation,** for disputes with franchisees, and **Item 21, Financial Statements,** for whether the franchisor can keep supporting you for the rest of the term.

This is general information, not legal advice. A lawyer who works on franchise transfers should review the FDD, the seller’s agreement and the purchase agreement.

## What should you verify before buying an existing cleaning franchise?

Verify three things the listing cannot show: that the revenue is real and recurring, that the clients and cleaners will stay, and that the franchisor will approve you on terms you can live with. Most of this is the same work as buying an independent cleaning company, with the franchisor added as a third party.

1. **Reconcile revenue three ways.** The seller’s P&L, their bank deposits, and the royalty reports the franchisor holds. All three should agree.
2. **Pull the client list from the booking system.** Count recurring clients by frequency, when each last booked, and the churn over the last 12 months. Revenue concentrated in a few commercial accounts is a risk.
3. **Check the remaining term.** A resale with two years left on a ten-year agreement may require you to renew early, pay a renewal fee and accept new terms. Item 17 says what renewal costs.
4. **Confirm the territory.** Has it shrunk, been split or been encroached by company-owned outlets or online channels? Item 12 defines it.
5. **Review required upgrades.** Some agreements require a transferred outlet to be brought up to current standards (vehicles, uniforms, software) at the buyer’s cost.
6. **Meet the cleaners.** Ask how they are classified and paid, and whether they will stay with a new owner; the staff question is the one most buyers get wrong.
7. **Ask the seller why.** Then ask the franchisor the same question. If the answers differ, dig.
8. **Get the franchisor’s written approval conditions early.** Financial qualification, training attendance and sometimes an interview. Do not go to closing on a deal the franchisor can refuse.

The full checklist for a cleaning company purchase, franchised or not, is in [buying a cleaning business](https://broombook.com/guides/buy-a-cleaning-business).

## What should you check before buying a new cleaning franchise unit?

Check the brand’s real cost over the term, the territory’s fit and the owners’ experience. The posted numbers are a starting point: Chem-Dry, for example, posts a $36,000 franchise fee, a $92,150 to $249,500 total investment, $50,000 liquid capital and $250,000 net worth, with a tiered royalty that falls as revenue grows ([Chem-Dry franchise site](https://chemdryfranchise.com/)). The range is wide because equipment packages differ, which is true of most niche cleaning brands.

- **Count the households or businesses in the territory** that match the brand’s target client, and compare with the territories of the owners in Item 19’s top group.
- **Model the royalty on your revenue, not the brand’s.** A 7% to 10% fee on a $300,000 business is $21,000 to $30,000 a year.
- **Call five current and five former owners** from Item 20, including some the franchisor did not suggest.
- **Ask what software is required and what it costs** each month. It is a fee in Item 6 and a constraint on how you run the business.
- **Read Item 20’s closures and transfers** for the last three years. A brand that transfers many units is a brand you can exit from later.

The niche guides go brand by brand: [carpet cleaning](https://broombook.com/guides/carpet-cleaning-business), [window cleaning](https://broombook.com/guides/window-cleaning-business) and [dryer vent cleaning](https://broombook.com/guides/how-to-start-a-dryer-vent-cleaning-business) each cover what the independent version of the business costs to set up, which is the number to hold against the franchise fee.

## Should you buy a cleaning franchise or an independent cleaning business?

Buy the franchise resale if the brand is strong in that metro, the transfer terms are fair and the royalty leaves enough margin. Buy an independent company, or start one, if the clients are loyal to the owner rather than the sign on the van and you want to keep the 5% to 10% the franchisor would take.

|  | Franchise resale | Independent purchase or start |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Approval needed | Franchisor must approve you (Item 17) | None beyond financing |
| Ongoing fees | Royalty, brand fund, technology, for the rest of the term | Your software and marketing budget |
| Exit | Another approved transfer, with a transfer fee | Sell to anyone, on your terms |
| Systems | The brand’s required booking, scheduling and billing software | Software you choose. Broombook is one option: online booking, recurring scheduling, a reminder the day before each visit, card payments and a receipt after each charge. It is free for an owner with up to 2 cleaners, or $39 a month on Pro for a bigger crew, with no credit card to start. |
| Name recognition | The brand’s, in markets where it advertises | The company’s own reviews and referrals |

We make Broombook, so take the software row for what it is: it covers the booking, scheduling, reminders and card-on-file billing a franchisor would otherwise provide, and nothing else a franchisor provides. It fits residential and small commercial cleaning companies and does not sync with QuickBooks or ship a native app-store app; the [software comparison](https://broombook.com/compare/best-cleaning-business-software) covers tools that do.

When you take over any cleaning company, franchised or not, the first job is moving the client list, recurring schedule and saved cards into a system you control. Our [buying guide](https://broombook.com/guides/buy-a-cleaning-business) has the 90-day plan.

## Frequently asked questions

### Where can I find a cleaning franchise for sale?

New territories are sold by the franchisor and listed in directories such as Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500. Resales of existing franchises appear on FranchiseResales.com, Franchise Direct’s resale section, business-for-sale marketplaces such as BizBuySell, and through business brokers. The franchisor itself often knows which owners want to sell.

### Is it cheaper to buy an existing cleaning franchise or a new one?

A new unit costs the Item 7 investment, for example $93,440 to $149,890 at Two Maids, and starts with no clients. A resale costs a multiple of the seller’s earnings plus a transfer fee, usually more up front, but it comes with revenue on day one. Which is cheaper depends on how fast you could build the client base yourself.

### What is a franchise transfer fee?

The fee the franchisor charges to approve and process the sale of an existing franchise to a new owner. It is disclosed in Item 6 of the FDD and the transfer conditions are in Item 17. Whether the buyer or the seller pays it is negotiated in the purchase agreement.

### Can the franchisor block the sale of a cleaning franchise?

Usually yes. Most agreements require the franchisor to approve the buyer, and some give it a right of first refusal. Item 17 of the FDD lists the transfer conditions. Get the approval requirements in writing before you negotiate price.

### Can I see the real earnings of the franchise I am buying?

Yes. Under 16 CFR 436.5(s), a franchisor may provide the actual records of an existing outlet you are considering buying, which is the one case where financial information outside Item 19 is allowed. Ask the franchisor for the outlet’s reported revenue and compare it with the seller’s tax returns and bank deposits.

### How do I find cleaning franchise opportunities near me?

Check each brand’s territory availability page (Fish Window Cleaning says it has over 270 locations with room to grow; Dryer Vent Squad posts 200+ territories available), then search business-for-sale marketplaces filtered to your county for resales. Ask the franchisor’s development team which nearby owners are selling.

### Do I still get 14 days with the FDD when buying a resale?

Usually. When the franchisor is significantly involved in the sale, for example by having you sign its current agreement, 16 CFR 436.2 requires it to furnish its current disclosure document at least 14 calendar days before you sign a binding agreement or pay the franchisor or an affiliate anything. A transfer in which the franchisor only approves the buyer is outside the rule (16 CFR 436.1(t)), so ask for the FDD anyway.

## Sources

- [eCFR: 16 CFR 436.5, Disclosure items (Items 17, 19 and 20)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-16/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-436/subpart-C/section-436.5)
- [eCFR: 16 CFR 436.2, Obligation to furnish documents](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-16/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-436/subpart-B/section-436.2)
- [eCFR: 16 CFR 436.1, Definitions (sale of a franchise, 436.1(t))](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-16/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-436/subpart-A/section-436.1)
- [Franchise Direct: Franchise resales, buy an existing franchise (checked October 28, 2026)](https://www.franchisedirect.com/franchise-resales/)
- [FranchiseResales.com: Franchises for sale (checked October 28, 2026)](https://www.franchiseresales.com/)
- [Fish Window Cleaning: Franchise page (checked October 28, 2026)](https://www.fishwindowcleaning.com/franchise/)
- [Dryer Vent Squad: Franchise page (checked October 28, 2026)](https://www.dryerventsquad.com/franchise)
- [Two Maids: Franchise investment (checked October 28, 2026)](https://www.twomaidsfranchise.com/investment)
- [Chem-Dry: Franchise site (checked October 28, 2026)](https://chemdryfranchise.com/)
- [Entrepreneur Franchise 500: Fish Window Cleaning (checked October 28, 2026)](https://www.entrepreneur.com/franchises/directory/fish-window-cleaning/282348)
- [Entrepreneur Franchise 500: Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning (checked October 28, 2026)](https://www.entrepreneur.com/franchises/directory/oxi-fresh-carpet-cleaning/329409)

---

Broombook is scheduling, online booking and crew software for residential cleaning businesses. More guides for cleaning business owners: https://broombook.com/guides