Key Numbers
941
Total units open
population-based model as of 12/31/2025
1
Units opened last year
2025
70 terminations + 50 non-renewals = 120 units
Units closed last year
2025
–159 units in 2025
Net unit growth
1,100 at start of 2025 to 941 at end
Chem-Dry Franchise
Franchised by Chem-Dry, Inc. (Plus) · FDD 2026
Cleaning & Maintenance FDD 2026 Founded 1994 · 32+ yrs Item 19 disclosed
Data extracted from Chem-Dry, Inc. (Plus)'s 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document, filed under FTC Rule 16 CFR 436. How we analyze FDDs →
Initial investment
$74K - $250K
Franchise fee
$36K
System size
941 (+1)
Royalty
4–7%
The Verdict
Quick Verdict · who it fits
Chem-Dry fits first-time franchise buyers looking for a mature cleaning concept.
✓ Strengths
- ✓Discloses Item 19 financial performance
- ✓941 units — strong system scale
- ✓Below-industry royalty rate: 5.5% vs 7.0%
⚠ Risks to review
- ⚠High closure ratio: 16.9% of system per year
Key FDD Facts
The numbers a buyer needs first — straight from the filing.
Initial investment (Item 7)
$74K - $250K
Franchise fee (Item 5)
$36K
Royalty (Item 6)
4–7% + 3% ad
System size (Item 20)
941 +1
Years in business
32+ yrs
Model Chem-Dry's costs in the investment calculator → Prefilled from this filing — startup cost, cash flow and break-even.
Data extracted from the 2026 FDD filed with state regulators. Fees and terms may have changed since filing — request the current FDD from the franchisor before deciding. Not legal, financial, or investment advice. Full disclaimer.
What you'd pay the franchisor
Drag to your projected annual sales. Royalty 4–7% + ad fund 3% on gross sales.
PROJECTED ANNUAL SALES$500,000
$100k$2M
Royalty (4–7%)
—
Ad fund (3%)
—
Total / year
—
▪ Of-sales fees only · excludes rent, labor, COGS, and one-time costs · for illustration
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What's inside
Franchise Overview
Costs & Fees Breakdown
Your Obligations
Franchisor Obligations
Financial Statements
Contracts Summary
Unit Economics
Network Health
Litigation Risk
Earnings Analysis
Financial Fit Analysis
Buyer Verdict
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Research, not legal advice. Use this report alongside professional legal and financial review before signing any franchise agreement.
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Competitive intelligence for franchisors →Executive Summary
Free AI summary — the first read on the filing.
AI Due Diligence Findings PREMIUM
What our analysis flagged across the 2026 filing.
5
Risks to review
3
Strengths identified
4
Questions to ask
Industry Benchmarks
How Chem-Dry ranks against 136 Cleaning & Maintenance peers we've analyzed.
Initial investment
26th pct · of 136 peers
Franchise fee
33rd pct · of 136 peers
System size
90th pct · of 136 peers
Cleaning & Maintenance industry averages
Avg investment
$164K - $418K
Avg franchise fee
$44K
Avg system size
470
Franchises analyzed
136
How Chem-Dry stacks up
Closest concepts by category and investment.
| Brand | Item 19 | Fee | Investment | Royalty | Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chem-Dry | Disclosed | $36K | $74K - $250K | 4–7% | 941 |
| Chem-Dry Similar price | Disclosed | $36K | $74K - $250K | 4–7% | 941 |
| Jani-King of California Biggest system | None | $3K | — | 11% | 202,320 |
| Vanguard Cleaning Top-rated in category | Disclosed | $100K | $165K - $473K | 5% | 48 |
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a Chem-Dry franchise cost?
Chem-Dry requires a $36,000 initial franchise fee and a total initial investment range of $74,150–$249,500, per the most recent FDD on file.
Who owns Chem-Dry?
Chem-Dry is franchised by Chem-Dry, Inc. (Plus), the franchisor entity of record on its Franchise Disclosure Document. Item 1 of the FDD discloses the franchisor's corporate history, parents, and predecessors.
Does Chem-Dry disclose financial performance (Item 19)?
Yes. Chem-Dry discloses Item 19 financial performance representations in its FDD. See the financials sub-page for the disclosed figures.
What ongoing fees does Chem-Dry charge?
Franchisees pay a royalty of 4.0% to 7.0% and an advertising fund contribution of 3% on gross sales as defined in Item 6 of the FDD.
How many Chem-Dry locations are there?
As of their 2026 FDD, Chem-Dry has 941 total locations, with 1 new locations opened in the most recent reporting year. This information comes from Item 20 of the FDD.
Franchise research guides
Free explainers to go deeper before you sign.
Industry
Browse all Cleaning & Maintenance franchises
FDD basics
What is a Franchise Disclosure Document?
Costs
Understanding Item 7: Estimated Initial Investment
Earnings
Item 19: Financial Performance Representations
Due diligence
Franchise Red Flags to Watch For
Validation
How to Validate a Franchise Opportunity
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