Expectations for the future among Maid Brigade Franchisees and all of us at the franchise support center are very upbeat. With our ability for the client to order services over the Internet, Maid Brigade is the leading edge in the fastest growing segment of the historically stable home services industry.

The residential market for cleaning services includes multi-unit residential facilities (apartment buildings, condominium complexes, etc.) and single-family residences. Demand for these cleaning services in the residential market is expected to rise 5.5 percent per year to $10.7 billion.

Growth will be driven by the growing number of dual-income families that not only have less time to devote to home cleaning, but are also better able to afford a professional service provider.



Overall demand for household cleaning services is projected to grow by 7% according to research and projections by Mediamark Research, Inc., TGE Demographics, Inc., and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.



A growing number of families have needed these residential cleaning services and have never considered them a luxury. Growth will be fueled by the rising number of dual income families who do not have the time or the inclination to perform basic household chores. With time at a premium, more people are hiring a contract cleaning professional to handle maintenance cleaning around their home. Additionally, disposable personal income is expected to grow over the forecast period, further supporting demand. ("Commercial & Residential Cleaning Services," The Freedonia Group, Inc.)

Here are some of the other significant factors influencing positive trends for Maid Brigade:

• All time-starved consumers are hungry for Maid Brigade services. Maid Brigade clients are principally working couples, although a fair number of busy single professionals and younger couples without children also seek outside help for home cleaning.
• Residential cleaning service is the #1 Service Request by Women.
• The number of empty-nest households is growing. As these "middle age" households move into the 55-64 years age group, they will drive growth of many services, including domestic cleaning, in their age bracket.
• Security issues related to bonded vs. non-bonded providers. All Maid Brigade service providers are bonded, a feature for which many are willing to pay more.
• Tax implications for domestic help: "recent tightening of the policing of the laws regarding the employment of domestic help and non-payment of required Social Security taxes may prompt people to move more towards the professional cleaning services. It may also force many people who choose to make their living by cleaning other people's homes to go with a professional cleaning service instead of making a go of it on their own." (Marketdata Enterprises 6-04)
• Each of these factors points favorably towards the growth of Maid Brigade cleaning franchises, and makes Maid Brigade cleaning franchises attractive career opportunities for women and men who prudently follow economic and consumer trends.