Chem-Dry
Chem-Dry, Inc. · reviewed 2026 disclosure data
Researching Chem-Dry franchise opportunities? Every figure below is cited to the FDD.
- Franchising since
- 1978 Source: franchise.org
- Headquarters
- Ann Arbor, MI United States Source: franchise.org
Chem-Dry is a residential and commercial cleaning franchise that provides professional floor and surface care services. Its local teams serve homeowners and businesses with carpet, upholstery, hard-floor, rug, urine, and odor cleaning.
Headline figures
Chem-Dry quick facts
- Is Chem-Dry a franchise?
- Yes. Chem-Dry offers franchises through a Franchise Disclosure Document. At the end of 2025, it reported 963 outlets in total (2026 FDD, Item 20, PDF p. 65).
- How much does it cost to open a Chem-Dry franchise?
- The Chem-Dry Franchise Disclosure Document reports separate estimated initial investments by format: $92,150–$249,500 for total initial investment - standard territory (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 27); $74,150–$231,500 for total initial investment - small territory (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 28). These formats are not combined. Each is the franchisor's disclosed estimate, not a quote. Details
- What is the Chem-Dry initial franchise fee?
- The disclosed initial franchise fee for a standard single unit is $36,000 (2026 FDD, Item 5, PDF p. 15). Other fee options (for example multi-unit or conversion) are listed separately in the report. Details
- What ongoing fees does Chem-Dry charge?
- The disclosed ongoing royalty is 4%–7% of gross sales (2026 FDD, Item 6, PDF p. 17). The brand or advertising fund contribution is 3% · Percentage of Gross Sales; minimum monthly payment of $150 for Standard Territory and $75 for Small Territory (2026 FDD, Item 6, PDF p. 17). Other recurring fees are listed in Item 6. Details
- Does Chem-Dry disclose financial performance (Item 19)?
- Yes. The Chem-Dry FDD includes an Item 19 financial performance representation (2026 FDD, Item 19, PDF p. 65). Figures apply only to the locations and period each one covers. Details
- How many Chem-Dry locations are there?
- The FDD reports 963 outlets at the end of 2025 (2026 FDD, Item 20, PDF p. 65). Existing locations do not indicate territory availability. Details
- Is Chem-Dry a good franchise to buy?
- Franopolis does not rate or recommend franchises. From the reviewed FDD: Item 19 includes financial performance figures; check which locations and period they cover; Item 20 lists outlet openings, closures and transfers; Item 6 includes a brand or advertising fund contribution on top of royalty; Item 20 also lists current and former franchisees you can contact. Review the full FDD with a franchise attorney and accountant before deciding.
From reviewed FDD figures only. Not a recommendation or projection.
What the disclosures show
- 1The 2026 FDD (Item 7) estimates opening costs separately by format: $92,150 – $249,500 (Total Initial Investment - Standard Territory); $74,150 – $231,500 (Total Initial Investment - Small Territory); several initial fee options apply.
- 2Item 19 reports other measures and revenue for franchised locations.
- 3Outlets declined by 137 in 2025, to 963 (Systemwide, as labeled in the FDD, Item 20).
From reviewed FDD figures only. Not a recommendation or projection.
Costs · Items 5–7
What does it cost to open?
Estimated opening costs and the fees payable to the franchisor.
Startup Investment — Item 7
Range across 2 single-unit formats
2026 FDD · Item 7
Formats disclosed in Item 7 (2)
Each format has its own total. The total depends on the format you choose.
- Small TerritoryPDF p. 28$74,150 – $231,500
- Standard TerritoryPDF p. 27$92,150 – $249,500
Standard single-unit franchise fee
2026 FDD · Item 5 · PDF p. 15
Discounted and multi-unit options are separate; see all fees.
Ongoing Fees — Item 6
Selected recurring charges; payment bases and conditions remain attached to each fee.
- RoyaltyMain ongoing fee · A required minimum monthly Royalty payment applies beginning in the 13th month of operation.
23 reported fees, each with its payment basis, are listed below; they haven't been sorted into recurring, initial and occasional groups yet.
Financial Performance — Item 19
What results are disclosed—and for which locations?
One reported population. Revenue is not owner income.
Franchised locations
Revenue and other measures
- Who is counted
- franchisee operates in a Standard Territory, operating one (1) van for fifty-two (52) weeks
- Excluded
- they do not operate in exclusive territories
- Method
- projection to account for the operational differences, between our existing franchisees and the current model
Outlet Changes — Item 20
How has the outlet count changed?
Systemwide, as labeled in the FDD · counts as of year end of each year.
2026 FDD · Item 20 · PDF p. 65
Net −320 outlets, 2023–2025
Year-end counts reported in Item 20. The scale starts at zero; the labels between the dots show each year's change. Openings and closures for 2025 haven't been pulled from the Item 20 tables yet, so no turnover or churn is shown.
Questions to investigate
Prompts based on what this brand's reviewed disclosures do and don't show — not conclusions. Join free as a member to save questions to your research.
For the franchisor
Which line items in the 2026 Item 7 estimate ($74,150 – $249,500) vary most by market, and why?
Which initial fee option would apply to my situation, and what conditions or discounts affect it?
Which locations are included in the Item 19 figures, and which were excluded?
Reported units decreased from 1,100 to 963 in 2025. What drove the change?
Is a territory available in my area, and how is it defined in my agreement?
For current and former owners
How did your actual startup costs and timeline compare with the Item 7 estimate?
How many hours a week do you work in the business, and in what role?
How do your results compare with the Item 19 figures, and what explains the difference?
What support from the franchisor has been most and least useful?
For your advisors
Ask a franchise attorney to review the territory, renewal, transfer and termination terms.
Ask an attorney what the Item 3 litigation disclosures mean for a new franchisee.
Ask an accountant to build a cash-flow plan using your own assumptions, not the franchisor's.
Sources & vintage history
Every displayed fact is retained with its disclosure vintage, item, page, and reviewed status. Prior vintages remain on file rather than being overwritten.
Citations (2026 FDD)
- [1]Standard initial franchise fee — Item 5 · PDF p. 15
- [2]Item 19 — Franchised locations — other measures and revenue · PDF p. 65
- [3]Outlet counts — Item 20, Table 1 · PDF p. 65
"PDF p." is the page in the PDF file; "printed p." is the number printed on the FDD page. Source document: FDD
Territory & operations
402 addresses in Franopolis's imported location list. Coverage may differ from Item 20 outlet counts.
These are contract disclosures, not confirmation that any territory is currently available.
Legal & agreement
Total litigation count
Bankruptcy disclosed
Initial term
Franchisor financial statements
No verified franchisor financial statement figures have been reviewed yet.
SBA-backed loans to franchisees
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Source: U.S. Small Business Administration 7(a) & 504 FOIA data. Loan volume is not a measure of franchisee success.
Related research
Brands in the same subcategory first, then the wider industry, ordered by shared business format and overlapping investment range. This is not a ranking or recommendation.
Head-to-head comparisons
At a glance
Business history
Owner participation
Territory language
Litigation disclosure
Bankruptcy disclosure
Agreement term
Independent analysis of franchisor-provided data. Not investment advice. Franopolis does not distribute FDDs. Last reviewed 10/13/2026.