The short answer: Stratus and Anago both sell a regional master franchise in commercial cleaning, and on paper the investments overlap. The biggest practical difference is territory. A Stratus master territory is exclusive and protected for the life of your agreement. Anago's 2026 FDD summary says its territories are not exclusive and can be reduced if you miss bid minimums, even though its franchise site calls them exclusive. Stratus is the stronger fit if protected territory, a broad recurring revenue base, and an executive role are your priorities. Anago may suit a buyer who wants a slightly lower master entry fee, a smaller and long-established system, or a unit-level franchise instead of a master. The rest of this Stratus vs Anago comparison lays out the facts side by side so you can make the call with your attorney and accountant.
A note on sourcing. Anago figures below come from the 2024 and 2026 Anago Master Franchise FDD summaries published by The FDD Exchange and from Anago's own franchise pages. Stratus figures come from our site and our FDD. Where a source is silent or the two brands measure things differently, we say so.
| Factor | Stratus Master Franchise | Anago Master Franchise |
|---|---|---|
| Model | Regional franchisor: award unit franchises, win cleaning contracts, assign them to units | Subfranchisor: sell unit franchises, sign cleaning contracts, assign them to units, handle billing and collections |
| Founded | 2006 | 1989 |
| Master license / initial fee | About $125,000 on average (published range $75,000 to $200,000) | $98,000 |
| Total initial investment | Typically $275,000 to $300,000 all in (published range $110,000 to $350,000) | $219,000 to $339,000 |
| Financial qualifications | $250,000+ net worth; $125,000 to $150,000 liquid | Not stated in the published FDD summaries |
| Royalty to franchisor | Disclosed in our FDD | 5% of gross revenues with escalating monthly minimums after year one, plus a 2% administrative support fee |
| Territory | Exclusive, protected, population-based; a state or a cluster of counties | Population-based (minimum 500,000); FDD states territories are not exclusive and can be reduced for missing bid minimums |
| Revenue model | Nine revenue streams, about 90% recurring | Unit franchise sales and royalties on contracts, per Anago's franchise site; the FDD also describes billing and collection services for units |
| Initial training | Pre-opening training, one week at HQ, two weeks in your territory, dedicated onboarding coach | Two weeks: 23 classroom hours and 113 on-the-job hours |
| System size | 100+ master territories, 5,500+ unit franchisees in the U.S. and Canada | 45 domestic outlets at year-end 2025, plus 3 in Canada |
| Item 19 system data | $3.2M average unit volume in 2025 franchised regions; $238M system-wide sales* | 2025 average annual sales of $3,453,102 across 37 to 40 reporting subfranchisors |
| Green credentials | Green Seal certified proprietary products | Green cleaning services and GBAC STAR accreditation listed on its site |
*Per Item 19 of the Stratus FDD. These are system-level figures, not a representation of what an individual master franchisee earns. Individual results may differ. See Item 7 for total investment information. Anago figures are from the 2026 Anago Master Franchise FDD summary and the 2024 FDD summary published by The FDD Exchange.
Stratus and Anago both run two-tier systems. A master (Anago calls it a subfranchisor) buys regional rights, sells unit franchises to local operators, wins commercial cleaning contracts, and assigns those contracts to the units. The units do the cleaning. The master builds the network.
Where the brands differ is who they market to. Anago sells both tiers publicly. Its franchise site pitches the master franchise to business executives and the unit franchise to individuals who want the master to handle client acquisition and billing. The 2026 FDD summary also notes a newer Market Developer franchise format. Anago masters also run billing and collections for their units, so the back office is part of the job.
Stratus offers only the master franchise to outside buyers through this site; unit franchises are awarded locally by the master in each territory. That keeps the role you are buying an executive model franchise: you recruit, train, and support independent business owners rather than manage cleaning employees. If you are still deciding which tier fits you, our master vs. unit franchise comparison covers the daily role and earnings structure of each.
The 2026 Anago FDD summary lists a $98,000 initial fee and a total initial investment of $219,000 to $339,000, and the 2024 summary itemizes that range. For Stratus, the typical deal is about $125,000 for the license plus roughly $150,000 in working capital. Here is how the two compare line by line:
| Cost item | Stratus Master Franchise | Anago Master Franchise |
|---|---|---|
| Initial / license fee | About $125,000 on average (published range $75,000 to $200,000) | $98,000 |
| Working capital | About $150,000 in a typical deal | $20,000 to $40,000 in additional working capital |
| Marketing and advertising | See Item 7 of our FDD | $50,000 to $100,000 |
| Equipment and computers | See Item 7 of our FDD | $15,000 to $25,000 |
| Lease and utility deposits | See Item 7 of our FDD | $10,000 to $20,000 |
| Total initial investment | Typically $275,000 to $300,000 all in (published range $110,000 to $350,000) | $219,000 to $339,000 |
| Veteran discount (VetFran) | 10% off the initial fee | 15% off the initial fee and no royalty for six months |
Anago line items are from the 2024 FDD summary and its fee and total from the 2026 FDD summary, both published by The FDD Exchange. Item 7 of each brand's current FDD is the authoritative source.
Our master franchise cost guide breaks down every Stratus line item.
The fair read: Anago's headline fee is lower, but the all-in ranges overlap heavily. Most of the gap is working capital. Stratus plans for a larger cushion during your launch, which is why we ask for $250,000 or more in net worth and $125,000 to $150,000 liquid.
Anago is unusually specific about what a master pays the franchisor. The 2026 FDD summary lists these ongoing fees:
| Anago ongoing fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Royalty | 5% of gross revenues, with escalating monthly minimums after year one |
| Administrative support fee | 2% |
| Software fee | $550 per month |
| Transfer fee | $10,000 |
The escalating minimums matter: once year one ends, you owe a floor amount whether or not your revenue has caught up. Ask Anago for the minimum schedule and model it against a slow-growth year.
On the revenue side, Anago's franchise site says masters earn from selling unit franchises and from royalties on the cleaning contracts their units service, and the FDD describes the master's billing and collection role for units.
A Stratus master earns from nine revenue streams, including franchise fees, contract sales, royalties, insurance revenue through our national insurance program, and supply sales of Green Seal certified products. Roughly 90% of that revenue is recurring because it rides on janitorial contracts that renew monthly. Our master franchise earnings guide explains each stream and how they compound. Our ongoing fees are disclosed in Item 6 of our FDD; compare them line by line with Anago's.
On Item 19, both brands disclose system-level sales, but they measure different things. Anago's 2026 FDD summary reports 2025 average annual sales of $3,453,102 across 37 to 40 reporting subfranchisors, and its 2024 summary notes that this figure reflects billed janitorial services plus unit sale proceeds, not profit. Stratus reports a $3.2 million average unit volume across 2025 franchised regions, a $9.5 million average among the top five regions, and $238 million in system-wide sales. Read both Item 19s in full before drawing conclusions. Neither number is a promise of what you will earn.
This is the section to read twice. Anago grants an Area of counties or cities covering a metro of at least 500,000 people, and its franchise site describes this as an exclusive territory. The 2026 FDD summary reads differently. It states that territories are not exclusive, that the franchisor reserves rights to national accounts and other channels, and that the Area can be reduced if the subfranchisor misses Client Bid Schedule minimums. Ask Anago how those statements reconcile in the agreement you would sign.
Stratus master territories are exclusive and protected. While your agreement is in place, we do not award your region to another master, and no other Stratus operator can sell units inside your boundaries. Territories are sized by population and can be a full state or a cluster of counties, with specific boundaries set in the franchise agreement. Our guide to what it means to own a Stratus master territory explains how that protection works day to day, and you can see current openings on our available territories page.
Whichever brand you consider, the FDD controls, not the brochure. Our guide on how to verify an exclusive territory shows the exact Item 12 language that signals a territory is not exclusive and the carve-outs to look for.
Anago provides two weeks of mandatory initial training covering unit sales, contract sales, its NBDS system, management, marketing, and administration, totaling 23 classroom hours and 113 on-the-job hours at Anago offices or an agreed location. Ongoing support includes a hotline, billing and collection through escrow, lead referrals, periodic advisory assistance, and an annual seminar, per the 2026 FDD summary.
Stratus onboarding runs longer and comes to you: pre-opening training, one week at corporate HQ, then two weeks on site in your own territory, with a dedicated onboarding coach through launch. After that, you work with StratusConnect, our proprietary operations app, plus National Accounts and sales development programs that bring contract volume into your region. Our training and support page covers the full program.
Anago was founded in 1989 and began franchising in 1995, per the 2026 FDD summary. It reports 45 domestic outlets (44 franchised, one company-owned) at year-end 2025, with 3 franchised outlets in Canada and five new domestic outlets projected for 2026. Its site cites more than 55,000 clients served.
Stratus was founded in 2006 and today supports 100+ master territories and 5,500+ unit franchisees across the U.S. and Canada, making us the fourth-largest commercial cleaning franchise in North America. Entrepreneur ranks Stratus the #1 Commercial Cleaning Franchise and #21 overall on its 2026 Franchise 500, and the #1 Fastest-Growing Franchise for four consecutive years. In the 2025 Franchise Business Review survey, 86% of our master franchisees said they would do it again. Michael Seiler, our master in Southeast Louisiana, put it more strongly: "Would I do it over? Probably three more times."
Both brands compete in the same essential-service category. For the demand data behind it, see why commercial cleaning is one of the most recession-resilient businesses you can own.
Stratus fits you if:
Anago fits you if:
We are candid about who should not buy a Stratus master territory, too: passive investors, people uncomfortable with sales, and anyone who needs an immediate fixed salary. Our fit guide walks through it. Also weighing Jan-Pro? See our Stratus vs Jan-Pro comparison.
Request both FDDs and read Items 5, 6, 7, 12, and 19 side by side. With Anago specifically, put three questions in writing: how the exclusive territory on its website squares with the Item 12 language, what the escalating royalty minimums are in years two through five, and under what conditions your Area can be reduced. Then speak with current masters in both systems. Our master franchise due diligence checklist keeps the rest of your review organized.
At Stratus, the six-step discovery process starts with a conversation with Rob Lancit, VP of Franchise Development, and includes an FDD review, time with our corporate team, direct calls with existing masters, and independent due diligence with your attorney and accountant. Nothing is rushed.
Ready to compare for yourself? Review our open markets and contact our team, or call Rob Lancit directly at (516) 551-4773 in the U.S. or (604) 833-0911 in Canada.
Anago's initial fee is $98,000 with a total investment of $219,000 to $339,000 per its 2026 FDD summary. A typical Stratus deal is $275,000 to $300,000 all in, including roughly $150,000 in working capital. The ranges overlap; the difference is mostly how much working capital each brand budgets for your launch.
Anago's site describes an exclusive territory, but its 2026 FDD summary states territories are not exclusive, that the franchisor reserves national accounts and other channels, and that an Area can be reduced for missing bid minimums. Stratus master territories are exclusive and protected for the life of your agreement. Confirm both in Item 12 of each FDD.
Per the 2026 FDD summary, a 5% royalty on gross revenues with escalating monthly minimums after year one, a 2% administrative support fee, a $550 monthly software fee, and a $10,000 transfer fee. Stratus discloses its ongoing fees in Item 6 of our FDD.
Yes. Anago markets both tiers publicly, plus a newer Market Developer format. Stratus offers the master franchise to outside buyers; unit franchises are awarded by the master in each territory.
Stratus supports 100+ master territories and 5,500+ unit franchisees across the U.S. and Canada. Anago's 2026 FDD summary reports 45 domestic outlets and 3 in Canada at year-end 2025. The two brands count outlets differently, so compare Item 20 of each FDD for a like-for-like view.
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