Paul Davis Restoration vs ServiceMaster Restore: Which Is the Better Investment?

Based on FranchiseStack.ai's analysis of 188+ franchise FDD filings — side-by-side comparison of investment costs, fees, unit economics, and franchisee satisfaction. Updated 2026.

Home Services Real Data Not Investment Advice
PD

Paul Davis Restoration

Home Services
$220K – $540K
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VS
SR

ServiceMaster Restore

Home Services
$250K – $800K
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At a Glance: Key Differences

Data-driven observations based on disclosed figures. Not investment advice — verify current numbers in each franchise's FDD.

Investment Cost
Paul Davis Restoration wins on investment range ($260K less) vs ServiceMaster Restore.
Fee Burden
Paul Davis Restoration wins on royalty rate (6.0% lower) vs ServiceMaster Restore.
Unit Count
ServiceMaster Restore wins on total units (1,580 more) vs Paul Davis Restoration.
Satisfaction
Paul Davis Restoration wins on franchisee satisfaction vs ServiceMaster Restore.

Detailed Analysis: Paul Davis Restoration vs ServiceMaster Restore

According to FranchiseStack.ai's franchise database of 188+ FDD-sourced opportunities, Paul Davis Restoration and ServiceMaster Restore are among the most-researched franchise comparisons. The choice comes down to your investment capacity, risk tolerance, and operational preferences. Both operate in the Home Services sector, which means they compete for similar customers and territory. ServiceMaster Restore has a larger footprint, which typically translates to stronger brand recognition but potentially more territorial saturation.

From a capital perspective, Paul Davis Restoration has a lower entry point. However, initial investment alone doesn't determine ROI — ongoing royalties, revenue potential, and failure rates all factor into long-term returns. Paul Davis Restoration charges a lower royalty rate, which means more of your gross revenue stays in your pocket.

Franchisee satisfaction is one of the strongest predictors of long-term success. Paul Davis Restoration leads with a 73/100 satisfaction score, indicating that existing owners are more positive about their decision. Before committing to either franchise, we recommend running both through our Financial Model tool to project personalized 5-year P&L scenarios. You should also review each franchise's complete Franchise Disclosure Document using our FDD Checker to understand litigation history, termination rates, and territory restrictions.

Investment & Fees

Metric Paul Davis Restoration ServiceMaster Restore
Min Investment $220K $250K
Max Investment $540K $800K
Franchise Fee $85K $47K
Royalty Rate 4.0% 10.0%
Ad Fund Rate 2.0% N/A

Unit Economics

Metric Paul Davis Restoration ServiceMaster Restore
Avg Unit Revenue $2.0M $1.5M
Avg Profit Margin N/A N/A

Scale & Growth

Metric Paul Davis Restoration ServiceMaster Restore
Total Units 320 1,900
Annual Growth 3.0% N/A
Failure Rate 3.0% N/A

Franchisee Performance

Metric Paul Davis Restoration ServiceMaster Restore
Franchisee Satisfaction 73/100 68/100

Track Record

Metric Paul Davis Restoration ServiceMaster Restore
Years in Business 58 N/A
Years Franchising 54 N/A

Financial Requirements

Metric Paul Davis Restoration ServiceMaster Restore
Min Net Worth Required $400K N/A
Liquid Capital Required $200K N/A

Operations

Metric Paul Davis Restoration ServiceMaster Restore
Avg Employees 20 N/A
Training Weeks 3 N/A

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Paul Davis Restoration or ServiceMaster Restore a better franchise investment?

The answer depends on your goals, budget, and market. Paul Davis Restoration has 320 total units and a 73/100 franchisee satisfaction score. ServiceMaster Restore has 1,900 total units and a 68/100 franchisee satisfaction score. Use our ROI Calculator to model both scenarios.

How much does it cost to open a Paul Davis Restoration franchise?

Based on data in our database, opening a Paul Davis Restoration franchise requires an initial investment of $220K – $540K. The franchise fee is $85K, with ongoing royalties of 4.0%. Always request the current FDD for exact figures.

How much does it cost to open a ServiceMaster Restore franchise?

Based on data in our database, opening a ServiceMaster Restore franchise requires an initial investment of $250K – $800K. The franchise fee is $47K, with ongoing royalties of 10.0%. Always request the current FDD for exact figures.

What is the royalty rate for Paul Davis Restoration vs ServiceMaster Restore?

Paul Davis Restoration's royalty rate is 4.0%. ServiceMaster Restore's royalty rate is 10.0%. That means ServiceMaster Restore has the lower ongoing royalty burden.

Which has more locations — Paul Davis Restoration or ServiceMaster Restore?

Paul Davis Restoration has 320 total units. ServiceMaster Restore has 1,900 total units. A larger system can mean more brand recognition, but also more territorial competition.

Is Paul Davis Restoration or ServiceMaster Restore semi-absentee friendly?

Paul Davis Restoration is typically run as a owner-operator model. ServiceMaster Restore is typically run as a owner-operator model. If passive income is your goal, semi-absentee models let you hire a manager to run day-to-day operations.

Data sourced from franchise disclosure documents and public records. Investment ranges, royalty rates, and unit counts change — always request current FDD before making investment decisions. Last updated March 2026.

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