Paul Davis Restoration vs SERVPRO: 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
S

SERVPRO

Home Services
$205K – $312K
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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
SERVPRO wins on investment range ($228K less) vs Paul Davis Restoration.
Fee Burden
Paul Davis Restoration wins on royalty rate (6.0% lower) vs SERVPRO.
Unit Count
SERVPRO wins on total units (1,680 more) vs Paul Davis Restoration.
Satisfaction
SERVPRO wins on franchisee satisfaction vs Paul Davis Restoration.

Detailed Analysis: Paul Davis Restoration vs SERVPRO

According to FranchiseStack.ai's franchise database of 188+ FDD-sourced opportunities, Paul Davis Restoration and SERVPRO 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. SERVPRO has a larger footprint, which typically translates to stronger brand recognition but potentially more territorial saturation.

From a capital perspective, SERVPRO 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. SERVPRO leads with a 74/100 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 SERVPRO
Min Investment $220K $205K
Max Investment $540K $312K
Franchise Fee $85K $50K
Royalty Rate 4.0% 10.0%
Ad Fund Rate 2.0% 3.0%

Unit Economics

Metric Paul Davis Restoration SERVPRO
Avg Unit Revenue $2.0M $1.1M
Avg Profit Margin N/A N/A

Scale & Growth

Metric Paul Davis Restoration SERVPRO
Total Units 320 2,000
Annual Growth 3.0% 1.0%
Failure Rate 3.0% 2.0%

Franchisee Performance

Metric Paul Davis Restoration SERVPRO
Franchisee Satisfaction 73/100 74/100

Track Record

Metric Paul Davis Restoration SERVPRO
Years in Business 58 57
Years Franchising 54 55

Financial Requirements

Metric Paul Davis Restoration SERVPRO
Min Net Worth Required $400K $200K
Liquid Capital Required $200K $100K

Operations

Metric Paul Davis Restoration SERVPRO
Avg Employees 20 15
Training Weeks 3 2

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Paul Davis Restoration or SERVPRO 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. SERVPRO has 2,000 total units and a 74/100 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 SERVPRO franchise?

Based on data in our database, opening a SERVPRO franchise requires an initial investment of $205K – $312K. The franchise fee is $50K, with ongoing royalties of 10.0%. Always request the current FDD for exact figures.

What is the royalty rate for Paul Davis Restoration vs SERVPRO?

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

Which has more locations — Paul Davis Restoration or SERVPRO?

Paul Davis Restoration has 320 total units. SERVPRO has 2,000 total units. A larger system can mean more brand recognition, but also more territorial competition.

Is Paul Davis Restoration or SERVPRO semi-absentee friendly?

Paul Davis Restoration is typically run as a owner-operator model. SERVPRO 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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