Buy a Franchise
Franchise Opportunity Deep Dive: Paul Davis Restoration offers a scalable business model, low royalty structure and strong insurance partnerships in a growing market sector.
Paul Davis Restoration is a leading North American brand specializing in residential and commercial property damage restoration and reconstruction following fires, floods, storms, mold, biohazards and other disasters. It is a franchise network of independently owned locations that emphasizes fast, effective response and a people-first approach.
Founded in 1966 by Paul Woodall Davis as Paul W. Davis Contracting, the company pioneered insurance‑driven restoration work during a time when insurance restoration was still a niche market. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, it introduced innovations like line‑item pricing, computerized estimating, thermal imaging and service guarantees. In 1969, it began franchising, launching its Owners’ School and distributing an operations manual penned by Davis himself. Today, the brand comprises over 300 franchises across the U.S. and Canada.
Mission: The brand’s mission is to empower great people to deliver best‑in‑class results.
Vision: Paul Davis Restoration’s vision is to provide extraordinary care while serving people in need.
Paul Davis Restoration is currently offering franchise opportunities throughout the U.S. and Canada, with hot markets in Fresno, Long Beach and Sacramento, California; Columbia-Jefferson City, Missouri; Toledo, Ohio; Eugene, Oregon; State College, Pennsylvania; Amarillo, Beaumont, El Paso, Lubbock and Midland-Odessa, Texas; and Olympia, Washington.
Investment OverviewInitial Costs: The estimated initial investment required to begin operation of a Paul Davis Restoration franchise ranges from $298,800 to $804,900. The 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) breaks these costs down as follows:
| Type of Expenditure | Min | Max |
| Franchise Fee | $65,000 | $208,000 |
| Real Property & Improvements | $1,800 | $6,000 |
| Marketing & Advertising | $12,000 | $72,000 |
| Equipment, Computer, Copier | $13,000 | $30,000 |
| Office Furniture | $2,000 | $6,000 |
| Branded or Compliant Vehicle | $10,000 | $121,000 |
| Equipment & Chemical Package (“Startup Kit”) | $5,000 | $54,000 |
| Training Expenses | $5,000 | $7,500 |
| Insurance | $20,500 | $63,500 |
| Phone Installation & Utility Deposits | $1,000 | $2,900 |
| Rent Deposit | $5,000 | $18,000 |
| CPA Fees (Initial Work) | $1,000 | $2,200 |
| Legal Fees (Incorporation) | $500 | $1,800 |
| Additional Funds (3 Months) | $150,000 | $200,000 |
Initial Franchise Fee: Paul Davis Restoration charges an initial franchise fee of $0.26 per person in the population of the franchised territory. $65,000 of this fee is payable upon signing the franchise agreement, with the remainder financeable through a four-year promissory note.
The franchisor offers a 25% discount on the franchise fee for qualified military veterans and may finance up to 67% of the reduced fee for approved veteran franchisees.
Ongoing Fees: According to the 2025 FDD, Paul Davis Restoration franchisees are responsible for the following ongoing payments and fees:
| Type of Fee | Amount |
| Royalty Fee | 4% of gross sales/month |
| Guarantee Fund Contribution | 0.5% of gross sales/month for first 500,000 of population (up to $25,000) $2,000/month for each additional 100,000 above 500,000 |
| Indemnity Fund Fee | 0.1% of gross sales/month (first $2,000,000) 0.08% of gross sales/month ($2,000,001 - $4,000,000) 0.06% of gross sales/month ($4,000,001 - $8,000,000) |
| Computer Software Support Fee | $75/month |
| Call Center Fee | Lead Dispatch: $38 - $70/month AnswerNet: $50/month + $1.10 per call + $0.02 per minute |
| ProAssist/Engage | $50/month |
| Joint Quality Business Review | $50/month |
| Verisk Xactimate Software License Fee | $105 - $149 per license/month |
| Microsoft 365 Software License Fee | $Varies/month |
| Mitigate Software | $100 per account/month |
| Common Software Fee (RMS) | $525/month (primary office) $300/month (secondary office) |
ROI Potential: According to the 2025 FDD, the 223 Paul Davis Restoration franchises in the U.S. that were operational for the entirety of FY 2024 reported the following gross sales:
| Operating For | # of Franchises | Average | Median |
| At Least 2 Years | 183 | $6,006,779 | $3,976,094 |
| Less Than 2 Years | 45 | $1,765,113 | $1,006,593 |
Paul Davis provides franchisees with comprehensive training beginning with Owners’ School, a multiweek program that combines classroom instruction with hands-on experience. The training covers technical restoration skills, business operations, leadership development and customer service. Ongoing education is also available through regional meetings, online modules and advanced specialty courses to support continued growth and operational excellence.
Franchisees receive extensive support from both the corporate team and regional business consultants. This includes help with business planning, marketing, hiring, customer acquisition and financial management. Field coaches offer on-the-ground assistance, while the brand also supports franchisees in navigating insurance relationships, maintaining compliance and ensuring quality across all services.
Paul Davis equips franchisees with proprietary software and systems designed to streamline job management and improve efficiency. These tools include estimating platforms, electronic claims processing, customer relationship management software and mobile apps for field teams. Advanced technology such as thermal imaging and moisture detection also supports accurate assessments and consistent, high-quality service.
Paul Davis Restoration does not stipulate any financial qualifications or experience requirements for its franchisees. Rather, the brand is seeking passionate people who love their work, their teams and the communities they serve. The “perfect candidates” include previous business owners, motivated millennials, corporate leaders and other power partners.
Paul Davis franchise ownership typically requires full-time involvement, particularly during the launch and early growth phases, with the brand offering a dedicated Franchise Launch program to help new owners get up and running quickly.
Owners are expected to function as business leaders, overseeing planning, staffing, marketing and local insurance relationships. However, the model is flexible enough to accommodate semi-absentee ownership, as long as franchisees build a qualified management team to handle day-to-day operations. With robust training, ongoing support and proven systems, Paul Davis enables owners to scale their businesses while tailoring their involvement to match their long-term goals.
Paul Davis Restoration offers an in-house financing option ($65,000 or 50% of the franchise fee at the agreement signing, with the rest financeable through a four-year promissory note) to help eligible candidates bridge the upfront capital gap.
“We’ve grown our company from a $2 million a year in revenue company to last year, $16 million. It’s all about the people on our team.”
Darren Impson, Franchise Owner — Tampa, Florida
The U.S. damage restoration industry has grown steadily in recent years, driven by rising frequency and intensity of natural disasters. In 2025, the U.S. market is projected at approximately $7.2 billion, with a CAGR of about 4.5% from 2020 to 2025. Analysts expect continued expansion, buoyed by increasing climate-driven events such as wildfires, floods and severe storms, as well as growing demand for mold remediation, fire damage restoration and water extraction services.
Paul Davis stands out in the restoration industry with nearly six decades of experience, a strong reputation for quality and close integration with national insurance providers. The brand offers 24/7 emergency response, advanced job management technology and certified technicians trained to industry standards. Franchisees benefit from a proven business model, low royalty structure and comprehensive operational support. Its culture of service and innovation continues to drive growth and national recognition.
Competitors include Servpro, PuroClean, Rainbow International Restoration, Restoration1, 911 Restoration and Steamatic.
Want to learn more about franchise opportunities on 1851 Franchise? Be sure to visit our Power Rankings to read more on brands making moves.
Every great franchisee had help buying a franchise. Want to learn more about how 1851 helps franchisees find the right franchise opportunity? Visit www.1851growthclub.com and start your journey.
Disclaimer: This content is for information only. You should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice. Nothing contained on this site constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, endorsement, or offer to buy or sell any franchises, securities, or other financial instruments in this or in any other jurisdiction in which such solicitation or offer would be unlawful under the franchise and/or securities laws of such jurisdiction.
All content in this article is information of a general nature and does not address the detailed circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Nothing in the article constitutes professional and/or financial advice, nor does any information in the email constitute a comprehensive or complete statement of the matters discussed or the law relating thereto. You alone assume the sole responsibility of evaluating the merits and risks associated with the use of any information or other content in this article before making any decisions based on such information or other content.
Sign up for the 1851 Franchise newsletter to get our biggest stories before everyone else
By signing up, you agree to our user agreement (including class action waiver and arbitration provisions), and acknowledge our privacy policy.
