Franchisor Stories
Franchise Opportunity Deep Dive: Disaster recovery and restoration services, encompassing comprehensive support, training and established brand trust within a resilient, high-demand industry.
ServiceMaster Restore is one of the leading names in the $210 billion restoration industry, helping home and business owners recover from disasters like fire, water and mold damage. With a legacy of more than 65 years and a commitment to community response, this franchise opportunity offers a recession-resistant business model and a pathway to meaningful ownership.
Founded in 1952, ServiceMaster Restore is a trusted leader in disaster restoration services. It is part of the ServiceMaster Brands portfolio, which includes several iconic residential and commercial service companies. ServiceMaster Restore delivers critical services after water, fire, smoke, and mold damage, and helps communities rebuild after large-scale disasters.
Mission: To help people restore their lives and livelihoods after disaster strikes.
Vision: To be the most trusted restoration brand by consistently delivering quality, compassion and confidence when customers need it most.
ServiceMaster Restore currently has markets available throughout the U.S., with high availability in Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, West Virginia and Wyoming.
For more information, visit https://franchise.servicemasterrestore.com/franchise-locations.
Initial Costs: The estimated initial investment required to begin operation of a ServiceMaster Restore franchise ranges from $266,600 to $442,890. The 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) breaks these costs down as follows:
| Type of Expenditure | Min | Max |
| Initial Franchise Fee | $72,500 | $72,500 |
| Equipment & Supplies | $85,000 | $150,000 |
| Truck | $9,000 | $13,500 |
| Technology System | $1,800 | $3,000 |
| Travel & Expenses for Training | $4,000 | $7,000 |
| Insurance | $8,800 | $19,350 |
| Certifications | $0 | $340 |
| Local Advertising Commitment | $1,500 | $5,000 |
| Miscellaneous Opening Expenses | $1,000 | $7,200 |
| Real Estate Expenses | $8,000 | $25,000 |
| Professional Fees | $5,000 | $15,000 |
| Additional Funds (3 Months) | $70,000 | $125,000 |
Initial Franchise Fee: The franchise fee $72,500, due in a lump sum upon signing the franchise agreement. Discounts or transition programs may apply for existing franchisees, transferees or conversions.
Ongoing Fees: According to the 2025 FDD, ServiceMaster Restore franchisees are responsible for the following ongoing payments and fees:
| Type of Fee | Amount |
| Royalties | From 5.95% to 10% of gross service sales/month (based on annual royalty group sales) |
| Ad Fund Contribution | 2% of gross service sales/month up to $7.5 million 0.5% of gross service sales/month over $7.5 million |
| AOS Training for Additional Personnel | $6,310 per person |
| Ongoing Training Programs & Meetings | $300 - $2,500 per attendee for training programs $1,000 per attendee for regional meetings |
| Annual Convention Fee | $1,000 per attendee |
| Technology Fees | $650/month for Restore 365 Plus software $158/month for XactWare $1,099/year for Clerk of the Works $12/job for Cotalty Estimate |
ROI Potential: The 2025 FDD reported the following average gross service sales 128 single-unit franchise owners and all 454 franchise owners for FY 2024:
| Franchise Owner Groups | Average | Median | Low | High |
| Single-Unit (128) | $945,058 | $525,191 | $4,158 | $7,513,212 |
| All Franchises (454) | $2,826,896 | $1,261,049 | $4,158 | $73,939,218 |
Franchisees undergo immersive onboarding at the ServiceMaster Restore Academy, including IICRC certification and field-based training. Ongoing education and operational coaching are available year-round.
Franchisees receive support in site selection, business launch, compliance, commercial sales and large-loss operations. The QRV and Partners in Performance programs provide best practices and KPI coaching.
ServiceMaster Restore provides its franchisees with proprietary systems, job management software, 24/7 call center access, national marketing assets, digital advertising tools and real-time performance dashboards.
No restoration experience is required, but leadership skills, business acumen, and a service mindset are essential.
Franchisees should be committed to full-time or semi-absentee ownership. Owners must lead a team and be available to respond quickly during local or national emergencies.
ServiceMaster Restore partners with third-party lenders and financing institutions and is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory.
One standout is second-generation franchisee Alyson Horton of Seattle, Washington, who operates four locations with her husband. Alyson transitioned from a corporate career in escrow and has helped raise over $50,000 through the Hire Heroes USA partnership:
“ServiceMaster’s core principles are really the backbone of why this is such a great organization,” Horton said. “The fundamental values you can still see today, and you see them across all families across the generations owning this business. It really speaks to the type of life franchisees can live.
“We are helping people during the most challenging times of their lives. Being displaced from your home can be very difficult, so thinking about the stress and the trauma and understanding what we do is really meaningful and important.
“Overall, the corporate support from ServiceMaster Brands is better than it's ever been before. There are a lot of resources for training and they have a lot of carrier relationships. It's really a benefit of being part of a franchise because you are joining a trusted name. But the greatest aspect of all of it is the other owners who you have the privilege of getting to know and spending time with.”
The U.S. restoration industry is valued at more than $210 billion annually, driven by rising natural disasters, aging infrastructure and insurance carrier needs. As severe weather becomes more frequent, the demand for restoration providers is expected to grow significantly.
ServiceMaster Restore stands out for its history, scale, QRV network and brand trust. Competitors include SERVPRO, PuroClean, Restoration 1, 1-800 Water Damage and Paul Davis Restoration.
Estimated Timeline: 60-90 days from inquiry to opening.
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 informational purposes 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.
