Paul Davis Restoration Franchise Deep Dive: Costs, Profit and ROI

Franchise Opportunity Deep Dive: Paul Davis Restoration offers a scalable business model, low royalty structure and strong insurance partnerships in a growing market sector.

NUMBER OF LOCATIONS: 350+ in the United States and Canada

REPORTED COST TO GET IN: $298,800 - $804,900

REPORTED ROI (Item 19): $6,006,779 (average gross sales per franchise for FY 2024 for businesses open at least two years)

Company overview

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.

• 24/7 Emergency Response: Paul Davis is available around the clock, ensuring rapid assistance when disasters strike.

• Comprehensive Services: The brand handles water, fire, mold, storm and biohazard damage — offering both mitigation and full reconstruction.

• Insurance Industry Integration: Paul Davis works closely with insurance carriers, providing seamless claim support and clear documentation.

• Certified Technicians: Teams are IICRC-certified and trained to meet industry standards.

• Personalized Care: The brand emphasizes empathy and communication during stressful restoration processes.

• Cutting-Edge Technology: Use of thermal imaging, electronic claims processing and detailed damage assessments ensure transparency and accuracy.

• Established Brand: Franchisees join a legacy brand with nearly 60 years of experience and recognition in the restoration industry.

• Exclusive Territories: Franchise owners are awarded protected markets to support business scalability.

• Initial and Ongoing Training: New franchisees attend Owners’ School and benefit from continued technical and business development education.

• National Accounts Program: Access to corporate-generated leads and insurance relationships helps drive business.

• Proven Systems and Tools: Paul Davis provides proprietary software and operational processes for estimating, job management and client communication.

• Supportive Culture: Franchisees benefit from a collaborative network and strong field support from dedicated regional teams.

Franchise details

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.

Initial 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:

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:

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:

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

Market and competition

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.

1. Initial Inquiry and Information Gathering: Prospective franchisees begin by submitting an inquiry through the Paul Davis website. They receive details about the brand, investment requirements and Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD).

2. Meet‑the‑Team Day: Candidates are invited to a “meet‑the‑team” event—an opportunity to connect with corporate leaders, ask questions, and gain deeper insight into the brand’s culture and expectations.

3. Review Investment Requirements: Applicants review the full breakdown of startup costs, including franchise fees, equipment, working capital, royalties and territory exclusivity.

4. Approval and Signing: Once approved, candidates sign franchise agreements and prepare for financing and launch logistics.

5. Franchise Launch Program: New owners enter the Paul Davis Franchise Launch program — a structured support system designed to streamline startup. This includes help with site selection, setup, staffing, pre-opening marketing and initial operations.

6. Training and Onboarding: Franchisees complete hands-on and classroom training through their Launch program, preparing them to manage both business and technical aspects of restoration operations.

7. Grand Opening and Ongoing Support: With site, staff, and marketing in place, franchisees launch operations. They continue receiving support through regional business consultants, marketing guidance and ongoing technical and operational training.

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