Starting a business in a field that people always need—no matter the economy—has a special kind of appeal. That’s the promise behind a Servpro franchise. Since 1967, Servpro has helped homeowners and businesses recover from fire, flood, mold, and all sorts of disasters. What began as a small painting business in Sacramento, California, grew into a restoration powerhouse with more than 2,300 locations across the United States. Today, the brand is a go-to name for emergency cleanup, insurance-driven repairs, and specialty services like mold remediation and biohazard cleaning.
Below, we’ll unpack everything you need to know if you’re considering a Servpro franchise, from startup costs and training to the step-by-step process of becoming an owner.
Servpro operates in the booming restoration and cleaning industry, which remains steady even when other sectors slow down. Insurance claims for water damage, fire cleanup, and storm recovery are constant, creating year-round demand for professional services. The company has ranked #1 in the restoration services category by Entrepreneur magazine for more than two decades and sits among the top 15 franchises overall.
Franchisees provide a wide menu of services:
The combination of essential services, insurance partnerships, and strong brand recognition gives Servpro owners a business model designed for recurring demand and long-term resilience.
Servpro welcomes entrepreneurs from a variety of professional backgrounds. Construction, sales, property management, military service and more. Experience in restoration is helpful but not required. What matters most is the ability to manage a team, build relationships in the local community, and handle the operational demands of a service business.
Servpro’s initial investment range reflects the need for specialized equipment and a properly outfitted service facility. Here’s a clear look at the estimated costs from the latest Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD):
| Expense | Low Estimate | High Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $100,000 | $100,000 + $1,110 per 1,000 population over max |
| Vehicle | $5,000 | $69,900 |
| Equipment & products package | $14,000 | $26,000 |
| Supplies | $4,100 | $9,100 |
| Insurance | $5,010 | $25,300 |
| Advertising & promotional | $270 | $1,600 |
| Training, travel, lodging | $600 | $2,000 |
| Permits & licenses | $750 | $2,750 |
| Legal/professional/accounting | $1,700 | $2,200 |
| Estimating software & training | $1,100 | $2,700 |
| Additional funds (3 months) | $32,250 | $50,000 |
| Real estate (warehouse/office) | $0 | $6,000 |
| Estimated Total | $258,780 | $379,500 + population adjustment + any real estate costs |
Ongoing fees
These numbers place Servpro in the mid-range of service franchises. Higher than simple cleaning concepts, but lower than many brick-and-mortar retail businesses.
Restoration is a high-demand, insurance-driven industry, which gives Servpro a built-in revenue stream when disasters strike. Franchisees often benefit from large commercial jobs, emergency contracts, and national insurance relationships arranged by Servpro headquarters.
That said, Servpro does not publish Item 19 financial performance data in its FDD, so exact profit figures aren’t available. Profitability varies based on local market size, responsiveness during emergencies, and the owner’s ability to build referral networks.
One positive indicator is that the brand has maintained top rankings in Entrepreneur magazine for more than 20 years and continues to grow, with more than 2,300 franchises across the U.S., a sign of strong system-wide economics.
Servopro does not disclose a specific failure rate. Potential owners should speak directly with current franchisees and review the FDD’s historical unit openings and closures for insight into long-term performance.
Servpro is built for entrepreneurs who like action and community connection. The best owners tend to be:
The work is demanding—emergencies don’t wait for business hours—but the payoff is a business that helps people rebuild their lives while generating recession-resistant revenue.
Each franchise is granted an operating territory generally containing 50,000 to 80,000 people, though larger territories may be allowed in dense urban areas. Territories are mapped using demographic and socioeconomic criteria, including population density and poverty levels.
Servpro does not grant exclusive territories. Franchisees may face competition from other Servpro owners or company-owned operations in nearby areas, though boundaries are clearly defined for each license.
Servpro invests heavily in training and ongoing support:
This layered support system means new owners don’t have to reinvent processes for training crews, winning insurance contracts, or marketing their services.
Servpro’s path to ownership is structured and transparent:
The process typically takes a few months from first call to opening day, depending on financing, territory selection, and facility setup.
Even with Servpro’s proven brand, starting a franchise requires significant capital. From the $100,000 franchise fee to equipment packages and working capital, financing is often the key to getting your operation off the ground.
This is where Swoop can make a real difference. Swoop’s platform lets you compare business loans, SBA programs, and alternative funding options in one place. Whether you’re exploring Servpro’s in-house financing or seeking outside lenders, Swoop can help you understand terms, estimate repayments, and find the best fit for your budget and growth plans.
Before you take the first step toward ownership, apply with Swoop to check available business lending options. Knowing your financing capacity early can help you move quickly when the right territory opens, so you’re ready to build a business that helps families and companies recover when disaster strikes.
Daire made it happen! There is no doubt that Swoop sped up the process and found lenders that worked to our time scale rather than the other way round
Joint owner, F45 Virginia
Swoop was actually very helpful in helping us get our initial fundraising in place. Swoop was able to connect us with investors, with grant financing options and debt financing options.
Founder, SingleKey
Pedja was amazing. Super supportive, understanding of our needs and wasn't pushy at all. We've been going back and forth with Swoop for over a year inquiring about different financing options and they were patient until we were ready!
F45 Multi-studio owner
Written by
Ashlyn is a personal finance writer with experience in business and consumer taxes, retirement, and financial services to name a few. She has been published in USA Today, Kiplinger and Investopedia.
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