FRANCHISE·WATCH·DESK

SBA 7(a)/504 FOIA · FY1991–PRESENT · WASHINGTON

SERVPRO franchise in Washington: what the public record shows

Franchisees of SERVPRO in Washington have taken 15 SBA loans in the FY1991–present FOIA files (average $1,131,833). Fewer than 30 of them were approved through FY2020 and have resolved, so no local loss ratio is published. SERVPRO's national ratio is 0.5×. Its latest FDD Item 20 state table reports 57 franchised outlets in Washington (fiscal 2025) — about 0.72 per 100k residents.

SBA loan outcomes · Washingtonvs same-year franchise loans

Loans in WA

15

Charged off (all years)

1 of 10

Loss ratio in WA

—

Loss ratio nationally

0.5×

Source: SBA 7(a)/504 FOIA files (data.sba.gov), borrower state = WA. Loss ratio = charge-offs among loans approved through FY2020 ÷ the charge-offs expected if each had defaulted at the national rate for franchise loans approved the same year; 1.0× is the same. Only charged-off and paid-in-full loans count. A ratio is shown at 30+ such loans; “not clear” marks a ratio chance alone could produce. The all-years count mixes every era and is evidence, not a rate to compare. Borrowers are matched to the brand by name and SBA franchise code; some matches may be wrong or missing.

Market density · Washington vs nationalDense market

Businesses in this industry

2,552

statewide, all operators

Per 100k residents

32.1

national 26.7

Versus the country

+20%

denser

Every business in SERVPRO's industry operating in Washington — franchised and independent — from the Census Bureau's County Business Patterns (2023), against 2024 population estimates. Counter-intuitively, density is not a warning: across the brand-state cells in the loan data, denser markets have historically charged off less often than the thinnest (see the research page). A crowded market is usually proven demand; an empty one is often empty for a reason.

Labor cost · Washington vs nationalTypical wages

Avg weekly wage, this industry

$737

Washington, BLS QCEW 2025

National average

$659

same industry, all states

Versus the country

+12%

costlier to staff

What SERVPRO's industry actually pays workers in Washington, from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (2025), employment-weighted across counties. This cost signal is independent of the FDD: a market can look demand-rich above and still carry a margin headwind here if local wages run hot for the sector.

Franchised outlets in Washington · FDD Item 20+57 over the disclosed window
Fiscal yearFranchisedCompany-owned
201400
201500
201600
2023470
2024510
2025570
Same-sector systems with SBA loan history in Washington6 systems
SystemLoans in WACharged off (all years)Loss ratio in WAUnits in WA
SERVICEMASTER RESTORE172 of 10—37
Chem-Dry71 of 6——
MERRY MAIDS70 of 1—24
MOLLY MAID70 of 4—16
Paul Davis Restoration60 of 5—6
RESTORATION 150 of 5—18

Other systems in SERVPRO's sector whose franchisees borrowed in Washington. A loss ratio appears only where at least 30 loans approved through FY2020 have resolved; “—” means too few.

Before you sign anythingfree · 30 min · no commission

A broker is usually paid by the franchisor to place you. I'm paid only by you, never by a franchisor you're considering — and the job is pressure-testing SERVPRO’s numbers, including talking you out of a bad deal.

Don Drummond, CPA — Virginia #43775 · what I charge

Book a free 30-minute call →