“2020 was a challenging year for everyone, but it was also a year of unusual opportunity,” says Jason Feifer, Entrepreneur editor-in-chief. “Franchises were able to be nimble and innovative, serving the needs of franchisees and customers in ways that will resonate for many years to come. We believe that, when we eventually look back on this time, we’ll see it as a moment when many brands defined themselves for the future.”

When COVID-19 hit hard, Paul Davis teams pivoted to keep the public safe and to fight COVID-19 in workplaces and public buildings of all kinds. As one of the leaders in mitigation and restoration, Paul Davis already had many systems in place to fight against pathogens but amped up for the huge uptick in demand that came their way. The company’s highly trained technicians employ a variety of proven cleaning methodologies to treat areas that may contain the virus. Additionally, as a way to give back, many offices provided complimentary preemptive cleaning services and application of disinfectant to first responders’ vehicles and facilities to help keep their communities safe.

In Entrepreneur’s continuing effort to best understand and evaluate the ever-changing franchise marketplace, the company’s 42-year-old ranking formula continues to evolve as well. The key factors that go into the evaluation include costs and fees, size and growth, support, brand strength, and financial strength and stability. Each franchise is given a cumulative score based on an analysis of more than 150 data points, and the 500 franchises with the highest cumulative scores become the Franchise 500® in ranking order. 

Over its 42 years in existence, the Franchise 500® has become both a dominant competitive measure for franchisors and a primary research tool for potential franchisees. Paul Davis’ position on the ranking is a testament to its strength as a franchise opportunity.

To view Paul Davis in the full ranking, visit www.entrepreneur.com/franchise500. Results can also be seen in the January/February 2021 issue of Entrepreneur, available on newsstands January 26th.