Protect what matters with PBC: The Pest Control Insurance Experts!
Since 1934, Program Brokerage Corp. has been the go-to insurance partner for pest management professionals nationwide. As the official endorsed broker of the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), the firm brings industry-leading expertise and tailor-made coverage to keep your business safe and thriving.
Coverage you can count on:
General Liability
Property
Inland Marine
Umbrella Excess
Commercial Auto
Worker’s Compensation
Nationwide coverage (excluding Alabama, Hawaii, South Dakota and Wyoming)
Customized. Cost-Effective. Trusted. Let PBC handle your insurance needs so you can focus on what you do best: protecting homes and businesses.
About PBC
Program Brokerage Corporation (PBC) is a powerful market resource known for its wide range of offerings and capabilities. The New York City-based firm is also a partner for carriers reaching out to the commercial insurance buyer in innovative, cost-effective ways and has pioneered an innovative approach to Purchasing Group Insurance buying, which has won popular acclaim.
Selling your pest control business is one of the most significant financial and personal decisions you will ever make. Whether you have a specific sale price in mind or are just beginning to wonder what your life’s work is realistically worth, the first step should always be aformal valuation. This process moves you from a position of “hoping” for a good outcome to executing a strategy that secures one.
Key takeaways
Align expectations early: A valuation removes assumptions and ensures all parties start from a clear, objective baseline of value.
View your business like a buyer: Gain insight into how sophisticated buyers evaluate metrics like EBITDA, recurring revenue, and route density.
Maximize sale price: Use the valuation to identify and fix operational weaknesses—such as low customer retention or poor route efficiency—before going to market.
Aligning the team and setting expectations
A valuation ensures everyone involved in the sale is starting from the same place. By removing assumptions and setting clear expectations from the beginning, the entire process runs more efficiently.
Gaining a clear understanding of value
You are getting more than just a number. A valuation helps you understand what your business is worth and why. This level of clarity is critical when the time comes to evaluate offers and make final decisions.
Today’s buyers are sophisticated and know exactly what a “best-in-class” company looks like. They focus on recurring revenue, strong EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization), low churn, and route density. They also look for tenured employees, customer retention, and a solid leadership team. A valuation helps you see your business through this same analytical lens.
Improving performance before going to market
A valuation often uncovers hidden opportunities to increase your company’s value. Owners can make meaningful adjustments before the sale, such as strengthening customer retention, reducing expenses, improving pricing, or building more depth in leadership. These changes have a direct impact on the final purchase price.
Creating an objective baseline for decisions
Selling a business is deeply personal, representing years of hard work and sacrifice. Because of this, emotions can easily cloud the process. An independent valuation creates objectivity, keeping your decisions grounded in data rather than sentiment.
Strengthening your negotiating position
When you receive letters of intent (LOIs), you shouldn’t evaluate them in a vacuum. A valuation allows you to compare offers against the market and precedent transactions. This gives you necessary confidence and leverage at the negotiation table.
PHOTO: UCHAR / E+ / GETTY IMAGES
Building a stronger narrative for buyers
From an advisor’s perspective, a valuation allows for a much stronger story. It enables you to communicate your company’s strengths clearly, understand trends, and anticipate buyer concerns before they arise. This builds credibility and moves the due diligence process along more efficiently.
Controlling timing to maximize value
Timing matters in M&A. If a valuation reveals areas that could negatively affect your value, you have the opportunity to address them before officially going to market. Proper preparation can have a meaningful impact on your final financial outcome.
Conclusion
If you are seriously contemplating the sale of your company, do not skip the valuation process. It provides the essential roadmap to navigate the complexities of M&A, ensuring that you transition out of your business with the maximum value you’ve earned through years of dedication.
Based in Atlanta, Ga., Arrow Exterminators operates a modern fleet of more than 3,300 vehicles across 192 service centers, with over 3,500 team members. The company generates more than $450 million in annual revenue, and has been named a Top USA Workplace for four consecutive years. Arrow holds QualityPro accreditation from the National Pest Management Association and provides environmentally responsible services to protect homes and businesses in Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.
Arrow is led by President and COO Tim Pollard, CEO Emily Thomas Kendrick, and Chairman Joe Thomas, a Pest Management Professional Hall of Fame inductee (Class of 2009). The company was founded in 1964 by industry veteran Starkey Thomas and his wife, Jean. Since acquiring its first company in 1988, Arrow has grown by partnering with pest control businesses that share its values and dedication to quality. Today, it stands as the largest family-owned pest and termite control company in the United States.
Arrow offers a full range of services, including pest control, termite protection, mosquito prevention, wildlife control and exclusion, handyman work, insulation services and new construction treatments. These services are available for both residential and commercial customers.
As a third-generation family business, Arrow respects the time and effort it takes to build a successful pest management company. The team understands the importance of creating strong foundations for lasting partnerships and works closely with acquisition partners to ensure a smooth transition for both customers and employees.
Fran Dolan, commercial administrator for JP McHale Pest Management’s Hudson Valley Commercial Branch, has been honored by the Building Owners and Managers Association of New York (BOMA NY) with the “Unsung Heroes” Award. The award recognizes Dolan’s vital role in supporting the commercial real estate sector through exceptional service, operational reliability and industry collaboration.
Fran accepted the award at BOMA NY’s annual event on May 6 in recognition of her consistent commitment to clients, property managers, building owners and field teams across the region. The honor underscores the importance of behind-the-scenes roles that keep commercial properties running smoothly and maintain the efficiency and reliability of commercial property operations.
With ten years at JP McHale, Fran is a key liaison between clients and field operations. She manages a portfolio of high-profile property management accounts, oversees customer-satisfaction initiatives, leads the Smart & Wise rodent-monitoring program, coordinates technician service alerts and ensures timely, high-quality service delivery across multiple regions.
“Fran is an outstanding brand ambassador whose dedication to JP McHale shines through in everything she does,” said Eric Lopes, branch manager, Hudson Valley commercial division. “She consistently demonstrates professionalism with both colleagues and clients, always putting exceptional customer service at the forefront. Her insight, reliability and communication are vital to our daily operations and deeply appreciated.”
Nominated by JP McHale sales professional Robert Lupica, Dolan said the recognition is especially meaningful because her work centers on building trust and providing reassurance during stressful situations.
“People call us when something has upended their lives. It’s overwhelming for them,” Dolan said, in a news release. “I strive to listen and respond with empathy. Reassuring someone that we’re here to help brings relief — that’s why I value these relationships so much; they are built on trust and understanding.”
Fran emphasizes that empathy, clear communication and responsiveness are essential to effective customer service, especially when addressing urgent pest issues. The BOMA NY award follows a prior internal recognition for operational excellence, further highlighting Fran’s ongoing contributions to JP McHale’s commitment to service quality and client satisfaction.
The California Pest Management Association (CAPMA) hosted its largest Legislative Day since 2017 as pest management professionals from across California gathered in Sacramento to meet directly with lawmakers and discuss the operational realities facing the structural pest management industry.
Throughout the event, participants met with legislative offices to address workforce development, licensing timelines, regulatory implementation and the need for policies that remain workable for small and mid-sized businesses while supporting public health.
A key focus of this year’s discussions was Assembly Bill 2477, authored by Assembly member Christopher Chen. The bill is intended to help address workforce pipeline challenges by allowing technicians to begin working under defined conditions while completing the licensing process.
Industry professionals shared firsthand insight on hiring delays, training investments, service capacity limitations and the operational strain extended licensing timelines can place on pest management companies.
“Legislative Day gives our industry the opportunity to have real conversations with policymakers about what is happening on the ground for California businesses,” said Crystelle Turlo, CEO of CAPMA. “This year’s turnout and engagement showed strong commitment to protecting public health while advancing practical, workable solutions that support the future of the profession.”
Participants also reported strong engagement from legislative offices throughout the Capitol, with discussions centered on maintaining professional standards while ensuring businesses can recruit, train and retain a qualified workforce.
CAPMA’s Legislative Day brings licensed pest management professionals into direct conversation with state leaders on issues affecting housing, food facilities, schools, businesses and public health infrastructure across California.
About the California Pest Management Association
The California Pest Management Association represents the state’s structural pest management professionals through advocacy, education and technical resources, supporting the industry’s role in protecting public health, property and the food supply.
