What We’ve Done for Operators Like You

Every pest control owner who reaches out to us has built something real, years of early mornings, difficult hires, service calls in the heat, and customer relationships earned one by one. The decision to sell is not just financial. It’s personal. We’ve walked that road alongside operators who built their companies from nothing and came out the other side with their legacy and their families protected.

Meet Chris Murphy | Built From $3,000, Sold at the Right Moment

Chris Murphy started his pest control company in 1999 with a partner and $3,000 each, no outside funding, no safety net. Over the next two decades, he navigated 9/11, the 2008 recession, COVID-19, his own medical challenges, and a partner buyout in 2011. By the time he sold, he was 49 years old, and he hadn’t planned it that way.

“You have to be available when the time presents itself to you to exit,” Chris says. “It may be quite some time and I may not be able to pick that date for it to be as good as it was that day.”

What struck him most wasn’t just the money, it was the weight of the decision itself. “That was definitely the biggest life decision you’ll have,” he reflected. “Not only financially, but across the board, financially, emotionally, family, all of those things in one decision.” He also made clear that price alone doesn’t drive the right outcome: “It’s not always the money. You want the best money you get for the deal you want.”

And when it was done? “I think it went about as well as you can expect it to go.” That outcome didn’t happen by accident. Chris understood something that many operators miss: “People like to do business with people they know, like, and trust.” Having the right team in your corner, one that buyers already respect, changes the entire dynamic of a deal.

Watch Chris’s full story: 

 

How a Proven Process Protected Chris and Jen’s Legacy

Chris and Jen’s experience highlights a reality we see across the industry: the gap between a “good” offer and the true value of a lifetime’s work can be staggering. When Chris reflected on the importance of doing business with people you “know, like, and trust,” he wasn’t just talking about a handshake, he was talking about the leverage that comes from having a team in your corner that the buyers already respect.

For operators like Chris and Jen, an unsolicited offer from a well-known platform or a PE-backed buyer can feel like a compliment, but it is rarely the best outcome. By engaging in a professional, multi-buyer process, they were able to move beyond just a price tag and find a deal that protected their family and their future.

In a 2025 and 2026 market that remains aggressive, with major players like Rollins and regional consolidators constantly hunting for quality recurring-revenue businesses, competition is your greatest asset. But competition only works in your favor when you have a roadmap. Chris and Jen didn’t just sell a business; they navigated a life-changing transition with a process designed to ensure that when the “right moment” presented itself, they were ready to seize it.

The pest control M&A market remains highly active in 2025 and into 2026. Platforms like Rollins continue to pursue acquisitions, including their recent purchase of American Pest Control in Illinois, while regional consolidators and PE-backed buyers are aggressively competing for quality operators in recurring-revenue businesses. (Source: pctonline.com) That competition is your leverage. But only if you know how to use it.

Ready to Explore Your Options?

You have spent years, perhaps decades, building a legacy through early mornings and hard-earned customer loyalty. When the time comes to transition, you shouldn’t have to wonder if you left money, or your legacy, on the table.

Whether you are looking to sell this year or simply want to know where you stand, let’s start a confidential conversation. We’ll help you understand your market value and build a roadmap that puts you in control of your final chapter.

  • Discover Your Worth: Receive a professional valuation to understand your standing in today’s active M&A market.

  • Optimize Your Legacy: Learn how strategic shifts today can attract premium buyers tomorrow.

  • A Partner You Can Trust: Speak directly with our team about your goals, your family, and what “the right deal” looks like for you.

Call us directly: (407) 466-5859

Email: Kemp@KempAnderson.com