In addition to being named as part of our prestigious list, this year’s Top 50 Service companies have plenty of reasons for a positive outlook.
Among other pieces of good news: Few of this year’s Top 50 reported decreases in accounts, revenues or profits for 2025 so far. But between those three data points, the most decreases were seen in profits, with 12.8% of the Top 50 reporting a drop in profits compared to autumn of last year. On the other hand, only 8.5% are seeing lower revenue, and a mere 4.2% report having fewer accounts now than the same time in 2024. Those who did experience increases reported more generous hikes in revenues and accounts, but modest ones in profits.
When they close the books on 2025, only 8.5% of these service firms expect to look back on decreased revenues compared with all of 2024, while 4.3% expect a flat year compared with last year. About 62% expect modest increases of 10% or less.
Rising costs no doubt are contributing to the struggle to maintain profits. When asked how costs are affecting their businesses, only 4.3% reported losing jobs because of price increases, but fully 23.4% said price hikes are making it more difficult to attract customers. Meanwhile, 53% of respondents said they raised their prices in 2025 to keep up with inflation, while 8.5% have chosen to absorb cost increases for the time being.
With all the consolidation currently taking place, this group mostly maintains its independent bent. About 66% said they would not consider joining a consolidator, or that they feel ambivalent about it. Still, just under 28% already are part of a consolidation model or actively pursuing joining one. Another 6.4% said they would consider it.
Not only large consolidators have the expansion bug. Of the Top 50, 42.5% expect to make an acquisition or open new locations in 2026, while another 4.2% are open to the possibility.
It’s clear that, once again, these firms are boosting their marketing efforts to better position their companies for success. A full 72.3% have recently increased their marketing budgets.
Check out the results to see what other changes they’re making, and to see their responses to other questions.
