SPS PoolCare, the largest swimming pool services company in the United States, celebrated its fifth anniversary by completing its acquisition of Good Boy Pool Services and reaching the milestone of 50,000 recurring maintenance customers.  The acquisition expands SPS PoolCare’s service area to the Atlanta market and marks more than 220 acquisitions since its founding.

Backed by Storr Group, SPS PoolCare operates across Texas, Florida, Arizona, Nevada, and Georgia, serving more than 50,000 weekly recurring residential and commercial customers and performing over 2.5 million pool services annually. SPS PoolCare leverages technology to streamline operations, enhance service delivery, and elevate the customer experience across every market it serves.

“This anniversary marks five years of building something the pool industry has never seen before, and our Atlanta market expansion with Good Boy Pool Services is proof that we are not slowing down,” said Lance Martin, CEO of SPS PoolCare. “Our exceptional team and technology-forward approach gives us the tools to grow quickly while never losing sight of what matters most: delivering exceptional service to every customer, every time.”

SPS PoolCare’s growth trajectory includes recent landmark acquisitions of Pool Troopers and the majority of the pool service operations of Amenity Pool Services, two of the largest pool service companies in the United States.  Those acquisitions significantly expanded SPS PoolCare’s geographic presence across the Sunbelt, added thousands of new customers, and established the foundation for the company’s continued expansion into new markets, including Atlanta.

“Five years ago, we set out with a simple goal: build the most trusted pool services company in the country,” said Fraser Ramseyer, Founder of SPS PoolCare and Founder and CEO of Storr Group. “More than 220 acquisitions later, that mission remains unchanged. Every business that joins SPS strengthens our ability to invest in our people, technology, and local operations while preserving the customer relationships that made those businesses successful.”

SPS PoolCare continues to pursue acquisitions in existing and new markets as it works toward becoming the most comprehensive pool services platform in the nation.

About SPS PoolCare:

As the #1 swimming-pool services company in the United States, SPS PoolCare is on track to perform over 2,500,000 weekly recurring pool services in 2026 and employs more than 1,300 staff across five states. Backed by Storr Group, the company is focused on growing its family of brands across the Sun Belt as it continues to make owning a pool a joy. SPS PoolCare is committed to creating a world-class service experience for its customers and being an employer-of-choice for its team members. Read more at spspoolcare.com

About Storr Group:

Storr Group is an operationally focused lower-middle-market private equity firm that backs, builds, and scales industry-leading platforms. With a rich background in business building, Storr combines world-class operators with strategic M&A, deep integration, and sophisticated technology to drive sustainable growth and long-term value. Storr Group has offices in West Palm Beach, New York City, and Austin. To partner today, visit storrgroup.com

Poolwerx, the largest global franchise pool service brand, is targeting San Antonio, Texas for franchise growth as the brand continues expanding in high-growth markets across the U.S.

The move comes as Texas continues to stand out as a leading market for franchise development. According to the International Franchise Association’s 2026 Franchising Economic Outlook, Texas ranks as the top state for franchise growth and is home to more than 86,000 franchise locations employing more than 910,000 people.

“With Poolwerx USA headquartered in Farmers Branch, Texas has always been an important market for our brand, and the growing demand makes San Antonio the perfect place to continue our U.S. expansion,” said Darlene Viering, Senior Vice President of Franchise Development at Poolwerx. “It combines strong regional growth with the characteristics that make for a compelling pool service market, and we see real opportunity to partner with entrepreneurs who want to build a scalable local business with the support of an established brand.”

San Antonio offers an attractive combination of steady population growth and long-term residential development. U.S. Census reporting shows the city added nearly 24,000 residents between 2023 and 2024, highlighting its momentum as one of the country’s fastest-growing large cities.

For Poolwerx, San Antonio aligns with the brand’s broader focus on markets where residential growth, pool maintenance needs and strong consumer demand support long-term opportunity for professional pool care. The company has previously identified Texas as a key expansion priority in its U.S. growth strategy.

“As more entrepreneurs look for business opportunities backed by recurring revenue and strong consumer demand, we believe San Antonio offers a compelling environment for franchise development,” said Marla Mock, COO of Poolwerx USA. “Our model is designed to give franchise owners the training, operational support and brand foundation they need to build a business that can scale with their market.”

Poolwerx continues to expand its national footprint while helping homeowners maintain healthier pools through dependable, professional pool care backed by a globally recognized brand. Poolwerx is actively seeking franchise candidates across the U.S. who are entrepreneurial, community-minded, and growth-focused.

About Poolwerx
Poolwerx is the world’s largest pool and spa maintenance franchise brand, dedicated to helping people create poolside memories. Established in Australia in 1992, Poolwerx has grown to more than 186 retail stores, over 720 service vehicles, and 450+ exclusive territories worldwide. The brand delivers a comprehensive range of products and services designed to keep pools and spas healthy and safe, including professional water testing and balancing, pool cleaning, scheduled and ad hoc maintenance, chemical and equipment sales, system upgrades, installations, repairs, and expert advice. Serving both residential and commercial clients, Poolwerx combines local expertise with industry-leading systems, marketing strength, and operational support. Discover more about the franchise opportunity at: https://poolwerxfranchising.com.

For years, pool service has had a reputation for being a simple business. Show up, clean the pool, balance the water, and move on to the next stop. And in many ways, that’s still true: the work is hands-on, local, and built on trust.

But in 2026, the data makes one thing obvious: the businesses winning in pool service aren’t winning because they’re grinding harder. They’re winning because they’re operating with more discipline.

That’s the defining story in Skimmer’s 2026 State of Pool Service report, built from survey insights from more than 1,600 pool pros, plus platform data from over 35,000 Skimmer users servicing more than 1,000,000 pools each month.

Demand is still strong. The market is still durable. But the industry is entering a phase where professionalism is no longer a nice-to-have. It’s the dividing line between companies that grow with control and companies that grow into chaos.

Here are the biggest takeaways shaping what pool service looks like in 2026—and what the smartest operators are doing about it.

1) The market is stable, durable, and still growing

Pool service continues to benefit from a rare advantage in home services: maintenance isn’t optional. Once a homeowner owns a pool, recurring care becomes necessary, creating a dependable base of ongoing demand.

The report clearly frames the opportunity: there are roughly 10.7 million pools in the U.S., including 10.4 million residential pools, and residential pool owners spend an average of about $1,700 per year on maintenance.

And interest is rising, not fading. Total annual search volume across major pool categories is up 22% from 2022 to 2025 (29.7M to 36.3M), signaling that pool care demand is holding strong well beyond the post-pandemic surge.

What it means: The market isn’t disappearing. The winners will be the operators who build businesses capable of delivering consistent service at scale.

2) The biggest risks are the same ones owners feel every day

If you want a reality check on what’s shaping the industry, the report delivers it: pool pros still see macroeconomic conditions as the biggest swing factor heading into 2026.

Nearly 40% rank economic conditions—such as inflation, interest rates, and consumer spending—as the #1 factor affecting their business.

Costs are also a looming variable. Most operators expect tariffs to raise prices over the next year: 47% anticipate slight cost increases, and 18% expect significant increases.

What it means: 2026 rewards operators who know their numbers and price with intention, rather than reacting late after margins have already eroded.

3) Customer expectations are rising, and digital proof is part of service now

Pool service has always been built on trust, but in 2026, homeowners want trust backed by visibility.

Pool pros believe customers will increasingly expect:

• Digital communication and photo/video reporting 
• Consistent technician assignments 
• Eco-friendly or low-chemical options 

This is a major shift in what defines “great service.” The quality of the water still matters, but it’s no longer the full story. Consistency, transparency, and communication are becoming part of the product.

What it means: Operators who systematize reporting and customer communication will retain customers more easily and build pricing power faster.

4) Optimism is rising in a measured, disciplined way

Pool pros aren’t blindly bullish. They’re confident because they’re building stronger operations.

This year, 64% expect to bring in more revenue than last year, while only 8% expect a decrease.

The report also points to a mindset shift: owners are moving away from growth that depends on piling on more stops, and toward “better revenue per stop.”

What it means: The industry is maturing. Growth in 2026 is about execution quality, not only customer volume.

5) Efficiency is the #1 growth strategy—and some owners are cutting accounts on purpose

When asked how they plan to hit their 2026 goals, operators aren’t betting on a single lever. They’re using a more balanced playbook.

The top strategies for 2026 include:

• 61% will find internal efficiencies and streamline services
• 47% will increase marketing spend
• 42% will expand into other service lines (repairs, renovations, builds, etc.)
• 24% will reduce customer count and increase profitability per pool

That last number is one of the most telling signals in the entire report. A quarter of operators are willing to trim accounts to protect route health and profitability.

What it means: In 2026, smart growth often looks like doing fewer things better—and charging appropriately for it.

6) Pricing is stabilizing, but chemical billing is evolving fast

Pricing in 2026 is becoming more consistent and more structured across the industry. Monthly billing is now the clear standard, with 76% of companies billing monthly and only 19% billing per stop.

But the biggest shift is how operators handle chemicals. In 2026:

• 45% include chemicals in the monthly price
• 30% bill chemicals separately
• 25% use a hybrid model

This reflects a market that’s tired of absorbing chemical volatility inside a flat rate. It’s also a sign that customers are becoming more accustomed to transparent billing.

What it means: “Chems included” is no longer the default strategy for protecting margin. More operators are moving toward clarity and cost control.

7) Software is no longer a differentiator—it’s becoming the baseline

The report makes it clear that modern pool service businesses are building cleaner, more connected operations stacks: fewer disconnected tools, tighter workflows, and systems that support the full job cycle from scheduling to billing.

Among companies planning to purchase software in 2026, 68% plan to buy an all-in-one solution.

AI is entering the conversation too, but in a measured way:

• 16% actively using AI tools
• 31% testing or exploring
• 45% interested but not using yet

And owners have clear guardrails. 40% say they would never trust AI to fully handle invoicing and payments.

What it means: Technology is becoming operational infrastructure. The competitive edge comes from how well systems are implemented—not whether they exist at all.

2026 is the year that organized operators pull away

The State of Pool Service in 2026 isn’t defined by chaos or collapse. It’s defined by a widening gap.

On one side: businesses running on memory, habit, and heroic effort.

On the other: businesses running on systems—clear pricing, consistent service standards, documented work, and modern communication.

The report’s message is simple: demand is steady, but expectations are rising. The operators who win in 2026 will be the ones who treat pool service like the professional operation it has become—disciplined, digital, and built to scale.Download the full 2026 State of Pool Service report from Skimmer now, for more insights, benchmarks and helpful tools to successfully tackle everything 2026 has in store.