ServiceMaster was founded in 1929, as a moth-proofing company by Marion E. Wade, a former minor league baseball player. Wade, who operated his new business out of his home, had a strong personal faith and viewed individual employees and customers as worthy of dignity and respect.

The company was incorporated in 1947. Its offerings expanded to include carpet cleaning in 1952, establishing one of America's first franchise businesses. In 1962, the company took its expertise to the healthcare arena and was a pioneer in third-party outsourcing. In 1980, ServiceMaster entered the education market and expanded its range of commercial services.