PuroClean is proud to highlight the entrepreneurial journey of Keegan Trudgen and Tim Lohse, who were recently featured in a U.S. Chamber of Commerce article showcasing franchise entrepreneurs who have built multimillion-dollar businesses.
Trudgen’s journey with PuroClean began in 2013 when he recognized the opportunity to invest in a growing national brand with a strong reputation in property restoration. Through careful planning and strategic expansion, he and Lohse have grown their business to 10 locations across Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Green Bay, and Milwaukee, serving over 2,500 clients annually and generating $15 million in revenue—all without relying on outside bank financing. Their PuroClean locations include:
- PuroClean of Elk Grove Village/Schaumburg – Wood Dale, IL
- PuroClean of Northbrook – Northbrook, IL
- PuroClean of Lincoln Park/Bucktown – Chicago, IL
- PuroClean of Orland Park – Orland Park, IL
- PuroClean of Waterford Township – Waterford, MI
- PuroClean of Plymouth – Plymouth, MI
- PuroClean of Waukesha/Brookfield – Waukesha, WI
- PuroClean of Green Bay – Green Bay, WI
- PuroClean of Park Cities/North Dallas – Dallas, TX
- PuroClean of Coppell – Coppell, TX
“It was a growing national brand with a good reputation, and I felt with the company’s support I could build a scalable business,” Trudgen recalled.
His decision paid off, as he and Lohse have successfully expanded their PuroClean operation while maintaining a high level of service and operational excellence.
A Strategic Approach to Growth
Trudgen’s decision to invest in PuroClean wasn’t made lightly. Before purchasing his first franchise, he conducted thorough due diligence, carefully reviewing PuroClean’s franchising disclosure document, startup costs, and corporate support structure to ensure the investment aligned with his long-term vision.
Three years later, he brought in Tim Lohse, a longtime friend with 20+ years of corporate management experience, to help expand their business. Recognizing the opportunity for multi-unit ownership, they worked closely with PuroClean’s leadership team to develop a multi-unit program in 2016, allowing franchisees to own and operate multiple locations per territory.
Their disciplined financial approach also played a key role in their success. Rather than seeking outside bank financing, they self-funded all expansions, leveraging compounded returns of 40% annually over the last decade to grow their footprint without debt.
With a strong focus on operational efficiency, customer service, and team development, Trudgen and Lohse have built one of the most successful multi-unit PuroClean franchise operations in the country.
For the full feature on their franchise journey, read the U.S. Chamber of Commerce article.
