Fort Lauderdale, FL – Unfortunately for U.S. property owners, demand is at an all-time high for PuroClean, the nation’s “Paramedics of Property Damage” – prompting the 125+-unit franchise to appoint an experienced franchising executive as president/COO to provide strategic direction while the “climate is right” for growth.
One of the fastest growing franchise systems in America, PuroClean nearly doubled in size in 2006, growing from 75 franchises in January to more than 125 at the end of the year. To continue that momentum, the company recently announced it has named Keith Gerson, formerly a Vice President for AlphaGraphics, Inc., as President and COO. Gerson’s marketing, sales and operations expertise contributed to improved profitability at both AlphaGraphics and Mrs. Fields Original Cookies, where he created systems that helped move the company to an additional 600 licensed and franchise-owned locations. He also has held senior level positions with Chem-Dry and Jack-in-the-Box Restaurants.
“I’ve had experience and have made a study of many different franchise concepts over the years, and I would have to say that PuroClean has the most incredible business model I’ve seen yet,” Gerson said. “They have a secure spot in a $38 billion market and a recession-proof opportunity in a world where changing weather patterns are creating all kinds of residual effects. You can’t turn the TV set on any given day without seeing a flood, hurricane, fire or other natural or man-made disaster, but what you don’t see is the aftermath. That’s where PuroClean comes in and brings property damage situations under control. We’re the nation’s experts in property damage mitigation and restoration.”
PuroClean is part of a unique franchise system of mitigation and restoration professionals who provide B2B services to insurance companies and property owners. Assisting property owners in their time of need, PuroClean franchisees perform mitigation and restoration services for water, mold, fire, trauma events and other types of losses. As the Paramedics of Property Damage, PuroClean arrives at the scene of a loss, and takes the necessary steps to bring the situation under control, preventing it from becoming worse, and finally providing restoration services to help put the property back to pre-loss condition.
Jeff Johnson, founder & CEO of FranSurvey, an independent research firm that specializes in the franchise industry, said PuroClean sets a solid example of a franchise that focuses on maintaining quality and brand consistency as it continues to grow at a rapid pace.
“Growth is one thing – but maintaining relationships and supporting your franchisees is an entirely different matter,” Johnson said. “PuroClean franchisees completed an independent survey, and the marks were high enough to result in an endorsement of PuroClean as a `World Class Franchise.’”
Gerson noted that the company’s founders, Dick Spohn and Rory O’Dwyer, laid a strong foundation over the past 16 years for a bright future. Now, Gerson said he plans to build on their success, focusing on solidifying best practices for franchisees and helping to build national brand awareness of the concept. He projects approximately 85 new franchisees will sign on in 2007, at the same time putting an emphasis on strong marketing programs for existing PuroClean franchisees, noting, “the battle for market share will be fought and won at the local level by owners who understand the importance of deepening relationships and value-added services.”
PuroClean founder Dick Spohn said the timing was ideal to bring on a franchising, marketing and operations expert like Gerson to lead the company forward.
“At some point, every founder needs to evaluate their company and take the necessary steps to allow it to flourish at the next level,” Spohn said. “A professional leader like Keith has the outside experience, marketing savvy and vision needed to help maximize our growth potential.”
Serving a $38 billion dollar recession-proof niche industry in one of the largest customer bases in the country, PuroClean’s technology allows people to repair their homes and regain their lives after a disaster. Quickly providing the insurance community and property owners with disaster restoration and mitigation services, PuroClean minimizes loss and prevents additional damage from mold, soot, smoke and odors to structure and contents.
PuroClean franchisees do not need previous restoration industry experience; in fact, the majority of the system’s franchisees have strong marketing and sales backgrounds. New franchisees receive hands-on experience training with the company’s fire and flood simulators at the PuroClean company headquarters in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Initial three-week in-house training programs also include marketing, estimating and other phases of the business, while field trainers provide franchisees with additional field training at their location. Start-up costs range between $83,000 and $122,000, and many PuroClean franchisees operate the business from home, leasing space for storage equipment, and receive a protected territory to provide services.
About PuroClean
The PuroClean concept was introduced in 2001 as a response to a need in the industry. PuroClean franchisees service a $40 billion dollar recession-proof niche industry in one of the largest customer bases in the country — the insurance property claims industry. PuroClean is an emergency restoration service business providing services to insurance companies and property owners for water damage, mold, smoke, fire clean up, and trauma events. Currently, 128 PuroClean franchise units operate nationwide and in Canada. Entrepreneur magazine’s January 2007 issue ranked PuroClean in the upper half of the Top 500 Franchises in the United States. For more information, visit www.purocleanopportunity.com.
