Here’s what you’ll learn after reading this article:
- Why the difference between need-based and want-based services matters when evaluating the best franchise to buy, especially for entrepreneurs seeking greater stability during changing economic conditions.
- How PuroClean compares to traditional retail franchises through a lean startup structure, lower initial investment, multiple revenue streams, National Account work, and access to residential and commercial restoration opportunities.
- Why experienced multi-unit Franchise Owners Jiri and Hayley Smetana chose PuroClean instead of opening another retail location and went on to expand their restoration business.
After six years of operating two successful Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa locations, Jiri and Hayley Smetana were looking at new husband and wife business ideas. They faced two choices: open another spa location or diversify into a different industry. They chose PuroClean, the largest privately owned restoration franchise.
If you’re researching the best franchise to buy, Jiri and Hayley’s story offers an important perspective. When evaluating their next investment, they asked an important question: Which business would make my overall portfolio stronger?
The couple wanted a business that complemented what they already owned while providing greater stability during changing economic conditions.
Need-Based vs. Want-Based Services
One of the most significant differentiators was the type of demand each business serves. Retail wellness concepts are driven by discretionary consumer spending. Property restoration sits in a recession resistant industry because it serves an essential need. When water, fire, mold, or biohazard damage impacts a home or business, restoration services are required to mitigate further damage and begin the recovery process.
“PuroClean offers a ‘need’ based service as opposed to our two existing businesses that are more of a ‘want’ based business model. This allows PuroClean to be more pandemic, economy, and recession resistant,” said Jiri when he applied to become a PuroClean Franchise Owner.
Restoration demand also spans across many customers. By developing relationships with insurance agents, property managers, general contractors, roofers, plumbers, and other referral partners, Franchise Owners can generate opportunities across residential homes, office buildings, hotels, restaurants, stadiums, retail spaces, and more.
PuroClean vs. Retail Franchise Concepts
Unlike many retail businesses that require a storefront and larger teams, PuroClean Franchise Owners launch without the expense of a brick-and-mortar location. Most begin with a lean team of two to four employees and can open in approximately 90 days, compared to the six to eighteen months often required for traditional retail buildouts.
The initial investment also played a major role in Jiri’s decision. While many retail franchise concepts require investments starting at $300,000 or more, PuroClean’s initial investment ranges from $233,503 to $277,118. The potential for growth far exceeds the initial investment. In 2025, Franchise Owners with a Business Development Representative averaged $5,974,998 in gross sales among the top 10% and 2,788,720 among the top 25%.*
When it comes to retail franchising, the corporate office cannot directly drive customers to your storefront. However, PuroClean’s home services franchise opportunity has secured relationships with three of the top five national insurance carriers, plus dozens of third-party administrators and commercial partners, that enable the Home Office to send qualified Franchise Owners restoration work. In 2025 alone, PuroClean Franchise Owners completed $80,000,000 in National Account work.
The full-service restoration model also creates multiple revenue streams across water, fire, mold, biohazard, reconstruction, and ancillary cleaning services for both residential and commercial properties. Combined with an open territory model, Franchise Owners can build relationships and pursue work anywhere, making it one of the best franchises to buy.
An Established Franchise Support System
Diversifying into a new industry did not mean Jiri and Hayley had to become restoration experts on their own. PuroClean has developed a structured initial franchise training program that guides Franchise Owners through launch and beyond.
The process begins with the RightStart program focused on licensing, insurance, equipment, technology, and other operational tasks required to attend New Franchise Training (NFT). During NFT, Franchise Owners attend three weeks of training at PuroClean’s Home Office in South Florida. The program includes a hands-on experience in PuroClean’s Flood House, one of only 31 in the world. Franchise Owners also learn restoration sales and marketing techniques as well as PuroClean’s software suite.
Following NFT is the PuroMentor Program, where new Franchise Owners spend four to five days working alongside an experienced PuroClean Franchise Owner to receive exposure to live jobs, customer interactions, documentation, estimating, and scheduling. Franchise Owners then enter PuroLaunch, a six-month guided startup program with weekly coaching, KPI tracking, and continued learning alongside their training cohort. The goal is simple: help Franchise Owners reach their first dollar of operating profitability faster.
Beyond initial training, Franchise Owners have a franchise support system of more than 80 professionals and a collaborative network spanning 500+ locations. That infrastructure gives Franchise Owners access to operational, technical, sales, marketing, and business support as they continue building their businesses.
Why Existing Franchise Owners Continue Choosing PuroClean
Looking back on his decision, Jiri believes that flexibility has been one of the biggest advantages of joining PuroClean.
“PuroClean allows a business owner to have the best of both worlds. I am able to tailor my business by offering virtually any type of property-related service. Yet, I still have the privilege of being affiliated with an international brand along with the brand’s support and networking opportunities. Whereas a traditional brick-and-mortar or retail franchise concept really limits a business owner’s ability to tailor the business offerings as well as potential growth.”
That combination of operational flexibility and franchise support is one of the reasons many entrepreneurs continue investing in the brand after opening their first location.
In 2025, 20% of PuroClean’s franchise growth came from existing Franchise Owners expanding their businesses, demonstrating the confidence they have in the brand and business model. Today, 44% of PuroClean Franchise Owners operate multiple territories, and Jiri and Hayley are proud to be part of that group. After entering the restoration industry, they expanded their PuroClean business to three locations, joining a growing group of Franchise Owners who continue investing in the brand.
Which Is the Best Franchise to Buy?
For Jiri and Hayley, the answer was PuroClean. They chose a business that diversified their portfolio, complemented their existing investments, and operated in an industry built around essential services.
Their decision offers an important perspective for other successful and new franchise owners evaluating their next investment: the strongest franchise opportunities combine essential demand, diversified revenue streams, and the infrastructure to support long-term business growth.
To learn more about owning a scalable, high-margin property restoration franchise, request more information today.
FAQ
How does PuroClean compare to a retail franchise?
Compared to many retail franchises, PuroClean offers a leaner path to business ownership with lower overhead, no traditional storefront, and an initial team of just two to four employees. Franchise Owners can open in approximately 90 days, compared to the six to eighteen months often required for a retail buildout, while PuroClean’s initial investment of $233,503 to $277,118 is also lower than many retail franchise concepts.
Why should Franchise Owners diversify into a different industry?
Diversifying into a different industry can reduce a business owner’s dependence on a single customer type, demand cycle, or market condition. Adding a needs-based restoration business like PuroClean to your portfolio creates multiple sources of revenue in an essential service industry.
Can PuroClean Franchise Owners receive work through the franchisor?
Qualified PuroClean Franchise Owners can receive restoration work through established national relationships with insurance carriers, third-party administrators, and commercial partners. In 2025 alone, PuroClean Franchise Owners completed $80 million in National Account work, creating an additional source of opportunities alongside the relationships Franchise Owners build locally.
*With Sales Rep: See 2026 FDD
