1851

With 30 years of experience in construction and restoration, Jimmy McDaniel built homes, managed projects and even scaled his own restoration business to $3 million in just four years. But after selling that company in 2022, he found himself at a crossroads. While he considered returning to home building, his passion for restoration and the opportunity to create something lasting drew him back.That’s when he discovered&nbsp;<a href="https://uwrgfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=from-contractor-to-franchise-owner-why-united-water-restoration-group-was-the-right-choice-for-jimmy-mcdaniel-2728904" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">United Water Restoration Group (UWRG)</a>. Unlike other franchises he explored,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/unitedwaterrestoration/info">UWRG</a> stood out with its strong branding, scalable model, and genuine investment in its Franchise Owners' success. Attending Discovery Day confirmed it — this was a company that truly supported its owners. With a recession-resistant industry, proven systems and a team that has his back, he knew UWRG was the right fit. Now, as a franchise owner, he’s building a business that not only secures his future but also serves his community, proving that the right franchise can be the key to long-term success.1851 Franchise recently sat down with McDaniel to discuss his journey from construction and restoration to franchising with UWRG. Here’s what he had to say:1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What do you want us to know?Jimmy McDaniel: I’ve spent my entire career in construction and restoration, building a strong foundation of hands-on experience. I started in the industry in 1993, working in roofing, home building and restoration. Over the years, I’ve worn many hats — from local contractor to project manager to business owner — gaining 30 years of experience along the way.In 2015, I started a restoration business with four other guys, growing it into a $3 million company in just four years. But as the company grew, so did the challenges — too many cooks in the kitchen, differing visions. In 2022, we decided to sell. While I considered returning to home building, I realized that restoration was where my expertise and passion truly lay. That’s what led me to franchising and ultimately to United Water Restoration Group.1851: What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?McDaniel:&nbsp;After selling my business in 2022, I explored different opportunities, including home building, but franchising caught my attention. I looked into several franchise brands, including PuroClean, but it didn’t feel like the right fit. When I came across UWRG, I was drawn in by their branding, their business model and their Franchise Owner support.What stood out to me was the ability to start small and scale, without the overwhelming financial burden that some other franchises required. More importantly, the company genuinely cares about its Franchise Owners. After attending Discovery Day, I walked away feeling confident that UWRG would support me every step of the way.1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a Franchise Owner, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?McDaniel: At first, I thought franchising was just a big money grab. I assumed I could do it all on my own — after all, I knew how to restore homes and run a business. But once I started researching, I realized how much value a franchise brings.Franchising provides a proven system, strong branding and built-in marketing support. As someone who didn’t grow up with technology, having corporate guidance in areas like digital marketing and lead generation has been invaluable. Instead of spending time and money building everything from scratch, I could step into a well-structured system and focus on growing my business.1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?McDaniel:&nbsp;Discovery Day was what sealed the deal for me. Meeting the leadership team and seeing first-hand how much they invest in their Franchise Owners convinced me this was the right choice. They don’t just sell franchises — they make sure you’re prepared for success with thorough training, ongoing support and a clear roadmap.I was also drawn to the UWRG brand itself — it’s well-established but still growing, which gives me the opportunity to make a real impact. The combination of a strong support system, a scalable business model and the ability to build something meaningful in my community is what excites me most.1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?McDaniel: My main goals are financial stability and long-term success. I want to build a business that not only supports my family but also contributes to my community. Over time, I plan to scale and expand, ensuring that we continue providing high-quality restoration services while growing the brand’s reputation in my market.1851: Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?McDaniel:&nbsp;I didn’t have a real mentor in life—both my father and grandfather passed away when I was younger—so finding a franchise system that truly has my back was important to me. UWRG provides that level of support, and I’m excited to be part of something bigger.1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?McDaniel: Make sure the franchise you choose is the right fit for you. You should feel energized by the brand and confident in its leadership. Do your homework, talk to other Franchise Owners and go with the opportunity that speaks to you — not just financially, but personally as well. If you’re passionate about the business, success will follow.About United Water Restoration GroupSince 2008, United Water Restoration Group (UWRG) has helped thousands of home and business owners restore properties to pre-loss condition. Through a commitment to excellence and a focus on personal attention, clients’ expectations are exceeded every time, without exception. Today, with a philosophy of hiring the best staff to provide professional restoration services, UWRG has grown to more than 80 locations and maintains a level of customer service rarely seen in the industry. Although UWRG assists those experiencing disasters, this growing, recession-proof industry is also supported by fundamental infrastructure issues like aging systems and reconstruction.&nbsp;The initial investment to open and begin operation ranges from $214,300 (single unit) to $627,400 (six units). For more information on franchising, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://uwrgfranchise.com/investment-opportunities/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=from-contractor-to-franchise-owner-why-united-water-restoration-group-was-the-right-choice-for-jimmy-mcdaniel-2728904" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://uwrgfranchise.com/investment-opportunities/</a>.

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Jimmy McDaniel and United Water Restoration Group logo

From Contractor to Franchise Owner: Jimmy McDaniel's UWRG Journey

1851 Franchise

 A lifetime in construction and restoration led McDaniel to a thriving UWRG business in Salisbury, North Carolina — and a new chapter in franchising.

From Contractor to Franchise Owner: Why United Water Restoration Group Was the Right Choice for Jimmy McDaniel

from-contractor-to-franchise-owner-why-united-water-restoration-group-was-the-right-choice-for-jimmy-mcdaniel

SweatHouz

Science, Wellness, Growth: How SweatHouz CEO Mike Tan is Shaping the Future of Contrast Therapy Franchising

mike-tan-franchising-strategy-sweathouz

Biscuit Belly Franchising

Biscuit Belly Expands Across the Southeast U.S. With Six New Locations

biscuit-belly-expands-across-the-southeast-us-with-six-new-locations

Layne's Chicken Fingers

Photo of exterior of Layne's Chicken Fingers restaurant

Layne’s Chicken Fingers Signs Landmark 44-Restaurant Deal, Shatters Records in Monumental Third Quarter

laynes-chicken-franchise-growth-records

Children's Lighthouse

Why Children’s Lighthouse Is a Great Opportunity for Swim School Franchisees

why-childrens-lighthouse-is-a-great-opportunity-for-swim-school-franchisees

Children’s Lighthouse Closes the Third Quarter with Record Franchise Signings and New School Opening

childrenslighthouse-q3-2025-growth

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Amazon outage, AWS outage, Amazon AWS logo

The Day the Cloud Stalled: How Amazon's Outage Impacted Franchise Economy

amazon-aws-outage-franchise-impact-travel-dining-failure

Thursday 1851 Franchise Agg - NASAA’s Noncompete Push

NASAA’s Noncompete Push Puts Franchise Growth on Uncertain Ground

franchise-noncompete-nasaa-advisory-reasonableness-standard

How a Steady Economy Could Help Franchisors Plan Their Next Move

how-a-steady-economy-could-help-franchisors-plan-their-next-move

Bed Bath & Beyond - Franchise Expansion - Retail Strategy - 1851 Franchise

Bed Bath & Beyond Launches Franchise Model as Part of Comeback Strategy

bed-bath-beyond-franchise-expansion-retail-strategy

Senior Entrepreneurship - Franchising - 1851 Franchise

Senior Entrepreneurship Is Rising — And Franchising Is a Key Outlet

senior-entrepreneurship-franchising-silver-startups

image of jerome hanway from right at home Las Cruces, New Mexico 1851 franchise franchisee spotlight

Jerome Hanway Is Building His Right at Home Franchise Around His Mission To Serve

right-at-home-franchise-las-cruces-jerome-hanway

graphic image of an 1851 franchisee spotlight brayden and johnny steven of teriyaki madness

Father-and-Daughter Team Bring Teriyaki Madness to Wichita, Kansas, With Big Expansion Plans

johnny-brayden-steven-teriyaki-madness-wichita

1851 Franchisee Spotlight graphic with photo of Barb Volk and KidStrong logo

Why This Orangetheory Fitness Franchise Owner Is Developing KidStrong Franchises

kidstrong-franchise-owner-barb-volk-2025

photo-of-laynes-chicken-fingers-dalton-dennis-southern-oregon

23-Year-Old Entrepreneur Brings Soon to Be Famous Chicken™ to Southern Oregon With 3-Unit Layne’s Chicken Fingers Franchise Signing

laynes-chicken-fingers-dalton-dennis-southern-oregon

A Practical Playbook: Who To Call First When Franchising Your Business

franchising-your-business-who-to-call-first

NJCAR v. Ford - New Jersey Supreme Court Limits Standing Under Franchise Practices Act

New Jersey Supreme Court Limits Standing Under Franchise Practices Act

new-jersey-franchise-practices-act-njcar-v-ford

image of franchise deep dive from 1851 franchise on doody calls franchise authority brands

DoodyCalls Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

doodycalls-franchise-deep-dive

From Contractor to Franchise Owner: Why United Water Restoration Group Was the Right Choice for Jimmy McDaniel

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS