1851

<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/gervasse-talbot-154206205/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=from-engineering-to-restoration-why-gervasse-talbot-chose-to-franchise-with-united-water-restoration-group-2727783" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Gervasse Talbot</a>, the latest&nbsp;<a href="https://uwrgfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=from-engineering-to-restoration-why-gervasse-talbot-chose-to-franchise-with-united-water-restoration-group-2727783" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">United Water Restoration Group (UWRG)</a> franchise owner, is a former chief electrical engineer with a strong background in both the military and civilian sectors. His career began with hands-on experience in the military, where he gained expertise in rocket science and jet engine maintenance. Transitioning to the civilian workforce, he climbed the ranks at a New Jersey power plant, eventually taking on the role of chief electrical engineer and trainer.&nbsp;The turning point for Talbot came in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Witnessing the extensive damage and the urgent need for large-scale restoration services, he realized a significant gap in the industry, particularly in the industrial sector. This sparked his interest in franchising as a way to address these unmet needs. Talbot saw franchising as more than just a business opportunity; it was a way to provide crucial services to communities around Doylestown, Pennsylvania, that were recovering from disasters.&nbsp;Talbot chose&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/unitedwaterrestoration/info">UWRG</a> because he was impressed by its strong brand and mission, which matched his own values. Through his research, he found that UWRG had a great reputation and a supportive network, which are essential for success in franchising. He was also excited about the company's growth potential, both in the U.S. and internationally. Talbot's goal is to expand UWRG's services to places like Ghana, where disaster recovery is urgently needed.1851 Franchise spoke to Talbot about his franchise journey with United Water Restoration Group and his plans for the future.&nbsp;1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us.&nbsp;What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?Gervasse Talbot: Before franchising with UWRG, I was a chief electrical engineer at a power plant in New Jersey. My role at the power plant was mainly as a trainer. I started off in the department that handled jet engines. We rebuilt them, swapped them, and ran them — everything. This experience ties back to my background in the military, where I learned about rocket science.After Hurricane Sandy, I realized there was an absolute need for restoration on a large scale, beyond just residential and commercial. That's what drew me to franchising. While we're good with residential and commercial remediation and loss mitigation, there's a huge gap in the industrial sector that has great potential. I wanted to provide a service that I saw was really needed.Restoration done right is crucial, especially for owners who've suffered a loss or damages. It's important to have someone who genuinely wants to restore their property to satisfactory conditions rather than just making a quick buck. This is often missing in the restoration industry.&nbsp;I saw disappointed agents, unhappy property owners and particularly frustrated industrial managers due to a lack of vision in what's necessary for recovery efforts.In franchising, I wanted to take ownership of something. I left my electrical engineering job to get into restoration because I saw an opportunity. Some people said I had it good where I was, but I love this opportunity. I'm confident that when everything is up and running, this will propel United Water to the next level of restoration. There's a huge need for large-scale infrastructure restoration, and I want to be part of that decision-making group.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?Talbot:&nbsp;I didn't have a clear opinion of franchising initially. I thought it was just a way for big businesses to make money off smaller ones. But now I see that franchising offers a huge support system and complete guidance. If you lack motivation, you can get it with the right franchise team, which I know I have. I have some great mentors who've been helping me, and I'm excited to impress them and get everything going.1851:&nbsp;What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Talbot:&nbsp;I picked United Water because they have a great logo and a compelling story. From my research, I found nothing negative about them.1851:&nbsp;What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?&nbsp;Talbot:&nbsp;I want to expand to an international scale, starting with Ghana, which has been in a natural disaster state for hundreds of years. My goal is to provide them with true guidance and a new headquarters. It might sound ambitious, but I've had to fight very hard to get here, and I'm willing to keep fighting. I've always been considered an underdog, and every day I get one step closer.1851:&nbsp;What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?Talbot:&nbsp;I want you to know it wasn't easy. The odds were monumental, especially for someone new to this industry. The franchise has a strong foothold because they take care of their people. UWRG has shown up for their employees, and the growth I've seen in their franchises has been motivating.1851:&nbsp;What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?Talbot:&nbsp;Study and read. Educate yourself thoroughly. Don't just watch a few videos and think you're ready. Take the time to understand the industry and see where you can make a difference. If you're only in it for the money, you're not going to succeed. You need to see where you can provide real value.With my background in electrical engineering, I want to bring immediate services after a disaster, like providing electrical power. People don't often think about this, but after a loss, power needs to be restored as soon as possible. There's a lot of knowledge required that you must be willing to acquire. If you want to come into this franchise, you must be committed to doing the work and seeing what is needed before making any decisions.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 $159,342 to $441,874. For more information on franchising, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://uwrgfranchise.com/investment-opportunities/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=from-engineering-to-restoration-why-gervasse-talbot-chose-to-franchise-with-united-water-restoration-group-2727783" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://uwrgfranchise.com/investment-opportunities/</a>.

From Engineering to Restoration: Why Gervasse Talbot Chose to Franchise With UWRG

Why Gervasse Talbot Chose to Franchise With UWRG in Doylestown

1851 Franchise

This veteran and former electrical engineer is bringing the disaster recovery franchise to Doylestown, Pennsylvania, to provide restoration on an industrial scale. 

From Engineering to Restoration: Why Gervasse Talbot Chose to Franchise With United Water Restoration Group 

from-engineering-to-restoration-why-gervasse-talbot-chose-to-franchise-with-united-water-restoration-group

Lawn Doctor

Happinest-Lawn-Doctor-Franchisee-Ralph-Valle-Profile-Jacksonville-FL-June-2025

From Near-Quit to 7 Figures: Success With Lawn Doctor in Jacksonville, Florida

lawn-doctor-franchise-success-jacksonville

Atomic Wings

Atomic Wings Debuts in Metro East With Fairview Heights Grand Opening

atomic-wings-debuts-in-metro-east-with-fairview-heights-grand-opening

Pet Wants

Pet Wants Shares Expert Tips on Cleaning Pet Gear Safely in the Dishwasher

pet-wants-shares-expert-tips-on-cleaning-pet-gear-safely-in-the-dishwasher

Griswold

Griswold in Andover, Minnesota, Connects Students and Seniors Through Pen Pal Program

griswold-in-andover-minnesota-connects-students-and-seniors-through-pen-pal-program

HomeTeam Inspection Service

Photo of HomeTeam Inspection Service franchisee Max Moarefdoust

Corporate Employee Turned Owner Illustrates the Power of the HomeTeam Model

max-moarefdoust-hometeam-success

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

Chick-fil-A Tops Customer Satisfaction Rankings for 11th Year as Challenger Brands Gain Ground

chick-fil-a-tops-customer-satisfaction-rankings-for-11th-year-as-challenger-brands-gain-ground

Technomic Releases Annual Ranking of the Top 15 Fast-Food Chains in the U.S.

technomic-releases-annual-ranking-of-the-top-15-fast-food-chains-in-the-us

Rising Jobless Claims Could Signal Challenges — and Opportunities — for Franchising

rising-jobless-claims-affect-franchising

Hardee’s Lawsuit Highlights the Risk of Going Off-Model in Franchising

hardees-franchise-lawsuit-paradigm-investment-group

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores - Agg - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores

hooters-franchise-model-company-owned-closures

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise Built on Heart and Community

paris-baguette-franchise-rockaway-new-jersey-vishal-junjea

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Raj Pingili and Paris Baguette logo

How a Family Vacation Inspired Raj Pingili to Bring Paris Baguette to Towson, Maryland

how-a-family-vacation-inspired-raj-pingili-to-bring-paris-baguette-to-towson-maryland

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Juan & Whitney Fernandez & family, BIGGBY COFFEE logo

From Chiropractic to Coffee: These BIGGBY® COFFEE Franchisees Are Brewing Something New in Troy, Ohio 

biggby-coffee-franchise-coming-to-troy-ohio

From Personal Care to Purpose-Driven Business: Why This Couple Is Bringing Griswold to Houston

from-personal-care-to-purpose-driven-business-why-this-couple-is-bringing-griswold-to-houston

From Engineering to Restoration: Why Gervasse Talbot Chose to Franchise With United Water Restoration Group

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS