ORMOND BEACH, Fla. — United Water Restoration Group (UWRG), the 50-plus-unit restoration franchise, recently brought Franchise Owners and corporate leadership together for its 2026 Annual Conference. The multi-day event combined business training, peer-led education, networking opportunities, and recognition of top-performing Franchise Owners, providing owners with practical strategies they can immediately apply in their local markets. 

"One of the biggest benefits of being a Franchise Owner isn't just being part of a larger brand," said Bob Moore, president of UWRG. "It's the friendships and business relationships owners build with one another. Our conference gives Franchise Owners the opportunity to connect in person, making it easier to pick up the phone, ask questions and learn from one another long after the conference is over."

This year's conference placed a greater emphasis on Franchise Owner participation, with Franchise Owners and key team members leading general sessions and breakout discussions alongside the corporate leadership team. Hearing directly from fellow operators increased engagement while giving attendees real-world examples of strategies that are producing results throughout the system. 

"We had a number of brand new Franchise Owners attending their first conference, and many of them told us they finally met owners they'd only known through calls," Moore said. "Now they feel much more comfortable picking up the phone, asking questions and learning from one another."

Internationally recognized digital marketing expert Neil Patel also spoke at the conference, sharing his perspective on artificial intelligence and search marketing. UWRG also outlined several initiatives planned for the brand, including expanded training tied to its “Plan for the Unplanned” campaign.

“We're rebranding ourselves around that phrase that we are the company with a plan,” Moore said. “Most people who call us don't ask for these events to happen to them. They don't make a plan for them, so they need to work with a company that comes to their home or their business, has a plan for them and puts their mind at ease.” 

The conference also introduced Franchise Owners to the book “Unreasonable Hospitality,” which will serve as the foundation for new customer service training across the system. The training is designed to help Franchise Owners deliver a level of hospitality and service that is uncommon in the restoration industry, helping them stand out in their local markets.

Attendees received an early look at UWRG's proprietary AI platform, developed specifically for the franchise system. The technology integrates with the company's operational software to help Franchise Owners access business insights, improve efficiency and make faster, more informed decisions.

"We've taken existing AI tools and built our own internal AI system that's tailored to our company, our standards and our processes," Moore said. "It integrates directly with our job management software and QuickBooks, giving Franchise Owners better information and helping them work faster, make smarter decisions and avoid missing important details."

The conference concluded with an awards ceremony recognizing Franchise Owners for their performance throughout 2025. Among the highest recognitions presented were the Bridge Builder Award, the Click Champion Award, the UWRG Master Marketer Award, Operator of the Year honors, Marketer of the Year honors and milestone awards recognizing Franchise Owners who surpassed $1 million, $2 million and $3 million in annual invoiced revenue. Additional awards celebrated rapid growth, customer service excellence, marketing performance and operational consistency.

"2025 was a really challenging year in restoration. It was a record-low year for insurance claims across the industry," Moore said. "What stood out to me was that many of our Franchise Owners still found a way to grow their businesses during those tougher times. Our awards recognize consistency, not one-off performances. They're recognizing Franchise Owners who have continued to build sustainable businesses and grow year after year. To me, that was a real sign of the strength of our model."

About United Water Restoration Group

Since 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 50 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. 

The initial investment to open and begin operation ranges from $300,000 to $700,000. For more information on franchising, visit https://uwrgfranchise.com/investment-opportunities/.