United Water Restoration Group

After building a thriving restoration business in Charlotte, North Carolina,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-fischmann-a816348/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=after-a-high-stakes-career-in-finance-this-first-time-franchise-owner-found-his-next-chapter-with-united-water-restoration-group-2729678" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Rob Fischmann</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindy-high-fischmann/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=after-a-high-stakes-career-in-finance-this-first-time-franchise-owner-found-his-next-chapter-with-united-water-restoration-group-2729678" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Cindy High-Fischmann</a>, longtime franchisees with&nbsp;<a href="https://uwrgfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=after-a-high-stakes-career-in-finance-this-first-time-franchise-owner-found-his-next-chapter-with-united-water-restoration-group-2729678" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">United Water Restoration Group (UWRG)</a>, have officially passed the reins to new owner&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-michael-oconnell?trk=public_post_feed-actor-name&utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=after-a-high-stakes-career-in-finance-this-first-time-franchise-owner-found-his-next-chapter-with-united-water-restoration-group-2729678" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Kevin O’Connell</a>. The transition marks a new chapter for all three — one defined by legacy, opportunity and a commitment to quality.<h3>Building a Business With Purpose</h3>Rob and Cindy didn’t come from the restoration world. Both were former executives at Kodak who wanted a second act that combined their operational expertise with a more personal mission.“We had a house in the Charlotte area for years and knew we wanted to settle here,” Cindy said. “We started looking into franchises in the home services space and found&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/unitedwaterrestoration/info">United Water Restoration Group</a> to be a great fit.”From day one, they were impressed by the UWRG team’s support and balanced structure.“We were early franchisees in the system, and UWRG struck the right balance between helpful guidance and room to run our business our way,” Rob said.Their instincts were spot on. Since launching in 2018, the couple earned a reputation for exceptional service, professionalism and a strong presence in the local market.<h3>Knowing When It’s Time</h3>Despite their success, Rob and Cindy had always planned their UWRG journey with a clear timeline in mind.“When we started, we said five years,” Cindy said. “After some health issues, we realized it was time to think about what’s next — and this isn’t a business you can run passively.”As they approached retirement, their priority became finding the right person to carry on what they had built.<h3>Passing the Torch: How Kevin O’Connell Became the Next UWRG Leader</h3>Kevin O’Connell’s path to entrepreneurship was anything but typical. After working in investment banking with a focus on founder-led businesses, the pandemic prompted him to rethink his future. Business school followed, where he met his wife — a Charlotte native — and began envisioning a more independent life.“I knew I wanted to work for myself,” O’Connell said. “After a career in corporate finance, I wanted to build something real, something lasting.”That vision led him to Rob and Cindy’s UWRG business, and the fit was immediate.“He brought energy, a strong operational mindset and a real respect for the business we’d built,” Cindy said. “It became clear that he was the right person to take it forward.”<h3>Why United Water Restoration Group?</h3>For O’Connell, the opportunity checked every box. The Charlotte market was booming, the restoration industry proved resilient, and the UWRG model offered multiple revenue streams and a solid support system.“It’s a recession-resistant industry, and if you have a great team and a trusted brand, there’s always demand,” O’Connell said. “The financial profile was strong. The business already had great reviews and a reliable team in place. I felt like I could step in and keep the momentum going.”Perhaps most importantly, O’Connell felt confident in the transition thanks to Rob and Cindy’s approach.“The financials were important, of course,” he said, “but the people you’re buying from matter more. Trust is everything in a deal like this.”<h3>A Transition Built on Trust</h3>To ensure a smooth handoff, Rob and Cindy committed to staying on for six months to guide O’Connell and support the team.“We’re helping Kevin get acclimated,” Rob said. “We care about the business and want to make sure he has what he needs to succeed.”While they’ll be stepping back from day-to-day operations, retirement for the Fischmanns is more of a reset than a full stop.“We’ll do a little traveling,” Rob said. “And Cindy has some ideas brewing in the consulting space.”As for O’Connell, this is just the beginning. With a solid foundation, a growing market and a passion for building something of his own, he's ready to make his mark and continue the legacy Rob and Cindy so carefully created.To learn more about United Water Restoration Group franchise opportunities, visit<a href="https://uwrgfranchise.com/investment-opportunities?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=after-a-high-stakes-career-in-finance-this-first-time-franchise-owner-found-his-next-chapter-with-united-water-restoration-group-2729678" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">&nbsp;</a><a href="https://1851franchise.com/unitedwaterrestoration">https://1851franchise.com/unitedwaterrestoration</a>. &nbsp;

Charlotte Restoration Business Sold: High-Fischmanns Pass Torch to O'Connell | UWRG

1851 Franchise

When UWRG franchisees Rob Fischmann and Cindy High-Fischmann retired, they found the perfect successor in Kevin O’Connell — a former banker ready to build his own legacy in Charlotte, North Carolina.

This brand page has been paid for by UNITED WATER RESTORATION GROUP. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

After a High-Stakes Career in Finance, This First-Time Franchise Owner Found His Next Chapter With United Water Restoration Group

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Kathy and Ben McClain spent more than 40 years as educators before deciding it was time to build something for the next generation. When their adult children expressed interest in running a business together, the family began looking for an opportunity that combined purpose, stability and long-term growth.<a href="https://uwrgfranchise.com/">United Water Restoration Group (UWRG)</a> stood out because it offered the chance to serve families in moments of real need while providing a structured path for new owners entering the industry. The McClains were drawn to the strong operational support, hands-on training and a model that made them feel confident stepping into a field outside their prior careers.Today, the location in Pearland, Texas, is the foundation of the McLegacy Group, a family-run operation the McClains hope will benefit not only their children and grandchildren but also the community they serve every day.1851 Franchise spoke to Kathy about the family’s franchise journey and plans for the future. Here’s what she had to say:1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?Kathy McClain:&nbsp;My husband and I are both 40-year-plus educators. We had retired, and we had always talked about wanting to do a family business. When our adult children came to us and were like, “Hey, we really want to try to find something that we can do together as a family for a business,” that’s how it all got started. Our oldest daughter, Ashley, took the lead, and she did the research. She’s a nurse by trade.She did a lot of research and came back with possible ideas of things that we might do. We really wanted to feel like we were doing something to help someone else, where we were going to be giving back, but at the same time, like everyone else, you want your business to flourish and be successful. And you have to make money with it. She found UWRG. We went and did Discovery Day and really liked the support they were showing that they were going to give. We liked that there was hands-on training of two full weeks for us to attend to help us get started. And then, as we moved to opening, they sent someone out to help us with that opening week of the marketing piece, being able to get that started for us. We liked that. We felt like we wouldn’t be in it on our own, if that makes sense.1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?Kathy:&nbsp;I had not really thought about franchising. Typically, when I thought franchise, I thought franchise foods like McDonald’s or Chick-fil-A or that type of thing. I had never really thought that there was franchising for something like water restoration, even though you’ve seen Servpro and some of the other trucks.It was interesting that once we expressed interest in UWRG we started seeing things about UWRG and we were like, huh. We had never really paid attention to it before that. But then, it was strange that all of a sudden you started paying attention to things, and you started noticing it more.1851:&nbsp;What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Kathy:&nbsp;Really, it was the support piece — feeling like corporate is going along beside us, that they’re constantly looking for updated ways to keep us engaged in the communities and ways to make us run smoother as a company. For us, because we were coming from industries that were not related to water restoration, that was very important. We wanted to feel like we could still be successful even though we were coming from outside the industry, and that support piece has been major for us.I love that I can call in and get assistance, whether it’s with paperwork I’m trying to get finished, asking a question on technical things, equipment, all of that. That’s been major for us.1851:&nbsp;What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?&nbsp;Kathy:&nbsp;Our company name, our LLC, is McLegacy Group. So, that’s what we want to build. We want to build a legacy for our children, our grandchildren, our great-grandchildren — just moving forward. It’s really important that we be successful and that we feel like we are an important part of the community.We don’t want to just come in, do a job and be done with it. We want the customers to feel like, yes, they really cared about us. They wanted to make sure the job is done right, but also making sure that we’re leaving their home in the best condition possible when we are finished.1851:&nbsp;Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?Kathy:&nbsp;Like I said, we’re a family of five that came together. We have a veteran — our daughter was in the Navy — and she is in California, so she’s a long-distance participant, but she is actively doing things like our digital marketing. Our son is serving as our marketer, so he’s out trying to drum up business. And then, like I said, our oldest daughter, who actually found UWRG and brought it to us, is active in the day-to-day operations. Even though she may not be here in the office, we communicate frequently throughout the day about what’s going on, and I bounce ideas off her.My husband is the only one who’s kind of like, “Hey, I’ll be the glorified custodian. I’ll come in. I’ll make sure the office is clean.” I love that we all have our little lane and we’re all functioning together, trying to be as successful as possible.1851:&nbsp;What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?Kathy:&nbsp;I would honestly say pray over it. For us, that was something we did as a family. We had an assigned fast-and-pray day every week leading up to us making the decision and then actually opening up. For us, feeling that this is really what God is leading us to do was very important. So I would say pray over it and then make an informed decision.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 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.&nbsp;The initial investment to open and begin operation ranges from $300,000 - $700,000. For more information on franchising, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://uwrgfranchise.com/investment-opportunities/">https://uwrgfranchise.com/investment-opportunities/</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

United Water Restoration Group - UWRG - Kathy and Ben McClain - Franchisee Feature - 1851 Franchise

Former Educators Build a Multi-Generational Future With United Water Restoration Group Franchise

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United Water Restoration Group Franchise Owner Uses Lifelong Resilience to Lead Michigan’s Next Era of Restoration

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weston mckee united water restoration group franchisee owner Southeast Iowa - Iowa City

How This Former Construction Company Owner Is Restoring More Than Homes in Southeast Iowa With United Water Restoration Group

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After Their Basement Flooded, This Couple Built the Service They Needed With United Water Restoration Group

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When first-time business owners consider leaving a familiar job for entrepreneurship, the biggest question is often the simplest: Will I have the support I need to succeed? For&nbsp;<a href="https://uwrgfranchise.com/">United Water Restoration Group (UWRG)</a> franchisees, that is the brand’s strongest promise. And for first-time owner and Air Force veteran&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-sherman-912833333/">Nathan Sherman</a>, that promise shaped the entire direction of his career.Sherman entered franchising when he and his wife planned a move to a lower-income region. He needed a business that could replace his salary, offer a stable model and give him the chance to make a difference in the community. Like most first-time owners, he started with a franchise broker and explored a wide range of industries. His initial search didn’t include&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/unitedwaterrestoration/info">UWRG</a> and his earliest conversations with other brands left him uneasy. Nothing clicked until a chance moment in a grocery store parking lot, when a UWRG van pulled up beside him.“I started doing a little bit of digging and I'm so grateful I went with them,” Sherman said. “I very much got the feeling with the other restoration services that I would be out on my own. With UWRG, I had the full support of the staffing behind me down at corporate.”<h2>A Franchise Built for Beginners</h2>Sherman had never worked in restoration. What attracted him to UWRG was a simple combination of practicality and purpose. He liked the low overhead and the flexibility to operate without a storefront. He also wanted his work to matter. “I actually want to do something that makes a difference,” he said. Restoration offered a direct way to help families in distress, aligning with his background as a veteran who values service and community.Still, the deciding factor was support. Sherman compared UWRG to other franchise systems and immediately saw a difference. “I could call the team anytime,” he said. “They were always there.”For first-time business owners, that level of hands-on backing can determine whether the transition into entrepreneurship feels overwhelming or achievable.<h2>A Comprehensive Training Program That Meets Beginners Where They Are</h2>UWRG was built with new owners in mind. The brand’s system includes 80 hours of training at corporate headquarters, 32 hours of hands-on training, required industry certifications and structured learning in accounting, estimating, bookkeeping, production management software and more.Sherman entered the system with no restoration background, and he says the training and the advice that came with it made all the difference. “They give you a road map, and it’s up to you whether you listen to it or not,” he said. “Anything that I listened to them on, I did great in. Anything that I didn’t, that was on me.”The structure UWRG provides, including a detailed operations manual, field support, marketing assistance and remote support from corporate, gives new owners a clear blueprint to follow. For someone launching a business for the first time, having a roadmap that outlines every procedure, every standard and every operational step can reduce the fear of the unknown.<h2>Real-Time Support When Challenges Arise</h2>The biggest learning curve for first-time restoration owners is often the insurance process. Sherman said that going into business without guidance would have been overwhelming. “You would be losing 70% of every single ticket,” he said, noting that UWRG provides tools to help new owners learn how to navigate insurance and protect both the business and the customer.He emphasizes how critical the corporate team was in his early days. “Even in my initial jobs where I didn’t really know what I was doing, they would always give me a call back and walk me through things,” he said. “I never felt like I was a burden if I had to ask questions.”That responsiveness matters, especially for new entrepreneurs who have never run a business before.<h2>A Veteran’s Transition to Ownership</h2>Sherman’s military background shaped how he approached business ownership. He joined the service out of a sense of duty, not for benefits, and the lessons he learned including leadership, structure and people development, directly influence how he runs his franchise. He found a culture at UWRG that mirrored what he valued most from his military experience. “I never felt like I was here on my own,” he said. At the same time, his office in Hickory, North Carolina, has developed its own tight-knit environment. “Everybody loves coming to work and loves their job,” he said. “[That culture] doesn’t really exist in the private sector much and we have that here, due in part to UWRG corporate.”For veterans exploring franchising for the first time, Sherman believes that understanding the realities of business ownership, especially the 24/7 nature of restoration, is essential. But with the right expectations and support, it can be a strong fit.<h2>Is United Water Restoration Group the Right Choice for First-Time Owners?</h2>Sherman’s experience points to what makes UWRG a great choice for new entrepreneurs: a structured system, responsive corporate support, clear operational guidance and a culture built on helping families when they need it most.“I wouldn’t have anything if it weren’t for them,” Sherman said.For first-time owners who want a business they can learn, a system they can rely on and a mission grounded in service, United Water Restoration Group offers a model built for beginners and strengthened by the kind of support that makes business ownership feel achievable from day one.To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/unitedwaterrestoration.">https://1851franchise.com/unitedwaterrestoration.</a>&nbsp;

image of water restoration group Air Force veteran Nathan Sherman

Is United Water Restoration Group the Right Franchise Opportunity for First-Time Business Owners?

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After a High-Stakes Career in Finance, This First-Time Franchise Owner Found His Next Chapter With United Water Restoration Group

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