United Water Restoration Group

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>.

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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

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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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Image of Allen Ruhf from United Water Restoration Group Franchisee from Hastings, Michigan

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

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