United Water Restoration Group (UWRG), the 82-territory franchise brand that has provided premier restoration and reconstruction services for nearly 15 years, is accelerating growth to meet growing demand as extreme weather patterns increase. The brand has identified Chicago as a prime market for development and is seeking skilled franchise owners to lead expansion in the Windy City. 

Bob Moore, Vice President of Development & Operations at UWRG, says that his team is gearing up for expansion across several major metropolitan areas, with Chicago being a significant city for the brand to grow.  

“Chicago is a great opportunity and natural fit for UWRG,” he said. “There are a lot of types of dated housing and infrastructure, particularly in the suburbs. Plus, with all the cold weather they have, frozen pipes are extremely common.”

Chicago winters are known for being particularly cold. In 2021, the lowest recorded temperature in the city was -6 degrees Fahrenheit. For pipes to freeze, research from the Building Research Council at the University of Illinois shows that the “temperature alert threshold” is 20 degrees Fahrenheit — especially for those with uninsulated pipes running through an uninsulated space. Chicago temperatures can often fall into that range during the winter months. 

The 24/7, full-service restoration company also specializes in water damage mitigation, mold remediation, fire and smoke damage restoration, reconstruction, sewage, flood, and disaster response while delivering a best-in-class customer experience to residential and commercial customers.

In addition to weather concerns, Moore noted that Chicago’s diverse population and neighborhoods also make it an excellent fit for the franchise. 

“The city has a history of having really hard-working people out there,” he said. “They are also very focused on helping their communities and being involved. Our most successful Franchise Owners tend to have that kind of mindset of helping serve people. When customers call, they are looking for a professional, responsive company that understands the urgency of their issue.  So I think that Chicago would be a really good fit.” 

With Chicago being a completely open territory for the brand, there’s plenty of opportunity for the right franchisees. In the Chicagoland metro area, UWRG aims to have around 15 to 20 locations, with upwards of 150 to 200 employees in total, within the next two years. 

Franchise Owners do not necessarily need experience in restoration or have a home-services background. Instead, UWRG is looking for owners with sales, management, business development or leadership skills. They should also be willing to provide outstanding customer service, be dependable and possess empathy. 

“Our owners are incredibly empathetic and always put the homeowner or business owner that we're serving first,” said Moore.

Ownership would also be a great opportunity for anyone in the Chicago area that is in the remodeling or construction business. Franchising with UWRG, which has proven to be a recession-resistant business, is a surefire way to even out a potential downturn in the event of an economic crisis. 

Franchisees can expect plenty of corporate support as well as hands-on training. UWRG has eight dedicated franchise support employees for its current network of 25 owners — an almost unheard-of ratio. 

The total initial investment to open and begin operation ranges from $159,342–$441,874. For more information on franchising, visit https://uwrgfranchise.com/investment-opportunities/ or https://1851franchise.com/unitedwaterrestoration.