After completing his service in the Navy, Jonathan Harper returned home ready to build something meaningful. Drawing on years of experience in reconstruction work, he and his wife, Lauren Nunez, made the decision to open their own business — one that could serve their local community while laying the foundation for generational success. The couple launched a United Water Restoration Group franchise in Billings, Montana, covering more than 20 ZIP codes in the area.

They were drawn to the franchise model for its established systems, operational support and brand recognition — key elements that helped them transition from subcontracting to full ownership. United Water Restoration Group stood out for its comprehensive support — not just during launch, but in the long term.

For Harper and Nunez, owning a business isn’t just about financial independence. It’s about doing work they can stand behind, strengthening their partnership and eventually passing on a successful business to the next generation.

1851 Franchise spoke to the Harper and Nuzez about their franchising journey with United Water Restoration Group. Here’s what they had to say: 

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What do you want us to know?

Jonathan Harper: I got out of the Navy in January of 2023. My dad and I were working at a company where we did a lot of the reconstruction and putback work for another restoration business here in Billings. Then we decided to start doing restoration ourselves. The other business was doing well, so we figured, let's do the same thing, and we went from there.

1851 Franchise: What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Harper: We did a lot of the putback work. We were looking around for something, and I found United Water. I requested information, and it all sounded really good. They give us a lot of support, which I like. A lot of people in the industry are proud they’ve built a restoration company that's not a franchise, but I really don’t care about that. United Water gives us all the support we need. They help with the whole process and getting started. I'm definitely glad we went the franchise route. The support, assistance, and advice they give you is invaluable when you're first starting out.

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?

Lauren Nunez: You have to follow everything step by step. It’s not just going in, drying things out and doing the putback. If you miss a step, it can mess everything up. You really need that support. For us, it was just me, Jonathan and his father. The three of us were like, “How are we going to do this?” But you have a team to communicate with and get support from — it’s phenomenal. Other businesses don’t have that. They just set things up and let you go. With United Water, they hold your hand at the beginning, and even after you’ve got things running, they’re still there for you. That’s really valuable.

1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?

Harper: I talked to a couple of other franchises, but they didn’t seem to offer the same level of support that United Water does. Some of them were a little bigger, but after talking to United Water and meeting everyone at Discovery Day, I knew we wanted to move forward with them. Their support system is strong, and I really like their business model. A lot of the other franchises help you get open, and then it’s like they throw you to the wolves. We definitely wanted ongoing support — someone we could call when we had questions.

Nunez: They treat you like family — not just a number. It’s “What do you need help with?” If one person can’t help you right away, someone will step in. That support is key in this business. There’s only so much we can do on our own, and sometimes you need to talk to someone who understands — someone who started from the beginning and worked their way up. I also like the logo. Even if you don’t know the brand, you can tell — fire, water — they make it clear. The branding is clean and refreshing.

1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth? 

Harper: We want consistent, steady work and to help the community. A lot of other companies in town have bad reputations for how they’ve treated customers. We want to be known for great customer service. Our goal is to help the customer, not just help ourselves. I’m willing to work with customers to get things done without gouging them. I’d rather take a little less and truly help someone than squeeze every dollar out of a situation. That’s how we want to stand apart.

Nunez: We want to make money, of course, but we’re also focused on building generational wealth. We want our kids and grandkids to be set — to not have to worry about paying bills. The goal is to eventually pass this business on to them and make sure our entire family is taken care of in the future.

1851: Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?

Nunez: Running a business isn’t easy. There were times we felt discouraged, but I have my husband — my best friend — by my side. Some people say, “You work with your spouse?” — but communication is key. It actually helps our relationship. Sure, we get frustrated sometimes, but we respect each other. Working together has made our relationship stronger. We keep each other accountable — if one of us misses something, the other catches it. That dynamic of support and communication means a lot. It’s a struggle at times, but when you have your support system and your team, you can do anything.

1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?

Harper: I would say go for it — but do your research. Not all franchises are created equal, so make sure you look into the company thoroughly. At the end of the day, franchising gives you an established business model to follow. You don’t have to jump through as many hoops as you would with a startup. With a franchise, the website, branding and name recognition are already there. We tried doing it on our own before, and it was much harder. This route isn’t easy either, but it’s definitely more worth it because of the support you get and the systems already in place.

Nunez: It gives you that push you need — like, “I can do this,” because you have a support system. You’re not afraid to ask questions, and they encourage that. Don’t be afraid to ask questions — it will help you in the long run. I remember things said in the beginning that make more sense now. That support really helps you gain confidence. I recommend doing your homework and really researching before you start.

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 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. 

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 https://uwrgfranchise.com/investment-opportunities/.