United Water Restoration Group

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&nbsp;<a href="https://uwrgfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=veteran-and-spouse-team-up-to-launch-restoration-business-serving-billings-montana-2729418" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">United Water Restoration Group</a> 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.&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/unitedwaterrestoration/info">United Water Restoration Group</a> 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:&nbsp;1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What do you want us to know?Jonathan Harper:&nbsp;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:&nbsp;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:&nbsp;What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Harper:&nbsp;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:&nbsp;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:&nbsp;What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?&nbsp;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:&nbsp;Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?Nunez:&nbsp;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:&nbsp;What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?Harper:&nbsp;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 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=veteran-and-spouse-team-up-to-launch-restoration-business-serving-billings-montana-2729418" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://uwrgfranchise.com/investment-opportunities/.</a>&nbsp;

Veteran and Spouse Team Up To Launch Restoration Business Serving Billings, Montana

Montana Couple Opens United Water Restoration Franchise in Billings

1851 Franchise

With a focus on community service, strong family values and long-term growth, Jonathan Harper and Lauren Nunez open a United Water Restoration Group franchise in Billings.

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<a href="https://uwrgfranchise.com/">United Water Restoration Group</a> ended a strong year on solid footing. The brand expanded its footprint in California and the Midwest, adopted new technology and continued supporting local franchise owners while laying the foundation for a momentous 2026.&nbsp;The launch of a digital marketing dashboard as well as a financial benchmarking platform delivered measurable results in 2025, setting the table for a tech-driven, highly supported franchise system heading into the new year.&nbsp;“Overall, it was a strong year,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/unitedwaterrestoration/info">UWRG</a> President&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-moore/">Bob Moore</a>. “We added a number of locations, and they’re opening stronger than in the past, which creates significant opportunity moving forward.”<h2>Expanding the Footprint: Midwest Strengthens, California Grows</h2>2025 growth wasn’t focused in a single region, with UWRG focusing on California, the Northeast and Midwest as specific areas of attention this year.A franchise thrives when a strong, dependable system is in place, driven by franchisor support. That support is a priority for UWRG as the new year nears, with a goal of allocating more time to each operator thanks to the promotion of a new franchise business coach.“We’re excited about 2026. We just had an internal promotion for someone to become a franchise business coach. We only had one before, and his time was getting stretched thin as we added more locations. He’s going from trying to support 40-plus locations down to 20. And the other coach will have 20 as well. So, each franchise owner will get a lot more individual attention,” Moore said. “We have a regimented program of what they’ll cover on each monthly visit: basics of the business, reviewing the P&amp;L to ensure we’re on the right track for good financial health, key metrics, people and any other open items.”<h2>New Tools Roll Out: Dashboards and Benchmarking</h2>2025 also marked a significant step forward in terms of system technology. UWRG launched a digital marketing dashboard early in 2025, delivering franchise owners a centralized view of critical metrics, as well as a new financial benchmarking platform.&nbsp;The impact was measurable, delivering consolidation which rendered simpler, more consistent performance management.&nbsp;“The digital marketing dashboards were a huge hit. They put all the digital metrics in one place for our franchises. And even though the industry’s been flat, we did see a jump in our digital leads this year. I think that was attributable to the dashboard and our franchises getting better at managing that part of their business,” Moore said. “The financial performance platform took a while to calibrate. We have that in place now and franchises can take a quick look at their P&amp;L. And with the franchise business coaches making it the first thing we cover in every monthly meeting, it puts front and center our goal: to have healthy, profitable franchises. That’s how we start every meeting.”<h2>A New Job Software Platform—and More AI Ahead</h2>2026 will mark a full transition to Albiware, a new job-management platform that aligns more closely with modern user expectations. UWRG is also continually navigating the brisk onset of tech, further exploring how artificial intelligence can help streamline operations.&nbsp;“We are looking to see how we can leverage AI in our platforms. We’re excited that some of the platforms in our tech stack available to franchises already have that built in,” Moore said. “I think we made some smart choices in terms of partners. We’re excited about that and about other ways we can leverage technology to work more efficiently and stay a step ahead.”<h2>Stronger Foundations, Bigger Opportunities Ahead</h2>While 2025 proved to be a challenging year in the restoration services sector, UWRG persevered. Focused expansion drove growth in California, the Northeast and Midwest while the roll out of new dashboards and financial benchmarking delivered concrete results, shining a light toward a 2026 where further utilization of tech and even greater support of franchise owners will be significant UWRG hallmarks.“We strengthened our footprint in the Midwest with three more locations in Ohio and Michigan. That’s exciting. We have two more franchises coming on board in California. And we’re continuing to get a lot of interest there. Obviously, that’s a huge state, so there’s a lot of opportunity,” Moore said. “I’m excited for our franchises and the support they will receive in 2026 based on the additional investment we made in personnel.”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>.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 https://uwrgfranchise.com/investment-opportunities/

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Bob Moore, president of United Water Restoration Group, details 2025 franchise growth, new locations, digital tools and expanded coaching, setting up stronger support and innovation for 2026.

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Success in the restoration industry requires more than just technical skill. At&nbsp;<a href="https://uwrgfranchise.com/">United Water Restoration Group</a>, a franchise owner’s ability to combine leadership, problem-solving and a genuine desire to help clients can make all the difference between a thriving business and one that struggles.&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/unitedwaterrestoration/info">UWRG</a> has built a reputation by partnering with franchise owners at the local level who share its commitment to excellence, integrity and community impact. In doing so, the franchisor has built a system where motivated entrepreneurs can grow recession-resistant businesses while making a tangible difference in their communities.Resourcefulness sits near the top of the list of qualities UWRG looks for in potential franchise owners. Franchise owners encounter unpredictable situations on a daily basis. From water damage emergencies to scheduling crises, the key is often to expect the unexpected. As a result, the best operators are those who can navigate stressful challenges creatively without losing their composure.&nbsp;“As a small business owner, you’re hit with lots of problems. Sometimes a bunch in a row,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-moore/">Bob Moore</a>, president of UWRG. “Your ability to be resourceful, find creative solutions, keep your head up and keep moving forward is huge.”&nbsp;<h2>Leadership and the Ability to Scale</h2>Organization and leadership skills are both critical when it comes to scaling franchise operations. In the earliest days of any business, franchise owners tend to handle a lot of different business elements themselves. From marketing and sales to hands-on restoration work, it’s important to wear a lot of hats because growth requires the ability to recruit, train and motivate team members.&nbsp;“Part of it is being able to sell people on the vision,” Moore said. “‘We’re small now. But we’re going to build a much larger organization. So, come along for the journey. Because there’s opportunity for growth and advancement.’”<h2>A Service-Focused Mindset</h2>Founded in 2008, UWRG has built and tweaked its system and model for nearly two decades. At the heart of that model lies one very simple but crucial element: service.&nbsp;Most of its work involves residential properties, so customers are often dealing with one of the most stressful moments of their lives. A successful franchise owner needs to approach those situations with a service-oriented mindset. In these moments, it’s important to try to view revenue as the byproduct of genuinely helping people restore their homes.&nbsp;“For most people, the home is the largest investment they’ve made. So, when something bad happens, they call us,” Moore said. “Our top franchise owners can sense that and want to help people feel whole again. They want to help them restore that large investment.”<h2>Coachable and Open to Innovation</h2>Being coachable and willing to learn from corporate training, peers and the franchise system itself sets high-performing franchise owners apart. By adopting best practices and exploring new tools, including emerging technologies like AI, even those with industry experience can benefit. An openness to continually improving can help franchise operators at the local level stay competitive while contributing innovative ideas more broadly.UWRG encourages franchise owners to innovate within the framework of national branding and operational guidelines. Creative problem-solving is valued and often adopted systemwide when proven effective.&nbsp;Franchise owners who can balance adherence to the brand with thoughtful innovation can help shape the way the business operates regardless of market.<h2>Prepare for a Challenge</h2>Getting any new business off the ground can be a challenge, especially early on. As with most new businesses, running a UWRG franchise can be demanding. Emergency services operate around the clock, requiring both flexibility and commitment. Therefore, research and preparation are essential for anyone considering joining the network. But the UWRG franchise model offers a unique advantage: the independence of entrepreneurship paired with extensive support.“Over time, it gets easier and better,” Moore said. “But it requires a fair amount of work in the beginning.”<h2>The Franchise Owner Who Thrives</h2>The combination of resourcefulness, leadership, empathy and a willingness to learn defines the type of entrepreneur who will thrive within United Water Restoration Group. For those ready to embrace the challenges and rewards of the restoration business, the franchisor offers a proven system ready to help build a resilient, service-oriented business capable of making a meaningful impact at the local level.“Success lies on the other side of hard work, determination and consistent effort toward a clear goal,” Moore said. “I love the franchise business model. You can be in business&nbsp;for&nbsp;yourself, but not&nbsp;by&nbsp;yourself. You always have support and you always have someone you can call for advice or solutions to a problem.”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>.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 to $700,000. For more information on franchising, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://uwrgfranchise.com/investment-opportunities/">https://uwrgfranchise.com/investment-opportunities/</a>.

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Veteran and Spouse Team Up To Launch Restoration Business Serving Billings, Montana

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