Own a franchise that saves the day. Restoration 1 is the nation’s largest independent restoration company with over 298 territories across 41 states, united by a mission to serve neighbors in their times of greatest need. From water and fire damage to mold remediation, Restoration 1 franchisees restore not just homes and businesses — but peace of mind!
Restoration 1 Top 5 Reasons to Invest:
- America’s largest independent restoration company — 298 territories in 41 states
- Essential service recession-resistant — disasters happen regardless of economy
- Home-based model with minimal overhead — storage unit, not retail space
- Insurance-driven business with nationwide insurer relationships
- Semi-absentee system available — build toward owner flexibility
Restoration 1 Franchise
Restoration 1 was founded in 2008 and began franchising in 2015, growing to over 298 territories across 41 states. The brand stands as the nation’s largest independent restoration company with 15,000+ five-star Google reviews.
Franchisees are local owners committed to helping customers navigate the chaos of water, fire, or mold damage — whether working alongside them through insurance claims or providing direct self-pay solutions. The mission goes beyond restoring properties to restoring peace of mind during customers’ most challenging times.
Under the leadership of CEO Jessica Wescott, Restoration 1 continues rapid growth, welcoming entrepreneurs who share the mission, values, and commitment to exceptional service. The brand has earned recognition on Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500 and FranServe’s FRAN-TASTIC 500.
Why Own a Restoration 1 Franchise?
Our proven restoration model delivers essential services with low overhead and multiple paths to ownership success.
- Essential Service Industry: Disasters happen to homes and businesses every day. Water damage, fire damage, and mold don’t wait for good economic conditions. This creates recession-resistant demand where the customer’s choice isn’t if they’ll restore — but who will do it.
- Insurance-Driven Revenue: Leverage relationships with nationwide insurers to stay booked and busy. Insurance companies rely on Restoration 1 to serve their clients, providing a steady stream of referrals and credibility with homeowners.
- Home-Based Low Overhead: Minimal investment required — monthly rental of a storage facility, not expensive retail space. This keeps startup costs manageable and ongoing overhead low while you scale.
- Subcontractor Partnership Model: Benefit from a network of subcontractors to optimize staffing and operations. Start with a small team and scale intelligently as job volume grows.
- Semi-Absentee Flexibility: Whether you start semi-absentee or work toward it over time, Restoration 1 has a business model that supports managing your business on a flexible schedule.
ABF Exclusive Insights
Market Analysis: The restoration industry represents a $210 billion market driven by aging homes, infrastructure deterioration, and increasing natural disasters. Mold, fire, and water damage will continue impacting homeowners — the industry is projected to grow as these factors accelerate.
Competitive Advantage: As America’s largest independent restoration company, Restoration 1 offers major market availability that competitors can’t match. The insurance relationships differentiate franchisees from independent operators who lack established carrier partnerships. The home-based model with subcontractor flexibility keeps overhead low while maintaining service capacity.
ABF Investment Tip: Average jobs gross roughly $5,000, creating substantial revenue potential as you build job volume. The certification requirements (IICRC and IAQA) are achieved during initial training — no prior industry experience needed. Veterans receive $9,000 off the franchise fee, recognizing that military discipline and leadership translate directly to restoration business success.
Training & Support
Restoration 1 ensures franchisees launch successfully with intensive training designed for first-time business owners.
- Two-Week Intensive Training: Week 1 in Dallas, TX covers business operations, accounting, business development, and running a business. Week 2 in Indianapolis, IN at the Dewald School of Drying provides technical training.
- Required Certifications: All franchisees and technicians must be certified by IICRC (Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification) and IAQA (Indoor Air Quality Association). Certifications achieved during initial training period.
- First-Year Mentoring: Careful guidance from the corporate team and industry experts throughout your critical first year of operations.
- Business Plan Development: Continual reviews help you meet financial and performance goals including business plan development before you open.
- Ongoing Support: Peer groups sharing best practices and KPIs, continued education in person and virtual formats, dedicated support for field operations, marketing, and sales with regular contact and individualized assistance.
Who Are We Looking For
Restoration 1 attracts entrepreneurs with an entrepreneurial spirit, competitive edge, and relationship-building skills. No business or industry experience is required — the franchise was designed for first-time business owners.
Ideal candidates have a passion for owning and operating their own business, a drive to succeed and stand out in their local market, and strong interpersonal skills to foster relationships with referral sources like first responders and insurance companies.
Veterans are uniquely qualified with proven ability to follow systems, procedures, and processes. Military experience in discipline, quick decision-making, and teamwork translates directly to restoration business success. Honorably discharged veterans receive $9,000 off the initial franchise fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much does it cost to open a Restoration 1 franchise? A: Total investment ranges from $126,525 to $309,500 including the $59,900 franchise fee. Royalty is 7%. Minimum liquid capital of $100,000 required. VetFran member with $9,000 veteran discount.
Q: Is this a home-based business? A: Yes. Restoration 1 requires minimal overhead — monthly rental of a storage facility rather than retail space. You have the option to open a retail location, but it’s not required.
Q: Do I need restoration industry experience? A: No. Restoration 1 was designed for first-time business owners. Training covers business management, networking, sales, service delivery, customer relationships, and marketing.
Q: What certifications are required? A: IICRC and IAQA certifications are required for franchisees and technicians. These are achieved during the initial training period — you don’t need them before joining.
Q: Can I run this semi-absentee? A: Yes. Whether you start semi-absentee or work toward it over time, Restoration 1 has a business model that supports managing your business on a flexible schedule.
Next Steps
Ready to join America’s largest independent restoration company and serve your community when they need it most? Complete the form below to connect with the Restoration 1 franchise development team and explore available territories.
This profile represents general franchise information. Individual results may vary. Consult the Franchise Disclosure Document for complete details.
Why Now is the Time to Invest in Restoration 1 Franchise
Restoration 1 Franchise Owner Testimonials
Overall, the organization really helps you gain traction very fast. … The margins are definitely there. What really has me excited about Restoration 1 is the potential to expand, the potential to grow. And it’s not just the opportunity within Restoration 1 to buy additional franchises. When Gary talks about the next five to seven years, we’ll be the number one restoration entity in the country, I believe him. That’s exciting!
We both went into this business knowing that whatever company we run as company owners, we want it to be a very family-run, family-owned type of business. It was really nice to see that in a corporate setting as well. We’re not just joining a company that is corporate, we can get to the people – they are all family-oriented.
It’s a great business. We have great margins. … The corporate team is fantastic people. I’ve heard that experience across franchises. The support team there is truly solid. If you follow the system that they have –they’ve done so much footwork – we’ve got a lot of great data about what works and if you can put the time in, somebody who has got the drive, you can build a great business.