PuroClean, a fire and water damage restoration franchise owned by Florida-based PuroSystems LLC, says hopes to add 60 new franchisees to its network this year, including two operations in the Spokane-Coeur d’Alene area.

PuroClean provides fire and smoke damage remediation, water damage remediation, flood water removal, mold removal, and biohazard clean-up to commercial and residential customers.

In a recent press release, the company said it plans to add six new franchises within the Seattle and Spokane markets. 

Company CEO Mark W. Davis said the company’s national account vendors specifically indicated more coverage is needed to support restoration claims in the two Washington state markets. 

“There is a desperate need for restoration service professionals in these markets, and we are committed to fulfilling this demand,” says Davis. “The number of claims have been constantly rising, making this a rewarding entrepreneurial experience both personally and professionally.”

To help facilitate the search for interested franchisees, Davis and Portland-based franchise owner Ben Doebler put together informational events earlier this month in Seattle and Spokane. 

Doebler says the events generated enough interest that the company has decided it wants to create four new franchise locations in the Seattle area, one in Spokane, and one in Coeur d’Alene.

“Spokane and Coeur d’Alene are close to one another, and have similar markets, but we feel there is enough of a population in each area to support two new locations,” he says. 

Doebler, who has owned a PuroClean franchise in the Portland area for two years, says the company is growing quickly. 

“We have some amazing leadership to guide us who are dedicated to growth,” he says. “The goal is to create 500 locations across the country by 2020.”

Doebler says the company provides new franchisees with an office and territory, as well as the tools and training to get started. 

“We’re currently accepting qualified candidates,” he says. “Once they’re ready to sign a franchise, they go through a three-week training process.”

Doebler says franchisees pay an initial franchise fee of $50,000, and are offered leasing options for a starting equipment package and a truck. 

“It’s also recommended that you have at least $50,000 liquid cash on hand for your general account in those early months,” he says. “All together I would say a franchisee would need about $200,000 to get started.”