To The Point - Home Services Podcast

The Systems that Took a Restoration & Cleaning Business From 0 to 82 Locations

Feb 11, 2025

Dan Claps, CEO and co-founder of Voda Cleaning & Restoration and The Franchise Playbook, dives into the art of franchising. He shares firsthand experiences on the intricacies of scaling a business and the importance of finding the right franchise owners. Claps emphasizes the significance of Standard Operating Procedures and training for growth. He also discusses maintaining brand consistency across locations, the essential role of leadership, and effective communication strategies that strengthen internal culture and drive success in the franchise world.

54:59

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Episode guests

Dan Claps

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Growing a franchise requires finding the right partners and ensuring they align with the established system for mutual success.

Implementing standardized procedures and robust training programs is essential for scaling a franchise successfully and consistently across locations.

Maintaining brand consistency involves regular communication and leadership development to align expectations and operational standards among franchise owners.

Deep dives

The Unique Dynamics of Franchising

Franchising involves a complex responsibility dynamic where the success of franchise owners reflects directly on the franchisor, while the failures often rest on the franchisee. This relationship creates a dual perspective on accountability, with successful owners attributing their achievements to their own efforts, questioning the value they receive from the franchisor's support. Experiences shared in the episode highlight the importance of aligning expectations early on, particularly for new franchisees who might require more guidance as they adapt to the operational model. Both sides benefit from effective communication to ensure franchise owners can thrive and meet their potential.

Intro

3min

Networking and Growth in Franchising

6min

Bourbon Ventures and Franchise Foundations

26min

Enhancing Communication and Training in Business Growth

2min

Navigating Franchise Growth and Collaboration

4min

Balancing Centralization and Decentralization in Franchise Operations

5min

Navigating Talent Recruitment in Franchising

8min

In this episode of To The Point Home Services, a Rhino Experience Podcast, Chris Yano and Chad Peterman are joined by Dan Claps, CEO and co-founder of Voda Cleaning & Restoration and The Franchise Playbook, to discuss the challenges and strategies behind scaling a franchise business, building a strong brand, and maintaining consistency across multiple locations.

Dan shares insights on the franchise growth process, the role of training and leadership in franchise success, and the importance of finding the right franchise owners who align with the company’s vision. He also discusses the differences between franchisors and traditional business owners, how Voda Cleaning & Restoration stands out in the industry, and the power of building strong internal culture through open communication and training.

Key Takeaways:

The Challenges of Franchising – Growing a franchise isn’t just about selling locations; it’s about finding the right partners, ensuring they follow the system, and helping them succeed.

Building a Scalable System – Dan emphasizes the importance of SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures), technology, and training programs to create a repeatable, scalable business model.

Maintaining Brand Consistency – As the franchise grows, brand consistency across multiple locations becomes one of the biggest challenges. Dan explains how regular communication, training, and leadership development keep owners aligned.

The Power of Leadership & Training – Regular weekly franchise owner calls, ongoing sales training, and leadership development are key to keeping franchisees engaged and improving operational success.

Hiring and Retention in a Franchise Model – Finding the right talent is crucial. Dan discusses the Talent Scout program and how phantom equity can incentivize top talent to commit to franchise success.

The Unique Edge of Voda Cleaning & Restoration – Unlike traditional restoration franchises, Voda combines cleaning and restoration to create recurring revenue streams and establish stronger relationships with property managers and homeowners.

Marketing & Franchise Growth Strategies – Dan explains the importance of multiple vendor options, ensuring marketing support is flexible and effective for different franchise owners.

Noteworthy Quotes:

"Franchising is unique because if someone doesn’t do well, it’s our fault. If they do well, it’s on them. We have to find the right owners who will follow the system and be successful." – Dan Claps

"If you're a franchise owner, you’re not just buying a business—you’re joining a community. And that means working together, following the playbook, and constantly improving." – Dan Claps

"Brand consistency isn’t about forcing owners to do something—it’s about getting them to believe in it." – Dan Claps

"Leadership is everything. A great franchise owner isn’t just good at running the business—they need to be a great leader for their team." – Dan Claps

Key Timestamps:

00:00:00 – Episode Introduction: Franchisor responsibility in franchisee success or failure.

00:04:45 – Introduction of Dan Claps and their meeting at the Franchise Springboard Conference.

00:08:47 – Number of franchisees and locations.

00:09:59 – Dan shares a story about selling his dad’s bourbon collection as a teenager.

00:16:16 – Awards won by Voda Cleaning & Restoration for growth and culture.

00:18:13 – Journey from staffing business to franchising.

00:23:17 – Reason for choosing the cleaning and restoration industry.

00:28:54 – Challenge of maintaining brand consistency with franchisees.

00:33:49 – Importance of regular training and communication for franchisee success.

00:48:06 – Challenges in recruiting and hiring the right talent for franchisees.

00:51:05 – Phantom equity and how it attracts the right talent.