Rytech Franchising

January 2, 2025

Rytech Franchising

A Trusted Leader in Restoration and Mitigation Services

Protected territories and comprehensive training lead Rytech franchisees to the top of the industry

Companies seeking to dominate the property restoration industry must consider the entire range of opportunities available to them. Once a company reaches the top, what does it look like?

The answer is already alive and well in the form of a premier restoration company that is rapidly expanding. Rytech Restoration has become one of the most well-known names in property restoration across the United States.

Rytech consistently maintains its prestigious ranking among the top franchises globally, such as in Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500, underscoring the importance of elevating brand recognition and solidifying its reputation as a leader in both residential and commercial spaces.

At Rytech, everything begins with selecting the right candidates—those who align with the company’s values and operational excellence.

Once onboarded, ongoing support, including streamlined administrative systems and advanced training, empowers franchisees to perform consistently and confidently, allowing them to concentrate on customer satisfaction.

Internally, Rytech fosters a “helping industry” culture, emphasizing integrity, customer service, and positive community impact. Expanding its range of services to meet evolving client needs while retaining the quality and reliability that have become synonymous with the Rytech brand.

Thanks to those expansions, Rytech has manifested itself as a thriving network of satisfied franchisees operating in large, exclusive territories supported by robust operating systems.

Rytech Restoration is recognized as the gold standard in restoration services, growing not only in numbers but also in impact and trust across the industry.

A Legacy Rooted in Support and Centralized Service

Founded in 1995 by William “Bubba” Ryan, Rytech Restoration emerged with a vision to redefine the restoration industry by focusing on water mitigation and mold remediation.

Drawing from his prior experience owning a franchise, Ryan realized the potential for a specialized company that leveraged cutting-edge technology and adhered to the latest scientific standards in structural drying.

This foresight shaped the foundation of Rytech, which has grown into a national network with over 100 units across the United States, all of which are supported by a unique centralized administrative model

“Our innovative centralized administrative model provides a distinctive advantage to our franchisees that is unmatched in our industry,” says Chief Operating Officer Randy Kerlin.

Rytech’s trailblazing Centralized Administrative Model supports each one of its franchisees by providing 24/7-365 first notice of loss support and dispatch service, writing estimates to client specifications, invoice creation, credentialing, sales reporting, payment processing and collections assistance. By providing this comprehensive suite of services to each of its franchisees the need to hire full-time staff is reduced significantly, while simultaneously offering endless scalability as a franchisee’s business grows. Rytech’s proven Centralized Administrative Model not only allows a business owner to scale quickly, but has proven to maintain a high level of consistency in service delivery all the while protecting the integrity of the Rytech Restoration brand.

Leveraging Technology for Precision Through Multi-Platform Integration

Rytech’s use of technology is a cornerstone of its success. It enables the company to maintain high standards of service while optimizing operations.

“Our focus is to provide great customer service and to support our services through a scientific approach while documenting the job and applying the IICRC S500 and S520 guidelines on every project. We’re using technology today to help ensure that we’re following those industry standards and guidelines,” Kerlin explains.

Field technicians utilize mobile devices equipped with advanced software to document projects in real-time. The system captures all essential details, from moisture readings and psychrometric data to floor plan mapping, ensuring accurate and transparent reporting.

One of Rytech’s competitive advantages is its ability to navigate multiple software platforms on behalf of its franchisees.

This technology enhances the accuracy of fieldwork and facilitates real-time updates and seamless communication between field teams and the centralized administrative hub.

“That information is provided in a cloud environment, where we have our admin services… so our team is not only building the estimate, but they’re performing a quality assurance review simultaneously as those files are updated in the cloud environment,” explains Executive Vice President Myron Blankenbaker.

Whether working with third-party administrators, insurance carriers, or commercial property manager, Rytech seamlessly integrates data and reports across 42 different platforms. This adaptability streamlines operations and ensures consistency and reliability across the entire franchise network.

Franchisees benefit from this centralized approach by focusing on honing their expertise and delivering exceptional customer service at the field level.

Meanwhile, Rytech’s administrative team handles the complexities of interacting with various platforms, ensuring that all client’s unique requirements are met or exceeded

Stephen Seabaugh, Senior Director of Franchise Development, highlights the appeal of Rytech’s franchise model: “Our centralized services and use of technology provide franchisees with the tools and support they need. We emphasize consistency and adaptability, which are critical for building strong customer relationships and achieving sustained growth.”

The Costs and Characteristics of the Ideal Franchisee

Rytech already offers prospective franchisees a compelling value proposition. Thus, it takes a highly selective and strategic approach to choosing franchisees.

The company prioritizes mutual compatibility, evaluating potential candidates based on their qualifications, commitment, and suitability for both the role and the region they aim to serve.

The process is designed to identify individuals who see the business opportunity and recognize the long-term equity they can build within the system.

“We have a predictive index questionnaire we use to get an idea about the prospect’s thought process in terms of managerial style… because we’re mainly looking for people who can really commit to managing the business full-time,” Seabaugh states.

Ideal candidates are expected to dedicate themselves fully, often starting hands-on in the field before scaling operations. This hands-on approach fosters a deep understanding of the business and lays the groundwork for sustainable growth.

Rytech’s model is also designed to accommodate those with aspirations to expand. This flexibility contrasts with competitors who impose growth limitations, making Rytech an appealing option for ambitious entrepreneurs.

What sets this system apart is that it demands more than financial investment. It requires a genuine commitment to excellence and a shared vision. However, the investment is obviously still present.

To potentially sweeten that initial investment, Rytech distinguishes itself by offering financial incentives to prospective and existing franchisees.

A $10,000 discount is available for veterans, acknowledging their service and encouraging their transition into entrepreneurship. Additionally, existing franchisees can benefit from a $7,000 discount when investing in additional units.

Once a prospect is officially approved as a franchisee, they are introduced to Rytech’s robust training and onboarding program.

From day one, new franchisees are guided through a 50-point checklist, ensuring a seamless launch. Each franchisee is assigned a dedicated coach from Rytech’s corporate team, who provides ongoing support and serves as a direct point of contact for any operational needs.

Training begins with a two-week, in-person course at Rytech’s corporate office, covering everything from software systems to operational procedures.

Franchisees also undergo mandatory certifications in water damage restoration, structural drying, mold remediation, and safety protocols such as OSHA and hazardous material handling.

Franchisees and their employees also have access to an advanced Learning Management System (LMS) featuring video tutorials, quizzes, and gamified content. This system provides industry-specific training on topics like customer service, equipment placement, and loss scoping, ensuring that franchisees stay ahead in an evolving market.

To further bolster franchisee success, Rytech employs experienced Field Service Coordinators (FSCs) who act as hands-on mentors. These coordinators, each with decades of industry experience, work closely with franchisees to ensure quality, address challenges, and identify growth opportunities.

Recognizing Present and Future Visions

Rytech carries a commitment to integrity and customer service, which has not gone unnoticed. “Our franchisees are technically competent and perform with consistency… and the result of that has created a brand that’s in demand and highly recognized,” Blankenbaker explains.

Ranked among Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500, the organization continues to climb in prestige, leveraging its reputation to attract new franchisees and clients. Moreover, a third-party organization, Guild Quality, monitors customer satisfaction through Net Promoter Scores (NPS).

With a national NPS of 62, the franchise stands well above industry norms, reaffirming its commitment to customer-centric operations. Despite the remarkable success, Rytech’s ambitions for growth are far from over.

Plans are in motion to add 10 to 12 new units this year alone, with the potential to expand by at least 100 more.

The organization’s territories are significantly larger than competitors’, offering franchisees access to expansive markets. Historically rooted in various residential restoration services, the franchise is now expanding into the commercial space.

Over the past year, the organization has successfully onboarded several commercial clients, demonstrating its capability to excel in the B2B sector.

Additionally, many franchisees have broadened their service offerings and now provide fire and smoke cleaning, contents cleaning, and pack-out services, complementing the core water and mold remediation services.

By expanding its horizons and staying true to its core values, the franchise demonstrates that growth and integrity can be compatible.

As Rytech Restoration looks to the future, its unwavering dedication to quality and customer satisfaction will undoubtedly drive its growth and solidify its reputation as a trusted restoration partner.