Crystal Leach

Amid the economic turmoil of the current recession, one local business says its franchise system reported solid growth in 2009. SERVPRO of Norcross, which is part of the nationwide system of more than 1,500 franchises, said 2009 year-end system-wide revenue hit the $1 billion mark for the first time in SERVPRO's 40-year history.

"The SERVPRO franchise system is built around solid core values," said Michael Tokarz, owner of SERVPRO of Norcross. "As long as we provide superior service and focus on saving our clients money, we will continue to earn their business." Tokarz added that 2009 was the 10^th time in 11 years the SERVPRO system experienced double-digit volume growth. "It's reassuring to know that I am part of a company that continues as the leader in the restoration industry."

SERVPRO of Norcross specializes in the emergency cleanup and restoration of fire- and water-damaged homes and businesses, among other services. Disaster restoration can be a messy business, Tokarz says, but the reward is always worth it.

"There's just nothing quite like the look on a homeowner's face after you have helped make it ‘Like it never even happened,'" Tokarz said. "We often see our customers at a very stressful and worrisome time in their lives. It's a great feeling to help put them back in control."

Besides the billion-dollar benchmark, the company also recently ranked among the best of the best from two highly-coveted franchise rankings. Entrepreneur Magazine listed SERVPRO as the No. 1 restoration services franchise system for the sixth consecutive year in its 2010 Franchise 500 ranking. The company jumped 19 places from No. 28 overall in 2009 to No. 9 overall in the 2010 rankings. In addition, allbusiness.com - a Dun and Bradstreet subsidiary - ranked the SERVPRO System as the No. 9 franchising opportunity, a 15-place jump over its 2009 ranking. Both lists cited SERVPRO as a growing franchise despite an economy that has taken a serious toll on many small businesses.

According to Rick Isaacson, executive vice president of Servpro Industries, Inc., these achievements are attributed in large part to the franchise owners' dedication to the business.

"We thank our team; we couldn't have accomplished these results without our franchises, including the Norcross business. They have earned this honor with us," Isaacson said. "We also want to thank our customers for their continued support."

These milestones add to the company's history of accomplishment. In 1967, Ted and Doris Isaacson launched SERVPRO as a painting business in Sacramento, Calif. With a background in cleaning and restoration, however, the two decided to transform the company into a cleanup and restoration franchise. After selling its first franchise in 1969, SERVPRO continued to grow, acquiring the Bristol-Myers Domesticare Division and its 175 Franchises in 1979. The company relocated its corporate headquarters from Sacramento to Gallatin, Tenn., in 1988 in a strategic move to place itself within 600 miles of 50 percent of the U.S. population. The corporate office quickly became a key contributor in its community, and in 1991 the Nashville Business Journal named SERVPRO the Small Business of the Year.

At the time of the relocation, the system consisted of 647 franchises. By 2000, the company sold its 1,000^th franchise, then set a record of selling 100 franchises in a year in 2002 and was chosen by the Wall Street Journal out of 2,900 franchise brands as one of the 25 High-Performing Franchises.

SERVPRO of Norcross offers services to help local residents quickly recover and restore any damaged property caused by water or fire. For more information about SERVPRO of Norcross, please contact Crystal Leach at770-687-1742.

About SERVPRO

Founded in 1967, the SERVPRO franchise system is a national leader and provider of fire and water cleanup and restoration services and mold mitigation and remediation. SERVPRO's professional services network of more than 1,500 individually owned and operated franchises responds to property damage emergencies ranging from small individual disasters to multi-million dollar large-loss situations. Providing coverage in 48 states, the SERVPRO System has established relationships with major insurance companies and commercial clients, as well as individual homeowners. All SERVPRO franchises are independently owned and operated.

When I woke up this morning I was a bit nervous. Today was our bi-annual golf tournament with Southern Loss Association at Chatuea Elan and it was about 40 degrees. Thankfully the sun came out and it was a beautiful day. Selling mulligans we were able to raise $930 for the Susan G Komen foundation. It was a beautiful scene.

Anyone who was unable to make it missed a great time. With the recent flooding in the metro area, we were happy to get a sunny weekend.

In Downtown Norcross were over 100 artists from all over the east coast and sponsors from all over Gwinnett County. Thank you to all that came by and a special Thank You goes out to those who contributed to Servpro and their collection for TOYS FOR TOTS.

Hey AR! I'm looking for some pointers. I'm hosting my first CE Class in October. It'll actually be two classes, Ethical Studies (3 hrs) and Restorative Drying (2 hrs). Any thoughts on what has and has not worked for your previous classes? Thanks!

Everyone loves a high school band. Right? It promotes musical excellence and appreciation, teamwork, and high moral standards while representing our families, school and community. Norcross High School Band is no different.

WSBTV News noted that "the The Norcross High School Band is One Of The Best In The Business." The honors and awards the program has garnered is impressive. The high school program includes the Marching Band, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Jazz Band, Basketball Band, Winterguard and Percussion Ensemble.

Atlanta Bread Company (at the FORUM) is showing their community effort on MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 2009 (from 4 pm - closing) with Band Night Out!

Tell the cashier you are with the Norcross High School Band - and the band will receive 20 percent of the proceeds.Twenty Percent!

You can eat in or take it out - just be sure to tell them you are with the Norcross High School Band.

Spread the word - friends, co-workers, everyone in your email address book etc. Ask them to support the band on Monday night by eating at Atlanta Bread Company. (Please remind them to say they are with the band!)

What a great way to support the program.