Strategic Move Aims to Meet Growing Demand in the Junk Removal Industry
BELFOR Franchise Group has added JUNKCO+ to it wide-ranging portfolio of service brands. JUNKCO+ handles basement-to-attic residential and commercial junk removal, and will haul off unwanted items (including furniture, appliances, electronic gear and hot tubs), do post-demolition cleanup, and provide demolition services (including shed, deck and mobile home demolition). The company also will clear out estates and remediate hoarding situations.
As boomers downsize and deal with their parents’ estates, the U.S. junk removal industry has been growing. It was valued at $49 billion in 2020, when there were 21,164 junk removal businesses nationwide, according to Worldmetrics.org. At that time, the industry employed a little more than 70,000 people, the organization stated. From 2016 to 2021, the junk removal industry grew at an average of 1.9% per year, Worldmetrics.org reported. The global market size for junk removal is expected to reach $530.3 billion by 2025, the organization said.
Strategic Acquisition
In a news release announcing the acquisition, Doug Smith, senior vice president of franchise development for BELFOR Franchise Group, said that JUNKCO+ will complement his company’s other service brands. “JUNKCO+’s commitment to quick and convenient junk removal solutions makes them a great fit for our community of reputable service franchises. We’re excited to work with them to deliver incredible value to our customers.”
JUNKCO+ founder and Brand President Blake Gordon praised the acquisition as a plus for his company’s franchisees. “Joining BELFOR Franchise Group ensures JUNKCO+ has the resources needed to empower franchisees to succeed along with the support structure in place to help us grow the brand nationwide. BELFOR Franchise Group has a proven track record of building and supporting the top service franchise brands.”
JUNKCO+ Franchise Expansion
The news release indicated that JUNKCO+ is looking to expand and touted the brand’s business model, its comprehensive training for franchisees, and ongoing business coaching for each of its independent owners. The JUNKCO+ website emphasizes clear communication — with advanced scheduling technology — and customer satisfaction on every project. In carrying out its same-day or next-day service, JUNKCO+ franchises will discard or recycle unwanted possessions or haul them to charities after leaving the property tidy, the website says.
The JUNKCO+ franchise website says the ideal franchisee will have an entrepreneurial spirit, possess marketing skills, and stay calm in the face of fluctuating demands for junk removal, property cleanout and demolition services. In addition, franchisees should be capable of leading a professional team.
About BELFOR and JUNKCO+
Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Mich., BELFOR Franchise Group is the parent of 14 franchise brands involved in home and commercial cleaning and restoration. Those franchises include 1-800-BOARDUP, 1-800 WATER DAMAGE, Blue Kangaroo Packoutz, Chem-Dry Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning, COOL-BINZ, DUCTZ, HOODZ, JUNKCO+, N-Hance Wood Refinishing, The Patch Boys, redbox+ Dumpsters, Safer Home Services, WINMAR and Z PLUMBERZ. BELFOR Franchise Group was established in 2007.
Gordon launched Louisville, Ky.-based JUNKCO+ in 2018. He originally worked in the lawn care industry and hit upon junk hauling to add year-round income by using the lawn service’s dump trailers, which typically sat empty and idle during the off-season.
