Service Franchise’s Commitment to Exceeding Expectations — for Franchisees and Clients — Resonated with Ben Doebler
- PuroClean’s culture of servant leadership was key to Ben Doebler’s decision to invest in the service franchise.
- PuroClean franchise leaders emphasize their commitment to serving franchisees, as well as clients.
- Doebler’s focus on exceeding clients’ expectations resulted in him receiving PuroClean’s Brand Promise Award.
PuroClean made a fantastic first impression on Ben Doebler, whose franchise has served the Portland metro area, Salem and Keizer, Ore., for 10-plus years. Before deciding on PuroClean, he spent time with President and COO Steve White and other executives at the Florida Home Office. “I was really impressed with their commitment to franchise owners,” Doebler says.
The service franchise’s approach is multifaceted, he says. “There’s a behind-the-scenes franchisee-franchisor culture of relating with one another, and a culture of how we relate to our clients and our homeowners. What drew me in was the servant leadership mentality of those at the helm. That literally was plastered on a sign, as soon as you walk in, saying we are here to serve the franchise owners.
“I had been in franchising before. I had a fast-casual restaurant in Greeneville, Tenn., for eight years. The franchisor was more like the parent who was just there to kind of punch you a little bit and make sure you’re staying in line. At PuroClean’s office, the commitment to franchisees was there from executives down to every staff member. And PuroClean seemed better positioned than some competitors for future growth versus just kind of living on yesterday’s successes,” he says.
The Benefits of a Service Franchise
“I looked for a business that would support my family,” says Doebler, who then had four kids younger than 5. “As property damage restoration came on my radar, I was blown away by a service business that could turn that kind of gross margin.” After selling the Tennessee restaurant and an offshoot vent-hood cleaning business, he chose Oregon for his franchise site, a destination prompted by his church’s expansion there. “We wanted to be part of that,” he says.
Once on board with PuroClean, Doebler says franchisees have proved constantly supportive. “Two dear friends, Adam Miller in Corvallis, Ore., and Tomas Mejia in Denver, have — without compensation — helped me with hours of business advice and resources.” Doebler also belongs to one of PuroClean’s many impact groups, “where franchise owners help each other. That’s part of the culture, that idea of servant leadership that happens behind the scenes.”
More visibly, he adds, “we want to do everything that we can to make sure our customers are touched by our service. People love their homes. Their homes are full of memories and sentimental items. [Following a disaster,] you tell them it’s going to be OK and help them recover. You’re a shoulder of comfort. For instance, after fires, we’ve helped bury pets, and we’ve taken the remains to the vet to be cremated. The homeowners are emotionally wrecked, and you do things that aren’t part of the job.”
He has empowered his 26 employees, some of whom have been with him for 10 years, to expand their roles as needs arise. “If there’s something that can be done for the client’s benefit — to make that person’s day brighter, happier, better — they know they have my full endorsement to do it, to do whatever is right. We want to wow every client. When you’re served well and supported well, then you serve and support others well. So many times, we leave with a hug or tears, and it’s immensely rewarding.”
Brand Promise Award
In 2024, Ben Doebler received PuroClean’s Brand Promise Award, which recognizes a franchise owner who exceeds expectations in providing superlative, compassionate property restoration services and strong, visible community involvement.
When asked about the honor, Doebler gets a little emotional. “I wasn’t expecting it — there are just so many fantastic PuroClean operators. I know many who could have won that award. It’s special because I felt like our team had won it. They are special people. They’re like a family. That’s because of the work that they go out and do every day and the customers they touch. When I walked upon stage to receive the award, it was special because I felt like they were recognizing my family at my franchise.”
To learn more about franchising opportunities, visit the PuroClean website.
