Sponsored content by Puroclean.

From hotels to restaurants, and more, hospitality can be an enticing industry for entrepreneurs seeking to start a business with a well-known brand. However, the hospitality sector has many obstacles for franchise owners, including high startup costs, a large staff to manage, and changes in customer spending as the economy fluctuates. Comparatively, franchise owners in a recession-resistant industry like property restoration don’t face these challenges because they offer essential services.

Cost vs. Reward
The expense of opening a hospitality franchise can vary considerably, depending on which part of the sector you invest in. For hotels, perhaps the biggest hurdle is the need to buy or build a brick-and-mortar location. According to Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, initial investments to own a hotel franchise typically range from several hundred thousand to a few million dollars. This seed money may include construction or renovation of the building, franchise fees, pre-opening costs, and working capital.

That’s a drastic difference from the price to start a property restoration business. For example, it costs up to $277,118 to open a PuroClean franchise, according to the brand’s Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD). Most PuroClean Franchise Owners can get up and running within approximately 90 days with a lean team of only two to four employees, as opposed to waiting six months, a year, or more to renovate or build a hotel and requiring a large staff to operate it.

The lower initial investment does not necessarily mean limited growth potential. According to PuroClean’s FDD, the top 10% of reporting Franchise Owners with a Business Development Representative averaged approximately $5.9 million in gross sales*, while the highest-grossing franchise reported more than $20 million in gross sales.** When it comes to hospitality, people love traveling and going out to eat, but if the economy dips, discretionary spending is the first to go with it, which is something a business owner can’t control. In a recession-resistant industry like property restoration, if a home or business is damaged by water, fire, mold, or biohazard contamination, waiting is not an option.

Making the Move
Joe Thomas, multi-unit PuroClean Franchise Owner, brought more than business experience with him from the hospitality industry; he also brought valuable relationships. Coming from an Italian-American family where both his grandfather and father launched hospitality businesses before him, Thomas catered events at a banquet hall, becoming the “third generation to sell spaghetti.”

When Thomas later entered the property restoration industry, PuroClean’s open territory model and those hospitality connections became an asset for securing commercial large loss work, helping him grow his PuroClean empire across multiple states. He started a PuroClean franchise with his cousin as a side hustle but quickly realized how lucrative property restoration could be. Their first large-loss project was an eye-opener, leading them to go all in with PuroClean.

Notably, PuroClean has formed relationships with three of the nation’s top five national insurance carriers plus other partners, allowing the Home Office to send restoration projects to qualified Franchise Owners. In 2025, PuroClean Franchise Owners completed $80,000,000 in this National Account work. Hospitality franchise owners, on the other hand, must attract business to their venue as the corporate office cannot drive customers to a particular location. 

Embracing the Vision
Whether you’re comparing franchise industries for the first time or looking to diversify an existing hospitality portfolio, property restoration offers a smart and scalable investment. Hospitality owners can leverage their existing business and network as potential PuroClean clients, while new investors can maximize the PuroClean brand to build relationships across a wide range of commercial industries.

For more information, visit PuroCleanFranchise.com. 

*With Sales Rep: See 2026 FDD

**This figure represents the results of a single franchisee identified in Item 19 of our Franchise Disclosure Document (“FDD”).  Individual financial performance will vary based on numerous factors.  Prospective franchisees should carefully review the full FDD — including Item 19 — and consult with their own legal, financial, and business advisors before making any investment decision.

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