Innovation and Acquisition Fuel Harris Research, Inc.’s Milestone Year, Accelerated Growth Projected for 2019

PR Newswire

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- For Harris Research, Inc. (HRI), parent company of home service franchise brands Chem-Dry Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning, N-Hance Wood Refinishing, and Delta Disaster Services, 2018 marked a milestone year. Most notably, HRI added Delta Disaster Services to its portfolio in March and helped triple the size of the award-winning property restoration franchise's network by year's end. As for its long-standing franchise brands, Chem-Dry saw a 37 percent year-over-year increase in the number of franchises awarded, and N-Hance celebrated the opening of its 500^th location. The company is expecting continued robust growth for all three brands in 2019, projecting nearly 230 awarded franchises combined.

The company identified increased consumer spending on home services, growing popularity of more environmentally friendly options, clear brand differentiation, and smart investments as key contributors to the strong demand for its franchise businesses. In addition to the 200+ combined franchise units awarded in 2018, its legacy brands have experienced sustained growth in recent years. Chem-Dry has averaged more than 100 awarded franchises per year over the past six years, while N-Hance has more than doubled its system size in the past five years.

"We're excited to have expanded our portfolio by adding Delta Disaster Services and celebrated important milestones across all three brands in 2018. We expect to build on that momentum with another year of strong performance in 2019," said HRI President and CEO Dan Tarantin. "As our franchise systems continue to grow, we need to adapt to the changes taking place in the marketplace. We're committed to staying true to our franchise-owner focused culture and what makes each brand unique, but we're also committed to adapting and innovating in our processes and services as well as in our franchise models. With the future of the overall home services market looking healthy and vibrant, we expect to see and help our franchise owners continue to grow their sales and expand their operations in local markets. We're confident each of our franchise models offer entrepreneurs an excellent opportunity to start and grow a successful business, with well-respected and market-leading brands that have proven track records."

HRI continues to make significant investments in the area of research and development, resulting in the launch of more proprietary new and improved products to its line of superior-performing solutions and leading-edge equipment. Chem-Dry has added franchises and grown unit level sales by expanding its service offering in recent years, adding granite countertop renewal, premium area rug cleaning, dryer vent cleaning and air duct cleaning services, as well as commercial VCT floor cleaning. N-Hance has evolved from its roots of primarily refinishing floors to a major focus on cabinet refinishing, which has become its most popular service and main revenue driver. Its innovative Lightspeed instant-cure hardwood treatment provides same-day hardwood refinishing with minimal dust and odor. Delta Disaster Services recently broke ground on a state-of-the-art ASD flood house near the brand's Denver office that will replicate realistic disaster situations such as a flood or smoke damage that franchisees and employees encounter in the field, allowing for a higher-grade hands-on training experience.

Chem-Dry uses a green-certified solution and proprietary deeper-cleaning Hot Carbonating Extraction (HCE) process to create healthier homes and workplaces. In a study by an independent lab, Chem-Dry's HCE cleaning method was found to remove 98 percent of common household allergens from carpets and upholstery and 89 percent of airborne bacteria when a sanitizer was added. As part of the brand's Healthy Home initiative, it now has over 50 Green Certified products. In 2019, eyes are set on awarding over 100 franchises with specific focus on New England, the Midwest, and the Southwest. Chem-Dry was recently ranked No. 1 in Category in Entrepreneur Magazine's Franchise 500 list for the 31^st consecutive year.

N-Hance offers an innovative, affordable cabinet and floor refinishing service that renews wood cabinets, floors and other wood surfaces at a lower cost and with less disruption than traditional remodeling projects. In 2019, N-Hance plans to award more than 80 franchises with a focus on markets including Houston, New Orleans, Washington D.C., and Boston.

Delta Disaster Services provides a full-service property restoration solution to both residential and commercial clients. Its restoration services cover damage from flood and water, smoke and fire, and mold and other environmental conditions, as well as reconstruction services. Its Denver-based company-owned operation, proprietary project management software, and industry-best training regimen give the brand a leg up on quality control and convenience, and have made it a preferred provider with insurance carriers. Toward its goal of adding over 300 units in the next five years and becoming a strong national player in the restoration category, the brand expects to adding 50 franchises in 2019.

"Our growth and success are tied to the fact that all of our brands offer unique, high-quality products and services demanded by today's customers," added Tarantin. "While 2018 was a solid year for us, we are projecting an even stronger year in 2019. We aim to solidify our position as an industry leader in each of our categories, not only in terms of size but in the areas of innovation, quality of work and customer service."

For more information on Chem-Dry, N-Hance, and Delta Disaster Services franchise opportunities, please visit www.chemdryfranchise.com, www.nhancefranchise.com, www.deltafranchise.com.

About Harris Research, Inc.

Harris Research, Inc. is the owner of the Chem-Dry, N-Hance and Delta Disaster Services franchise businesses. Chem-Dry is the world's leading carpet and upholstery cleaning service, with a network of 3,000 units in more than 50 countries serving over 11,000 homes and businesses a day worldwide. Its green-certified solution and proprietary Hot Carbonating Extraction cleaning process provide a deeper clean, allow surfaces to dry faster, and leave homes healthier. N-Hance Wood Refinishing is the #1 wood refinishing company in the United States, with more than 500 locations across the U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand. N-Hance can restore the natural beauty of hardwood floors, cabinets, doors and trims or can change the color of wood surfaces to provide a whole new look with a factory-quality finish. The company's proprietary products and refinishing techniques shorten the process and decrease the mess, offering a more convenient way to refinish your wood surfaces. Founded in 2001, N-Hance Wood Refinishing is a trusted partner of the Home depot, with a presence in more than 1,3000 locations. Delta Disaster Services is a nationally recognized, award-winning franchise brand in the 60-billion-dollar restoration industry, providing restoration services to commercial and residential properties for water, fire, and environmental damage, including reconstruction. Delta Disaster Services now operates in more than 30 markets across the country. HRI is a portfolio company of Baird Capital.

Media Contact: Kelly McNamara, Fishman Public Relations, [email protected] or 847-945-1300

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