Mark Curfman is originally from Southern California and now lives in Missouri, where he owns and operates two Lightspeed Restoration territories. His first location is in Farmington (opened 2025), and is expanding into the Greater St. Louis market later this year. He currently has 8 employees. He has a strong operational background, with experience building and managing teams, systems, and day-to-day business performance. Mark enjoys building businesses, developing people, and staying actively involved in his local community.
What made you decide to look into purchasing a franchise?
I had already built a successful independent restoration company, but I reached a point where I wanted to scale faster and smarter. A franchise gave me access to proven systems, national branding, and a support structure that would have taken years to build on my own. Lightspeed Restoration stood out as a way to accelerate growth while still maintaining the culture and reputation we had already built locally.
When researching franchises, what criteria mattered to you most? How did your franchise meet that criteria?
The biggest factors for me were brand strength, operational support, scalability, and culture. I wanted a franchise that wasn’t just a name, but a true partner in growth. Lightspeed Restoration checked all those boxes with strong leadership, a collaborative franchisee network, and systems that support both mitigation and reconstruction services. It allowed me to plug into something bigger without losing what made my original company successful.
Financing can be an obstacle and/or intimidating factor for aspiring entrepreneurs. How did you find financing options to purchase your franchise?
I approached financing from a practical standpoint, leveraging the strength and performance of my existing business. While I did explore traditional options like SBA-backed lending, I ultimately chose to pay cash to maintain full control and avoid additional debt. My advice is to truly understand your numbers and have a clear growth plan whether you finance or not, a strong financial foundation is key to scaling successfully.
Which of your prior skills and experiences do you use in operating your business today?
My background in entrepreneurship has been huge. Everything from managing teams to understanding cash flow and customer service. I also bring a strong technical foundation to the table. I’m a Triple Master Restorer certified through the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification, which means I have advanced certifications in water, fire, and textile restoration. That expertise allows me to lead from the front and ensure our work meets the highest industry standards.
During your research, did you use FBR’s website to compare franchise opportunities? What other resources did you use?
Yes, platforms like FBR helped compare opportunities and understand different franchise models. I also spent a lot of time speaking directly with franchisees, reviewing FDDs, and having in-depth conversations with franchisor leadership teams. Real-world feedback from existing owners was one of the most valuable parts of my research.
When doing your research, which questions did you ask the franchisees?
I focused on real operational questions: what their day-to-day looked like, how long it took to become profitable, what challenges they faced, and how responsive the franchisor was. I also asked what they would do differently if they started over. Those honest conversations gave me a clear picture of what to expect.
Which questions did you ask the franchisor?
I wanted to understand the level of support, training structure, marketing systems, and how they handle growth and expansion. I also asked about their long-term vision and how franchisees fit into that. Most importantly, I looked at the leadership team and whether they were invested in franchisee success.
What were your first 90 days like as a franchisee?
Since I was transitioning an existing business into the franchise system, the first 90 days were focused on integration, aligning systems, branding, and processes. It was busy, but having an established operation gave me a strong foundation. The support from the corporate team made the transition much smoother than expected.
At what point did you feel like you “got the hang of it” and settled in as a business owner?
Honestly, that’s always evolving. I felt confident early on because of my prior experience, but every stage of growth brings new challenges. Expanding into a second territory has been another learning curve, but that’s part of what makes it exciting.
How does the franchisor support and encourage your success?
The support from Lightspeed Restoration has been a major advantage. Their corporate leadership team provides strong training, ongoing coaching, and access to proven systems. Leaders like Ryan Van Winkle, Director of Technology and Innovation, and Troy Coolidge, VP of Franchise Operations, and my Regional Operations Manager, Brion Wills, are actively involved and genuinely invested in franchisee success. It’s not just top-down support. It’s a collaborative environment where ideas and feedback are encouraged.
What are you most proud of and why?
I’m most proud of building a company that people trust during some of the most stressful times in their lives. Whether it’s water damage, fire loss, or mold issues, we’re there to help people recover. I’m also proud of my team. We’ve built a group of skilled professionals who care about doing things the right way.
What advice would you give to potential franchise owners?
Do your homework and talk to as many people as possible: both franchisees and the franchisor. Make sure the culture and support align with your goals. Also, be ready to work. A franchise gives you a roadmap, but success still depends on execution, leadership, and consistency. If you’re willing to put in the effort, it can be an incredible way to grow a business.
More about the Lightspeed Restoration Franchise Opportunity
Lightspeed Restoration offers water damage restoration to homeowners. In addition to being a fast-growing franchise, they earned a spot on our Top 200 Franchises of 2026.
They also share their full franchisee satisfaction report. This is the survey that we here at FBR administer to their franchisees. You can read real responses from Lightspeed Restoration franchisees and see how the company performs in areas like technology and training.
Explore this outstanding franchise today!
