In this episode of Emerging Franchise Brands, host Frank Fiume sits down with Stefan Figley, President of 1-800-Packouts, a fast-growing franchise that focuses on the critical but often underappreciated part of disaster restoration: handling, cleaning, storing, and returning people’s personal belongings.
While most people think of ripped-out drywall and drying fans when they hear “restoration,” 1-800-Packouts focuses on what Stefan calls the “middle phase”—content inventory, pack-out, cleaning, odor removal, secure storage, and return. Whether it’s a flooded home, fire-damaged furniture, or belongings from a hoarding situation, franchisees are trained to treat items with care, empathy, and professionalism.
With Stefan’s background in franchising and restoration—and support from parent company Five Star Franchising—the brand has grown to 55 locations across 22 states. Franchisees operate climate-controlled warehouses, use ultrasonic cleaning technology, and offer secure private storage with inventory tracking. And in large-scale catastrophes, 1-800-Packouts can deploy semi-trailers filled with equipment and supplies to support local franchisees or assist others in mobilizing to help.
The franchise model is B2B focused, working directly with insurance carriers, contractors, and adjusters. Franchise territories are built around populations of 1 million, and startup costs range from $185K–$400K, including equipment and five months of working capital.
Stefan shares how ideal franchisees aren’t just sales-minded—they must be empathetic, coachable, and driven to build relationships in their communities. With a recession-resistant model, strong industry demand, and a collaborative franchisee network, 1-800-Packouts is built to scale with purpose and resilience.
October 30, 2025
