A Northern Kentucky-based restoration company has earned Servpro’s highest franchise honor after a year that combined revenue growth, large-scale disaster response and community involvement.
Servpro Team Phillips/Smith was named Servpro’s 2025 Franchise of the Year in the multi-market owner category, according to a community announcement. The award recognizes excellence in customer service, operational performance, leadership and community impact among more than 2,400 independently owned and operated Servpro franchises across the United States and Canada.
Owners Jeff Smith and Jason Phillips accepted the award during the 57th Annual Servpro Convention in San Diego.
The partners opened their first franchise in 2000 and began working together in 2014.
Since then, they have expanded to 13 franchises across Kentucky and Ohio, including operations in Lexington, Louisville and Cincinnati. The company ranked fourth nationally in total revenue among Servpro franchises in 2025.
Derby-related flood response highlighted
Among the projects noted in the announcement was a restoration effort at Buffalo Trace Distillery after floodwaters threatened operations shortly before the Kentucky Derby.
The company helped mitigate damage at the facility and assisted with reopening efforts ahead of one of the distillery’s busiest weekends of the year, according to the announcement.
“We partnered together in 2014, and we set the goal to become Franchise of the Year,” Phillips said. “I’m really proud of our team, and I’m happy for them.”
Smith called the recognition “validation.”
"It's not just about volume, it's about being the best from top to bottom," he said.
Community involvement remains a focus
The organization employs more than 200 people and provides water, fire and mold remediation services, along with construction, roofing and other residential and commercial services.
Beyond restoration work, the company supports local nonprofit groups and sponsors a team of firefighters competing in the Firefighter Challenge League, a competition nationally sponsored by Servpro.
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This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Northern Kentucky Servpro team earns top franchise honor
