H.I.R.E FRANCHISEES - Dwyer Group HR program attracts good hires, builds good owners (4/01)

Regardless of the economy, the process of finding talented, hard-working, dedicated employees can always be difficult. So, The Dwyer Group (Nasdaq: DWYR), a franchisor of several trade service concepts, devised a human resources program to help Franchise owners as well as the potential growth of the network.

To create incentives that would attract and retain excellent employees, Dina Dwyer-Owens, president of The Dwyer Group, brainstormed with the presidents of her seven franchise concepts, Mr. Rooter, Mr. Appliance, Aire Serv Heating & Air Conditioning, Rainbow Carpet Cleaning, Glass Doctor, Mr. Electric and associate company DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen by Worldwide^TM. The result was the H.I.R.E program.

H.I.R.E (Hiring Individuals, Recruiting Entrepreneurs) allows employees of a Dwyer Group franchise to earn gradually increasing discounts towards the purchase of their own franchise based on the number of years they work.

Eric Perry knows firsthand the success of the H.I.R.E program. As a new owner of a Rainbow Carpet Cleaning franchise, in Wellworth County, Wisonsin, Perry is capitalizing on his years of experience as a former Rainbow employee.

Perry was a technician for Rainbow for two years when he decided to work for a private company. He later returned to Rainbow for three more years when he was promoted to senior technician, the highest level of achievement for his position. He then began thinking about starting his own franchise. And, upon discussing his ambitions with The Dwyer Group corporate office, he discovered the H.I.R.E program. The Dwyer Group told Perry of the 50 percent discount he had earned through his five years of service. Perry said even though he had already been thinking about a franchise, the H.I.R.E program encouraged him even more to make his dream a reality. Now Perry owns his very own franchise and plans to open three more Dwyer Group concepts within the next 10 years. He will use the program as an incentive for retaining his own loyal employees as he feels that a franchise offers a person the opportunity of stability and a future of success. Cathy Neal, who along with her husband Jim owns the Rainbow Perry worked for, is excited about the opportunity Perry has.

"The HIRE program was a perfect fit for us and Perry," said Neal. "It kept a talented individual within our family rather than having him become the competition."

Dejon Clark has also benefited from the H.I.R.E program, as he is about to embark on the ownership of his Mr. Rooter franchise in Eugene, Oregon, an amazing feat considering he is only 23. Clark started in Mr. Rooter's laborer apprenticeship program straight out of high school. From there he consistently was promoted until after four years he was already managing the plumbers and drain cleaners. It was in this position that he got to see the business side of the operation and decided he wanted to go out on his own. But his franchise owner told him of the H.I.R.E program. Clark said the H.I.R.E program was the main incentive for staying with Mr. Rooter and starting his own franchise. He says it will allow him to be successful more quickly since they have provided him with the foundation he feels is necessary to run his own business. Clark says he will also encourage his employees to use the program because it is an instant motivator and allows everyone a fair chance of being successful if they work hard. He also feels it will be a valuable part of his business as it keeps talented employees from becoming competitors but instead part of the system increasing the chances of everyone's success.

The Dwyer Group Inc., based in Waco, supports over 900 franchisees in the United States and nearly 400 franchisees in 23 countries. The Dwyer Group's franchise concepts include: Rainbow International Carpet Care and Restoration Specialists, Mr. Rooter (Drain Doctor in the UK), Mr. Electric, Mr. Appliance, Glass Doctor, Aire Serv Heating & Air Conditioning and an associate company, DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen by Worldwide. Combined, these concepts offer a broad base of residential and commercial services. The Dwyer Group's objective is to have 3000 Franchises doing $1 billion in annualized system wide sales by December 2005. \