Pool Scouts franchisees provide a range of pool maintenance services.
Mike McGrory’s franchise journey through multiple concepts was born from economic challenges, and now as a Pool Scouts franchisee he’s working to develop his territory in Harleysville, Pennsylvania as the first operator in the state.
“People want the aesthetic of the pool as soon as possible, even if it’s too cold to swim,” said McGrory. “People just can’t wait.”
Founded in 2012, Pool Scouts is a pool maintenance franchise under the Buzz Franchise Brands umbrella, which also includes Home Clean Heroes, British Swim School and Wonderly Lights. With more than 100 locations, it has a presence in 16 states
Before becoming a franchisee, McGrory was an I.T. specialist. “I was a computer geek,” he said. “I was having a blast doing it, but then I met my wife and we got pregnant with our first and I was laid off.”
He was furloughed in 2001 and welcomed his first son, Stephen, just two weeks after the 9/11 attacks. With hiring largely at a standstill, an offer from friend Sean McCabe to help out as a technician in the ServPro operation he managed came at the right time.
Mike McGrory brought the Pool Scouts brand to Pennsylvania when he opened his location this spring.
Always a fixer, McGrory discovered the property restoration franchise was a good fit. He bought his first ServPro franchise in 2002 and McCabe later became a franchisee as well. The two eventually merged their businesses and went on to add eight 1-800-GOT-JUNK locations.
After first selling the 1-800-GOT-JUNK business and then in October completing the sale of three ServPro locations, McGrory decided he was ready for a break. He spent time at home, but the husband and father of four quickly rankled his wife.
“She’s still a stay-at-home mom, and I was disrupting her whole day,” he said. “I wasn’t all that ecstatic about being home, either.”
McGrory was still the neighborhood fixer. After building a pool of his own and helping his neighbors with their pool maintenance issues, he decided to monetize the work he was putting in. He looked at his options and chose Pool Scouts.
After completing training in April, McGrory got right to work. He admits he probably took on more than he bargained for initially as the sole person in the business.
“I shouldn’t have been doing pool openings by myself,” he said. “The whole team was really patient with me.”
Now booked out with weeks of work, he’s busy with cleanings, openings and repairs. A surprise heat wave in the region is causing algae blooms, while some flooding is dirtying pools all over again. He’s already considering getting a second truck just to cover the demand.
Son Stephen has since joined him in the business as the first employee, a move McGrory said has been a good fit.
“He got the bug,” said McGrory. “There’s a real sense of accomplishment making a pool go from green to clear.”