This one's a little different — Dustin Walter is the founder of Independent Restoration Services, the network Brian is a partner in. In this episode, Brian gets to ask questions as an insider, and Dustin breaks down how IRS's ownership model works, why he built a centralized back office instead of a traditional franchise, and what he actually looks for in the people he partners with.

What we cover:

• Dustin's path from a decade in the insurance industry (adjuster, supervisor, manager) to founding a restoration company
• Why IRS operates as a "network" or "cooperative" rather than a franchise, and how partners can own roughly a third of a location while capturing more value than 100% ownership elsewhere
• What the centralized back office actually does: call center, Xactimate estimate writers, insurance negotiators, accou ...