1-800-GOT-JUNK? Turns 25!

World's largest junk removal company thrives a quarter century after naysayers warned the industry couldn't be franchised

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 3, 2014 /CNW/ - The serial entrepreneur widely known as the pioneer of the professional junk removal industry celebrates a huge milestone this month: 1-800-GOT-JUNK?'s 25^th birthday. In 1989, an 18-year-old high school dropout named Brian Scudamore invested his life savings - $700 - in an old pickup truck and went into business hauling away people's unwanted household junk for a fee. Today the company has recorded $966M in cumulative revenue and has a presence in major metros across three countries.

But a quarter of a century ago junk removal as we know it today did not even exist. "The industry was nothing more than a fragmented collection of Mom-and-Pop shops," explains Founder and CEO Brian Scudamore. "I saw the market need for a professional, reliable brand of junk removal."

Despite incredible odds - from lack of experience to struggles with ADD, and from lack of education to the unmet expectations of his parents, Scudamore persevered with his vision. Long before the world had heard from brands like Amazon and Lululemon, Scudamore was planting the seeds that would grow his innovative brand into the World's Largest Junk Removal Company.

When the time came to franchise, well-meaning friends and colleagues said junk removal could never be franchised. "Many people thought my prospects were bleak," explains Scudamore. "Here I was a high school and college drop-out; but I felt I was learning more from building my business than I ever could have in a classroom. The naysayers made me more determined than ever to succeed."

1-800-GOT-JUNK? hit a period of hyper-growth in the early 2000's, with franchises cropping up across North America and Australia, making the brand a household name. The company's media success includes stints on Oprah, Dr. Phil, Undercover Boss, The View, Hoarders, and coverage in Huffington Post, the New York Times, CNBC, CNN and many more.

1-800-GOT-JUNK? has witnessed an evolution in the junk removal industry over the past 25 years. The onset of competitors has shaped the industry greatly. "Our early success attracted the attention of copycats who wanted a piece of the action," says Scudamore. "As our society became obsessed with buying and collecting more I recognized that competitors could actually help raise awareness of the industry as a whole. Luckily we've remained the front-runners."

1-800-GOT-JUNK? today celebrates its success as an award-winning, $130M international company with a future that includes further expansion abroad and increased market penetration here at home.

About 1-800-GOT-JUNK?

1-800-GOT-JUNK? is pioneering an industry that is helping residents and businesses remove junk and regain space. Whether it's a pile of household junk in the garage or a warehouse full of office furnishings,1-800-GOT-JUNK? removes it for you, making the ordinary business of junk removal exceptional. We are passionate about recycling and donating to charity.1-800-GOT-JUNK? was founded in 1989 and now operates throughout North America and Australia. For more information, visit www.1800gotjunk.com.

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Image with caption: "1-800-GOT-JUNK? Founder (CNW Group/1-800-GOT-JUNK?)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140403_C8489_PHOTO_EN_38796.jpg

SOURCE: 1-800-GOT-JUNK?

Tania Venn, Director, Public Relations, [phone] or [phone], [email protected]

http://www.1800gotjunk.com

http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140403/NY96102

PRN Photo Desk, [email protected]