Small-Town Roots to Restoration Powerhouse: How the Tofts Scaled Their SERVPRO Franchises

Most people meet Lathe and Nicole Toft when they need repair or restoration — whether standing in a flooded basement or a fire-damaged office. But for the Tofts, these moments of crisis are the foundation for an Iowa-born success story that has scaled into a restoration powerhouse. As the owners of SERVPRO franchises in Omaha Southwest, Omaha Northwest, Omaha West/Saunders County, Council Bluffs, East Sioux Falls and West Sioux Falls, they have reached the elite Top 100 out of more than 2,500 company locations nationwide. Placing in the top 4% of the entire network is a testament to their business growth strategies and a community-first heart. Whether managing a minor leak or a multi-million dollar commercial project, the Tofts provide the peace of mind that a solution is always just a phone call away.

Growing From the Ground Up

The Tofts’ journey started in northwest Iowa, where Lathe co-owned Boji Builders, a general contracting company specializing in the demolition and buildback phases for local restoration jobs. When the opportunity arose in 2016 to co-own SERVPRO of Spencer and Iowa Great Lakes as well as SERVPRO of Estherville — specializing in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage — Lathe saw the potential of the franchise business model and took full ownership of his future.

“One of the owners told me he was going to retire and sell his business,” said Lathe. “Long story short, we didn't want to lose that revenue stream so we ended up making a deal to purchase both SERVPRO locations. By focusing on quality and building a great team, we quadrupled the size of both businesses in both Spencer and Estherville in 3 short years.”

This rapid success caught the attention of the corporate office, leading to a major business expansion opportunity. In 2019, Lathe and Nicole had a life-changing decision to make: move their family to take over the SERVPRO locations in Omaha or stay put. For the Tofts, the choice was clear.

"We didn’t need to ask too many questions," said Lathe. "We were ready to go."

They purchased SERVPRO of Omaha Southwest in July 2019 and SERVPRO of Omaha West/Saunders County in December 2019. Just a few months later, the world changed with the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead of slowing down, the Tofts jumped in to help, offering specialized cleaning and emergency board-up services. They proved that a good business doesn't just survive a crisis — it finds a way to help the community through it. They continued to expand to Council Bluffs in September 2021 and later Omaha Northwest in November 2023. The Tofts have recently purchased the Sioux Falls market in December of 2025.

Restoring Properties to a Family Standard

What sets the Tofts’ SERVPRO locations apart is the heart behind the hard work. Nicole spent her early career as a registered nurse, and she transitioned into the restoration world without losing her passion for helping people. She realized that whether a person is dealing with a broken leg in a hospital or a broken pipe in their basement, the feeling of crisis is the same.

"People don’t ask to spend their vacation fund on a broken leg, and they also don’t ask to spend it on a flooded basement,” said Nicole. “Being a part of that process from the beginning and getting them back to a better situation than they started in is rewarding.”

To ensure that every customer feels supported, the entire team lives by a simple, powerful rule: Treat every property like it’s your grandmother's house. This mindset starts the moment the phone rings and continues until each job is done.

When Spencer was hit by a major flood in 2024, Lathe and Nicole were leading the storm and disaster response from the front — running state-of-the-art equipment and a semi-truck and trailer stocked with specialized tools alongside their crew. It was also a pivotal moment for the Toft family. Their son, Carson, a business student, worked through grueling conditions at the job sites, while their middle-schooler, Kaleigh, helped serve lunches to the dozens of employees on-site.

“It was an all-hands-on-deck event,” said Nicole. “We had planned a week at the lake, but we spent those two weeks giving back instead. Carson got to see the big picture of why we do what we do. Lathe and I hope for this to be a legacy the kids become a part of — implementing the importance of helping others, no matter what career they choose.”

The Tofts know that they can’t provide this level of care without a trained and dedicated team, so they invest heavily in their employees.

“We don’t just hire for a job; we build careers through a specialized Teammate Development Program,” said Lathe. “Every new hire can see a visible chart that maps out their future — from initial training to certifications and leadership roles. By providing a clear path for growth and better pay, we have built a culture of positivity and high standards.”

Banking on a Personal Connection

As a fast-growing company, the Tofts needed a small business bank that could keep up with the pace of restoration. Lathe’s connection to Northwest Bank started with a childhood savings account, but as his needs shifted toward commercial loans and complex business growth strategies, the bank’s role evolved. For the Tofts, the bankers did more than just lend money; they provided the relationship-based banking experience.

“I was nervous about how to get a commercial loan for my first franchise acquisition in 2016,” said Lathe. “I sat down with a mentor at the bank to discuss the plunge into ownership. That banker provided a personal vote of confidence that changed everything. He said, ‘I’ll bet you right now, you aren’t going to regret buying these businesses in 5 years.’ That little tip of the scale from a person I trusted made all the difference."

That high-touch service continues today with his current bankers. Whether the Tofts are at the office or traveling, they have their banking team on speed dial. This level of banking helped the Tofts resolve issues — from fraud protection to credit card limits — with a simple text, even after hours.

"We can reach out to Paul Daniels or Sara Morrow anytime, even when we're on vacation,” said Nicole. “We can text and say, 'Hey, we're having an issue with our card,' and it’s taken care of immediately. Having that person you can actually talk to is huge."

Northwest Bank has helped the Tofts navigate how to finance business expansion as they moved from a small crew in Spencer to a multi-state operation. The bank didn't just provide business expansion financing for their 44,000-square-foot headquarters; they helped coordinate SBA loans and business plans to ensure that the Tofts had positive cash flow.

"They’ve always helped us out,” said Nicole. “Not only did they help us financially, but they helped us with our business plans. If you're thinking about starting a business, Northwest Bank makes sure that transition is smooth."

Building A Legacy Across the Midwest

The Tofts are on a mission to replicate their successful franchise business model across the Midwest. With a strategic acquisition in the Sioux Falls market in late 2025, they are proving that they know how to set up a successful franchise system and have the right financial backing to execute a large-scale vision. By combining excellent service with aggressive business growth strategies, they are currently eyeing a spot in the Top 50 SERVPRO franchises nationwide.

"There is nothing more satisfying than owning your own business," said Lathe. "You have to work hard to get the right people in place so you can eventually have that work-life balance. If you have the right people and a bank that has your back, you'll never regret taking the plunge."

Looking to build a small business from the ground up or scale your current operations? Reach out to a Northwest Bank commercial banker today to learn more about banking for entrepreneurs and how we can support your unique business growth strategies.