Some companies have been downsizing during the turbulent economy of the past year, but in June The Dwyer Group Inc. announced the sale of 44 new franchises, a record month for the Waco-based company.

“Ever since the economy tanked, we’ve been able to survive pretty well because of the industries we’re in,” says James M. “Duke” Johnston, the company’s general counsel and vice president of legal and governmental affairs. “People still have to get the toilet fixed, the lights turned on.”