FBR Issue 2

Franchise Business 

REVIEW 

Ratings and Reviews of Today’s Top Franchises 

2019 Issue 2 

Best of the Best 

Multi-Unit Franchises P. 22 

Meet this Year’s 

Rock Star Franchisees P. 24 

SPECIAL REPORT 

2019 TOP 

LOW-COST 

FRANCHISES 

AMERICAN POOL PLAYERS 

SANDLER TRAINING 

DREAM VACATIONS 

VISITING ANGELS 

MAIDPRO 

HOUSEMASTER and more... P. 10 

FRANCHISEE SPOTLIGHT: 

Ron Smith & Jan Griffith, 

MINUTEMAN PRESS P. 9 

Scot & Amy Hecht 

OUR TOWN AMERICA P. 17

35 QUARTERS 

OF CONSECUTIVE SAME 

STORE SALES GROWTH* 

SINCE 1973 

564 STORES 

IN 21 STATES† 

INNOVATORS 

OF FLAVORED 

CRUST® PIZZA 

Unavailable 

Multi-unit 

Areas Available 

Existing Locations - 

Areas Available 

Carryout and Delivery Concept 

OPEN A HUNGRY HOWIE’S ® FRANCHISE 

FRANCHISING.HUNGRYHOWIES.COM 

248.414.3300 

*Results measure company-wide same store sales figures for each calendar year over the previous calendar year. The measuring period is January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2018. Excludes store sales from the State of Florida, units which are not obligated to and do not report sales to Hungry Howie’s, 

and units which opened and/or closed during the measuring period. Not all individual stores experienced the same results. New franchisees may have results that differ. This advertisement is not an offer of a franchise. Franchises are offered and sold only through a Franchise Disclosure Document. 

STATE OF CALIFORNIA: THESE FRANCHISES HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE FRANCHISE INVESTMENT LAW OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA. SUCH REGISTRATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE APPROVAL, RECOMMENDATION, OR ENDORSEMENT BY THE COMMISSIONER OF CORPORATIONS NOR A FINDING BY THE COMMISSIONER THAT 

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED HEREIN IS TRUE, COMPLETE, AND NOT MISLEADING. STATE OF NEW YORK: THIS ADVERTISEMENT IS NOT AN OFFERING. AN OFFERING CAN ONLY BE MADE BY A FRANCHISE DISCLOSURE DOCUMENT FILED WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. SUCH FILING DOES NOT CONSTITUTE APPROVAL BY THE 

DEPARTMENT OF LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. MINNESOTA STATE REGISTRATION NUMBER F-2873. †545 open stores in 21 states with an additional 19 agreements signed as of 12/18/2018.

FBR SPECIAL REPORT 

Features //2019 Issue 2 

+ 

Reviews, interviews, satisfaction awards, 

and more resources are available at: 

www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com 

7 18 20 

5 Letter From the Editor 

The Risk of “Staying Safe” Is the Greatest Risk of All 

7 A Franchise Opportunity for Any Budget 

Top-Rated, Affordable Franchises to Consider in 2019 

10 Top Low-Cost Franchises of 2019 


14 The Heart of a Travel Agent, the Drive of a CEO 

How Michelle Fee Built the Cruise Planners Franchise 

16 Fitness Entrepreneurs Who Were Millionaires 

by 26 Say It’s Not About the Money 

Burn Boot Camp Founders Share Their Story 

18 The Appeal of a Seasonal Franchise 

Making a Life and a Living 

20 Time to Grow? 

How to Know if (and When) Multi-Unit Franchise 

Ownership Is Right for You 

22 Top Multi-Unit Franchises of 2019 


24 FBR’s 2019 Rock Star Franchisees 

Meet Franchising’s Finest 

30 Marketplace: Franchise Opportunities 

More on the franchisee approved franchise 

opportunities for 2019 

30 2019’s Top 200 Franchises Overall 

Franchises with high franchisee satisfaction 

in every industry sector 

Franchisee Profiles 

9 Ron Smith and Jan Griffith, Minuteman Press 

15 Janice Sinardi, Cruise Planners 

17 Scot and Amy Hecht, Our Town America 

19 Man Phung, Brightway Insurance 

21 Steve Sarafin, Window Genie 

26 Yohanni Hedges, MaidPro 

27 Kristina Kefalas, Payroll Vault 

28 Simon and Stephanie Jones, PropertyGuys.com 

29 Tod Cohen, TSS Photography 

31 Sean Wise, Two Men and A Truck 

34 Todd and Kim Seidl, CarePatrol 

35 Wil and Ayten Mauk, Expedia 

37 Scott Neal, Fibrenew 

38 Ashley Shaver Noland, Rhea Lana’s 

39 Barbara and Chip Whipkey, Wild Birds Unlimited 

For more information on the companies in this report, visit www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com | 3


The Risk of “Staying Safe” 

Is the Greatest Risk of All 

Starting a new business comes with risk. But staying in a job you have outgrown because it 

is “safe” is also a risk; some might even argue “staying safe” is the greater risk. The beauty of 

franchising is that you can take the leap into business ownership with the full support and 

guidance of the franchisor—and the franchise community; essentially lessening your exposure 

to risk as a new entrepreneur. 

Of course, the other obstacle that many prospective entrepreneurs face is raising the funds 

required to get their businesses off the ground. Once again, franchising offers an opportunity 

for anyone with the desire and motivation to become their own boss, regardless of experience 

or income level. Some franchises on this year’s top list start as low as $12k! 

In this issue, we cover the Top 100 Low Cost franchise opportunities, to help you find a business 

opportunity that is both affordable and reputable. We also highlight the Top 50 Multi-Unit 

franchise opportunities for those with growth ambitions and take a look at some of this year’s 

most successful franchise “Rock Stars!” 

Hopefully, the reviews and ratings in this guide prove helpful. For more information on 

specific brands or to access additional content and register for upcoming Q&A webinars with 

our founder, Eric Stites, visit www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com. 

The beauty of franchising 

is that you can take 

the leap into business 

ownership with the full 

support and guidance 

of the franchisor —and 

the franchise community. 

Happy Franchising! 

Sarah Brady, Editorial Director 

Franchise Business Review is the leading franchise market research firm that performs 

independent surveys of franchisee satisfaction and franchise buyer experiences. 

Before you invest in any franchise opportunity, read our reports to get the facts 

from those who know best — franchisees. We publish quarterly research reports, 

examining segments of franchising including the Top 200 Franchise Opportunities, 

Top Low-Cost Franchises, Top Multi-Unit Franchises, Top Food & Beverage Franchises, 

and Top Franchises for Veterans. All publications are available digitally at 

FranchiseBusinessReview.com. 

Eric Stites, CEO & Managing Director 

Michelle Rowan, President & COO 

Sarah Brady, Editorial Director 

C.J. Fleck, Senior Web Developer 

Ali Forman, Marketing Director 

Will Zimmerman, Digital Marketing Manager 

Nicole Dudley, Client Success Manager 

Wes Graves, Client Consultant 

Amy LaLime, Client Services Manager 

Ryan Dowling, Business Research Executive 

Margot Doering, Accounting 

Mary Vogt, Editorial Intern 

Ian Low, Marketing Intern 

The Secret Agency, Design and Production 

Call us at 866-397-6680 

HOW WE IDENTIFY THE TOP FRANCHISES 

Participation in Franchise Business Review’s franchisee satisfaction research is free for all North American franchise systems with a 

minimum of 10 franchisees. For this report, we looked at franchisee satisfaction from over 15,000 franchisees across 153 low-cost brands and 

over 3,500 franchisees across 248 multi-unit brands. The 3,639 franchisees who we surveyed in the multi-unit space own a total of 17,361 

business units, which is nearly five locations per person! We collected this data between September 2017 and February 2019. We asked each 

franchisee over 33 benchmark questions ranking their franchise in the areas of financial opportunity, training and support, leadership, operations 

and product development, core values (e.g., honesty and integrity of franchisor) general satisfaction and the franchisee community. We also asked 

them to answer an additional 16 questions about their market area, demographics, business lifestyle, overall enjoyment running their franchise, 

and role in the franchisee community. From this data, we identified our list of top low-cost franchises and top multi-unit franchises with the 

highest franchisee satisfaction. More detailed information about our research methodology is available at www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com. 

Surveys to determine the Top Franchises for Veterans, Most Innovative Brands, and Top Senior and Healthcare Services Brands are 

underway. If you are a franchisor and would like to participate, please call 866-397-6680 or contact info@FranchiseBusinessReview.com. 



Left: Just Between Friends Shopper; Right: Qualicare Client and Caregiver 

A Franchise Opportunity 

for Any Budget 

Top-Rated, Affordable Franchises to Consider in 2019 

When most people imagine starting their own 

business, they do so with the realization that 

it won’t come cheap. Starting a new business 

typically requires a significant investment to 

get up and running and consequently holds 

back many would-be business owners from 

pursuing their entrepreneurial dreams. 

Fortunately, there are many low-cost franchise 

opportunities that are very affordable— 

with some starting at under $10,000. 

So, if you’ve been dreaming of running 

your own business, but have been held back by 

a concern over funding, a low-cost franchise 

may be the right option for you. And remember, 

just because a franchise is low cost does 

not mean it is low value. “A low-cost franchise 

has nothing to do with the value of the business,” 

said Stacey Firth, director of franchise development 

at 30 Minute Hit. “In 30 Minute Hit’s case, 

for example, custom-built equipment, simple 

build-outs and a small footprint have allowed 

us to keep start-up costs low. Instead of paying 

expensive equipment licensing fees, our franchisees 

can enjoy a simple, easy to maintain, 

scalable business model.” 

For this year’s Top Low-Cost Franchises list 

(see page 10), our team at Franchise Business 

Review surveyed thousands of franchise owners 

from nearly 100 low-cost franchise brands. 

Our initial cut-off for qualifying as “low cost” 

was any franchise opportunity that has an 

initial investment starting at under $100,000. 

While $100,000 is still a lot of money, financial 

options make it possible to get started for 

much less than the “sticker price.” 

BENEFITS OF BUYING 

A LOW-COST FRANCHISE 

In addition to the low start-up costs, low-cost 

franchise opportunities offer several benefits 

for owners, such as: 

Affordability—Many franchises require an 

initial investment of hundreds of thousands, if 

not millions of dollars. The initial investment 

range for this year’s top low-cost brands is 

between $2,500 to 100,000. “The most common 

misconception in franchising is that it’s 

too expensive,” said Maxime Mercier, managing 

director at Shack Shine. “Many people 

hear the word ‘franchise’ and instantly think of 

big restaurant brands with high overhead and 

real estate costs. You can start a Shack Shine 

franchise for $50k with no previous window 

washing experience required. We provide 

people with coaching, systems, support and a 

business plan aimed to set them up for success 

for a fraction of the cost.” 

Expedited Profitability and Less Debt—With 

low start-up costs and minimal overhead, you’ll 

be able to generate a return on investment 

much faster than with a higher cost franchise. 

“Low-cost franchises provide fantastic opportunities 

to leverage small amounts of capital 

into multiple thriving businesses. Low overhead 

and total investments combined with fast 

profitability and wide open territories allow 

franchisees to quickly expand into multiple 

units,” said Firth. 



Scalability—Low-cost franchise owners typically 

don’t incur the large loan debt that is 

common with higher cost investments, allowing 

owners to scale much more rapidly. “The 

low start-up cost gives our franchisees scalability 

and flexibility, which is very attractive for 

someone researching business opportunities,” 

said Lou Shager, president of Mosquito Joe. 

Recession Resistant—Many low cost franchise 

opportunities don’t require expensive 

overhead or a large staff, which means they 

have a better chance of surviving an economic 

downturn. 

More Location Choices—The majority of 

low-cost franchises are service-based businesses 

that can be run out of a home office or 

mobile unit. Others, such as Cruise Planners 

and Dream Vacations can be run from anywhere 

in the world, so long as there is an 

internet connection! 

Financing Options for Low-Cost Franchises 

Flexible Hours—With no brick and mortar 

location to attend to, most low-cost franchise 

opportunities offer owners the ability to make 

their own schedule. “A home-based business 

allows our franchisees to have a great amount 

of autonomy,” said Shager. “The flexibility of 

running a business from home allows families 

to excel at their business without sacrificing 

time for their other responsibilities. They’re 

able to get the kids to and from school while 

successfully handling scheduling, routing and 

customer calls.” 

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU BUY 

A LOW-COST FRANCHISE 

Like any new business, there are one-time and 

recurring costs you’ll need to cover as you 

start and grow your business. With a franchise 

purchase, there are four primary cost considerations 

you’ll need to understand before you 

get started: 

If you don’t have the savings to pay for a low-cost franchise out of pocket, financing options can 

help. There are several options you’ll want to consider: 

Low-Doc SBA Business Loans 

An alternative for those searching for smaller amounts of capital, these loans offer you the same 

benefits as SBA Loans (guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) and lent by banks) 

with a shorter turn-time. 

401 (K) Business Financing 

You can use up to 100 percent of funds from an existing retirement account to buy or start a 

small business or franchise without taking a taxable distribution or getting a loan. 

Unsecured Loans 

You don’t need collateral to qualify for these loans, which can happen in just three weeks. They 

are a great option if you need a fast funding solution. If you have a high credit score, banks and 

credit unions are good sources for unsecured loans. If your credit score is lower than the required 

range for banks and credit unions, consider a third party lender. 

Portfolio Loans 

Security-backed loans allow you to take a loan using a financial portfolio, such as a mutual fund, 

as collateral. There are several potential advantages to doing so. First, you can leave your portfolio 

in place, which enables it to grow. Second, because the loan is backed by your portfolio’s value, 

the interest charged will be lower than for an unsecured loan. It is important to note that the 

risk of borrowing against the value of your securities is that if your investments fall in value, the 

money borrowed will emphasize your losses. 

Family and Friends 

For low-cost franchise loans you may be able to turn to family and friends for assistance in getting 

started. 

To help keep your startup costs low, talk to franchise companies about potential discounts or 

financing options they may provide. Some companies will let you finance a portion of the initial 

franchise fees over time and many offer special incentives to military veterans and other special 

groups such as first responders. 

To learn more about these and other franchise financing options, visit our website at 

www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com/financing to explore and apply for quick approval. 

Franchise Fee—The franchise fee typically 

covers the costs to get started such as training, 

your new website, initial supervision, etc. This 

fee may be paid in one lump sum or in installments 

over time. 

Initial Investment—The initial investment 

covers the materials and resources you’ll need 

to launch your business. 

Net Worth—Simply put, your net worth is a 

total sum of all your assets, less all your debts. 

Things like real estate and retirement savings 

count toward your net worth even though they 

aren’t “liquid assets,” while credit card debt, 

mortgages, and other liabilities count against 

your net worth. Many franchise companies 

have a minimum net worth requirement 

for their franchisee candidates because this 

determines your “fundability” (whether or not 

a bank will give you a loan). That said, with 

many low-cost franchise opportunities, their 

net worth requirements are also low, as the 

total investment needed to start the business 

typically doesn’t require a large bank loan. 

With any franchise, you’ll also be required 

to pay ongoing fees such as: 

Royalties—Royalties are ongoing fees and are 

typically charged as a percentage of your gross 

revenue. 

Advertising and Marketing Fees—In exchange 

for the marketing and advertising support 

you’ll receive from the franchisor, you’ll be 

required to pay a monthly marketing and 

advertising fee, which is usually a percentage 

of your revenue. 

You can find more detailed information 

about all of the above mentioned costs and fees 

in the franchise brand’s Franchise Disclosure 

Document (FDD). Once you contact a franchise 

company and meet their qualifications, 

they will provide you with their FDD and 

Franchise Agreement for review. 

These initial costs can create a barrier to 

entry for some prospective franchise owners. 

Fortunately, low-cost opportunities typically 

have low start-up costs and fees that make 

ownership much more realistic. 

8 | For more information on the companies in this report, visit www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com


HOW MUCH MONEY CAN YOU MAKE 

WITH A LOW-COST FRANCHISE? 

Every potential franchise owner wants to 

know how much money they’ll be able 

to make should they invest. This, of course, 

varies from franchise to franchise and 

depends on a slew of factors. 

“People considering a franchise opportunity 

often assume the larger the total initial 

investment, the greater the cash flow generation 

capabilities of the franchise,” said Peter 

Hans, CEO of Discovery Map International. 

“At Discovery Map, we know that the cash flow 

that can be generated is more a function of the 

market, the business model and, frankly, the 

effort and ability of the franchisee.” 

The best way to understand the potential 

profitability of a franchise you are interested in 

is to do thorough research by closely reviewing 

the Franchise Disclosure Document, talking 

with current franchisees, and understanding 

your potential market. Based on FBR data, 

as of March 2019, the average annual income 

for low-cost franchise owners is $77,851. 

Thirteen percent of low-cost franchise owners 

make over $150,000 per year. When compared 

to the overall benchmark, which looks 

at all franchise investments, not just low cost, 

the average income is only slightly higher at 

$85,290, with 17 percent of franchise owners 

making over $150,000. 

“The most common misconception we 

hear is that a low cost investment equals 

lower returns,” said Jesse Johnstone, VP of 

operations at Fibrenew International. “We 

have countless examples of franchisees who 

have proven that incorrect. When assessing 

new franchise concepts, you have to realize 

that profit margin is what matters. It is not 

necessarily how impressive the overall revenue 

numbers look. When you account for 

operating expenses and franchise fees, what’s 

left out of each dollar is key. That’s where we’re 

polar opposite over many big investment 

franchise concepts.” 

When doing your research and business 

planning, it is important to distinguish 

between “business profit” and “owner 

income.” Prospective franchisees often confuse 

a business’s profits with their potential 

annual income/salary, which is a big mistake. 

As a business owner, before you can “pay 

yourself,” you often have to pay business 

taxes, debt repayments on loans, and reinvest 

in your business (that new piece of equipment 

you need, or the new signage you’re required 

to buy, for example). While your business may 

grow to be quite profitable, your actual takehome 

income could be substantially lower. 

Here are some things to keep in mind 

when researching franchise opportunities: 

• Talk with as many franchisees as you can 

and confirm that your business projections 

and income expectations are realistic. 

• Understand that most business owners can’t 

take much money out of the business for the 

first few years during the startup phase, and 

it may take you even longer to start paying 

yourself a meaningful salary from your new 

business. 

• Plan accordingly and try to have alternative 

sources of income (i.e. a spouse’s salary) to 

live off of while your new business is getting 

off the ground. 

Owning a business is about building equity 

in an asset you will eventually sell, which is 

where most franchise owners build significant 

wealth. Although low-cost investments report 

a lower average income, they also require 

significantly less investment. And, many lowcost 

investments, like Dream Vacations and 

Cruise Planners among others can be run on 

a part time or absentee owner basis. 

As Kris Antolak, Director of Franchise 

Development at Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning 

explained, “Just because a franchise is inexpensive 

doesn’t mean it’s not an excellent opportunity. 

There are Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning franchisees 

who own tons of territories and service a 

huge number of customers. Low-cost can be 

high-opportunity.” 

THE RIGHT LOW-COST FRANCHISE 

FOR YOU 

Investing in a franchise is a big decision. There 

are many benefits to owning a business, but 

finding the right franchise for you will take 

some time and homework. Our Top Low- 

Cost Franchises list is a great starting point for 

you to explore the award-winning business 

opportunities that are available. We also have 

many other resources to help you navigate 

every step of your franchise journey; from 

initial research, to financing, to purchase and 

ongoing business management. Just visit us 

today at www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com. 

Ron Smith and Jan Griffith 

Minuteman Press 

Kirkland, WA 

Franchisees since 2017 

FEATURED 

Franchisee 

What was it about the franchise model and/or 

leadership that led you to purchase it? When we 

came across Minuteman Press, what sold us were 

two things: The tenure of the people involved in 

Minuteman Press. We met with owners in our 

area who were in business 30 years and 20 years. 

Also, the business deal was fair: a reasonable 

price for a terrific level of support. 

What type of business experience, education, 

and/or skills did you have prior to becoming a 

franchisee that you have found particularly 

helpful? I (Ron) have a business administration 

degree, which helped me understand the 

mechanics of running a small business. That 

helped me on the sales and logistics side. 

What things do you like most about your job? 

The thing we like most is the variety. We have 

clients that are water heater suppliers, restaurant 

owners, families looking for cards, art centers 

needing custom banners, etc. 

What advice do you have for prospective 

franchise buyers? Make sure you have great 

people working with you. We bought an existing 

franchise and our graphic designer Katie has 

been amazing. Also, the right time for marketing 

is NOW! It doesn’t matter if business is slowing 

down one month or busy another month. Social 

media, Google Adwords, networking, everything 

matters. 

What do you wish you had known prior to going 

into franchising? As for what we would have 

wanted to know before franchising, all we can 

say is: We wish we had made the transition 

earlier because the rewards of owning your own 

business are there and it just takes time. 

For more information about Minuteman Press 

opportunities, call (800) 645-3006 or visit 

www.minutemanpressfranchise.com. 



THE LIST 

Best of the Best: 

Top Low-Cost 

Franchises of 2019 

* 30 Minute Hit — more on p. 42 

Boxing & kickboxing circuit 

* 360clean 

Commercial cleaning services 

* ActionCOACH — more on p. 42 

Business coaching 

Survey 

Date 

June 

2018 

Sep. 

2018 

Jan. 

2019 

Start-Up 

Investment 

$100,000 – 

$165,000 

$3,750 – 

$11,050 

$61,250 – 

$108,441 

Cash 

Requirement 

Total 

Units 

$40,000 83 

$5,000 79 

$40,000 775 

Aire-Master of America 

Commercial hygiene service 

Nov. 

2018 

$39,584 – 

$142,400 

$50,000 113 

* Amada Senior Care 

In-home senior care 

Feb. 

2018 

$87,710 – 

$174,654 

$80,000 107 

“The system is truly top 

notch! The models and 

tools are unmatched, 

and are better than 

those of the Fortune 500 

companies I have worked 

for in the past!” 

* American Poolplayers Association 

Pool league 

ASP – America’s Swimming Pool Co. 

Swimming pool maintenance 

Assisted Living Locators 

Assisted living placement services 

Assisting Hands 


Auto Appraisal Network 

Automotive appraisal services 

— more on 

p. 33 

Sep. 

2018 

Nov. 

2018 

Sep. 

2018 

Sep. 

2018 

Feb. 

2018 

$20,763 – 

$28,648 

$96,338 – 

$143,593 

$59,300 – 

$70,550 

$77,050 – 

$149,000 

$12,000 – 

$30,000 

$20,763 324 

$15,000 285 

$50,000 50 

$45,000 130 

$3,000 – 

$10,000 

27 

– ActionCOACH Franchisee 

Baby Boot Camp 

Fitness programs 

Nov. 

2017 

$6,050 – 

$13,179 

$4,570 – 

$5,480 

81 

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate 

Real estate 

Jan. 


$65,170 – 

$540,000 

$100,000 304 

“You always hear 

companies say they 

support their employees 

and have their best 

interest at heart; but 

Dream Vacations says 

it, shows it, and does 

it when it comes to 

their franchisees.” 

– Dream Vacations Franchisee 

Bloomin Blinds 

Custom blinds and window coverings 

Buildingstars 


* CarePatrol — more on p. 34 


* College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving 

Junk removal services 

Complete Weddings + Events 

Wedding & event services 

Critter Control 

Wildlife control & removal 

* Cruise Planners — more on p. 15 

Travel agency 

Dale Carnegie 

Leadership training 

— more 

on p. 41 

Jan. 


Aug. 

2017 

Oct. 

2018 

March 

2018 

Oct. 

2018 

Sep. 

2018 

Oct. 

2018 

March 

2018 

$35,000 – 

$85,000 

$2,245 – 

$53,200 

$71,540 – 

$88,490 

$89,300 – 

$208,000 

$30,350 – 

$48,650 

$47,500 – 

$82,000 

$2,095 – 

$23,367 

$19,700 – 

$174,500 

$40,000 49 

$1,000 572 

$85,000 150 

$65,000 110 

$10,000 200 

$8,075 – 

$52,075 

98 

$10,995 2,570 

$50,000 – 

$200,000 

221 

Discovery Map 

Alternative advertising maps 

Sep. 

2018 

$35,250 – 

$44,950 

$50,000 138 

Drama Kids 

Drama programs 

Dec. 

2017 

$28,800 – 

$58,000 

$30,000 232 

* Dream Vacations 

Travel agency 

Oct. 

2018 

$3,245 – 

$21,850 

$3,500 1,303 

*This brand’s Franchisee 

Satisfaction Report is available at 


ERA 

Real estate 

Estrella Insurance 

Financial services 

Jan. 


Feb. 

2018 

$4,800 – 

$221,900 

$49,950 – 

$84,000 

$4,800 – 

$221,900 

$25,000 – 

$50,000 

2,370 

130 



Survey 

Date 

Start-Up 

Investment 

Cash 

Requirement 

Total 

Units 

Fastest Labs 

Drug alcohol & DNA testing services 

Dec. 

2017 

$74,650 – 

$88,900 

$50,000 26 

* Fibrenew — more on p. 36, 37 

Leather & vinyl repair services 

Nov. 

2018 

$75,000 – 

$101,800 

$20,000 – 

$100,000 

250 

* FirstLight Home Care 


May 

2018 

$99,681 – 

$152,926 

$100,000 259 

* Fish Window Cleaning 

Window cleaning 

Nov. 

2018 

$83,225 – 

$146,200 

$60,000 – 

$150,000 

271 

* Five Star Painting 

Painting 

Oct. 

2018 

$61,600 – 

$136,150 

$24,450 170 

FPC National 

Recruiting services 

Oct. 

2018 

$86,300 – 

$130,100 

$120,000 62 

FRSTeam 

Home restoration 

Garage Experts 

Garage organization 

* Happy & Healthy Products 

Ice cream/Yogurt/Frozen treats 

Help-U-Sell Real Estate 

Real estate 

High Touch High Tech 

Hands-on science programs 

Nov. 

2018 

Sep. 

2017 

Feb. 

2018 

Sep. 

2018 

Aug. 

2017 

$32,000 – 

$380,500 

$48,497 – 

$86,426 

$45,000 – 

$90,000 

$29,650 – 

$67,650 

$62,750 – 

$69,000 

$25,000 – 

$35,000 

$30,000 – 

$803,000 

$45,000 – 

$90,000 

46 

66 

65 

$2,500 102 

$37,650 34 

“FirstLight Home Care 

is a growing company 

that remembers its start. 

They are always available 

and willing to help.” 

– FirstLight Home Care Franchisee 

Home Care Assistance 


Sep. 

2018 

$77,775 – 

$245,250 

$80,000 174 

* Home Helpers Home Care — more on p. 34 

Senior care 

March 


$75,850 – 

$127,600 

$100,000 318 

HomeSmart 

Real estate 

Nov. 

2018 

$65,000 – 

$205,000 

$20,000 102 

* HomeVestors of America — more on back cover 

Realty renovation 

* Homewatch Caregivers 


HomeWell Senior Care 


* HouseMaster 

Professional home inspections 

* Image One — more on p. 43 


In Home Pet Services 

Pet sitting & dog walking service 

Dec. 

2018 

Sep. 

2018 

Feb. 

2018 

Oct. 

2018 

June 

2018 

Sep. 

2018 

$54,000 – 

$357,250 

$83,000 – 

$137,250 

$67,450 – 

$133,200 

$61,100 – 

$106,150 

$57,110 – 

$123,700 

$9,200 – 

$35,100 

$50,000 – 

$55,000 

900 

$50,000 182 

$46,500 – 

$53,385 

31 

$42,500 313 

$15,000 103 

$9,200 – 

$35,100 

15 

“The quality of the 

franchise system is 

exceptional in all areas. 

Great support, great 

innovation, and a 

positive community.” 

– MaidPro Franchisee 

JumpBunch 

Youth sport & fitness 

Aug. 

2018 

$45,800 – 

$59,300 

$15,000 89 

Just Between Friends 

Children’s consignment 

Sep. 

2018 

$38,550 – 

$54,545 

$45,000 – 

$49,000 

155 

* Kitchen Solvers 

Home remodeling 

Sep. 

2018 

$65,765 – 

$90,535 

$75,000 51 

* MaidPro 

House cleaning & maid services 

Oct. 

2018 

$74,560 – 

$204,450 

$75,000 276 

* Minuteman Press — more on p. 9 

Printing & marketing services 

Aug. 

2017 

$62,207 – 

$161,865 

$50,000 965 



THE LIST 


Top Low-Cost 


Miracle Method Surface Refinishing 

Bathroom & kitchen remodeling 

* Molly Maid 

Cleaning services 

* Mosquito Joe 

Mosquito control services 

Survey 

Date 

July 

2018 

Oct. 

2018 

Feb. 

2018 

Start-Up 

Investment 

$75,000 – 

$138,000 

$110,000 – 

$153,200 

$90,600 – 

$135,500 

Cash 

Requirement 

$40,000 – 

$50,000 

$110,000 – 

$153,200 

Total 

Units 

162 

471 

$50,000 288 

Motto Mortgage 

Brokerage services 

Oct. 

2018 

$48,000 – 

$68,000 

$12,000 82 

“This is an ethical 

company, and there 

is a strong relationship 

between franchisor 

and franchisee. We are 

a family.” 

– Our Town America Franchisee 

* Mr. Appliance 

Appliance repair 

N2 Publishing 

Private neighborhood publications 

Nextaff 

Staffing solutions 

NextHome 

Real estate 

* Office Pride — more on p. 40 


* Our Town America — more on p. 17, 40 

Advertising services 

Oct. 

2018 

Nov. 

2018 

May 

2018 

Oct. 

2018 

Sep. 

2018 

Sep. 

2018 

$60,800 – 

$139,515 

$975 – 

$5,650 

$95,500 – 

$125,250 

$14,500 – 

$212,600 

$59,500 – 

$107,200 

$63,300 – 

$86,250 

$45,000 295 

$975 – 

$5,650 

763 

$75,000 72 

$3,500 – 

$7,500 

330 

$85,000 137 

$70,000 65 

Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning 

Carpet cleaning 

Jan. 


$40,000 – 

$60,000 

$37,900 378 

* Payroll Vault Franchising — more on p. 27 

Payroll services 

Aug. 

2018 

$49,000 – 

$74,119 

$42,850 – 

$70,569 

42 

PropertyGuys.com — more on p. 28 

Real estate 

Aug. 

2018 

$50,000 – 

$100,000 

$50,000 86 

“Purchasing the franchise 

was the best decision 

I could have made 

for myself and my 

family. The leadership 

is incredible!” 

* PuroClean — more on p. 41 

Property emergency repair services 

* Qualicare 


Rhea Lana’s — more on p. 38 

Children’s consignment 

Right at Home 


* Sandler Training — more on p. 31 

Business consulting & coaching 

Sep. 

2018 

July 

2018 

Dec. 

2018 

Feb. 


April 

2018 

$72,732 – 

$190,582 

$65,800 – 

$149,250 

$19,050 – 

$38,950 

$79,250 – 

$137,900 

$91,525 – 

$108,500 

$100,000 – 

$150,000 

264 

$100,000 78 

$15,000 – 

$13,500 

93 

$150,000 588 

$79,000 265 

– Rhea Lana’s Franchisee 

* Senior Care Authority 


Oct. 

2018 

$52,350 – 

$78,150 

$50,000 – 

$150,000 

57 

Shack Shine 

Gutter cleaning & window washing 

July 

2018 

$50,250 – 

$97,050 

$50,250 38 

ShelfGenie 

Shelving solutions 

Dec. 

2018 

$68,600 – 

$103,750 

$75,000 172 

Shine Window Care & Holiday Lighting 

Window cleaning 

Oct. 

2017 

$43,850 – 

$113,590 

$43,850 – 

$113,590 

27 

Showhomes Home Staging 

Home staging 

Jan. 


$45,300 – 

$78,000 

$10,000 55 

Sit Means Sit Dog Training 

Dog training 

Nov. 

2018 

$45,000 – 

$93,850 

$45,000 125 

Snapology 

STEM/STEAM programs & activities 

June 

2018 

$39,000 – 

$73,500 

$32,500 67 



Survey 

Date 

Start-Up 

Investment 

Cash 

Requirement 

Total 

Units 

* Soccer Shots 

Youth sports 

Dec. 

2018 

$41,034 – 

$53,950 

$38,000 223 

Stratus Building Solutions 


Feb. 

2018 

$4,350 – 

$72,850 

$3,600 – 

$62,100 

1,000 

* Supporting Strategies 

Bookkeeping services 

Surface Specialists Systems 

Home remodeling 

TGA Premier Sports 

Youth sports 

The Grout Doctor 

Grout repair services 

The Tutoring Center 

Tutoring services 

March 

2018 

May 

2018 

Feb. 


Sep. 

2018 

May 

2018 

$77,130 – 

$102,390 

$43,200 – 

$56,000 

$16,300 – 

$67,350 

$12,000 – 

$40,000 

$90,000 – 

$130,000 

$100,000 93 

$25,000 45 

$16,300 – 

$67,350 

125 

$10,000 77 

$90,000 116 

“I am grateful for the 

franchisor’s continual 

involvement in each of 

our successes and in their 

dedication to make us 

better at what we do.” 

– Supporting Strategies Franchisee 

Town Money Saver 

Advertising services 

March 


$5,700 – 

$17,000 

$5,000 – 

$12,500 

49 

* Truly Nolen of America 

Pest control 

April 

2018 

$50,200 – 

$293,000 

$35,000 339 

* TSS Photography 

Sports, school & event photography 

July 

2018 

$20,400 – 

$74,275 

$10,500 179 

* Two Men and A Truck 

Moving services 

March 


$95,000 – 

$670,000 

$80,000 – 

$190,000 

385 

* U.S. Lawns 

Commercial grounds care 

Sep. 

2018 

$53,500 – 

$81,300 

$50,000 261 

United Country Real Estate 

Real estate 

Oct. 

2018 

$16,290 – 

$42,510 

$15,000 453 

* Visiting Angels 


We Insure 

Insurance services 

Weed Man 

Lawn care 

Weichert Real Estate Affiliates 

Real estate 

Welcomemat Services 

Printing & marketing services 

July 

2018 

Sep. 

2018 

Aug. 

2018 

Sep. 

2018 

June 

2018 

$83,085 – 

$128,885 

$25,000 – 

$100,000 

$68,453 – 

$85,513 

$50,000 – 

$364,700 

$60,960 – 

$89,710 

$57,950 638 

$50,000 – 

$100,000 

86 

$50,000 674 

$50,000 – 

$364,700 

480 

$47,000 75 

“This is a great 

organization. They 

are enthusiastic, 

supportive, and 

innovative visionaries 

who are also fun 

to be around!” 

WOW 1 DAY PAINTING 

Painting 

Dec. 

2018 

$90,000 – 

$130,000 

$50,000 43 

– TSS Photography Franchisee 

YESCO 

Visual business communications 

March 

2018 

$64,300 – 

$350,000 

$60,000 110 

Young Rembrandts 

Children’s art classes 

Aug. 

2017 

$41,250 – 

$48,120 

$40,000 106 

Zagg 

Electronic accessories 

July 

2018 

$31,000 – 

$60,000 

$10,000 – 

$30,000 

96 



Featured, Low-Cost, Award-Winning Brand 

The Heart of a Travel Agent, 

the Drive of a CEO 

How Michelle Fee Built the Cruise Planners Franchise 

In the age of the internet, you might be wondering 

why anyone would ever use a travel 

agent. And you wouldn’t be alone in your 

pondering. Michelle Fee, founder and CEO of 

Cruise Planners, gets this question a lot. Her 

response? “Why spend four weeks booking a 

four-day vacation when you could have someone 

who could do this all for you and advocate 

on your behalf, all at no cost to you? Our travel 

agents have access to information that travelers 

don’t.” 

The cruising industry has seen growth each 

year for the last 30 years, with double-digit 

growth during the last 10 years. Land-based 

vacations and all-inclusive resorts are at an alltime 

high with record-breaking volume. There 

is no question that the internet has provided 

more opportunities for direct-to-consumer 

sales, but it has also created an enormous 

opportunity for agents. That’s because the 

internet got too big. If you Google “cruise vacation,” 

you’ll see there are more than 4,000,000 

results. For consumers, this abundant choice 

can be completely overwhelming and has 

resulted in a boom for the travel agency space. 

THE BIRTH OF THE 

CRUISE PLANNERS FRANCHISE 

When the internet was just in its infancy, 

Fee was the co-owner of a small “mom and 

mom” business in Coral Springs, Fla. As she 

witnessed the arrival of the internet, she realized 

they needed to change the way they did 

business if they were going to survive. In 1994, 

Fee and her two business partners developed 

a business plan and incorporated. A year later, 

in 1995, they launched the first Cruise Planners 

new agent training class. By 2000, the trio 

identified the need to move away from the 

independent contractor model they had been 

relying on and began franchising. 

“When I started the business, I was scared. 

I was putting my family on the line,” says Fee. 

Michelle Fee at Machu Picchu with Cruise Planners top producing travel advisors and travel partners as part of the 

Elite Summit trip 

“I had to invest money into the business and I 

had two small children. But, I did it and never 

looked back.” 

One of the greatest benefits of the Cruise 

Planners business model is the ability it offers 

franchisees to work remotely—from home 

or anywhere in the world. But 25 years ago, 

working from home was not accepted like it 

is today. Initially, this was an obstacle for Fee. 

“It took a few years to get the concept widespread,” 

she said. “Nobody worked from home 

25 years ago. Today, it is totally different.” 

This forward-looking attitude and ability to 

adapt coupled with the belief that consistency 

is key has allowed Fee and her team to create a 

multi-million-dollar franchise system offering 

franchisees both an income stream and the 

freedom to create the life they desire. 

“I’m really proud of what we built. Franchisees 

can take this business to whatever level 

they want to take it to,” explained Fee. “Some 

are stay-at-home moms, others are retirees, 

and others have turned this franchise into 

something way more than I ever expected, 

making high into the six-figures.” 

Franchisees are offered the support of the 

corporate office as well as from the nationwide 

community of Cruise Planners franchisees. 

This support is one of the reasons so many are 

attracted to franchising. Similarly, Fee credits 

her ability to raise two young children and a 

new business, to her “village of support.” 

“I could not have done this without my 

parents,” she remarked. “And my husband was 

extremely supportive. As a mother, you have 

this guilt—and you can never go back. I made 

sure that all my kids’ important events were on 

my calendar. Today, I can look back knowing 

that I didn’t miss a dance recital or a wrestling 

match; I didn’t miss anything.” 

Over the past 25 years, Fee has built a 

business that offers other mothers and fathers 

the same opportunity she created for herself 

over two decades ago; allowing people the 



FEATURED 

Franchisee 

Janice Sinardi 

Cruise Planners 

Tampa, FL 

Franchisee since 2008 

Michelle Fee christening the AmaSerena. Fee was chosen as the godmother of the river cruise ship in 2015. 

chance to run a business and be present for 

their families or pursue other interests that 

are not always possible while maintaining a 

traditional 9-5 job. 

As Fee explained, “If you want to build 

your business to a certain level and stop 

because you want to go to kids sporting events 

you can; if you want to be the million-plus 

producer you can do that as well. People join 

for different reasons.” 

NOT YOUR TRADITIONAL CEO 

What might surprise you about Fee is that 

she doesn’t have a college degree and she is 

not your typical CEO with a background in 

finance. Fee, a former travel agent, explained 

how having the same background as the 

agents who are selling Cruise Planners travel, 

has helped her understand their needs and 

challenges. Similarly, Fee can relate to new 

franchise owners who are launching their new 

businesses. “I know how to build a business 

from scratch and how to connect with the 

customer,” she said. 

Fee’s non-traditional background underscores 

the fact that anyone, no matter their 

educational accolades or past work experience, 

can find success in franchising. In fact, 

Cruise Planner’s top producing franchisee is 

a bookkeeper; the second highest producer 

is a computer programmer followed by an 

auto mechanic and a hairdresser. 

THE PERKS OF WORKING IN TRAVEL 

Of course, beyond the freedom and financial 

opportunity that Cruise Planners offers, there 

is the obvious benefit of working in travel. As 

Fee said, “Everybody loves travel! It’s the one 

place people enjoy spending money.” 

Each year, Fee travels with Cruise Planners 

top producers. “This year we are going to 

Africa,” she said with a bit of excitement in her 

voice. “It’s my favorite place. We are going to 

go gorilla trekking!” 

Thanks to her work, Fee has seen the world. 

She says she would go back to Europe any day 

but is looking forward to someday seeing Iceland, 

one of the few places she has yet to visit. 

The Cruise Planners business model, their 

technology and their tools have all been deliberately 

designed for remote work; allowing 

franchise owners to travel the world and 

still maintain their business. “Our tools are 

designed so that travel agents can run their 

business off of any smart device,” she explained. 

Cruise Planners relies heavily on technology 

to make work as efficient and as portable as 

possible. For instance, agents can use Alexa to 

look up clients’ details or book or confirm 

travel while they are cooking dinner, driving 

or trekking through the jungles of Africa. 

Fee’s career in travel began over three 

decades ago and, although it is far from over, 

her most recent recognition seems fitting as 

she marks 25 years as founder and CEO of 

Cruise Planners. In 2015, Fee was honored to 

be chosen as the godmother of the river cruise, 

AmaSerena, which sails on the Danube River. 

“They flew me over to christen the ship, I said 

the traditional blessing and broke a champagne 

bottle against the side of the ship,” she 

said. “I am so blessed.” 


leadership that led you to purchase it? I was 

a former cruise line representative and retired 

young, so I was looking for something more. Being 

in the travel industry, I had heard wonderful things 

about Cruise Planners and knew it was the best 

choice for a travel franchise. I knew that I would 

have a team of people around me and the 

Cruise Planners Home Office Team only continues 

to grow, so I can pick up the phone or send an 

email and they are right there to answer a 

question. With Cruise Planners, I very much feel 

a part of a family. 


and/or skills did you have prior to becoming 

a franchisee that you have found particularly 

helpful? I was a cruise line representative for 

more than 25 years. So, that prior knowledge of 

the industry helped. 


I love being a travel advisor because I’m able to 

take my office with me anywhere with Cruise 

Planners’ mobile technology. I can visit my grown 

children or travel as a family and my office goes 

with me. I also love the excitement my clients 

have when their dream-come-true vacation turns 

into a reality. 


franchise buyers? Choose a franchise that 

will support you not just in the beginning, 

but throughout your business. It has been 

10 wonderful years since I started with Cruise 

Planners and I’m always learning. The technology 

and marketing are unbelievable and Cruise 

Planners provides everything I could have asked 

for. The training helps me grow my business and 

I increase my sales with every little thing that I do, 

whether it’s a Cruise Planners forum or convention 

or just getting together with some Cruise Planners 

travel agents locally. We are always learning from 

each other. 

For more information about Cruise Planners 

opportunities, call (888) 582-2150 or 

visit www.cruiseplannersfranchise.com. 



Featured Brand 

Left: Devan Kline at Burn Boot Camp Session 

Right: Burn Boot Camp Founders, Devan and Morgan Kline 

Fitness Entrepreneurs 

Who Were Millionaires by 26 

Say It’s Not About the Money 

When Devan Kline founded Burn Boot Camp 

in a parking lot north of Charlotte, NC, he 

knew he had something special, but never 

guessed his growth would be this explosive. 

The former San Francisco Giant pitcher and his 

wife, Morgan Kline, have created a movement 

that is sweeping the nation, and the franchising 

industry. Since starting the franchise concept in 

2015, Burn Boot Camp has opened 177 doors 

and awarded 355 locations, landing the millennial 

couple’s concept in the Entrepreneur 500, 

Franchise Times Top Franchises, Franchise 

Business Review Top Franchises, and earning 

them the IFA’s NextGen 2018 top spot. 

But Kline’s rise to success wasn’t easy. 

Growing up in Battle Creek, Michigan in lowincome 

housing, he found his parents were 

more concerned with partying than raising a 

Burn Boot Camp Facility 



family. With his father in and out of prison 

and his mother nowhere to be found, Devan 

decided that he needed to take control of his 

life, and that he did. 

“Morgan saved my life. She has been the 

only consistent voice of positivity in my life 

since we were 12-years-old. If it weren’t for her, 

I don’t know where I’d be today,” said Kline. 

Now, the power couple has built a power 

team. “People want to interview me and give 

me the credit. I couldn’t do this without my 

HQ crew, franchise partners, trainers, and our 

amazing group of clients who pour their heart 

and soul into this brand every day. I love them 

like the family I never had,” said Kline. 

At 31-years-old, the couple doesn’t believe 

in limits. “Momentum is a real thing. I used 

to want to own four to five gyms in North 

Charlotte. Now that I have so much belief, 

positivity, and ambition surrounding me, 

I truly believe we can do Starbucks numbers,” 

Kline remarked. He understands the power 

of proximity, “I know prospective franchise 

partners aren’t just buying into a brand, they 

are buying into Morgan and I, and we take that 

extremely personal,” he said. 

As fitness entrepreneurs who are passionate 

about their brand, the Klines spend a lot of 

time out in the field visiting locations, training 

at Burn Boot Camp sessions, and connecting 

with their clients. “We don’t have to, we want 

to. We were built on community, authenticity, 

and impact. We were millionaires at 26-yearsold. 

It isn’t about the money, we measure our 

success largely on the impact we have. Burn 

Boot Camp is more than a gym, it’s a lifestyle,” 

said Kline. “Anyone can train a client to do 

push-ups. I had a dark upbringing, Morgan’s 

father passed at five-years-old, we relate to our 

family (clients, trainers, employees, franchise 

partners) and can speak to the real struggles 

people have. The real battleground is mental 

and emotional health.” 

When asked to explain what success looks 

like to the Klines, Devan remarked, “Success is 

having every single franchise partner tell me 

that their decision to partner with me is one 

of the best decisions they’ve ever made. It’s not 

about me, I’m a true servant.” 

When Kline finishes focusing on monthly 

unit economics, he spends his time influencing 

others with “The Devan Kline Podcast,” 

his Amazon #1 Best-Selling book “Stop Starting 

Over,” giving keynotes, and inspiring 

others with his popular Instagram account 

@devan.kline. 

“The future is limitless,” Kline says. “We 

have launched our direct franchising program 

in Canada, and our master franchising program 

will begin in early 2019. I get messages 

every day of inspired entrepreneurs from all 

over the world who notice the lives we are 

changing. People want to be a part of something 

bigger than themselves.” Kline describes 

his business as “the one thing” that he was 

made to do. Burn Boot Camp generated $60 

million in system-wide sales and in their 

fifth year of business projects to surpass the 

$100,000,000 mark. Their approach to physical, 

mental, emotional, and spiritual health 

is backed by their social media influence, 

customized nutrition supplements, and trendy 

apparel that flies off the shelves. 

“I’m the most competitive person you’ll 

ever meet, said Kline. “After my baseball 

dreams were crushed, I found business, making 

it to the Major Leagues was the best thing 

that never happened to me.” Kline credits his 

unique success story to his self-awareness, personal 

development, and hard work. “I might 

not be the most talented person, but one thing 

is true, no one will outwork me.” Kline grew 

up in extremely humble beginnings and wakes 

up at 4:00 am seven days per week to pursue 

his dreams. 

“Having nothing has proven to be my ultimate 

advantage, my back was always against 

the wall, and I live everyday with that in the 

back of my mind,” he said. 

There is no doubt that these two fitness 

entrepreneurs and those who have chosen to 

partner with them have a bright future. Their 

brand is built on the back of social media 

savvy, strong leadership, and surrounding 

themselves with great people. “My life’s mission 

is to make everyone I come in contact 

with better for doing so. It’s not about royalties, 

fees, and franchise agreements for me. I’m 

much more interested in creating outstanding 

leaders. To be a great leader, you have to be 

a great person first. I’m laser-focused on this 

and truly believe that Morgan and I are catalysts 

for the new generation of entrepreneurs 

to exceed everything they thought possible.” 

Scot & Amy Hecht 

Our Town America 

Meridian, ID 


FEATURED 

Franchisee 


leadership that led you to purchase it? I (Scot) 

always wanted to work for myself, and after 

extensive research, I found the right business 

model to fit my skill set and goals. 




helpful? Scot: I am a graduate of San Diego 

State University with a degree in International 

Business. I also had 13 years of B2B sales prior 

to buying my franchise. Amy: I am a graduate 

of Ohio State University with a degree in 

International Business & Marketing. I also had 

experience in teaching in sales. 


We cherish the financial, time and travel freedom 

that comes with owning our franchise, as well 

as our relationships with community business 

owners. 


franchise buyers? Our advice to any prospective 

franchise buyer is to know and understand your 

strengths and skill sets. Furthermore, surround 

yourself with like-minded people, have a strong 

support system and don’t be afraid to take risks. 


into franchising? We haven’t been blindsided 

by anything; we knew exactly what we were 

getting into when purchasing our OTA franchise. 

Doing our research and knowing our skill sets 

prior to buying our franchise set us up for 

success. 

For more information about Our Town America 

opportunities, call (800) 497-8360 

or visit www.ourtownamerica.com. 



Featured, Low-Cost, Award-Winning Brand 

The Appeal of a Seasonal Franchise 

What if you could own your own business, 

take the winter months off, and be able to work 

towards achieving your income goals? It may 

sound too good to be true, but for some seasonal 

business owners; this is a reality. From 

lawn care, to tax preparation, to pest control, 

seasonal business opportunities are abundant. 

Of course, starting a business is no small 

endeavor and that’s why many people opt to 

invest in a franchise rather than starting their 

own business from scratch. Not only do many 

franchise opportunities offer an accelerated 

path to profitability, there are some that don’t 

require any previous experience to get started. 

BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES OF BUYING 

A SEASONAL FRANCHISE 

Benefits 

Quality of Life 

Lou Schager is the president of Mosquito Joe, 

a national pest control franchise based in Virginia 

Beach, VA. “One of the most attractive 

benefits of owning a Mosquito Joe franchise 

is the quality of life,” Schager explained. “We 

have one franchise owner who goes on a 

month-long trip every year during the offseason.” 

While travel is certainly an appealing 

option, Mosquito Joe franchise owners can 

choose how they spend their months off, 

whether that’s working a second seasonal job, 

volunteering, planning for the upcoming season, 

or simply enjoying the time with family 

and relaxing. 

Time to Refuel and Recalibrate 

Working eight months out of the year leaves 

plenty of time to refuel, refocus and recalibrate 

for the coming season. “With a seasonal franchise, 

owners really have time to do a healthy 

budgetary, operational and marketing review,” 

said Schager. “It’s nice to pause and refocus. 

We have our annual convention in Mexico 

in January each year, and it gives us a chance 

to collaborate and recharge for the upcoming 

season.” 

Mosquito Joe Technician 

Providing a Tangible Service 

Many seasonal franchises offer tangible services 

for clients. As Schager explained, “We 

provide a service that really affects people’s 

lives. Our service can immediately increase 

a customer’s quality of life and provide an 

additional layer of protection for families. 

Providing this service is extremely rewarding 

for franchisees.” As vector-borne illnesses 

have increased in recent years, Mosquito 

Joe franchisees provide not just comfort, but 

peace of mind as well. 

Challenges 

Finding and Retaining Labor 

While it is common for many businesses to 

struggle with finding and retaining talent, the 

challenge is magnified for seasonal businesses. 

“It can be hard to find skilled individuals and 

then keep them on from season to season, 

especially early on when you’re first starting 

out,” said Schager. “That’s why we try to create 

a great culture and build strong relationships 

so that talented employees will want to keep 

coming back.” 

Unpredictable Climate Implications 

Not all seasonal businesses are affected by 

climate, but many are. Lawn care, pest control 

or snow removal businesses, for instance, 

are impacted not only by seasonality but by 

climate fluctuations as well. At Mosquito Joe, 

a warm winter will likely mean a longer and 

busier mosquito season, which can be great 

for business but can also pose staffing and 

resource challenges. 

WHAT TO ASK BEFORE BUYING A 

SEASONAL FRANCHISE 

If you like the sound of seasonal franchise 

ownership, ask yourself the following questions 

before you dive in: 

Are you passionate about the industry 

or service you are considering? 

Owning and operating your own business is 

a lot of work. In order to be successful, you 

have to love what you do, even on the hard 

days. As Mosquito Joe franchise owner, Paul 

VanWagner said, “The first season in 2015, 

my son, John, and I ran the business with one 

part-time office staff and four techs. It was a 



franchisees and do your homework on how 

much training and support you will be offered 

at launch and throughout the life of your 

agreement. 

FEATURED 

Franchisee 

Omar Sanchez, Mosquito Joe Owner, South Miami 

real challenge, as the business did much better 

than expected. I wanted to pull my hair out by 

September that first season. But it was a great 

way to learn the entire business and I would 

not change a thing now.” 

Do you enjoy working with people? 

Many seasonal franchises require frequent 

communication with clients. As Schager 

explained, “At Mosquito Joe, we have a recurring 

business model where we see our customers 

every three weeks. Our franchise owners really 

enjoy connecting with their communities; it’s 

very empowering.” 

Do you know how much it will cost you to 

buy your first franchise? 

Franchise costs can vary wildly depending on 

the brand you are interested in. At Mosquito 

Joe, for instance, the initial franchise investment 

is between $95,600 and $140,000. Some 

service franchises can be bought for as little 

as $30k while others run as high as $500k. 

Beyond the franchise fee, there are also cash 

requirements, royalties and marketing/operational 

fees to consider. 

Do you know how much support you will need? 

One of the major benefits of buying into a 

franchise is the support and training you 

receive. But not all franchises offer the same 

level of support. Make sure you talk to current 

WHO SHOULD BUY A 

SEASONAL FRANCHISE? 

Seasonal franchise owners don’t fit a particular 

mold, in fact, they span the gamut of young to 

old, and have worked as bankers, pilots, lawyers 

and everything in between. “Many people 

are attracted to this business model and the 

concept of working really hard and then having 

some time off to spend with family or to 

travel,” said Schager. 

Kurt Goodwin, for instance, was a pilot 

and his wife Melissa Goodwin was an event 

planner for the government before starting 

their Mosquito Joe franchises in Baltimore 

and Annapolis, MD. 

Lee Woodham was a financial manager in 

the healthcare industry. When his Mosquito 

Joe franchise grew to the point where he could 

fully replace his income, he left healthcare to 

manage his franchise full time. Similarly, when 

Kris Bernard bought her Mosquito Joe franchise, 

she had no idea it would take off so fast. 

A dental hygienist at the time, she ended up 

leaving her job so that she could focus on her 

fast-growing business. 

At Mosquito Joe, many franchisees are in 

the twilight of their corporate careers and are 

looking to start something of their own. Many 

are also drawn to the idea of having a business 

to hand down to their children or grandchildren. 

But it’s not just corporate refugees that 

make great franchise owners, so do U.S. veterans, 

who are very attuned to process and do 

well with the structure of a franchise system. 

While Schager says that many of their 

franchise owners are over 40-years-old and 

looking for a second career, he says they have 

been attracting more younger owners in recent 

years. “Anyone who is passionate, hungry and 

driven can be successful with this business,” 

remarked Schager. 

Man Phung 

Brightway, 

The Phung Agency 

Fishers, Ind., and 

Round Rock, TX 


— An FBR Franchisee Rock Star! — 



looking for a franchise where I could leverage my 

knack for sales, and Brightway Insurance kept 

coming up in my research as a top franchise. 

Brightway’s leadership team and their in-depth 

knowledge and experience at nationally 

recognized insurance brands impressed me, and 

the back-end support and resources they provide 

free up my time to focus on building my team and 

growing my business. I know that Brightway’s 

goals align with mine, and they’re here to help me 

be a successful business owner. I also love that I’m 

helping my community make good decisions to 

protect their financial futures. 

What things do you like most about your job? I 

love helping my friends and neighbors feel good 

about having the right coverage to protect their 

homes, cars, toys, jewelry and more. I also enjoy 

helping my team grow professionally and seeing 

them thrive in the Brightway system with all the 

choice and resources Brightway provides. Those 

who’ve sold insurance at other agencies are now 

armed with so much more choice than they’ve 

ever been able to provide to customers at other 

agencies. It’s really rewarding to provide an 

experience to customers that exceeds their 

expectations and as a result makes them feel good 

about their decisions. 


franchise buyers? What do you wish you had 

known prior to going into franchising? My 

advice is to invest in a franchise that aligns its 

goals with yours and to leverage the resources the 

franchise provides. I wish I had known about the 

franchise financing. I would have started and 

invested earlier had I known I could finance a 

portion, if not all of it. 

Mosquito Joe Franchising, LLC | 2829 Guardian Lane, Suite 100 | Virginia Beach, VA 23452. This information is 

not intended as an offer to sell a franchise or the solicitation of an offer to buy a franchise. It is for informational 

purposes only. Currently, the following states regulate the offer and sale of franchises: CA, HI, IL, IN, MD, MI, MN, 

NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, VA, WA, and WI. If you are a resident of or want to locate a franchise in one of these states, we 

will not offer you a franchise unless and until we have complied with applicable pre-sale registration and disclosure 

requirements in your state. The filing of an application for registration of an offering prospectus or the acceptance 

and filing thereof by the NY Department of Law as required by NY law does not constitute approval of the offering 

or the sale of such franchise by the NY Department of Law or the Attorney General of NY. MN Registration #F-7090 

For more information about Brightway 

Insurance opportunities, call (855) 723-5348, 

email franchise@brightway.com or 

visit www.brightwaydifference.com. 



Time to Grow? 

How to Know if (and When) Multi-Unit Franchise 

Ownership Is Right for You 

Multi-unit franchise ownership can be an 

attractive avenue for owners looking to expand 

their portfolio and bring in additional revenue 

streams. It also offers an opportunity to scale 

for owners who have seen success with their 

first unit and the chance to spread expenses 

across units for increased profitability. Another, 

often overlooked benefit of expansion, is 

the recognition. As Andy Smolko, a multiunit 

CertaPro Painters owner said, “Not only 

do customers see us as a larger player in the 

region, the increased business size enabled us 

to attract more painting crews because they 

knew we had a lot of work.” 

But taking on an additional franchise(s) is 

a big step and is certainly not the right move 

for everyone. So how do you know when it’s 

time to expand? 

HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN 

TO EXPAND? 

When Meggie and John Schissler signed their 

initial contract with Chicken Salad Chick, 

it was for several units. “But as soon as we 

opened our first location and saw the excitement 

for the brand, we knew we wanted to 

work towards really building out our market,” 

said the Schisslers. “As the first to open a 

Chicken Salad Chick restaurant in Texas, we 

were excited for the immense potential here 

and anxious to expand this world-class brand 

to its communities.” 

The Schisslers saw an opportunity and 

jumped on it, expanding Chicken Salad Chick 

into new markets and communities where 

they knew it would thrive. But, the decision 

to expand isn’t always so easy and should be 

made with careful consideration and planning. 

A good rule of thumb is that your decision 

to expand should be based on your cash 

flow and income statement (commonly called 

“Profit & Loss” or “P&L”) and the strength of 

your current staff support. 

“Once your new business is cash flow positive 

and growing, as long as you manage your 

operating costs well, your cash flow margins 

Chris Holwell, Inspector with HouseMaster in Paradise, NL 

(available cash from sales) should continue 

to increase,” says Lou Shager, president of 

Mosquito Joe. “That’s when your business 

really scales and you have an opportunity to 

expand.” 

In addition to a strong P&L, you’ll need a 

reliable team to run your existing location(s) 

while you focus on getting another location off 

the ground. If you have a strong manager in 

place, and they have a team of reliable employees 

supporting them, you are probably in a 

good place to focus on your next location. 

“Successful expansions happen when the 

first franchise is solidly established, with a 

good experienced team in place, with a track 

record of success,” said David Hicks, CEO 

of HomeVestors. 

Michael Stone, CEO of CertaPro Painters 

summed it up well. “Simply put, you first need 

to have your current business consistently 

exceeding year over year growth and profit 

goals. You need to have the right team in place 

who can lead the new business and bench 

strength to keep your other business running 

at a strong level. You also need to be hungry 

for expanding the brand to gain more market 

share…knowing your company is the best 

solution to meet consumers’ needs,” explained 

Stone. “It’s one thing to say this and it’s another 

thing to invest in marketing, operations, and 

team growth to deliver it at the highest level.” 

You might be ready to expand to multiple 

units if: 

• You have positive cash flow and are 

exceeding year over year growth 

• You have a strong team that can manage 

your first location independently while 

you focus on expansion (and you’re prepared 

to hire a second team to staff your 

second location rather than relying on 

the original staff to handle both) 

• You’ve identified a strong market need for 

an additional unit or units 

PITFALLS TO AVOID WHEN EXPANDING 

Multi-unit franchising can be very lucrative 

when carried out correctly. But business 

expansion is not always easy and not all who 

attempt it will succeed. That’s why it’s so 

important to be thoroughly prepared and to 

understand the risks and potential pitfalls to 

avoid, such as: 



1.) Growing Before You Are Ready 

Some franchisees sign a multi-unit franchise 

development agreement, which means the 

franchisor can force you to open your next 

locations before you are properly prepared. Be 

sure to consult a franchise attorney and understand 

your proposed development schedule. 

Ideally, you want to have some flexibility to 

delay opening additional units if the business 

doesn’t go as planned. The safest route is to 

avoid signing a multi-unit agreement altogether 

and consider additional locations only 

after your first business is up and performing 

to your expectations. 

2.) Undercapitalization 

Getting a new business off the ground takes 

time and money. Your additional locations 

may take longer to get up and running than 

your first. It's important to make sure you 

have plenty of additional backup capital if 

things take longer. You definitely don’t want an 

underperforming new business to jeopardize 

your existing business, and potentially force 

you to close both locations. 

3.) Hire Key Staff Before You Need Them 

Franchise owners, like many small business 

owners, often delay hiring people to save a 

little money. This is especially true with multiunit 

franchisees, who might try to leverage 

existing staff to get additional locations open. 

Obviously, stretching staff too thin can have a 

negative impact on both business locations. 

Rather than putting your first business at risk, 

hire new staff early for your additional location. 

Going this route might cost you a little 

more in the long run, but you won't put your 

existing business at risk. 

“One common pitfall franchise owners face 

when expanding is not having a deep branch of 

managers to help facilitate growth,” said Scott 

Deviney, CEO of Chicken Salad Chick. “Many 

franchisees move their first general manager to 

the new location, which now means they have 

a new manager at the existing location and 

a new restaurant. I think franchisees should 

leave their existing manager at their first store 

(or stores) and promote new managers, who 

have been with the organization, into the new 

manager role. The franchisee will spend more 

time at the new restaurant coaching the newer 

manager, while not worrying as much about 

the existing location. This will help the organization 

succeed in the long run.” 

Of course, there will also be unexpected 

challenges. Smolko explained that his greatest 

challenge in opening his second location was 

learning a new set of state laws and regulations. 

“For my business, the greatest challenge 

was that we have units in two states: NH and 

MA. When we purchased the MA unit we had 

to learn a new set of compliance items: workers 

compensation, MA lead paint laws, labor 

laws, etc.” 

HOW MUCH MONEY CAN MULTI-UNIT 

FRANCHISE OWNERS MAKE? 

The best way to understand the potential profitability 

of a franchise you are interested in is 

to do thorough research by closely reviewing 

the Franchise Disclosure Document, talking 

with current franchisees, and understanding 

your potential market. 

Generally, franchisee satisfaction among 

multi-unit owners is slightly higher than satisfaction 

among single-unit franchisees. This 

isn’t surprising since profitability can influence 

satisfaction, and multi-unit operators 

tend to be more profitable. Based on FBR data, 

as of March 2019, the average annual income 

for multi-unit franchise owners was $135,806 

with 30 percent of multi-unit franchise owners 

making over $150,000 per year. The average 

income for a single unit owner was $95,920, 

with only 17 percent of owners making greater 

than $150,000 per year. 

This year’s Top 50 Multi-Unit Franchises 

include a wide variety of business types including 

real estate, food, fitness, business services, 

personal services, education and more. There is 

definitely something for everyone on our list of 

award-winning franchises. Which one is the 

best opportunity for you? Only you can ultimately 

answer that question, but Franchise 

Business Review is here to help you in achieving 

your goal of multi-unit franchise ownership. 

We encourage you to explore our list of 

top multi-unit franchises. Reach out to the 

brands that interest you to learn more about 

opportunities in your area. Visit our website 

at FranchiseBusinessReview.com to download 

free reports and satisfaction data on today’s 

top franchise brands. We also host webinars 

for prospective franchisees and provide many 

other resources you may find helpful as you 

explore multi-unit ownership. We wish you 

the best of success! 

FEATURED 

Franchisee 

Steve Sarafin 

Window Genie 

Sparta, NJ 




leadership that led you to purchase it? The 

Window Genie model was most intriguing to me 

because of the multiple service verticals and the 

ability to build brand value. The best part of 

business ownership is being a part of a brand 

that is growing and offers a great value system to 

operate by. Following a system is a key reason for 

going into franchising. There is NO reason to 

reinvent the wheel when owners like me have 

already gone through the growing stages. Stick 

with it and follow the system. Window Genie is 

a great family to be affiliated with. 


I’m proud to have achieved my dream of being 

my own boss, and not working for “the man.” 

I love that I have total control over my life, and 

I am building this business for my family and me. 

How did you fund your franchise? Did you 

receive any discounts/incentives? Twenty 

years ago, when I started with Window Genie, it 

was a young company and had a relatively low 

start-up cost. At the time, there was a low-cost 

down payment and financing options available. 

Looking back now, it was the best thing I could 

have ever done. 



known prior to going into franchising? The best 

advice I have is to join a system that has the right 

values and the right model that makes the most 

sense for you and your family in the long run and 

follow the system. Definitely, don’t wait to be 

your own boss! 

For more information about Window Genie 


or visit www.windowgeniefranchise.com. 



THE LIST 


Top Multi-Unit 





Real estate 

Budget Blinds 

Custom blinds and window coverings 

Survey 

Date 

Sep. 

2018 

Jan. 


Dec. 

2016 

Start-Up 

Investment 

$77,050 – 

$149,000 

$65,170 – 

$540,000 

$110,140 – 

$230,870 

Cash 

Requirement 

Total 

Units 

$45,000 130 

$100,000 304 

$64,950 1,150 

Captain D’s 

Fast casual 

July 

2018 

$771,000 – 

$1,003,000 

$350,000 523 

* CertaPro Painters 

Painting 

Feb. 

2018 

$134,750 – 

$169,500 

$80,000 483 

“We began our journey 

with Chicken Salad Chick 

due to our alignment 

in values. And, this 

has never wavered.” 

– Chicken Salad Chick Franchisee 

* Chicken Salad Chick — more on p. 39 

Fast casual 

* College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving 

Junk removal services 

* Crunch Fitness 

Fitness club 

Culver’s 

Quick-service 

Epcon Communities 

Maintenance-free home building 

— more 

on p. 41 

June 

2018 

March 

2018 

Sep. 

2017 

Aug. 

2017 

May 

2018 

$483,000 – 

$648,000 

$89,300 – 

$208,000 

$600,000 – 

$1,400,000 

$1,845,000 – 

$4,155,000 

$638,500 – 

$3,288,000 

$150,000 120 

$65,000 110 

$200,000 – 

$350,000 

$350,000 – 

$600,000 

$500,000 – 

$500,500 

266 

610 

117 


Financial services 

Feb. 

2018 

$49,950 – 

$84,000 

$25,000 – 

$50,000 

130 

Expedia CruiseShipCenters — more on p. 35 

Travel agency 

Oct. 

2018 

$165,000 – 

$285,000 

$100,000 285 

* FASTSIGNS 


Nov. 

2018 

$193,548 – 

$289,639 

$80,000 697 

“I believe our leadership 

is honest and wellrespected. 

I never 

question their integrity 

when they make 

decisions regarding 

my business.” 

– FASTSIGNS Franchisee 

Fazoli’s Restaurants 

Fast casual 

* Home Instead Senior Care 


HomeSmart 

Real estate 


Realty renovation 

* HouseMaster 


* Hungry Howie’s Pizza & Subs 

Quick-service 

Keller Williams 

Real estate 

May 

2018 

Oct. 

2018 

Nov. 

2018 

Dec. 

2018 

Oct. 

2018 

Nov. 

2018 

May 

2018 

$1,098,000 – 

$1,739,818 

$115,000 – 

$125,000 

$65,000 – 

$205,000 

$54,000 – 

$357,250 

$61,100 – 

$106,150 

$290,693 – 

$538,147 

$183,947 – 

$336,995 

$250,000 215 

$55,000 1,095 

$20,000 102 

$50,000 – 

$55,000 

900 

$42,500 313 

$100,000 281 

$183,947 – 

$336,995 

959 

* MaidPro — more on p. 26 


Oct. 

2018 

$74,560 – 

$204,450 

$75,000 276 

* Molly Maid 

Cleaning services 

Oct. 

2018 

$110,000 – 

$153,200 

$110,000 – 

$153,200 

471 


Mosquito control services 

Feb. 

2018 

$90,600 – 

$135,500 

$50,000 288 

*This brand’s Franchisee 

Satisfaction Report is available at 


My Salon Suite 

Private, spacious salon suites 

N2 Publishing 

Private neighborhood publications 

Feb. 


Nov. 

2018 

$550,400 – 

$1,119,500 

$975 – 

$5,650 

$150,000 115 

$975 – 

$5,650 

763 



Survey 

Date 

Start-Up 

Investment 

Cash 

Requirement 

Total 

Units 

NextHome 

Real estate 

Oct. 

2018 

$14,500 – 

$212,600 

$3,500 – 

$7,500 

330 

Nothing Bundt Cakes 

Snack retailer 

Orangetheory Fitness 

Fitness club 

Palm Beach Tan 

Beauty services 

Pizza Ranch 

Fast casual 

Planet Fitness 

Fitness club 

May 

2018 

Nov. 

2018 

Sep. 

2018 

Sep. 

2018 

March 

2018 

$408,187 – 

$588,587 

$563,529 – 

$999,121 

$503,070 – 

$811,140 

$1,253,299 – 

$3,154,200 

$853,390 – 

$2,882,070 

$150,000 293 

$150,000 – 

$634,100 

1,072 

$250,000 438 

$325,000 – 

$560,000 

206 

$600,000 1,371 

“As usual, I am impressed 

by Planet Fitness and its 

development. Glad to 

be a part of the family!” 

– Planet Fitness Franchisee 

* Remedy Intelligent Staffing — more on p. 35 

Staffing solutions 

Jan. 


$151,840 – 

$258,280 

$100,000 615 

Right at Home 


Feb. 


$79,250 – 

$137,900 

$150,000 588 

RNR Tire Express 

Custom wheel & tires 

Scooter’s Coffee 

Fast casual 

* Snap-on Tools — more on p. 4 

Automotive services 

Sola Salon Studios 

Salon suites 

Sotheby’s International Realty 

Real estate 

Oct. 

2017 

Aug. 

2017 

Sep. 

2018 

April 

2018 

Jan. 


$500,000 – 

$1,000,000 

$351,000 – 

$587,000 

$171,385 – 

$359,767 

$457,800 – 

$1,166,380 

$194,650 – 

$627,000 

$500,000 118 

$100,000 213 

$35,677 – 

$53,366 

4,808 

$500,000 455 

$63,650 – 

$206,000 

607 

“We believe the Sport 

Clips system is one of 

high quality and strives 

for consistency across all 

aspects of the franchise.” 

– Sport Clips Franchisee 

Sport Clips 

Hair cutting 

July 

2018 

$204,800 – 

$368,300 

$200,000 1,820 

TeamLogic IT 

IT services 

Oct. 

2018 

$160,000 – 

$160,000 

$60,000 160 

* The Goddard School 

Early childhood education 

July 

2018 

$706,700 – 

$750,700 

$150,000 434 

* The Learning Experience 

Early childhood education 

April 

2018 

$493,549 – 

$3,585,549 

$150,000 237 

The Wendy’s Company 

Quick-service 

July 

2018 

$300,000 – 

$3,000,000 

$2,000,000 6,564 

Tropical Smoothie Cafe 

Fast casual 

Oct. 

2018 

$198,050 – 

$335,000 

$125,000 541 

* Two Men and A Truck — more on p. 31 

Moving services 



Weed Man 

Lawn care 

March 


July 

2018 

Aug. 

2018 

$95,000 – 

$670,000 

$83,085 – 

$128,885 

$68,453 – 

$85,513 

$80,000 – 

$190,000 

385 

$57,950 638 

$50,000 674 

“I believe that the overall 

quality of our franchise 

system is top notch— 

it’s in our DNA.” 


Real estate 

Sep. 

2018 

$50,000 – 

$364,700 

$50,000 – 

$364,700 

480 

– TWO MEN AND A TRUCK Franchisee 

Wingstop 

Quick-service 

July 

2018 

$346,775 – 

$733,249 

$600,000 725 

YESCO 


March 

2018 

$64,300 – 

$350,000 

$60,000 110 



FBR’s 2019 

Rock Star Franchisees 

Over 80 Franchisees 

Recognized for 

Top Performance 

What makes a franchise owner great is not easily defined, for each franchisee brings with him/ 

her unique abilities and skills. But the most successful franchisees tend to have two things in 

common: a strong work ethic and a real commitment to their business. These success factors 

illustrate the true beauty of franchising; that with hard work and perseverance anyone can find 

success, no matter their background or previous experience. 

This year, we analyzed our research from over 27,000 franchisee surveys, across more than 

300 leading franchise brands, to identify the best of the best in franchising today. We narrowed 

our search to just a few hundred candidates—successful franchise owners very much worthy of 

the title of Rock Star. 

Twelve Rock Stars are highlighted here. 

For the full list visit www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com/ 

page/rockstar-franchise-owners-2019. 

THOUGHTFUL, 

METHODICAL 

AND STRATEGIC: 

Glory Gallucci Is a True Leader 

GLORY GALLUCCI 

Any Lab Test Now 

Raleigh, Durham and 

Cary, North Carolina 

“Glory is an ‘always leader’—within her 

store locations, training and mentoring 

her medical assistants to grow outside 

of their basic professional certification; 

as well as within our franchise system. 

As a franchisor, we highly respect 

Glory’s attention to her bottom-line and 

attention to promoting and building her 

business in a strategic manner. She does 

not look for a ‘magic pill’ to build her 

business. She knows and understands 

that following the business model and 

best practices pay off.” 

— Terri McCulloch 

VP Business Development, 




JACQUELINE VENCHI 

AND ANDY SCHOLL 

Wild Birds Unlimited 

Alpharetta, Georgia 

SPREADING 

THE JOY OF 

BIRD FEEDING 

“Andy and Jacqueline have consistently 

embraced the WBU mission, vision and values. 

They have proven to be thoughtful, professional 

leaders for the group and have developed a 

strategy that allows the group to have their 

own voice, but work together collaboratively. 

Above all else, they are 100% committed to 

spreading the Joy of Bird Feeding to their 

customers and market.” 

— Paul Pickett, CDO 


EZE AKABOGU 


Ann Arbor, Michigan 

AUTHOR OF HIS OWN DESTINY 

Immigrant Business Owner Eze Akabogo 

Exemplifies the Power of Positivity 

“As an immigrant to this country, Eze has achieved what most people would 

consider the ‘American Dream’: a good income in a successful career doing 

something he enjoys. He has taken every opportunity and made a life for 

himself and his family. He finds the positives in everything he does and lifts 

the spirits of every person he talks to. Eze is the author of his own destiny and 

a Rock Star in every way.” 

— Bill Zirzow, President & CEO 


COMMITMENT TO QUALITY 

Jen Krum and Her Team Make It Their Mission 

to Provide Quality Care 

JEN KRUM 

Qualicare 

Bozeman, Montana 

“As a nurse and a home care provider helping vulnerable members of the community, 

Jen makes it a priority to provide the highest quality care and find the best caregivers 

possible. Her commitment to her clients ensures that they have the best support through 

a health care crisis or if they just need assistance to continue living independently at home. 

Consistent raving Google reviews and heartfelt thank you messages from the families of 

clients (in person, in cards and even in obituaries) are truly a testament to Jen’s ongoing 

commitment to improving the quality of life of her clients.” 

— Jonathan Nedelijkovic, VP of Franchise Success, Qualicare 



FEATURED 

Franchisee 

Yohanni 

Hedges 

MaidPro 

Northwest Indiana, 

Merrillville, IN 




leadership that led you to purchase it? What 

led me to purchase my MaidPro franchise was 

knowing that along with the proven system, 

I would also have the freedom and the flexibility 

to make my own decisions. I was sold on the 

culture, support, marketing approach and 

technology that MaidPro offered, as well. 




helpful? After I graduated from college with 

a degree in Hotel & Restaurant Management, 

I worked in accounting for a restaurant group 

in Chicago for six years. What I learned from 

that company, coupled with my education in 

management, definitely helped me with how 

I operate and grow my business. 


What I like most about my job is that I have the 

opportunity to change lives in a positive way and 

help people (both clients and employees). It is 

so gratifying when my customers are happy and 

to know that my employees are able to support 

themselves by working for the company. 


receive any discounts/incentives? I did not 

receive any discounts at the time and I funded 

my franchise using 401K retirement funds free 

of taxes and penalties. 



known prior to going into franchising? One of 

the key things I would advise others is to make 

sure they choose the business that fits their skills 

and lifestyle. I would also recommend that they 

do their research on the franchise and interview 

existing franchisees about their experiences. 

Last but not least, be passionate about being 

a business owner and you will enjoy the work! 

For more information about MaidPro 


www.maidprofranchise.com. 

PERSONIFYING A CULTURE 

OF CARE 

FirstLight Owners Call Their Work a Privilege 

“Marianne and Lyndon Christman are truly FirstLight Rock Stars! Not only are they 

ideal franchise owners from a background and motivation perspective, but they’re 

also highly engaged in brand leadership and service quality. It’s really their desire to 

care for others that makes them Rock Stars. Lyndon and Marianne truly personify 

our Culture of Care! They understand that FirstLight Home Care IS our Caregivers.” 

— Jamie Davis, Executive Director of 

Franchise Development, FirstLight Home Care 

ASH GAWANDE 

Image One 

Frisco, Texas 

LYNDON AND 

MARIANNE CHRISTMAN 

FirstLight Home Care 

Central Ohio 

SELFLESSLY 

SERVING HIS FAMILY 

AND COMMUNITY 

Airforce Veteran Credits 

His Business Success to Lessons 

Learned as a Single Father of Two 

“An Air Force military veteran, Ash Gawande spent 20 years working in the business 

world in telecommunications and project management. He’s now taking what he 

learned serving the country and working in corporate America and applying it to 

Image One USA’s time-tested commercial cleaning franchise model. And he has been 

an absolute rock star. Hitting the ground running, Ash is working accounts and 

expanding his reach in the commercial cleaning space after just months of operating 

in the Dallas area. But perhaps what makes Ash the biggest rock star of all—aside 

from his growth in Image One and serving his country—is his journey as a parent. 

Over the last 15 years, he has been a single dad of two girls, having raised them since 

his youngest daughter was two-years-old.” 

— Tim Conn, Co-Founder & President, Image One 



FEATURED 

Franchisee 

ALWAYS 

WILLING TO 

LEND A 

HELPING HAND 

Howard James Is 

a Mentor to Many 

HOWARD JAMES 

FASTSIGNS 

Washington, DC 

“Howard James is a Rock Star Franchisee for FASTSIGNS because of the success 

of his center in Washington, D. C., which includes his recent investment to relocate, 

expand and upgrade his center after more than 10 years at his original location. 

He has built an amazing business and team. 

Howard also serves on the FASTSIGNS Franchise Advisory Council and contributes 

to assisting management in launching new programs. Howard has been a mentor to 

many and is always willing to assist franchisees and franchisor in a number of ways 

and is really a Super Star in our Network.” 

— Mark Jameson, Executive Vice 

President of Franchise Support 

& Development, FASTSIGNS 

Kristina 

Kefalas 

Payroll Vault 

Lakewood, CO 




leadership that led you to purchase it? When 

attending networking events, I would speak with 

business owners who were not happy with their 

current payroll solution and who were looking 

for another solution to better fit their business 

needs. 



a franchisee that you have found helpful? I 

majored in Business at Arapahoe Community 

College in Littleton, Colorado and then went 

to work for Lohmiller & Company, a Carrier 

Distributor in Denver, Colorado, as a Credit & 

Collections Assistant. 

What do you like most about your job? The best 

part of my job is hosting educational classes and 

assisting the business owners with ways to help 

run their businesses more efficiently. 

CLINT FINCH 

Our Town America 

Houston/Dallas/ 

Fort Worth, Texas 

DETERMINED 

AND RELENTLESS 

Clint Finch Inspires “Coaching 

with Clint” Initiative at Our Town 


franchise buyers? This franchise opportunity 

is ideal for entrepreneurs who want to follow a 

franchise model. As long as you are dedicated to 

put in the work to grow your business, you will 

be successful. 


into franchising? One thing I wish I had realized 

prior to going into this business for myself is 

how important it is to always be networking 

and marketing to build your brand and business 

within your local community. 

“Clint purchased his first Our Town America territory in 2005 in Fort Worth, TX, and his 

second in Houston a few years later. It didn’t take long for Clint to catch on. He’s a fast 

learner who is easygoing and quick witted. But most importantly—determined. Due to his 

relentlessness, he has become quite the role model and mentor to fellow franchisees in 

the system. This past November, we launched a new initiative called ‘Coaching with Clint.’ 

This program allows franchisees that may need a bit of extra coaching to be taken under 

Clint’s wing. He works with each of these franchisees in the field to teach them sales tips 

and tricks, analyze their strengths & weaknesses, etc. This program, as well as Clint, have 

already proven themselves—with franchisees experiencing handfuls of sales in the weeks 

following Clint’s visit.” 

— Brittany Johnson, Marketing Executive, Our Town America 

For more information on Payroll Vault 

opportunities, call (303) 763-1829, 

email franchise@payrollvault.com or visit 

www.payrollvaultfranchise.com/contact-us. 



FEATURED 

Franchisee 

Simon and Stephanie Jones 

Property Guys 

Kootenays, BC 

Franchisees Since 2007 

— FBR Franchisee Rock Stars! — 


leadership that led you to purchase it? We love 

innovative ideas that break the mold and 

challenge the status quo. Being immigrants from 

the UK we were really surprised at the North 

American Real Estate model, specifically the 

expensive commissions. We also wanted to 

‘captain our own ship,’ and we wanted to be part 

of a bigger movement. 


We find it really satisfying helping people 

achieve their goal of selling, what, in most cases, 

is their biggest financial asset they have and 

move onto the next chapter of their lives. 


receive any discounts/incentives? We saved 

hard to emigrate to Canada, and after purchasing 

our home, had the cash left over to be able to 

fund the purchase of our franchise. 



known prior to going into franchising? You need 

to have a passion for the business you are buying, 

and believe that you can make a difference. You 

don’t have to be an expert in all areas, that is 

what your home office team is for, to help guide, 

support, and educate you as you grow. 


into franchising? We wish we had known about 

the long hours, starting a new business with an 

eight-month-old and three-year-old was 

challenging, but having a young family was a 

huge part of the motivation to keep pushing 

forward and is part of the story that is woven into 

our success now. 

For more information about Property Guys 

opportunities, call (844) 333-7017, email 

opportunities@propertyguys.com or visit 

www.propertyguys.com/franchise. 

DEBRA SAWYER 

Sport Clips 

Virginia and Florida 

KIRK AND 

MARK FEBUS 


Dayton, Ohio 

LIVING THEIR 

MISSION 

EVERYDAY: 

Change the Way 

the World Ages 

“Mark and Kirk have been leaders 

from the moment they came on board. 

Mark and Kirk are active in educational 

outreach conducting Mind Fit/Brain 

Boost Series throughout the Dayton 

community, and workshops on 

Dementia, Aging in Place, Home Care, 

Brain Health, etc. at senior centers, 

libraries, and other organizations. 

Mark & Kirk continue to support 

the Alzheimer’s Association by 

participating in The Longest Day and 

The Walk to End Alzheimer’s, raising 

awareness and funds as a company. 

They sponsor Alzheimer’s Association’s 

annual Dimensions of Dementia 

Professional Symposium, and are 

always asked to present breakout 

sessions, speaking on various topics 

related to dementia.” 

— Janine Calcote 

Head of Strategic Alliances 


HELPING 

EMPLOYEES THRIVE 

Sport Clips Owner Provides More 

Than Just a Job; Helps Employees 

Thrive Beyond the 9 to 5 

“When Debra Sawyer entered franchising in 2006, she 

had two young children, a full-time job and a Sport Clips 

Haircuts store to grow. Over the last 12 years, she expanded 

to operating 21 stores in Florida and Virginia, employing 

more than 175 female team members (and four male team 

members). Debra has worked hard to grow her business by 

being smart, patient and thorough in her decision-making. 

She is focused on nurturing and developing the women she 

employs, finding she is able to relate to her mostly female 

staff because she understands the delicate balance act 

working women experience.” 

— Greg Smith, CDO, Sport Clips 



INSPIRED BY 

EXPERIENCE 

Former Student Turned 

Franchisee, Mary Beth 

Motisi, Is Committed 

to Student Success 

MARY BETH MOTISI 

Online Trading Academy 

Houston, Texas 

“Mary Beth has owned her franchise since 2010. She is a great contributor to our 

franchise network, sharing best practices, inviting others to visit her business, collaborating 

with other franchise owners, and hosting numerous training events and focus groups 

at her training center. Having been a student of our academy prior to purchasing her 

franchise in 2010, Mary Beth knows first-hand the tremendous value of our education, 

and she passionately shares her convictions with her students and staff alike. She knows 

her students first-hand because she engages regularly with them to support all of their 

education needs, as well as providing inspiration for them to work hard to achieve their 

goals. It would be hard to imagine a more deserving candidate for this recognition.” 

— Gene Longobardi, Chief Operating Officer 


FEATURED 

Franchisee 

Tod Cohen 

TSS Photography 

Charlottesville, VA 



What was it about the franchise model and/ 

or leadership that led you to purchase it? I was 

looking to expand my photography business 

and this seemed like a great opportunity. I did 

not know much about franchises at the time but 

learned what a good fit this could be for me. The 

leadership team was successful, experienced, 

innovative, and very welcoming. I was impressed. 



franchisee that you have found helpful? While 

TSS Photography does provide full photography 

training to new owners, I was fortunate to 

already be working as a wedding and portrait 

photographer. I had also been running my own 

business so I was familiar with things like using 

QuickBooks and preparing presentations. This 

made it a bit easier for me. 

ALL ABOUT 

THE PEOPLE 

Joe Hertzman Says 

His People are the 

Key to His Success 

JOE HERTZMAN 

Checkers and Rally’s 

Louisville, Kentucky 

What do you like most about your job? What 

I like most about my job is the flexibility and 

variety. I can set my own schedule and my 

work tasks can range from photographing 

sports teams, to presenting TSS benefits to a 

prospective school board, to hiring and training 

new staff. I also enjoy knowing that there is no 

income limit for the work I do. 


franchise buyers? Do your research. I first 

researched my local market to understand the 

competition and potential. Next, I researched the 

franchise company speaking to people at the 

headquarters office, as well as to other franchise 

owners. I felt a strong sense of camaraderie 

and support as well as enthusiasm, and this has 

proven to be one of the best aspects of this work. 

“Rally’s franchisee, Joe Hertzman, chaired the Louisville King David Jewish Society, served 

as vice president for the Jewish Federation, and continues to be heavily involved in other 

Jewish organizations. At the same time, Joe is dedicated to serving the employees at 

his 33 Rally’s locations in Kentucky and Indiana. His company has their own dedicated 

training team, publishes a monthly employee newsletter, and offers best-in-class employee 

incentives. And he will be the first to tell you that it is his people who make them successful 

every day. Joe continues to grow his business and cultivate his team with the opening 

of two new Rally’s in 2018.” 

— Jennifer Durham, CDO 

Checkers and Rally’s 

For more information about TSS Photography 

opportunities, call (800) 336-4550 x114, 

email franchise@tssphotography.com or visit 

www.tssfranchisebusiness.com. 


FBR SPECIAL REPORT // MARKETPLACE 


TOP 200 

FRANCHISES 

ADVERTISING & SALES 

N2 Publishing 

* Our Town America — more on p. 17, 40 



Discovery Map 

AUTOMOTIVE 

* Christian Brothers Automotive 

* Snap-on Tools — more on p. 4 

RNR Tire Express 

Mighty Auto Parts 

Auto Appraisal Network 

Tint World 

Grease Monkey 

BUSINESS SERVICES 

* Sandler Training — more on p. 31 

* FASTSIGNS 

Sanford Rose Associates 

YESCO 

* Minuteman Press — more on p. 9 

* ActionCOACH — more on p. 42 

The @WORK Group 

* Supporting Strategies 

* Remedy Intelligent Staffing — more on p. 35 

FPC National 

Dale Carnegie 

Nextaff 

CHILD SERVICES 

* Soccer Shots 

JumpBunch 

TGA Premier Sports 

Young Rembrandts 

The Little Gym 

KidsPark 

High Touch High Tech 

Drama Kids 

* TSS Photography — more on p. 29, 43 

Snapology 

College Nannies, Sitters + Tutors 

Today’s leading brands based 

on FBR’s owner satisfaction data. 

*Full Satisfaction Report Available 

at FranchiseBusinessReview.com 

CLEANING & MAINTENANCE 

* MaidPro — more on p. 26 

Aire-Master of America 

Anago Cleaning Systems (Master Franchisors) 

* Molly Maid 

* Office Pride — more on p. 40 

Jan-Pro (Master Franchisors) 

* 360clean 

Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning 

* Image One — more on p. 43 

Two Maids & A Mop 

Stratus Building Solutions (Master Franchisors) 

You’ve Got MAIDS 

Buildingstars (Master Franchisors) 

EDUCATION 

* The Goddard School 


* Mathnasium 

* The Learning Experience 

Huntington Learning Center 

Creative World School 

LearningRx — more on p. 41 

The Tutoring Center 

FINANCIAL SERVICES 

* Payroll Vault — more on p. 27 


* Brightway Insurance — more on p. 19 


We Insure 

Family Financial Centers 

FITNESS 

Orangetheory Fitness 

* Crunch Fitness 

* 30 Minute Hit — more on p. 42 

Planet Fitness 

Burn Boot Camp 

Baby Boot Camp 

Gold’s Gym 

The Camp Transformation Center 

ADVERTISING & SALES 


Initial Investment: $60,960 – $89,710 

Cash Requirement: $47,000 

Total Units: 75 

A leader in the $151 billion local advertising 

industry, Welcomemat Services is a new mover 

marketing and technology company that 

provides data-driven marketing solutions to local 

businesses. The brand has been a leader on FBR’s 

Top 50 in Franchisee Satisfaction for the past 

7 consecutive years. Welcomemat also earned 

the title Top Innovative Franchise and was named 

Top 100 Franchise for 2018. With the core new 

mover program as well as additional revenue 

streams in the digital, social and direct mail space 

developed from the patented data-tracking, each 

Welcomemat franchisee runs a local marketing 

agency offering big business solutions at the 

local level. 

For more information on Welcomemat Services 


lvanderbroek@welcomematservices.com 

or visit www.welcomematfranchising.com. 

EDUCATION 

Mathnasium 




Demand for after school math tutoring is growing 

at an outstanding rate. A Mathnasium franchise 

is surprisingly affordable and delivers a great 

balance between investment and opportunity. 

Own your own business, improve the lives of 

children and make a living doing it ‚that’s a 

pretty amazing reality. There are over 1,000 

Mathnasium Learning Centers across the US 

and worldwide. We were honored in 2018 to 

be ranked #28 in Entrepreneur Magazine’s 

Franchise 500 and #3 in Forbes Best Franchise to 

Buy. Contact us today to find out about available 

franchises in your area. 

See page 32 for additional top franchises. 

Visit FBR50.com for brand details. 

For more information on Mathnasium 


franchise@mathnasium.com or visit 

www.mathnasium.com/franchise. 


TM 

RATED THE #1 

TRAINING FRANCHISE 

BY ENTREPRENEUR MAGAZINE 

FOR 13 YEARS 

Sandler Training is a global network 

of sales and management trainers 

with hundreds of training centers 

throughout the world. Become a 

Franchise Owner and be at the 

forefront of a business niche that 

is growing exponentially, with the 

support of a pioneer and leader in 

the training industry. 

BUILD ON THE 

LEADERSHIP 

OF SANDLER TRAINING 

FranchiseBusinessREVIEW 

has recognized 

Sandler Training 

as the #1 Business 

Services Franchise. 

SANDLERFRANCHISING.COM 

800-669-3537 ext. 2005 

© 2018 Sandler Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. S Sandler Training Finding Power In Reinforcement 

(with design) is a registered service mark of Sandler Systems, Inc. 

FEATURED 

Franchisee 

Sean Wise 

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK ® 

Multiple locations across 

FL, AL, OK, TX and KS 



When did you purchase your franchise? 

I purchased my first franchise in April 2008 

in Tuscaloosa. One and a half years later, 

I purchased my second location in Panama City. 


leadership that led you to purchase it? My first 

experience with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK ® was 

moving from another city to Tuscaloosa. Based 

on the reviews, I hired TWO MEN AND A TRUCK ® . 

I was blown away! They had a great attitude. 

I was also tired of working on someone else’s 

schedule and felt there had to be a better way. 




helpful? I worked for UPS for eight and a half 

years and knew what it was like to hustle and 

maintain a great attitude and customer service. 

What things do you like most about your 

job? The team environment. Training the team 

to go above and beyond to exceed customer 

expectations. 


receive any discounts/incentives? I saved my 

entire life through odd end jobs like cutting the 

grass, washing cars, jobs in high school. Then, 

I was lucky enough to meet the right people. 

I didn’t receive any discounts or incentives. 



known prior to going into franchising? Find 

an area you’re passionate about. Then, figure 

out how to make a living on it. Talk to existing 

franchisees in that field. Even think about short 

term employment with those franchisees to 

observe and learn to see if you love it. Know that 

you must invest, not only money but, time. I find 

the more you put in, the more you get back. 

For more information about Two Men and A 

Truck opportunities, call (888) 884-1114 or visit 

www.franchise.twomenandatruck.com. 



2019 TOP 200 

FRANCHISES 

FINANCIAL SERVICES 

FOOD & BEVERAGE 

* Kona Ice 

Culver’s 

Captain D’s 

Nothing Bundt Cakes 

* Chicken Salad Chick — more on p. 39 

Lenny’s Sub Shop 

Tropical Smoothie Cafe 

Rising Roll Gourmet 

LaRosa’s Pizzeria 

Pizza Ranch 

The Wendy’s Company 

Pizza Factory — more on p. 33 

Wingstop 

Fazoli’s Restaurants 

Scooter’s Coffee 

Hwy 55 Burgers Shakes & Fries 

Church’s Chicken 

Wings Etc. 

Jason’s Deli 

* Checkers & Rally’s 

Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe 

* Donatos Pizza — more on p. 36 

* The Haagen-Dazs Shoppe Company — more on 

p. 31 

* Hungry Howie’s Pizza & Subs 

Penn Station 

more on inside 

front cover 

Goodcents Deli Fresh Subs 

Brioche Doree 

East Coast Wings & Grill 

* Happy & Healthy Products 

Biggby Coffee 

* PJ’S COFFEE 

HEALTH & PERSONAL SERVICES 

Palm Beach Tan 

Sport Clips 

Fastest Labs 

Sola Salon Studios 

Drybar 

My Salon Suite 

FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers 


101 Mobility 

HOME SERVICES 

Budget Blinds 

* HouseMaster 

* CertaPro Painters 

Surface Specialists Systems 

Home Services continued 

* DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen 

ASP – America’s Swimming Pool Co. 

Miracle Method Surface Refinishing 

* Five Star Painting 

Garage Experts 

* Kitchen Solvers 

* Mr. Handyman 

WOW 1 DAY PAINTING 

* Mr. Appliance 

Shack Shine 

Bloomin Blinds 

ShelfGenie 

The Grout Doctor 

Floor Coverings International 

Closets By Design 

California Closets 

PET SERVICES 

In Home Pet Services 

Pet Supplies ‘PLUS’ 

Sit Means Sit 

Dogtopia 

See page 33 for additional top franchises. 


REAL ESTATE 

Keller Williams 

NextHome 

Sotheby’s International Realty 

Epcon Communities 



ERA 


Coldwell Banker 

Showhomes Home Staging 

HomeSmart International 

PropertyGuys.com — more on p. 28 

United Country Real Estate 

Help-U-Sell Real Estate 

Coldwell Banker Commercial 

RECREATION 

* American Poolplayers Association — more on 

p. 33 

Kampgrounds of America/KOA 

Goldfish Swim School 

* Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park 

APEX Leadership Co (APEX Fun Run) 

Streamline Brands 

Color Me Mine 





”Trendsetter” isn’t a word you often hear in the 

mortgage industry. But as the very first national 

franchise of mortgage brokerages, our unique 

mortgage brokerage-in-a-box concept is gaining 

momentum. Why? Because it just makes sense. 

From a dedicated business support team, to 

state-of-the-art tech and training, to brand 

marketing (and everything in-between), Motto 

Mortgage gives you all the pieces you need to 

hit the ground running as a mortgage broker. It’s 

everything you need to get started‚ we just need 

you. *Numbers current as of March 2019 

For more information on Motto Mortgage 


email Info@mottomortgage.com or visit 

www.mottomortgage.com. 

HEALTH & PERSONAL SERVICES 

Sport Clips 



Total Units: 1,820 

Sport Clips Haircuts is a sports-themed 

haircutting franchise specializing in haircuts 

for men and boys in a 75 billion dollar growing 

men’s grooming industry. We’ve helped almost 

500 professionals like you use franchising as 

a vehicle to financial freedom and greater time 

control in their life. Two distinct advantages: 

a semi-absentee business model allows you to 

continue with your day job while you build your 

investment. With over 25 years of experience, 

we have a winning formula for marketing, 

training and support that has resulted in a 95.4% 

franchise continuity rate. Ideal candidates have 

leadership, managerial and communication skills 

and enjoy sales, marketing, developing others 

and being involved in your community. 

For more information on Sport Clips 


www.SportClipsFranchise.com/FBR. 


JOIN A 

TIME-TESTED, 

THRIVING 

BUSINESS 

It’s time to look into opening a Pizza Factory franchise and experience 

our fun, family-focused community and welcoming atmosphere. 

pizzafactoryfranchises.com 1-562-340-6925 

RETAIL 

* Wild Birds Unlimited — more on p. 39 

* Pinch A Penny — more on p. 36 

Rhea Lana’s — more on p. 38 

Learning Express 

Zagg 

Just Between Friends 

* Big Frog Custom T-Shirts 

SENIOR SERVICES 


* Home Instead Senior Care 

Right at Home 

* FirstLight Home Care 


* Qualicare-Family Homecare 


* Home Helpers Home Care — more on p. 34 

* Homewatch Caregivers 

* Amada Senior Care 

* CarePatrol — more on p. 34 

HomeWell Senior Care 

Assisted Living Locators 

* Senior Care Authority 

SERVICES 

Precision Concrete Cutting 

Weed Man 

* Truly Nolen of America — more on p. 37 

* Two Men and A Truck — more on p. 31 

* Fish Window Cleaning 


FRSTeam 

Paul Davis 

Bin There Dump That 

* College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving — 

* PuroClean — more on p. 41 

Complete Weddings + Events 

* U.S. Lawns 

Property Damage Appraisers 

Shine Window Care & Holiday Lighting 

* Aire Serv Heating And Air Conditioning 

Critter Control 

* Mr. Electric 

Sea Tow Services 

TECHNOLOGY 

TeamLogic IT 

TRAVEL & HOSPITALITY 

* Dream Vacations 

* Cruise Planners — more on p. 15 

Expedia CruiseShipCenters — more on p. 35 

more on 

p. 41 




FEATURED 

Franchisee 

HOME SERVICES 

PET SERVICES 

Todd and Kim Seidl 

CarePatrol 

Greater Milwaukee and Southeastern, WI 



leadership that led you to purchase it? During 

our first training class, we were welcomed by the 

Founder and CEO, Chuck Bongiovanni, with the 

statement, “The bad news is that you have been 

traded, but the good news is we won the Super 

Bowl last year!” From that day on, we have seen 

how CarePatrol provides its franchisees with 

every tool necessary to successfully serve their 

clients. 




helpful? Our experience in home care was 

certainly helpful. However, our education and 

backgrounds in the hospitality industry have 

provided a foundation for serving and meeting 

the needs of others. 


There is a personal and professional feeling of 

accomplishment as we guide families through 

what can be a difficult season in a loved one’s 

life. To find the safest and most appropriate 

housing solution that will meet the long-term 

care needs of a senior is very rewarding. 


franchise buyers? As an entrepreneur, your 

return will be in proportion to your own hard 

work and commitment to success. There are 

always unanticipated financial expenses and 

don’t scrimp on spending for marketing and 

community relations. Also, picture what success 

will be and aggressively go after it, working a 

proven franchise business model and growing 

your business one day and one client at a time. 

HouseMaster 




For the past 40 years, HouseMaster has 

been helping people from a diverse array of 

backgrounds realize their dreams of business 

ownership. A HouseMaster franchise is one of 

the most affordable ways to develop a successful 

business in the growing home inspection 

industry. As part of the HouseMaster team, you 

will receive all of the training, systems, tools, and 

support you need to be successful. Your passion 

will be rewarded when you give customers 

peace of mind about their purchase as well as 

knowledge to protect their greatest investment; 

their home. It is truly a great time to join the 

HouseMaster team! 

For more information on HouseMaster 


or visit www.housemaster.com. 

Sit Means Sit Dog Training 




Starting a professional dog training franchise 

with Sit Means Sit allows you to take advantage 

of the largest and most successful U.S. animal 

based dog training company in the History of the 

United States. If you’re looking for an exceptional 

national company providing a unique top-notch 

service in a recession-proof multi-billion dollar 

industry, this is it. This is the “next great business 

opportunity”; and you won’t want to miss it! Are 

you Curious about starting your own Sit Means 

Sit Franchise? We’d LOVE to have you! 

For more information on Sit Means Sit Dog 

Training opportunities, call 1.866.SIT.M.SIT 

(1-866-748-6748), email alfredo@sitmeanssit.com 

or visit www.SitMeansSit.com. 

Safer Senior Living. Your Goal, Our Mission. 

For more information about Care Patrol 


www.carepatrolfranchise.com. 


NOW’S THE TIME TO MAKE YOUR 

BIG 

MOVE 

Put your business development skills to work for you. 

Take the next step forward in your career with a 

Remedy Intelligent Staffing franchise. 

Get your piece of the $161 billion staffing industry 

with the resources and support of a national leader. 

LEARN MORE ABOUT US! 

ALICIA MILLER - FRANCHISE DEVELOPMENT 

502-255-2297 | REMEDYFRANCHISE.COM 

FEATURED 

Franchisee 

Wil and Ayten Mauk 

Expedia CruiseShipCenters 

Three locations in Greater Atlanta, GA 



leadership that led you to purchase it? We were 

searching for a franchise business model that we 

would be able to manage and operate for the rest 

of our lives. When we discovered the Expedia 

franchise opportunity it really called out to us: 

We love to travel and it is an exciting industry to 

work in. Expedia provides the tools needed and 

extensive support to help us build our business. 


The Product: Travel is something everybody does 

and talks about. People are excited before, during 

and after their vacations. Who does not want to 

get on a plane and go to an exotic location and 

see that wonderful thing they saw on a magazine 

or TV? 

Educational Sports Programs 

EST. 2003 

29 STATES 

OVER 100 

FRANCHISE 

UNITS 

650+ 

LOCATIONS 

25K+ ACTIVE 

ATHLETES 

Proven system, no experience necessary! 

Low Startup + Overhead Cost! 

Begin generating revenue + profits 

in the first several months! 

888.228.3942 



known prior to going into franchising 

Recruitment is very important in the Expedia 

franchise model. My advice for prospective 

franchise buyers is be comfortable with 

recruiting and make sure the potential recruits 

are passionate with travel and helping others 

book the vacations of their dreams. We want our 

consultants to have good spirit and to enjoy 

working in our Center. I have been franchising for 

a while now and I would advise that new 

franchise buyers pick an industry that excites 

them. Put the time and effort into getting 

established. If you want a long-term business 

that will keep you excited and build equity, 

Expedia CruiseShipCenters will have your back 

and support you along every step of the way! 

For more information on Expedia 

CruiseShipCenters opportunities, call (844) 

358-0361 or visit www.expediafranchise.com. 



A GREAT BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY 

RIGHT IN YOUR BACKYARD 

OWN THE RETAIL POOL SUPPLY AND SERVICE FRANCHISE 

THAT HELPS YOU LIVE THE GOOD LIFE 

Start a mobile service franchise with us! 

We restore damaged leather, plastic, and 

vinyl and cater to multiple markets with 

many potential revenue streams. 

COME TAKE A LOOK 

AND START THE 

CONVERSATION TODAY 

visit 

fibrenew.com 

or call toll free 

844.264.9520 

BEFORE 

JOIN A FAMILY OF 

OVER 250 

FRANCHISE PARTNERS 

250+ RETAIL 

LOCATIONS 

IN FIVE STATES 

YEAR-ROUND BUSINESS 

IN RETAIL, SERVICE, AND 

MAINTENANCE 

PINCHAPENNYPOOLFRANCHISE.COM 

727-685-3551 

40+ YEARS OF 

SALES GROWTH 

WITH AVERAGE UNIT 

SALES OF $1.2M* 

*For the year ending December 31, 2017, Pinch A Penny had 238 stores open. Of those stores, 225 have been open two years or longer. 

Of those open two years or longer, the average annual gross revenue was $1,265,631. Your results may differ. There is no assurance that 

you will do as well. See our 2018 Franchise Disclosure Document for more information. 

This information is not intended as an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, a franchise. It is for information purposes only. If 

you are a resident of a U.S. state or a country that regulates the offer and sale of franchises, are receiving this message in one of those 

states or countries, or intend to operate a franchise in any of those states or countries, we will not offer you a franchise unless and until 

we have complied with any applicable pre-sale registration and/or disclosure requirements in the applicable jurisdiction. 

©2019 Pinch A Penny. All Rights Reserved. 

“ I GET TO CONTROL 

MY DESTINY. 

AND EAT PIZZA.” 

–DOUG DeVILBISS 

Multi-unit Franchise Partner 

2 Donatos Restaurants 

AFTER 

AUV OVER $1,059,257 

174% HIGHER THAN AVERAGE PIZZA RESTAURANT 

PMQ Pizza Magazine December 2018 

2018 TOP 30 FOOD FRANCHISES 

Franchise Business Review 

#7 PIZZA FRANCHISE 

Entrepreneur 2018 Top 200 list of 

Food & Restaurant Franchises 

® 

For more information, visit 

Experts in Leather, Plastic & Vinyl Restoration 

DONATOSPIZZAFRANCHISE.COM 


RETAIL 

SENIOR SERVICES 

FEATURED 

Franchisee 

Rhea Lana’s 




Rhea Lana’s is a national children‚ consignment 

franchisor that was founded in 1997. As the 

leader in the industry, Rhea Lana’s offers 

trusted, upscale consignment opportunities 

to entrepreneurs across America. Rhea Lana’s 

trademarked and innovative software provides 

real-time tracking of sales for consignors, as 

well as item entry via voice recognition, item 

guarantee, and consignor checks on the final 

event day. Our industry first, Rhea Lana Mobile 

App, further enhances the experience for 

Rhea Lana customers, adding increased value 

to our franchise system. Because of these 

superior consignor services, our franchise 

management technology and our unwavering 

franchise support, we are the best in children’s 

consignment. 

For more information on Rhea Lana’s 


franchising@rhealana.com or visit 

www.rhealanafranchising.com. 

FirstLight Home Care 




FirstLight Home Care, a leading provider of nonmedical 

home care, helps individuals achieve the 

quality of life they deserve. At FirstLight, caring 

is our calling. We’ve set a new standard in home 

care by creating an unmatched Culture of Care 

that drives industry-leading client and employee 

satisfaction. FirstLight is a lifeline for seniors; 

veterans; people recovering from illness, injury or 

surgery; adults with disabilities; and anyone over 

the age of 18 who needs extra assistance. Our 

professional caregivers provide compassionate 

care at private residences as well as independent 

and assisted living communities and other 

healthcare facility settings. 

For more information on FirstLight Home Care 


www.firstlightfranchise.com. 

Scott Neal 

Fibrenew 

West Central, NJ 

Franchisee Since 2018 


leadership that led you to purchase it? A few 

things actually. I liked the hands-on aspect of the 

work. I liked the flexibility of the work schedule 

throughout the day and week and more than 

anything because this is my first business I was 

nervous about being on my own and everybody 

I spoke to, all the active franchisees raved about 

how much support there is from home office 

and from fellow franchisees. I spoke with twenty 

franchisees and they all said the same thing. 

That’s the number one reason for me. Knowing 

the support that was available made me feel 

more confident. 




helpful? My entire working career prior to 

Fibrenew had a customer service aspect to it. 

I started out in the golf business then I got into 

printing and packaging sales, which was helpful 

as well. Customer service and sales is a big part 

of running a Fibrenew business, so my history 

helped; the rest Fibrenew has taught me. 


I love working with my hands. The thing I wasn’t 

getting out of my previous jobs was that I wasn’t 

getting the satisfaction of knowing that I was 

actually helping people. In the corporate world, 

it was just about moving from project to project 

and there were no thank yous for that. Now, I see 

smiles on customers’ faces after I restore their 

furniture or car interior and that feels amazing. 



known prior to going into franchising? There’s 

nothing I can think of because everyone should 

do their due diligence and talk with active 

franchisees, work with the sales team, do a 

discovery day, etc. to learn about the system, the 

products, the operation and the culture. The only 

thing I can really think of that I regret is that I 

didn’t do this sooner! 

® 


For more information about Fibrenew 


or visit www.fibrenew.com/wcj. 



FEATURED 

Franchisee 

SERVICES 

SERVICES 


® 

Ashley 

Shaver Noland 

Rhea Lana 

Northwest AR 

and Fayetteville, AR 




immediately impressed by the ingenuity of the 

business model. As a young mother, I recognized 

right away that this would be a business that 

young families and grandparents in my own 

community would love! The growth and financial 

success that we have experienced with Rhea 

Lana’s has exceeded my wildest imagination! 




helpful? I believe that the most important 

skills that lead to success as a Rhea Lana’s 

Children’s Consignment Event owner are strong 

relationship skills, a genuine desire to help 

others, a tenacious work ethic, and a creative 

marketing mind. 

For me, the beauty of owning a Rhea Lana’s 

franchise is that I’ve been given the formula 

to succeed and I am able to work very hard for 

a couple months of the year. Then, I have the 

freedom to work from home and enjoy plenty 

of time with my family the rest of the year. 


I enjoy casting a vision and leading a team of 

people to accomplish this huge community event 

that helps thousands of families every year. It 

is enormously gratifying to know that the work 

we are doing makes a difference in the lives of 

families. I have strangers stop me in restaurants 

and stores often to thank me for how much it has 

helped their family. 

Personally, it has also provided my family with 

financial freedom and opportunities I have never 

had before. I am so grateful to be able to work 

from home and earn the income to live in a nice 

home, pay for our children to receive a rigorous, 

college-prep education, and travel to places I 

only dreamed of seeing before. 

For more information on Rhea Lana’s 


email franchising@rhealana.com or visit 

www.rhealanafranchising.com. 

Critter Control ® 


Cash Requirement: $8,075 – $52,075 


Be Your Own Boss with this High Demand 

Business 

Founded in 1983, Critter Control ® the Nation’s 

leading wildlife control firm continues with 

a strong industry growth rate year-after-year. 

Nearly 100 nationwide locations provide animal 

and pest management services along with related 

animal damage repair and exclusion services 

to homeowners, businesses and industry. Our 

high-demand business opportunity is extremely 

affordable and allows you the flexibility of 

running your Critter Control ® franchise right 

out of your home. A Critter Control ® franchise 

opportunity can be available for as little as 

$47,500 (depending on territory size and 

population). Critter Control ® is recognized as a 

Veteran Friendly Franchisor and is now offering 

a $5,000 discount on the initial franchise fee for 

qualified veterans. 

For more information on Critter Control ® 


www.critterfranchise.com. 

WILL BUYING A 

FRANCHISE MAKE 

YOU HAPPY? 

SURVEYS SAY…. 

13th Annual 

Franchisee 

Satisfaction 

Awards 

2018 

Fibrenew 




Fibrenew provides a niche market business 

with multiple revenue streams, low overhead 

operation and a flexible lifestyle—you set 

your own hours! Fibrenew is a market leader 

in the restoration of leather, plastic and vinyl. 

Fibrenew technicians are called upon to restore 

rips, fades, stains, cracks, scratches and holes 

on items in homes, vehicles, boats, planes and 

businesses. Our company has grown and thrived 

through every rise and fall of the economy since 

1987. That really speaks to the fact that there is 

always a need for our services. The strength of 

our business model, the quality of our products 

and services and our enthusiasm for what we do 

all contribute to the success of more than 240 

Fibrenew franchisees around the world. 

For more information on Fibrenew 


www.fibrenew-franchising.com. 

It depends on the brand you choose! 

Every year, FBR surveys over 28,000 franchisees to find out how 

satisfied they are with their franchisor. Hear what they have to 

say and gain access to the top franchise brands of the year. 

VISIT 

FranchiseBusinessReview.com 


SERVICES 

TRAVEL 

FEATURED 

Franchisee 

Two Men and A Truck 




Headquartered in Michigan, TWO MEN AND A 

TRUCK is the largest franchised moving company 

in North America. Currently, there are more than 

375 locations and 2,900 trucks operating in 44 

U.S. states in addition to Canada, Ireland, and the 

UK. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK has performed more 

than 7 million moves since its inception in 1985 

and has seen consistent monthly growth dating 

back to December 2009. In 2018, Entrepreneur 

Magazine ranked TWO MEN AND A TRUCK as one 

of the top 500 franchises in the U.S for the 24th 

consecutive year and ranked the company No. 1 

in the moving/junk removal category for the third 

year in a row. In 2017, the company also made 

the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private 

companies in America for the fourth time. Each 

location is independently owned and operated. 

For more information on Two Men and A Truck 


franchiseinfo@twomen.com or visit 

www.franchise.twomenandatruck.com. 

Serving up a unique opportunity to 

Spread Joy, Enrich Lives, & Serve Others 

MADE FROM SCRATCH EVERY DAY - NO STOVES, OVENS, OR FRYERS! 

$1,075,062 AUV (BASED ON A 6-DAY WEEK MODEL) * 

12 CONSECUTIVE QUARTERS OF SAME-STORE SALES GROWTH 

(& COUNTING!) ** 

“Becoming a Chicken Salad Chick Franchisee has been life-changing. The culture of 

the brand & their unprecedented support is unlike anything I have ever experienced. 

I’m truly happy with my decision to join the Chicken Salad Chick family!” 

-A Chicken Salad Chick Franchisee 

For Franchising Information: 

Expedia CruiseShipCenters 




With an Expedia CruiseShipCenters franchise, 

you can own a retail travel agency franchise, 

backed by the most recognized brand in travel. 

As a full service travel agency that specializes 

in cruises, your Expedia CruiseShipCenters 

location will offer travelers in your community a 

wide range of travel products with outstanding 

service and Expedia prices. We’re committed 

to meeting the needs of our franchisees with 

our Stronger.Together ® culture, massive buying 

power, award-winning marketing and industryleading 

technology. Build equity and enjoy a 

great lifestyle with our proven franchise model 

celebrating over 30 years of success and more 

than 280 locations throughout North America. 

For more information on Expedia 

CruiseShipCenters opportunities, call (844) 

358-0361 or visit www.expediafranchise.com. 

Email: Franchising@ChickenSaladChick.com 

Or Visit: www.ChickenSaladChick.com 

Barbara and Chip Whipkey 


Lexington Park, MD 



leadership that led you to purchase it? The 

education that Wild Birds Unlimited offered to 

both its franchisees and to its customers stood 

out to me immediately. I never felt that the goal 

was to sell me a franchise, but rather they were 

focused on making sure that I was a good fit for 

the franchise. 




helpful? I have had an interest in birds since 

I was a teenager and was already obsessively 

feeding the birds, so the love of the hobby was 

already there. As a former teacher, education was 

important to me. I enjoy teaching, but in 

particular I enjoy teaching about nature. I also 

owned a pet sitting service for eight years, so 

owning my own business was nothing new to me. 


My customers are the favorite part of my 

business. I love sharing the hobby and educating 

my customers. My favorite thing to hear a 

customer say is, “I learn something new every time 

I come into the store.” I am thrilled when a 

customer comes in excited to share a story of 

happenings at their feeders or a new bird they saw. 


into franchising? The only thing that I could 

possibly mention that I wasn’t aware of was just 

how attached I would become to my customers. 

My customers become friends. 

*This figure represents a total of 67 franchised restaurants at the end of 2017, with 49 of those in operation the entire year as 

published in our May 15, 2018 franchise disclosure document. 

**Based on performance of franchised restaurants represented in our May 15, 2018, franchise disclosure document. 

For more information on Wild Birds Unlimited 


www.wbufranchise.com. 



Faith-based and family-focused 

Nationally recognized brand 

Service-based, low overhead business 

Viable in practically any size market 

. Recession resistant industry 

The 2019 FranchiseBusinessREVIEW ® reports 

Office Pride as having one of the highest 

satisfaction ratings among ALL franchise systems. 

#1 in commercial cleaning 

#10 in Top 50 midsize franchises 

#32 in Top 200 franchises overall 

OfficePrideFranchise.com | 888.641.2310 | franchising@OfficePride.com 

The Nation’s Premier New Mover Marketing Franchise 

Helping Local Businesses Connect with 

New Customers & Helping New Movers 

Adjust to their New Community 

2019 Top Franchise • 2019 Top Low-Cost Franchise • Top Franchise for Veterans 

Top B2B Franchise • Top Multi-Unit Franchise • Top Innovative Franchise • Top Franchise for Women 

Rated the #1 Advertising & Sales Franchise in 2018! 

• Quick Ramp Up 

• Home-based 

• Flexibility 

Quality of Life 

• Scalable Business 

• Residual Income 

• Low Overhead 

• Sales & Service 

No Production 

• Enhanced Mobile App 

• Rated Top 50 Franchise for 14 Years 1 

• FBR 10-year Hall of Fame 1 

• FBR All-time Top Company 1 

• 45+ Year Industry Innovator 

800.497.8360 X236 • ourtownamerica.com 

Our Town America, A Franchising Corporation 

13900 US Highway 19 N | Clearwater, FL 33764-7238 

MN Residents: Minnesota Franchise Registration No: F-6498 (Unit); F-7645 (RD) 

NY Residents: This advertisement is not an offering. An offering can only be made 

by a prospectus filed first with the Department of Law of the State of New York. 

Such filing does not constitute approval by the Department of Law. 1 www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com 

Ask us 

about our 

Veteran 

Discount! 

FR-20190314-FBR 


THE INDUSTRY 

IS STARTING 

TO NOTICE 

Awarded Top 50 

Franchisee Satisfaction by 

Franchise Business Review 

Ranked Top 500 Global 

Franchise by Entrepreneur 

Named Top 100 

Game-Changer Franchise 

by Franchise Dictionary 

Magazine 

2019 Best in Disaster 

Restoration Services 

by FranCompare 

WHAT ABOUT YOU? 

Visit PuroCleanFranchise.com 

or call (855) 503-4242 

Each PuroClean office is independently owned 

and operated. 



A KNOCKOUT 

BUSINESS. 

BECOME A FRANCHISEE TODAY. 

Fastest growing Women's only boutique fitness franchise 

Flexible, rewarding & inspiring lifestyle 

Low start up costs & steady recurring revenue 

Unmatched & dedicated support 

Learn more about us! 

Stacey Firth - Franchise Development 

778-828-7755 | my30minutehit.com 


Owners Have: 

Low Intro Cost & Flexible Time 

Be Your Own Boss 

SPORTS & HIGH VOLUME PHOTOGRAPHY 

No Real Estate (Home-based) 

No Royalties 

Instant Business Tools: a website, 

email, marketing materials & more! 

Powerful Software & 

Exclusive Products 

Annual Meetings & Reward Trips 

tssfranchisebusiness.com 

franchise@tssphotography.com • 1-800-336-4550 x114 


Never look at a 

house the same 

way again. 

From now on, all you’ll 

see are dollar signs. 

A Proven Model for Success 

With over a thousand HomeVestors ® franchise locations, we have 

a vast network of knowledgeable real estate professionals who 

help and mentor one another, rather than compete. 

Loans for Buying and Repairing Property 

We make it easy to keep your business running smoothly by 

providing loans for qualifying acquisition and repairs. 

Generating Leads for You 

Our nationally recognized brand and national advertising effort 

helps make lead generation easy. 

Close The Deal with Confidence 

Our ValueChek ® software takes the guesswork out of estimating 

repairs and helps you steer clear from making costly mistakes. 

You are in the right place, at the right time to be a HomeVestors ® franchisee - so what are you waiting for? 

HomeVestorsFranchise.com | 800-230-0385 

2018 

#171 

*Each franchise office is independently owned and operated.

FBR Issue 2 - 2019

Transform your PDFs into Flipbooks and boost your revenue!

FBR Issue 2 - 2019

Transform your PDFs into Flipbooks and boost your revenue!

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