Express Employment Professionals

<a href="https://1851franchise.com/expressemployment/info">Express Employment Professionals</a>, the full-service staffing franchise with nearly 900 units, is setting its sights on Virginia for its next wave of franchise expansion due to the state's robust business mix and thriving workforce.<h2>Virginia Is an Ideal Market</h2>Virginia had an increase of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pilotonline.com/2023/06/13/virginia-finance-secretary-assesses-state-economic-outlook-as-pretty-good-lawmakers-say-budget-talks-to-resume-soon/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=5-reasons-to-invest-in-an-express-employment-professionals-franchise-in-virginia-2723450" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">roughly 339,000</a> new jobs in May 2023 and the state’s population is currently growing by&nbsp;<a href="https://worldpopulationreview.com/states/virginia-population?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=5-reasons-to-invest-in-an-express-employment-professionals-franchise-in-virginia-2723450" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">1.15%</a>. In 2022, the GDP of Virginia increased by roughly&nbsp;<a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/588157/virginia-gdp-growth/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=5-reasons-to-invest-in-an-express-employment-professionals-franchise-in-virginia-2723450#:~:text=U.S.%20annual%20GDP%20growth%20in%20Virginia%202000%2D2022&amp;text=In%202022%2C%20the%20real%20gross,from%20the%20COVID%2D19%20pandemic." target="_blank" rel="nofollow">1.5%</a> compared to 2021, which had seen the largest growth since 2000 as the state’s economy began its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Virginia was also recently ranked&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2023/07/11/top-states-for-business-virginia.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=5-reasons-to-invest-in-an-express-employment-professionals-franchise-in-virginia-2723450" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">No. 2</a> on CNBC’s Top States for Business in 2023.&nbsp;“Virginia offers a tremendous business mix for industries where&nbsp;<a href="https://expressfranchising.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=5-reasons-to-invest-in-an-express-employment-professionals-franchise-in-virginia-2723450" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Express Employment Professionals</a> has traditionally found success, including logistics, warehousing, construction, health care, manufacturing and technology,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/thompsonbillf/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=5-reasons-to-invest-in-an-express-employment-professionals-franchise-in-virginia-2723450" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Bill Thompson</a>, Senior Franchise Director at Express. “The state's strong workforce and business-friendly climate, coupled with investments in economic development, make Virginia ripe with opportunity for franchise owners.”One of the franchise owners who has experienced success in the region is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/garry-norris-b1b33911?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=5-reasons-to-invest-in-an-express-employment-professionals-franchise-in-virginia-2723450" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Garry Norris</a>, for example, who owns two Express offices in Roanoke and New River Valley, VA. Prior to franchising, Norris had an illustrious corporate career, moving up through management and executive positions in companies like IBM and Kodak. After years in the corporate world, Norris decided to take control of his own future.&nbsp;"I was tired of having to move all over the world, and I decided I wanted to buy a business that was already operating, one that would already be profitable but not a start-up," Norris said. "Since I was already in the people business of managing and firing thousands of employees at the time, it was ironic I would end up in the recruiting industry. The bottom line is that Express outshined the competition through their support system and the business model they have.”Since taking over the franchise back in 2008, Norris has continued to scale, solidifying his business in the top 8% of the system.&nbsp;Overall, Norris's success story in Virginia underscores the potential of the Express franchise in the state. "The experience of owning this business in Virginia has been absolutely positive,” he said. “This is an area of the country where people buy from people they like and people they know and this is a relationship-based business, not a transactional business. As a result, we are able to establish long-term relationships with people here and continue to grow the business.”<h2>Plentiful Territory Availability</h2>Currently, there are 12 existing Express Employment Professionals locations within Virginia, including Danville-Martinsville, Lynchburg, Midlothian, Norfolk and Stafford. Each office, on average, places 600 job seekers a year in jobs with local businesses, contributing significantly to the local economy.&nbsp;Now, Express is looking to leverage the state's business-friendly environment and strong workforce to expand rapidly. The overall market capacity in Virginia consists of 17 total territories. The brand projects the potential to open 2-3 new locations within one year, 3-6 within three years and further expansion in the following years.The Express team has identified several specific markets primed for growth in Virginia, including Danville-Martinsville, Lynchburg, Midlothian and Stafford.&nbsp;<h2>Appealing Franchise Owner Incentives</h2>To attract new owners in these areas, while also celebrating the brand’s 40th anniversary, Express Employment Professionals is&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/expressemployment/express-employment-professionals-completely-eliminates-franchise-fee-for-qualified-candidates-in-target-markets-rapidly-closing-out-in-demand-available-territories-across-the-us-on-its-path-to-900-units-2721296#stories">completely waiving its $40,000 franchise fee</a> in select markets.“We feel that Express should really be in these areas,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-gunderson-17323618/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=5-reasons-to-invest-in-an-express-employment-professionals-franchise-in-virginia-2723450" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Dan Gunderson</a>, Senior Franchising Director. “We've identified these open territories as a real opportunity for us, so we’ve created these very appealing incentive programs to help us reach our goal of 900 offices systemwide.”&nbsp;Outside of those territories, Express also has what it calls a cashback incentive for any other new territory. The franchise owner has an opportunity to receive back $25,000 of their $40,000 franchise fee as a cash back incentive if they reach a benchmark level of success within six months, something the brand refers to as Fast Track.&nbsp;The total investment necessary to begin the operation of an Express Employment Professionals franchise in Virginia will vary, but the absence of a franchise fee in several territories makes it an attractive opportunity.<h2>In-Depth Franchise Owner Support</h2>Prospective Express franchise owners in Virginia can be confident they will have&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/expressemployment/how-express-employment-professionals-established-itself-as-one-of-the-most-sought-after-franchise-opportunities-in-the-recession-resistant-staffing-industry-2721292#featured">everything they need</a> to be successful. One unique support feature is that Express handles payroll funding for franchise owners. Essentially working as a back-office administrator, processing invoices and other important paperwork for clients, the brand allows franchise owners to spend their time building relationships with local businesses in their community and doing what they do best.Additionally, the brand offers a franchise support center from its Oklahoma City based International Headquarters, as well as a wealth of leadership training programs and conferences such as the Express Leadership Academy and regional owner meetings. Franchise owners also benefit from marketing strategy support and the Express Franchise Owner community.With this support, Express franchise owners&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/expressemployment/how-franchise-owners-with-no-industry-experience-see-financial-success-with-express-employment-professionals-2722675#featured">do not need a background in staffing</a>. About 95% of current owners have no previous staffing experience. Franchise owners at Express can be successful if they are ready to lead a team, willing to make sales calls and have a strong passion for helping others find success. Owners should also have strong leadership skills, clear communication, motivation, extroverted personalities and be comfortable making cold calls and building relationships.&nbsp;<h2>A Meaningful Franchise Opportunity</h2>The ideal Express Employment Professionals franchise owner could be a single-unit or multi-unit owner, as long as they understand the importance of the brand's community-driven culture. Whether they’re helping a small business owner who doesn’t know how to move forward with finding employees, or someone who just got laid off and doesn’t know where to turn, Express franchise owners are there to serve.“We look for people who want to make a difference in their community,” said Gunderson. “We want to help people find jobs and help companies find people. We're looking for owners who are going to be involved and not be distracted by other businesses — we're looking for a fully involved owner, not a semi-absentee.”Looking ahead, Express Employment Professionals remains focused on delivering exceptional service, expanding its reach and solidifying its position as a leading staffing franchise with the aim of reaching the&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/expressemployment/express-employment-professionals-sees-remarkable-growth-hits-8-consecutive-quarters-of-1-billion-revenue-2722977#trending">900-unit mark</a> by the end of the year.The initial investment ranges from $100,000 to $220,000 to open an Express single traditional model, with a franchise fee of $40,000. For territories open more than 24 months, average sales in 2022 were $6,497,275. For territories open more than 60 months, average sales in 2022 were $7,7194,784. First-year offices averaged $1,080,407 annual sales according to Item 19 in the Franchise Disclosure Document. This statement is for information purposes only and is not intended as an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, a franchise.To find out more information on the costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/expressemployment/info">https://1851franchise.com/expressemployment/info</a>&nbsp;

5 Reasons to Invest in an Express Employment Professionals Franchise in Virginia

1851 Franchise

The industry-leading staffing franchise has identified room to add 17 new territories in cities like Danville-Martinsville, Lynchburg, Midlothian and Stafford.

This brand page has been paid for by EXPRESS EMPLOYMENT PROFESSIONALS. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

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How This Franchisee Earned Back His Full Franchise Fee With Express Employment Professionals

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Betting on His Community: How Zak Kraehmer Built a Thriving Express Employment Professionals Franchise in Lancaster, Pennsylvania

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Most prospective franchisees notice incentives right away. The real question is whether those benchmarks are practical and connected to the work required to grow the business.That’s the idea behind the Fast Track incentive offered by&nbsp;<a href="https://expressfranchising.com/">Express Employment Professionals</a>, the industry-leading staffing franchise. The program allows new franchise owners to earn back up to 100 percent of their franchise fee by hitting specific early performance benchmarks. Earn Fast Track once and owners can receive 50 percent of their franchise fee back. Hit Double Fast Track by meeting both benchmarks to earn 100 percent back.<h2>A Built-In Goal From Day One</h2><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/eilish-bel-aa06256/">Eilish Bel</a>, owner of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.expresspros.com/us-florida-tampa-northwest">Express Employment Professionals Tampa NW</a>, first learned about&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/expressemployment">Express</a> from two friends who owned offices in other states. After attending Discovery Day in December 2024, she opened her office in early 2025. Early on, she made Fast Track a clear goal."I hit it in week nine and then I hit the double in week 18,” Bel said. “What I did was follow the process."&nbsp;Fast Track can be achieved in two ways: by billing 16 clients in one week or by reaching $65,000 in gross margin within the first 26 weeks. Owners who accomplish both hit Double Fast Track.For Bel, that meant embracing an owner-sales role and staying active in her territory.“If you are an owner in sales, it’s really being out there and doing calls,” she said. “My goal every week is to do 120 calls each week. It’s a combination of in-person, phone, and email, but the bulk of it is being out there getting to know your territory.”<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-barrera-9a38427/">Julie Barrera</a>, owner of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.expresspros.com/us-texas-dallas-north">Express Employment Professionals North Dallas</a>, entered Express with more than two decades of staffing experience, primarily in healthcare. After being laid off twice in five years, she began exploring franchising as a way to gain more control over her career.“I already knew staffing,” Barrera said. “When I googled Express, I saw that it was one of the top franchise systems to work for.”The Fast Track incentive stood out during her evaluation process. “I thought the benefit of earning your initial fee back if you hit Fast Track was a great perk,” Barrera said. “I had a lot of confidence in myself and my experience, and it didn’t seem like too far-fetched of a goal.”<h2>Turning the Incentive Into a Team-Wide Mission</h2>Fast Track became more than a personal target for Barrera. It became a shared goal inside her office.“During that first 26 weeks, it was posted everywhere in our office,” she said. “The whole team had a buy-in. Each level that we hit internally to get closer to Fast Track would benefit everybody in the office.”Her team focused heavily on client count, while also leveraging direct-hire placements to help reach the gross margin threshold for Double Fast Track.Bel had a similar experience, noting that early wins created momentum. “If you’re a salesperson, closing a deal gives you a rush,” she said. “Once you&nbsp; get one, it motivates you to keep going towards that goal.”<h2>Weekly Coaching and Accountability</h2>Both franchisees pointed to&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/expressemployment/express-franchisee-earns-back-franchise-fee-union-nj-2731564">Express’ developer program and Fast Track coaching as key to their success</a>. Bel participated in weekly calls with her developer and Fast Track coach.“Those first few months, it’s really hard to keep track of everything,” she said. “Having that weekly call was very encouraging. They were constantly motivating me and providing me real-time feedback on what I could do better and what I should focus on."Barrera echoed that sentiment, saying that the coaching was instrumental in helping her determine how best to utilize her time.“Whether it was email marketing, door pulls, phone calls, training, social media, job fairs, networking, or chamber events, there was always more to do than hours in the day," she said. Those weekly touchpoints helped her team stay accountable and adjust activity levels when needed.“If we didn’t hit our numbers, we asked why” she said. “How are we really utilizing our time?”<h2>Confidence That Carries Forward</h2>Earning back their franchise fees had a meaningful impact on both owners, but neither described it as purely financial.“It really means a lot to me that Express does that,” Bel said. “For them to be able to reward you with that money back is huge as a business owner. Very grateful that that was even a possibility.”For Barrera, hitting Fast Track confirmed that she made the right decision to franchise with Express.“Being able to hit Fast Track showed me that we are on the right track, that we’re laying the right foundation,” she said. “It showed what my team was motivated by, how we could reach those goals. It proved to me that getting into the franchise business with Express was the right thing to do.”<h2>Advice for New Owners</h2>Both franchisees stress that Fast Track has to be treated as a priority from the start.“You just have to go after it from day one,” Bel said. “Activity drives results. If you don’t have the activity, you’re not going to have those results.”Fast Track is designed to accelerate early traction, reinforce strong habits, and give new franchise owners a tangible way to build confidence in their investment.“Express has a very good, proven, successful blueprint," said Barrera. "And as long as you follow it, it will set you up for success.”For more information on buying an Express Employment Professionals franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/expressemployment/info">https://1851franchise.com/expressemployment/info</a>.&nbsp;

The incentive rewards early performance and gives new owners a clear path to recouping their initial investment while building strong habits.

Express Employment Professionals' Fast Track Incentive Gives New Franchisees the Chance to Earn Back Their Franchise Fee

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<a href="https://expressfranchising.com/">Express Employment Professionals</a> closed out 2025 with momentum that showed up both in new ownership, expansions from current owners, and in the long-term stability that comes with being a mature staffing system. “We are very proud to have welcomed more than 38 new owners into the&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/expressemployment">Express</a> family this year,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-davis-cfe-483377150/">Melissa Davis</a>, vice president of franchise development.<h2>Succession Planning Opens New Opportunities</h2>This year’s development story was shaped in part by a transition happening inside the existing network. As longtime owners plan for the next chapter, Express is seeing more openings created by succession timelines and resale opportunities, including in markets that have been unavailable for years.“From a development perspective, as a 42-year legacy brand, what we’ve seen over the last couple of years, and what we’ll continue seeing in the years to come, is a lot of our legacy owners entering into their succession planning and retirement phase of their life,” Davis said. “We’ve seen a lot of new development in California, Texas, Florida and New York, really along the West Coast and East Coast, as well as in Canada.”<h2>Consistent Interest From Prospective Franchisees</h2>Express’ development pipeline did not hinge on a single trend or moment. Instead, the brand continued to draw steady inbound interest, supported by decades of brand presence and a reputation that stands out early in a buyer’s search.“We’re very lucky that interest in Express has stayed steady for many years,” Davis said. “We were established in 1983, and we’ve been named the No. 1 staffing franchise for 14 consecutive years by Entrepreneur.”For many candidates, that kind of track record can be a first filter before they ever compare models. “So when people are looking into business ownership, when they’re learning about franchise ownership, Express Employment Professionals is a name that stands out among the crowd,” Davis said. “For that reason, we typically see upwards of 5,000 to 6,000 people inquire about ownership with Express every single year.”<h2>Technology That Supports the Human Connection</h2>Staffing remains a relationship business, and Davis says Express does not position technology as the core driver of success. The company is focused on tools that will help franchisees run more efficiently while keeping the work centered on people.“The nature of our business model is such that success is driven by human-to-human connection. For that reason, it’s a great benefit to our franchise owners and their teams because our business model is not relying upon technology to be able to build a successful business,” Davis said. “Even so, in 2025 moving into 2026, there is so much technology out there that we can leverage to make what we do, and how we do it, stronger and more efficient. Because of that, we’re making significant investments into technology.”<h2>Franchisee Stories That Signal Staying Power</h2>For Davis, some of the most meaningful signals in 2025 were about who is choosing to build inside the brand. She points to growth in next-generation ownership as a marker of franchisee satisfaction and long-term commitment.“What we’re seeing now, which is really exciting to us, is second- and even third-generation owners coming into Express,” she said. “Of course, that speaks to the satisfaction of our owners that they’re bringing in their children, and now we’re seeing their grandchildren coming into the business.”<h2>Looking Ahead to 2026</h2>As Express moves into 2026, Davis says the development focus remains on finding capable operators who have the drive to take control of their careers and step into ownership.“There are so many people who have built successful corporate careers making other people a lot of money, who have always had that itch and that desire to do it for themselves, and be their own boss,” she said.And while no industry is immune to downturns, she believes staffing’s track record supports long-term confidence. “The staffing industry at large shows consistent growth over many years, so we expect that consistent growth to continue,” Davis said.For more information on franchising with Express Employment Professionals, visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/expressemployment/info">https://1851franchise.com/expressemployment/info</a>.

Express Employment Professionals - End of Year Wrap 2025 - 1851 Franchise

VP of Franchise Development Melissa Davis reflects on the milestones, momentum, and future opportunities that shaped Express’ franchising journey this year.

Express Employment Professionals Celebrates a Year of Growth, Adding 38 New Owners to Its System 

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Express Employment Eyes Palm Springs as a Hot Market for Franchise Growth

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For most of his career,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-minkowicz">Martin Minkowicz</a> worked on the sales side of workforce solutions, helping companies solve hiring problems at scale. Business ownership was never part of the plan. But within his first year as an&nbsp;<a href="https://expressfranchising.com/">Express Employment Professionals</a> franchise owner in Union, New Jersey, Minkowicz not only built early traction, but he also earned back 100% of his franchise fee through the brand’s Double Fast Track sales program.<h2>From Corporate Sales to Local Ownership</h2>Minkowicz spent most of his career in sales, starting in commission-based mortgage work before transitioning into finance and later recruiting-adjacent roles in job board and internet marketing sales. His work put him in front of large national brands, selling at scale and often over the phone.But after being laid off in mid-2024, he revisited an idea he had first considered years earlier: owning an&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/expressemployment/info">Express</a> franchise. “I never thought that I could be an actual business owner,” Minkowicz said. “But the support that Express gives showed me that I don’t have to figure this all out by myself.”That support was a key factor in his decision to move forward. After attending Discovery Day in August, he signed his franchise agreement and officially opened his Union office on January 6, 2025.“It was kind of a blessing that we opened up in January,” he said. “Fresh start, new year, got through the holidays and it was like, all right, let’s start working.”<h2>Building Early Momentum Through Face-to-Face Sales</h2>From day one, Minkowicz leaned into what he knew best: getting in front of people. Rather than spending his early months behind a desk, he focused on meeting local business owners face-to-face, building relationships across small and mid-sized companies in his territory.“I’m not really a business owner type who wants to sit in the office,” he said. “I like talking to people in person. I like walking in and saying, ‘You’re a business owner. I’m a business owner too. I get how hard it is.’”Instead of relying on phone calls or scripted outreach, Minkowicz got out into the territory, walking into businesses and speaking directly with owners about the realities of running a company and managing hiring.<h2>Fast Track Goals as a Motivator, Not a Shortcut</h2>As a new Express franchise owner, Minkowicz was eligible for the brand’s Fast Track program, an incentive designed to help new owners build early traction.Under the program, franchisees can earn back:<ul><li>50% of the franchise fee by either billing 16 clients in one week or reaching $65,000 in gross margin within the first 26 weeks.</li><li>100% of the franchise fee by achieving both benchmarks, known as Double Fast Track.</li></ul>For Minkowicz, Fast Track didn’t change how he sold. Instead, it gave him a clear scoreboard.“As a salesperson, I’m always measuring myself against something,” he said. “Having that number motivates me to beat it.”By week 26, his Union office had reached 17 active clients, surpassing the required threshold and qualifying him for Double Fast Track. He had expected to hit the gross margin goal, but the client count milestone came together at the same time.The moment landed on a personal note. He found out the same day he had planned a long-scheduled dinner with his wife.“It ended up being on the day that I found out,” he said. “I didn’t think we were going to be celebrating anything, and it turned out to be awesome.”<h2>Hands-On Support That Reduced the Learning Curve</h2>Throughout his first year, Minkowicz leaned heavily on Express’s support structure, especially his franchise developer.“He’s been a wealth of knowledge,” Minkowicz said. “He’ll pick up the phone anytime and say, ‘Let’s talk about it. What can I help you with?’”In the early months, questions came up fast. Minkowicz said having someone he could call for operational or technology issues meant problems didn’t linger and he could keep the business moving.As his office grew to include additional staff, that support became part of the workflow, helping his team solve problems and build confidence independently.<h2>A First Year That Reinforced the Model</h2>By the end of year one, Minkowicz had not only earned back his full franchise fee but also hit every performance goal set by Express, including reaching 26 clients by week 52.Now focused on growth and potential hiring, Minkowicz often talks with prospective franchisees who come from similar sales-driven backgrounds.“If you’re a salesperson, you can figure everything else out,” he said. “This feels like business-ownership lite, because there’s so much support there.”For him, that structure turned what once felt out of reach into a sustainable path forward, one built on relationships, consistency and a system designed to reward early effort.For more information on buying an Express Employment Professionals franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/expressemployment/info">https://1851franchise.com/expressemployment/info</a>.&nbsp;

Hands-on developer support and clear early benchmarks helped Express franchise owner Martin Minkowicz hit his sales goals and recoup his full franchise fee in the first six months.

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When&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacharykraehmer/">Zak</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-kraehmer-27040118a/">Nicole Kraehmer</a> opened an&nbsp;<a href="https://expressfranchising.com/">Express Employment Professionals</a> franchise in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in August 2019, staffing wasn’t the plan. But owning a business was.Zak had considered entering Nicole’s family business but wanted something different. The opportunity for “different” arrived through a friend who owned an&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/expressemployment/info">Express</a> office in upstate New York. Meetings with leadership and other franchise owners sealed the deal quickly.“We were immediately hooked on the feeling of the brand and the franchise as a whole,” Zak said. “It really felt like family.”With that, the Kraehmers sold their home, packed up their lives with two young children and moved three and a half hours south to open their new office. “It was a huge decision,” Zak said. “But really, it was the brand. The way they treated us and the systems they had in place made us feel comfortable that this was something we could be successful in.”<h2>Learning the Ropes</h2>Zak came to franchising following stints in financial services and his father-in-law’s insurance agency. He also brought prior franchising experience from the operation of a youth sports franchise territory. Most importantly, he and his wife possessed years of customer-facing work in food service, experience Zak recalls as surprisingly relevant.“Customer service, urgency, hard work and understanding what it takes each day to move the ball forward are critical. Taking care of clients, associates and candidates — that’s the intangible part,” Zak said. “Any significant customer-facing role helps prepare you. Whether it’s food service, banking or financial services, there’s a sense of pace and urgency. You learn to work for what you get. You learn how to build relationships. That goes a long way.”From the start, the Kraehmers ran the franchise as a true partnership. Zak focused on outside sales, while Nicole managed recruiting, payroll and inside operations. Their shared goals and clear division of responsibilities allowed them to scale quickly and maintain balance, especially in the early, pressure-filled months of the new business.Early challenges can be steep. With no clients or associates, momentum was everything. And the couple’s collective work ethic helped enable early success.“We grew very quickly from nothing,” Zak said. “Looking back, we had no choice. We had two young kids and a limited amount of money in the bank. That sense of urgency drove everything.”<h2>Thick Skin and Relentless Work</h2>The emotional swings of staffing were an early surprise. But Zak quickly found a solution through that work ethic.“Sell, sell, sell,” Zak said. “The work you do this week won’t show up immediately. You can have a bad day, but not a bad week. Every day matters.”Growing a franchise quickly isn’t common. It’s difficult. And scaling his business early taught Zak the importance of hiring the right internal team and the skills worth prioritizing. But some skills can’t be taught.“Even though we’re a staffing company, it’s hard to find the right internal people,” he said. “It’s skill, hill or will. I can teach skill. We can get over a hill together. But I can’t give someone the will to work. Having the right people in the right place at the right time is everything.”<h2>Showing Up Matters</h2>In a crowded market, the Kraehmers’ Lancaster office stands out through hands-on ownership. But those early days in franchising taught him the value of another important skill: communication. “I heard over and over that staffing companies didn’t communicate,” Zak said. “So we overcommunicate. Whether it’s good news or bad news,we communicate.”Involvement within his local community has also played a significant role in Kraehmer’s early Express success. From visiting clients to coaching youth sports, strengthening relationships at the local level has paid significant dividends as the couple has successfully scaled their business in South Central Pennsylvania. That local focus has helped develop bonds that continue to impact the couple’s approach even several years in.“On the client side, we built a deep partnership with one longtime client in particular. Even when their corporate office introduced another staffing company, that client chose to stick with us. We’re invited to lunches and grand openings. It just goes beyond business,” Zak said. “We treat people like people, not numbers.”<h2>Looking Ahead</h2>Today, Zak tracks revenue, placements and activity, balancing quantity and quality, remaining grounded. And, looking forward, he hopes for growth that’s both steady and focused on people.&nbsp;“It’s not a set-it-and-forget-it business. It’s stressful. But it’s also incredibly rewarding. If you focus on people and follow the system, growth follows,” Zak said. “If you’re not a people person, you won’t enjoy this. This isn’t a sit-behind-your-desk job. You have to be active, involved and present.”For Zak and Nicole, success isn’t just measured in placements or revenue. It’s built on the relationships they’ve strengthened and the community they’ve helped grow. Because at the end of the day, growing a business is all about people, persistence and partnership.About Express Employment ProfessionalsAt Express Employment Professionals, we're in the business of people. From job seekers to client companies, Express helps people thrive and businesses grow. Our international network of franchises offers localized staffing solutions to the communities they serve across the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, employing more than 10 million since its inception. For more information, visit ExpressFranchising.com.For prospective franchise owners, the initial investment to launch an Express traditional model ranges between $131,000 to $241,700, inclusive of a $40,000 franchise fee. More details regarding franchise costs can be found at&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/expressemployment/info">https://1851franchise.com/expressemployment/info</a>.

Express Employment Professionals franchise

From local roots to regional growth — Express franchise owner Zak Kraehmer shares how grit, strong relationships and strategic risk-taking helped him build a thriving franchise.

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