Express Employment Professionals

When&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-brown-csp-4778922b/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=betting-on-himself-how-chris-brown-built-an-express-employment-professionals-franchise-from-the-ground-up-2730230" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Chris Brown</a> left behind a steady six-figure corporate career, he wasn’t chasing a title or a paycheck — he was betting on himself. Today, as the owner of an&nbsp;<a href="https://expressfranchising.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=betting-on-himself-how-chris-brown-built-an-express-employment-professionals-franchise-from-the-ground-up-2730230" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Express Employment Professionals</a> franchise in Abilene, Texas, Brown is proof of what can happen when grit, experience and the right franchise model align. “I decided I would only ever bet on me,” he said. “Failure was not an option.”<h2>From Corporate America to Staffing</h2>Brown spent over a decade with Coca-Cola, running a facility and building his career inside a massive corporate structure. But he admits staffing wasn’t even on his radar at the time.“I had never used staffing and didn’t really understand the industry,” Brown said. “One day, I got a phone call from a recruiter asking me how I felt about staffing agencies. After that conversation, I quit Coca-Cola and started as a branch manager for a staffing agency.”What he discovered was an industry he quickly fell in love with. “I felt at home dealing with people, but selling a service to me was different than selling a product,” he said. “It was fun how I could work with people across dozens of industries.”&nbsp;For the next 14 years, Brown built a successful career, but when the company he worked for was acquired, the culture shifted. “Our values didn’t really align anymore,” he said. “I thought I would try to open my own staffing agency, but I never had a big enough bank account to do it. Still, I always wanted to be my own boss so I could treat people the way they wanted to be treated and stop making other people money.”<h2>Choosing Express Employment Professionals</h2>The breakthrough came when Brown received a call from&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/expressemployment/info">Express Employment Professionals</a>. “The first thing they asked was: have you ever thought about starting your own staffing agency?” he said. “We started talking and he recommended I look into the franchise. Other people from a Coca-Cola background came to Express. After about a month, I quit my job and opened my office in February of 2023. It’s been a crazy journey in those two and a half years.”What sold him on Express was&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/expressemployment/how-express-employment-professionals-empowers-franchise-owners-through-training-and-development-2729221#featured">the balance between autonomy and support.</a> “When I was talking to the people from Express, they really focused on how this would be something that is mine. I would have the resourcing of an international company behind me, but I can still do what I need to do for my clients,” he said. “I didn’t have any cap on my income, and I had the backing that I’ve always had, but I make the rules.”Walking into Discovery Day sealed the deal. “I was nervous to leave a six-figure job that I had been at for 15 years, but they believed in me,” Brown said. “Having that autonomy to be my own boss and make as much money as I wanted to, but also having the resources and the help and an amazing culture — I was sold the minute I walked in.”<h2>Hitting Milestones and Building Toward Growth</h2>Express Employment Professionals has&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/expressemployment/how-express-employment-professionals-offers-a-scalable-business-model-2727618">a well-structured ramp-up plan for new franchisees</a>, and Brown took full advantage of it. “Express really has all the milestones in place — they have it down to a science. We hit Fast Track in 11 weeks, and that might have been a record,” he said. With over 850 locations and decades of proven results, Express offers franchisees a business model that scales because it combines consistent market demand with world-class support. Staffing is a relationship-driven industry with recurring client needs, meaning owners can grow their revenue streams by building long-term partnerships with local businesses while also helping more job seekers.&nbsp;On top of that, Express has refined a coaching and training system that ensures franchisees are never building alone. From day one, owners are paired with dedicated developers who provide step-by-step guidance, helping them hit early milestones and create long-term growth plans. This intentional structure allows franchisees the opportunity to expand from a single territory to multiple offices, knowing they have the systems, resources, and the reputation of a global brand behind them. And the results speak for themselves —&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/expressemployment/whats-in-the-2025-fdd-a-closer-look-for-express-employment-professionals-franchise-buyers-2729718#stories">Express’ most recent Item 19</a> shows that franchise units open more than 24 months in fiscal year 2024 generated average sales of $5,380,571.&nbsp;Now in his second full year, Brown has his sights set on further growth. “My goal was to hit the Circle of Excellence because I want to own multiple territories,” he said. “There’s one that borders my territory and is in a town I grew up in, so my goal is to expand there. I want to give those opportunities to people like I was given. This is something that people like us, who bet on ourselves, can do. It’s really just been an awesome journey.”<h2>Advice for Future Franchise Owners</h2>If he could do it again, he’d lean even more on&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/expressemployment/the-express-employment-professionals-story-a-legacy-of-helping-people-succeed-2729487#featured">the Express network</a>. “I should have been a little bit more open to asking for help and leaning on tenured franchisees,” Brown said. “I could have saved some money and known how to approach people with better questions. I didn’t have to feel like I was on an island all by myself — there are people there to help. We are all in the same brand, so if one of us fails, it’s not good for everybody else. It gives you a lot of confidence knowing that someone has your back.”For Brown, Express Employment Professionals is a perfect vehicle to live out his values and create opportunities for others. “I was tired of corporate America where it didn’t feel personal anymore,” he said. “Now, I get to build something that matters. I’m building my own future, but I’m also helping people in my community build theirs.”For prospective franchise owners, the initial investment to launch an Express traditional model ranges between $144,000 to $220,000, 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>.

Chris Brown's Journey from Coca-Cola to Staffing Success

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From Coca-Cola to staffing success, Brown’s leap into franchise ownership shows what’s possible when determination meets the right system.

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

Betting on Himself: How Chris Brown Built an Express Employment Professionals Franchise From the Ground Up

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After dedicating nearly 25 years to serving his country in the U.S. Air Force,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-meyer-owner-recruiter">Jeff Meyer</a> found himself at a crossroads. Having spent the majority of his career flying and leading others, Meyer was ready for a new mission that would allow him to serve his community in a meaningful way while providing stability for his family. That mission came through&nbsp;<a href="https://expressfranchising.com/">Express Employment Professionals</a>, the industry-leading staffing franchise.“Out of high school, I went to the Air Force Academy,” Meyer said. “From graduation, I went to pilot training. I had nearly a 25-year career in the Air Force. The first 16 years were pretty much flying assignments. After that, I went into a staff job, then a command job, and from there a support job. I never got back to flying again.”After years of moving between assignments — “three times in three years,” Meyer said — he and his wife knew it was time for a change. Their children were in high school, and they wanted to give them some stability. More importantly, they wanted to build something together.“My wife and I wanted to do something as a team,” Meyer said. “She had done a lot of work in local, state and national-level volunteer organizations. We started looking at franchises, and she came across Express. She’d had a good experience using a staffing agency before, and we thought it would be a good way to help other military members.”That initial curiosity quickly turned into conviction. “Without looking at too many options, we really fell in love with the brand,” Meyer said. In 2013, they purchased an existing&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/expressemployment/info">Express Employment Professionals</a> office in San Antonio, Texas.<h2>A Business With Purpose</h2>Meyer’s transition from the military to entrepreneurship was rooted in one simple principle — service. “It’s a for-purpose business,” he said. “Having come from the military, where you have a higher sense of purpose instilled in you, I really wanted to have that again. I really felt like Express exemplified that idea of hope, dignity and helping others succeed.”Through Express, Meyer found a way to channel that same mission-driven mindset into his daily work. “The cool thing about it as a business is that you are either helping someone find work, or you are helping a company get the staff they need, and you are helping your internal staff become better recruiters,” he said. “Work is something that everybody needs.”That sense of impact — of seeing people thrive because of his office’s efforts — is what continues to motivate him after more than a decade in business. “It’s a very rewarding experience to help these people find a permanent work home, and we’ve had happy clients,” Meyer said. “I would do it all over again if I could.”<h2>Growth Through Support</h2>Since joining Express, Meyer and his team have steadily grown their business to reach the first level of Circle of Excellence, an achievement that marks consistent performance and dedication.&nbsp;“Express does all sorts of wonderful training for us,” Meyer said. “The support is amazing. There is internal training — from in-person classes to computer-based modules and live webinars, there are resources for everyone, franchisees and staff alike.”<a href="https://1851franchise.com/expressemployment/how-express-employment-professionals-empowers-franchise-owners-through-training-and-development-2729221">Express’s strong developer network</a> also plays a crucial role in local success. “The developer meets with the office regularly to help us with sales and keep us moving,” Meyer said. “The executives are so accessible, and the franchisees themselves are available. There are five offices near us in San Antonio, and we all collaborate and work together.”That collaborative culture, Meyer says, is one of the most rewarding parts of being in the Express system. “Everyone helps each other,” he said. “You never feel like you’re on your own.”<h2>Building a Legacy</h2>For Meyer, Express has become a second career. Looking ahead, he and his wife plan to prepare their office for the next phase.“We were older when we got into it, so now we are looking within the next five to ten years to potentially sell the business,” Meyer said. “We want to ensure that it is well-run and organized so that we can hand it off to someone who can move it even farther within the Express system.”As Express Employment Professionals&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/expressemployment/express-employment-professionals-wraps-up-2024-with-continued-growth-and-franchise-expansion-2728284">continues to expand its global network</a> — now surpassing 860 locations with an average annual sales volume of $6.4 million per office — franchisees like Meyer embody the brand’s mission to connect great people with great companies.“At Express, it’s about helping people succeed,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-davis-cfe-483377150">Melissa Davis</a>, Vice President of Franchising. “Our franchisees are community leaders and job creators. They help local economies thrive while building meaningful businesses.”For Meyer, that purpose-driven approach is what makes the journey worthwhile. “It’s been enough to sustain us both intellectually and financially,” he said. “But more than that — it’s given us the opportunity to give back. And that’s what makes it all worth it.”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. In 20 select markets across North America, Express is offering a 50% discount on the initial franchise fee - reducing the upfront costs and giving new owners more working capital to launch and grow their business. More details regarding franchise costs can be found at&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/expressemployment/info">https://1851franchise.com/expressemployment/info</a>.

How This Veteran Helps Others Find Work Through 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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<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

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

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Betting on Himself: How Chris Brown Built an Express Employment Professionals Franchise From the Ground Up

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