Express Employment Professionals is targeting Kentucky for franchise development, giving entrepreneurs the opportunity to bring staffing solutions to their local market. Leading the charge is Nick Winnenberg, an Express developer who sees plenty of room for growth in the state.
“Kentucky is very manufacturing driven with some good logistics support depending on where you are in the area,” said Winnenberg, who also represents 22 offices in southern Ohio. “It's a good mixture of urban metros mixed with rural manufacturing and distribution hubs. My favorite thing about Kentucky is that they're very automotive adjacent. Luckily, right now it looks like we’re in a good era in that industry. I expect a lot of potential upside in the next five to 10 years from that.”
Kentucky is home to 3,000-plus manufacturing companies, and manufacturing makes up 13.4% of the state’s GDP. It is also the number one producer of cars, light trucks and SUVs per capita, with around 24,000 workers being directly employed in motor vehicle manufacturing alone. New businesses are entering the market, and pre-existing businesses that were slower in 2024 and 2025 due to automotive shutdowns are quickly picking back up.
In general, Kentucky consistently ranks among the top states for business, reinforcing it as a great place to open an Express franchise. And the state is wide open with plenty of opportunity to be successful, no matter where you are.
“All the territories that are currently open have the ability to be very good territories, reach the goals, and can be built into some very major operations,” Winnenberg said. “There are some offices that will be better for the owner who is looking for more office services, and there are others that are more manufacturing or logistics heavy, depending on what the owner wants out of that market. Regardless, we see a lot of success with people who want to be involved with their community and create a legacy long term.”
Like all Express franchise owners, Kentucky owners can expect a lot of support from the corporate office. Starting with discovery day, franchise owners will learn a wealth of information about staffing before experiencing a two-week training on how to open their office, operate a P&L and how to train and engage staff members.
“As the developer, I will be on site with you for a couple of weeks just to make sure that if any emergencies arise, you have someone who's done it before and can walk you through it,” Winnenberg said. “And then it's going to be regular development through a Fast Track program that includes weekly coaching, and that typically lasts anywhere between six months and two years.”
Express is looking for owners who are actively engaged in their local markets or willing to become so. This is not a passive opportunity and franchise owners should be involved in the day-to-day operations, especially in the early days. They should want to make a positive impact on their Kentucky community.
“I can train you how to staff, but I can’t train you to want success,” Winnenberg said.
Express is in a unique situation where the market is shifting to an employer market, versus the employee market we saw during the COVID-19 pandemic. Demand for employees is starting to shift.
“There is a lot of opportunity for both the right number of job seekers and the right number of jobs,” Winnenberg said. “For the first time in over a decade, there's a balance there, and with that balance, we typically win. It doesn't feel like we have too many associates. It doesn't feel like we have too many jobs or vice versa. It's a good, healthy balance, and I see that continuing for at least the next five to 10 years.”
In addition to the major production and logistics boom, these factors make now an ideal time to own an Express franchise in the Bluegrass State. With plenty of room for development, prospective owners in Kentucky should feel confident making the leap into franchise ownership with Express Employment Professionals.
For more information on buying an Express Employment Professionals franchise, please visit https://1851franchise.com/expressemployment/info.
Express Employment Professionals
SPONSORED
The franchise sees major opportunity in the Bluegrass State due to a combination of white space, demand from manufacturing and automotive companies, and an employer-driven market.
Express Employment Professionals is targeting Kentucky for franchise development, giving entrepreneurs the opportunity to bring staffing solutions to their local market. Leading the charge is Nick Winnenberg, an Express developer who sees plenty of room for growth in the state.
“Kentucky is very manufacturing driven with some good logistics support depending on where you are in the area,” said Winnenberg, who also represents 22 offices in southern Ohio. “It's a good mixture of urban metros mixed with rural manufacturing and distribution hubs. My favorite thing about Kentucky is that they're very automotive adjacent. Luckily, right now it looks like we’re in a good era in that industry. I expect a lot of potential upside in the next five to 10 years from that.”
Kentucky is home to 3,000-plus manufacturing companies, and manufacturing makes up 13.4% of the state’s GDP. It is also the number one producer of cars, light trucks and SUVs per capita, with around 24,000 workers being directly employed in motor vehicle manufacturing alone. New businesses are entering the market, and pre-existing businesses that were slower in 2024 and 2025 due to automotive shutdowns are quickly picking back up.
In general, Kentucky consistently ranks among the top states for business, reinforcing it as a great place to open an Express franchise. And the state is wide open with plenty of opportunity to be successful, no matter where you are.
“All the territories that are currently open have the ability to be very good territories, reach the goals, and can be built into some very major operations,” Winnenberg said. “There are some offices that will be better for the owner who is looking for more office services, and there are others that are more manufacturing or logistics heavy, depending on what the owner wants out of that market. Regardless, we see a lot of success with people who want to be involved with their community and create a legacy long term.”
Like all Express franchise owners, Kentucky owners can expect a lot of support from the corporate office. Starting with discovery day, franchise owners will learn a wealth of information about staffing before experiencing a two-week training on how to open their office, operate a P&L and how to train and engage staff members.
“As the developer, I will be on site with you for a couple of weeks just to make sure that if any emergencies arise, you have someone who's done it before and can walk you through it,” Winnenberg said. “And then it's going to be regular development through a Fast Track program that includes weekly coaching, and that typically lasts anywhere between six months and two years.”
Express is looking for owners who are actively engaged in their local markets or willing to become so. This is not a passive opportunity and franchise owners should be involved in the day-to-day operations, especially in the early days. They should want to make a positive impact on their Kentucky community.
“I can train you how to staff, but I can’t train you to want success,” Winnenberg said.
Express is in a unique situation where the market is shifting to an employer market, versus the employee market we saw during the COVID-19 pandemic. Demand for employees is starting to shift.
“There is a lot of opportunity for both the right number of job seekers and the right number of jobs,” Winnenberg said. “For the first time in over a decade, there's a balance there, and with that balance, we typically win. It doesn't feel like we have too many associates. It doesn't feel like we have too many jobs or vice versa. It's a good, healthy balance, and I see that continuing for at least the next five to 10 years.”
In addition to the major production and logistics boom, these factors make now an ideal time to own an Express franchise in the Bluegrass State. With plenty of room for development, prospective owners in Kentucky should feel confident making the leap into franchise ownership with Express Employment Professionals.
For more information on buying an Express Employment Professionals franchise, please visit https://1851franchise.com/expressemployment/info.
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