Express Employment Professionals

In 1983, as the U.S. economy emerged from a recession, three former colleagues came together to form what would become one of the most recognizable names in the staffing industry.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-funk-sr-516457179/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-express-employment-professionals-story-a-legacy-of-helping-people-succeed-2729487" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Bob Funk</a>, Bill Stoller and Jim Gray had all worked for Acme Personnel Services, a once-thriving staffing company that had recently declared bankruptcy. Rather than retreat, they seized the opportunity to build something new. With eight offices between them in Oklahoma, Oregon and Colorado, they founded&nbsp;<a href="https://expressfranchising.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-express-employment-professionals-story-a-legacy-of-helping-people-succeed-2729487" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Express Employment Professionals</a> — an entrepreneurial leap that would redefine franchising in the staffing industry.<h2>From Acme to Express: Rebuilding With a Mission</h2>The origin of&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/expressemployment/info">Express</a> can be traced back to 1951, when accountant David Reiff purchased a struggling employment agency in Spokane, Washington, and renamed it Acme Personnel Services. His son, Bill Reiff, later took the reins and expanded the company across the Western United States. During this period, Funk and Stoller joined the company and rose through the ranks. But when Acme collapsed in 1983, they acted quickly to preserve their offices and their livelihoods — and to build something better.With Funk’s leadership, Stoller’s operational expertise and Gray’s payroll systems knowledge, the trio formed Express (originally named Express Temporary Services). Backed by a small loan from a local bank and a determination to keep their teams employed, the group launched a new staffing company built on franchise ownership, trust and service.<h2>Built To Last: The Foundation of the Express Model</h2>From day one,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/expressemployment/how-express-employment-professionals-empowers-franchise-owners-through-training-and-development-2729221">Express focused on systems, training and support</a>. Express University was created as a central hub for training franchisees and staff. A Developer Program was established to ensure new offices never felt alone, with experienced franchisees serving as mentors and coaches. And Gray’s custom-built payroll software enabled franchisees to scale without the burden of back-office administration.The Express team knew that in order to thrive, they had to serve their franchisees just as well as they served job seekers and client companies. “Express not only benefits entrepreneurs looking to make their mark in the staffing industry but also strengthens local economies through job creation and enhanced business services,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-davis-cfe-483377150?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-express-employment-professionals-story-a-legacy-of-helping-people-succeed-2729487" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Melissa Davis</a>, Managing Director of Franchising at Express Employment Professionals. “With a proven track record, a structured support system, and a focus on community and growth, Express stands out as a prime choice for those looking to invest in a franchise with lasting impact and value.”<h2>Surviving Recessions, Scaling Globally</h2>Over the decades, Express demonstrated extraordinary resilience. From the 1990s recession to the financial crisis of 2008, the company never stopped investing in its people and its franchisees. When competitors laid off sales teams, Express doubled down on sales, launching its “Sell, Sell, Sell” culture and refining its five sales plays to help franchisees grow.The results speak volumes. By 1999, the brand had surpassed $1 billion in sales. By 2011, sales had grown 30% in a single year. In 2024, the brand had grown to over 860 locations worldwide with an average unit volume of $6.4 million — and it’s showing no signs of slowing down.&nbsp;<h2>A People-First Culture That Drives Profitability</h2>Express’s franchisees are&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/expressemployment/how-second-generation-franchise-owner-alyssa-chumbley-has-taken-her-express-employment-professionals-franchise-to-the-next-level-2722011">more than business owners</a> — they’re community leaders, job creators and advocates. The company has helped over 10 million people find jobs since its inception and continues to set annual goals to place 1 million more.“At Express, we don’t just talk about culture — we live it,” said Davis. “We care deeply about every job seeker who walks into our offices and every client who needs to find the right fit. That’s why our model works.”Franchisees receive extensive support, from marketing and a U.S. based customer support&nbsp; to payroll funding and training. Offices benefit from the collective power of a global brand, but maintain the personal touch of local ownership. This hybrid model allows franchisees to focus on what matters most: building relationships, serving businesses, and changing lives.<h2>What’s Next for Express Employment Professionals</h2>As Express looks ahead to the future, their goal is clear: put a million people to work annually.. Expansion is targeted in key markets across North America, including Ontario, California, North Carolina, Texas and Pennsylvania.&nbsp; With more than 100 territories still available, Express is actively seeking driven entrepreneurs with a passion for helping others and a talent for leadership.“Our ideal owner is someone who’s in the business full time, engaged in sales, and focused on building something meaningful in their community,” Davis said. “We’ve built a system that works. We just need the right people to bring it to life.”Today, Express Employment Professionals is not only one of the top staffing franchises in the world — it's a company that has stayed true to its mission for over four decades: to help as many people as possible find good jobs by helping as many clients as possible find good people.And according to Davis, that mission has never been more relevant.“As long as folks need jobs and companies need good people, Express will be around,” she said. “We're here to help communities thrive, support our franchise owners, and make the working world better.”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 586,000 people globally in 2021 and more than 10 million since its inception. For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://expresspros.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&amp%3Butm_medium=article&amp%3Butm_campaign=express-employment-professionals-wraps-up-2024-with-continued-growth-and-franchise-expansion-2728284&utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-express-employment-professionals-story-a-legacy-of-helping-people-succeed-2729487" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">ExpressPros.com</a>.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>.

Express Employment Professionals: A Legacy of Staffing Success & Franchise Growth

1851 Franchise

Express has evolved from its modest origins into a global staffing leader by establishing a brand deeply rooted in purpose, prioritizing its people and maintaining consistent persistence.

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

The Express Employment Professionals Story: A Legacy of Helping People Succeed

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Express Employment Professionals Adds 38 New Owners in Growth Year

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Express Employment Professionals Targets Kentucky for Franchise Development, With Demand From Production and Logistics Boom

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<a href="https://expressfranchising.com/">Express Employment Professionals</a> is targeting Kentucky for franchise development, giving entrepreneurs the opportunity to bring staffing solutions to their local market. Leading the charge is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-winnenberg-msm-b3a5796a/">Nick Winnenberg,</a> an&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/expressemployment/info">Express</a> 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&nbsp;<a href="https://newkentuckyhome.ky.gov/Newsroom/NewsPage/20231003_Manufacturing_Month">3,000-plus</a> manufacturing companies, and manufacturing makes up&nbsp;<a href="https://kam.us.com/10406/kentucky-ranks-fifth-in-manufacturing-as-percentage-of-gdp/">13.4% of the state’s GDP</a>. It is also the&nbsp;<a href="https://newkentuckyhome.ky.gov/existing_industries/Automotive?utm_source=chatgpt.com">number one producer</a> of cars, light trucks and SUVs per capita, with around&nbsp;<a href="https://tradingeconomics.com/united-states/all-employees-durable-goods-motor-vehicle-manufacturing-in-kentucky-fed-data.html">24,000 workers</a> 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&nbsp;<a href="https://www.areadevelopment.com/Top-States-for-Doing-Business/q3-2025/2025s-top-states-for-business.shtml">top states for business</a>, 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.”<h2>Supporting New Owners in Kentucky</h2>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&amp;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<a href="https://1851franchise.com/expressemployment/express-fast-track-incentive-franchise-owners-2731847"> Fast Track</a> 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.<h2>Why Express in Kentucky, Why Now</h2>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.&nbsp;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;

Express Employment Professionals Targets Kentucky for Franchise Development

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.

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

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

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<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-sulentic-300187171">Greg</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-sulentic-rn-bsn-151728176/">Laura Sulentic</a> of Lincoln, Nebraska, were named as&nbsp;<a href="https://expressfranchising.com/">Express Employment Professionals’</a> 2026 Franchisees of the Year. The husband‑and‑wife team purchased their franchise in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, but their history with the franchise and staffing goes back even further.&nbsp;“I've been with&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/expressemployment/info">Express</a> for 20 years and I’ve been in the industry for over 30 years,” Greg said. “When I came into Express, I came in as a regional developer working in what is our Rocky Mountain region from Edmonton, Canada down to New Mexico, helping franchises to get open and supporting existing franchises to grow their business.”Greg held that same role when he and Laura moved to the central United States to support offices in Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri and Iowa. He still holds that developer role today. During that time frame, the opportunity to purchase a franchise of their own came about.&nbsp;“It was an interesting time to place our bets and get into the franchise full-time,” Greg said.&nbsp;Although the pandemic posed unique challenges, the couple still found success. Their “go together” philosophy not only fuels their own accomplishment, but those of the franchisees they mentor.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>Overcoming Challenges by Focusing on People</h2>One of the biggest obstacles the Sulentics faced was not being able to bring anyone into their or their clients’ offices during the pandemic.“On top of that, I was a person who was used to going out to companies, to clients, meeting with people in person,” Greg said. “That was how we always drove business and suddenly that stopped, you couldn't do that anymore.”However, they turned that around as the pandemic eased and the franchisees saw a huge opportunity to grow their staffing business. With offices reopening, they saw that creating a more welcoming environment for candidates would be key to attracting talent, especially in an industry that often had a reputation for treating workers like part of a system rather than individuals. The Sulentics moved quickly to transform their spaces, replacing the cold, plexiglass-filled setup with a warmer, more inviting office where people would want to spend time.“That's really when we started to take off in this office,” Greg said. “There was that dark point where you thought ‘we’re going to lose all our business, we're going to lose all our candidates.’ But after that period, we very quickly hit a boom phase because companies had to come back. And they needed staff to do it.”The franchisees’ connection to the Lincoln community also plays a huge role in their success. The Sulentics live in Lincoln, and their team is made up of local Lincoln residents. They want to create an environment where everyone they work with feels like a part of their team, not just their internal team.&nbsp;“We’re very connected to this community,” Greg said. “We’re all Husker fans. We have a bunch of season tickets and we bring our clients to that, and that's a big part of the local community. We get involved with charities and nonprofits that we feel will be connected to our associate pool, as well.”<h2>Support From Express Corporate</h2>The Sulentics credit support from the team at Express Employment International&nbsp; as a champion of their success. Areas like legal, human resources, marketing and recruiting became much easier with the support of the team, especially in the early days with so much uncertainty during the pandemic.&nbsp;“We couldn't have functioned in that environment without Express headquarters,” Greg said. “They always kept us updated on navigating the unique laws at the time. They really helped us stay focused on what was important with our business and they took care of all that. They were communicating that back to us in this really great way. You didn't feel like you were alone.”&nbsp;<h2>Why the Sulentics Stood Out as Franchisees of the Year</h2>Greg believes their success and recent recognition came from continuing to focus on creating a strong, people-first experience for their associates and building meaningful relationships with them. Those associates ultimately become the brand’s best salespeople.“Our clients look at those folks and they ask them questions about us,” he said. “They see how good our people are. They compare us to our competitors and all that gives them this very favorable understanding of who Express is in the Lincoln market, who our team is. That helps us grow.”He also noted that his internal team has very little turnover. Something Greg says has to do with the fact that they feel tied to the mission of creating a great experience for the associates and getting them to work.&nbsp;“We have hundreds and hundreds of associates&nbsp;working for us right now, and our internal team that's responsible for putting those people to work really feels connected to that group and that group then feels connected to them,” he said. “That creates less turnover in our office and allows us to provide this really special service all around, and our clients and our associates love it.”For more information on buying an Express Employment Professionals franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/expressemployment">https://1851franchise.com/expressemployment</a>.

Creating a welcoming environment for employees and clients even during challenging times like the pandemic is what sets Greg and Laura Sulentic apart, earning them the recognition they deserve.

Express Employment Professionals Franchisees of the Year Celebrated for their People-First Approach

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The Express Employment Professionals Story: A Legacy of Helping People Succeed

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