Express Employment Professionals

When&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacharykraehmer/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=zak-kraehmer-express-employment-franchise-lancaster-pa-2731295" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Zak</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-kraehmer-27040118a/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=zak-kraehmer-express-employment-franchise-lancaster-pa-2731295" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Nicole Kraehmer</a> opened an&nbsp;<a href="https://expressfranchising.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=zak-kraehmer-express-employment-franchise-lancaster-pa-2731295" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">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>.

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Betting on Community: Zak Kraehmer’s Express Franchise Success

1851 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.

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

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

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