1851

Franchise brands often reach their full potential under the guidance of strong leaders. Executives are the ones who ultimately determine the culture and environment behind a brand, meaning that they set the bar and standards for franchisees and employees. That&rsquo;s why a leading independent market research firm, <a href="https://franchisebusinessreview.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-business-review-names-kathleen-kuhn-one-of-the-industrys-top-leaders-of-2017-2704753" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Franchise Business Review</a>, analyzed data to compile a list of the <a href="https://franchisebusinessreview.com/top-franchise-leaders/fbr-best-franchise-leaders-2017/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-business-review-names-kathleen-kuhn-one-of-the-industrys-top-leaders-of-2017-2704753" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Top Franchise Leaders for 2017</a>.

To identify the best of the best in the franchising industry, <a href="https://franchisebusinessreview.1851franchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-business-review-names-kathleen-kuhn-one-of-the-industrys-top-leaders-of-2017-2704753" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Franchise Business Review</a> analyzed 18 months&rsquo; worth of data. This data came from approximately 30,000 franchisees across 334 brands in varying segments of the industry, with each franchisee providing feedback on the culture and leadership behind their brand. Data surrounding franchisee satisfaction and the likelihood of owners to recommend their brands to others were also taken into account when creating this annual list.

Franchise Business Review has now teamed up with 1851 Franchise to highlight some of the industry&rsquo;s top leaders, as ranked by their franchisees. One of those executives is <a href="https://topfranchises.franchisebusinessreview.com/profile/housemaster/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-business-review-names-kathleen-kuhn-one-of-the-industrys-top-leaders-of-2017-2704753" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kathleen Kuhn</a>, President of <a href="http://www.opportunity.housemaster.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-business-review-names-kathleen-kuhn-one-of-the-industrys-top-leaders-of-2017-2704753" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">HouseMaster</a>. In her Q&amp;A with 1851, she explains that succeeding as a franchisor means understanding what your franchisees are facing on a daily basis.

1. What do you think are the traits or skills you possess that make your franchisees believe you are a top leader?

My passion for the business and helping our owners succeed is something that our franchisees regularly mention to me. Even though my father founded HouseMaster, I came into the business as a franchisee. My husband currently is a franchisee as well. That unique insight helps me appreciate out franchisees&rsquo; needs and perspectives. I work hard to ensure all our support team members have a good understanding of how things work at the franchise level, not just at the corporate level. This effort helps the support team be more effective and proactive in bringing solutions and opportunities to our franchisees, which in turn inspires confidence with our franchisees.

2. What is your leadership approach?

My approach is to be approachable! Franchisees feel comfortable calling me or texting me when they see the need. I am active on our franchisee communication board, and am very hands on. Our leadership team and I work hard to ensure all support team members are highly responsive and respect the challenges that our franchisees face every day. I have found that this creates a strong support system, and our franchisees respond to that.

3. To other founders, CEOs or Presidents leading franchise brands into the future, what advice do you have to give?

Understand what a day in the life of a franchisee is like. Never lose sight of that. Even if you started the business that you&rsquo;re not franchising, keep close to their operations because things change. Franchisees are quick to disengage if they think leadership is not listening or does not understand the business model or their needs.

4. Who is the person in franchising who has most influenced or inspired you over the course of your career?

My father. He founded HouseMaster, and put everything on the line to start his own business after leaving corporate America. Then, he did it again to start the franchising concept. He knew nothing about franchising, but he was a master at relationship building. He truly cared about every HouseMaster franchisee. He taught me that things won&rsquo;t always go well, and you will make mistakes, but if you truly care about the people and the business, you will be able to work through it. And since I started working for the brand, that has been exactly what I have experienced.

5. What does your typical day look like?

I would love to say that I get up and work out, but that is not how I start my typical day! My kids are out of the house now, so when I wake up, I am eager to start my workday. I watch the news and check email. I enjoy getting a few of the easy things out of the way and reviewing my commitments for the day. I prefer to get my exercise in after a productive day at work, whether that&rsquo;s a long walk or exercise class. My days are often very scheduled with conference calls and meetings, which aren&rsquo;t things that I would usually enjoy. So, we work to make our meetings fun, and most importantly, a good use of the team&rsquo;s time.

6. Where do you see yourself in the future?

We&rsquo;ve just launched a second brand called PatchMaster&Ocirc;, which is a same-day drywall repair franchise. I am very excited to bring my experience with HouseMaster to this exciting new concept. I&rsquo;ve always wanted to apply what I&rsquo;ve learned to a new, solid opportunity, and PatchMaster fits the bill perfectly. Beyond that, I expect to help launch the success of more &ldquo;Master&rdquo; franchise concepts in the home services space. It&rsquo;s a very exciting time!

Franchise Business Review Names Kathleen Kuhn One of the Industry’s Top Leaders of 2017

1851 Franchise

The President of HouseMaster spoke with 1851 Franchise to explain why understanding what a day in the life of a franchisee looks like is critical to an executive team’s success.

franchise-business-review-names-kathleen-kuhn-one-of-the-industrys-top-leaders-of-2017

Pet Wants

Investing in Pet Wants: What Makes This Franchise Opportunity Different?

investing-in-pet-wants-franchise-opportunity

Griswold

Griswold - Journal Record Agg - Dec 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Sisters Bring Global Humanitarian Experience Home to Oklahoma City With New Griswold Franchise

sisters-bring-global-experience-to-okc-home-care

SweatHouz

Helping Others ‘Step Into Wellness’ Drives Carrie Ratz’s Journey From Finance to SweatHouz Franchise Ownership

carrie-ratz-sweathouz-franchise-journey

Pigtails & Crewcuts

Pigtails & Crewcuts kids salon, St. Louis, Missouri expansion

Pigtails & Crewcuts Targets St. Louis for Growth, Seeking Family-Focused Entrepreneurs To Lead Expansion

pigtails-crewcuts-st-louis-franchise-expansion

Griswold Franchise - Agg - Lakewood Colorado - 1851 Franchise

Griswold Expands to Lakewood, Colorado, Bringing Nonmedical Home Care to Local Seniors

griswold-home-care-lakewood-golden-expansion

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Domino's Franchise - North Pole - Dec 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Domino’s Pizza Brings Delivery Cheer to North Pole, Alaska

dominos-pizza-franchise-north-pole-alaska

California Pizza Kitchen’s Sale Is the Latest in the Era of PE-Backed Turnarounds in Franchising

california-pizza-kitchens-sale-is-the-latest-in-the-era-of-pe-backed-turnarounds-in-franchising

Buying a fitness franchise, people exercising

Boutique vs. Big Box Gym Franchises: Which Offers Best ROI in the $7 Billion Fitness Market?

buy-fitness-franchise-boutique-big-box-comparison

Pieology Pizza Enters Chapter 11 Following Costly Bid To Save Struggling Stores

pieology-pizza-files-chapter-11-bankruptcy

CNBC: McDonald’s Will Assess if Franchisees Are Offering Value for Customers Under New Standards

mcdonalds-franchise-standards-value-metric

1851 Franchisee Spotlight graphic with photo of Eli Cohen, Layne's Chicken Fingers logo

C5 Restaurants Grows its Texas Footprint with 40 Layne’s Chicken Fingers Locations Planned Statewide

eli-cohen-laynes-chicken-fingers-texas

image of michael panos and michel panos, owners of mellow mushroom in Atlanta

What Makes Mellow Mushroom a Strong Franchise Investment? Insights From the Panos Family’s Metro Atlanta Portfolio

mellow-mushroom-franchise-panos-restaurant-group-metro-atlanta

image of stephen westerman and matthew westerman, owners Fort Walton Beach Two men and a junk truck

Twin Brothers Move From Managers to Owners with New TWO MEN AND A JUNK TRUCK Franchise on the Gulf Coast

twin-brothers-two-men-and-a-junk-truck-fort-walton-beach

image of ian ruppel and linda kinne franchisee owners from melting pot in syracuse New York

Long-Time Melting Pot Franchisee To Revive Syracuse, New York, Location in Destiny Mall

melting-pot-returns-syracuse-destiny-mall

Do You Qualify? A Look at the Chick-fil-A Franchise Requirements

do-you-qualify-a-look-at-the-chick-fil-a-franchise-requirements

Scenthound Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

scenthound-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

The Top 15 Pet Supplies and Retail Franchises for 2025

the-top-15-pet-supplies-and-retail-franchises

Photo of group of dogs standing together in day care facility

Top Pet Boarding and Day Care Franchise Opportunities for 2025

top-pet-boarding-daycare-franchises

Men In Kilts Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

men-in-kilts-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

Christmas Decor Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

Franchise Business Review Names Kathleen Kuhn One of the Industry’s Top Leaders of 2017

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS