Franchisee Duo Makes the Move from Brazil to Open Fresh Coat Painters in Pennsylvania

Floriane and Emerson Copetti are moving from Brazil to Bucks County, Pennsylvania, to open Fresh Coat* Painters, the residential and commercial painting franchise with over 170 units. After spending a year in the United States in 2018, the pair knew they wanted to come back. Following the pandemic, they worked with a franchise consultant to explore their options. 

Once they were introduced to Fresh Coat Painters, the Copettis fell in love with the brand’s emphasis on high quality customer service and dedication to providing opportunities for immigrants. And with Emerson growing up around his father’s own paint business, it was a  great fit. The duo will be embarking on their move to Bucks County and opening for business in early 2024. 

1851 Franchise caught up with Emerson to learn more about the Copettis’ background, journey to Fresh Coat Painters and plans for the future. 

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Emerson Copetti: We are in Brazil right now, where I am from, and we are moving to Bucks County. Floriane is an attorney and has been the owner of a law company for more than 20 years, and I have worked in the pharmaceutical industry in Brazil for 17 years with the NC Group. Now, I work with my own raw materials company that is starting up and with a consultant in operations in the cosmetic industry. 

We spent a year in the U.S. in 2018. After the pandemic, we wanted to come back to the U.S. with a non-immigrant visa, so we contacted a franchise consultant to take a look at the options we had. The franchise consultant showed us so many options, and we analyzed the companies and the numbers. Fresh Coat was the one we really fell in love with, as we have some background in that industry. My father was a contractor and worked with a painting company in Brazil. I always remember that my father had a painting store when I was a little boy. 

1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?

Copetti: We really believe in providing high quality services and customer service, and we believe that we can do a great job with Fresh Coat. The first thing we loved about Fresh Coat is the concept — providing high-quality services. And when we chatted with the Fresh Coat team, they were so friendly. A lot of other companies don’t offer the same franchise for both residential and commercial services in one. If you want to change or expand your business, you have to pay a fee. Not with a Fresh Coat. The market was also open in the exact area we wanted to move to in the country. It was the perfect fit. 

1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth? 

Copetti: Our first goal is to do a good job in our territory. It is a high income area with a lot of families and commercial companies. If everything goes well, expansion is probably something we would think about. 

1851: What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?

Copetti: Fresh Coat is E-2 Visa friendly. That was very important to us. A lot of other companies aren’t interested in working with immigrants. Fresh Coat is different because it doesn’t matter where you are from — if you believe in the product and the company, they will work with you. They are so comprehensive. When you start the process, it is hard because there are so many things to do for the U.S. immigration department. It is a lot of work. But when you have a friendly person working with you, it makes it a lot easier because they have patience and kindness. 

1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?

Copetti: When you decide to do something, spend more time sharpening your ax, so when you go to cut down the tree, it will be easier. It doesn’t matter how much you plan, sometimes you do something but life has other plans. 

ABOUT FRESH COAT PAINTERS:

Fresh Coat Painters, the residential and commercial painting franchise under the Strategic Franchising Systems umbrella, offers a low-cost, high-margin business model that gives entrepreneurs from all walks of life the chance to become successful business owners in the communities they serve. Since starting in 2004, Fresh Coat has expanded to over 170 franchise locations nationwide. Thanks to its unparalleled professionalism and affordable business model, it has become one of the leading concepts in the booming residential and commercial painting segment. With continued year-over-year growth, Fresh Coat is well on its way to achieving its overall goal of becoming a truly iconic painting brand.