Chia-Chun Hsu’s journey from military service to becoming a franchise owner with Fresh Coat Painters exemplifies how veterans can find purpose and success in franchising. At the age of 37, Hsu joined the Army National Guard in Georgia, driven not by financial necessity but by a desire to serve and develop his skills. The military provided him with invaluable experience in public speaking and teamwork, which transformed his ability to confidently interact with others — an essential skill in both military and business settings. Today, as a franchisee, Hsu credits his military training for teaching him how to project his voice, set boundaries and organize tasks efficiently — qualities that have become the backbone of his business success.

Hsu’s path to franchising was shaped by his extensive background in property management, and he specifically sought an opportunity that would complement his skill set. After exploring several franchise options within the home services sector, Fresh Coat stood out due to its veteran-friendly support system and established brand. With a flexible model that doesn’t require an office, Fresh Coat allows franchisees like Hsu to be hands-on, visiting project sites and interacting directly with clients — a role well-suited to his preference for personal engagement. Fresh Coat’s veteran discount and the brand’s reputation among former service members further solidified Hsu’s decision, making it a natural fit for someone with his military background and work ethic.

Since becoming a franchise owner, Hsu has seen the value of franchising as a pathway to independence. Unlike corporate roles, where career growth and earnings may be capped, franchising offers veterans the opportunity to build equity and make their own decisions. Hsu is particularly drawn to the way franchising allows him to contribute to his community, providing job opportunities and supporting local causes like the food pantry he volunteers at regularly. To veterans considering franchising, Hsu emphasizes the importance of preparation, recommending months of research and a thorough understanding of the risks and rewards.

For Fresh Coat, the commitment to supporting veterans like Hsu isn’t just about offering discounts; it’s about fostering a business model that empowers veterans to leverage their skills, discipline, and passion. Hsu’s story reflects how veterans can thrive in franchising by combining their military experience with a hands-on business approach, creating both a rewarding career and meaningful community impact.

1851 Franchise recently sat down with Hsu to talk about his journey from military service to franchising, his partnership with Fresh Coat and his advice for other veterans who are considering entrepreneurship. Here’s what he had to say:

1851 Franchise: Can you share a bit about your journey before franchising? How did your military service shape your career, and what led you to consider franchising as a next step?

Chia-Chun Hsu: I joined the Army National Guard here in Georgia at the age of 37, which is a bit later than most. It wasn’t for financial reasons — I have my own property management company, no debt, no mortgages, no student loans. I just really enjoy serving. 

The military gave me the chance to be a better public speaker and work on my teamwork skills. I’m generally not much of a talker, but the military experience really helped me interact with others more confidently and become a better team player. 

As for franchising, I was looking for something complementary to my property management background. I explored various options in the real estate service space, like flooring, kitchen cabinets, mosquito control and cleaning services. Fresh Coat stood out because it offered a strong support system, an established brand, and a setup that felt manageable for me as a business owner.

1851: What were your initial impressions of franchising before you got involved with Fresh Coat? Now that you’re in it, what would you like people — especially veterans — to know about the opportunities franchising can offer?

Hsu: Before joining, I thought franchising would be mostly hands-off, like buying into a system that runs itself. Now I see that success requires personal involvement and dedication. Many veterans, like my friend in the military who works at Home Depot, could benefit from franchising because it provides equity and decision-making freedom that corporate jobs don’t offer. 

In franchising, the harder and more efficiently you work, the more you can earn, unlike the corporate world where promotions are limited. Veterans should understand that franchising allows them to build something lasting with their own hands and be their own boss.

1851: Why did Fresh Coat stand out to you when you decided to pursue franchising? What do you think makes this brand a great fit for veterans?

Hsu: Fresh Coat appealed to me because there are many veterans in the franchise, and they offer a discount for veterans. It’s a brand that doesn’t require an office, which makes it flexible. I enjoy being hands-on, going to job sites, meeting clients and managing supplies. Fresh Coat allows me to interact with people directly instead of sitting behind a desk. I like that it’s a mobile, client-facing business with the freedom to manage logistics and supplies myself.

1851: How do you feel your military training has prepared you for the demands of franchising and leadership in a fast-growing brand like Fresh Coat?

Hsu: The officer candidate school and military training taught me how to project my voice and set boundaries in a respectful way. I learned to stay organized and complete tasks by the deadline, which is invaluable in franchising. All this preparation helps me now as a franchise owner, especially when managing a team and meeting deadlines for clients.

1851: What are your goals with your Fresh Coat location? How do you envision growing and expanding in the coming years?

Hsu: Right now, I have one territory in Decatur, Georgia, and part of Atlanta. My goal is to expand operations by hiring additional staff, investing more in digital marketing and potentially adding more territories. I plan to keep growing the business steadily in the coming years.

1851: Finally, what advice would you give to other veterans or service members considering a transition into franchising? What should they know to get started?

Hsu: I’d advise other veterans to invest time in research. I spent about four to six months studying franchising options before choosing Fresh Coat. It’s crucial to understand your target market, the costs and the return on investment. I also recommend reading books, like those by Adam Grant, to learn about common entrepreneurial mistakes. 

Franchising involves risks, and it’s not just about throwing money into a brand — you have to work for it. So, know your options, understand the risks and make sure it’s worth your time and energy. The most successful franchisees are hands-on and constantly improving.

1851: That’s very wise advice. It’s clear that franchising requires commitment and a strong work ethic. Is there anything else you’d like to share?

Hsu: Just that it’s important for me to give back to my community. I volunteer at a local food pantry, and I want to provide job opportunities as a business owner. Serving my community is as valuable to me as running a successful business. At the end of the day, it’s about the connections and giving back.

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 190 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.

To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/info.