Fresh Coat

Former CPA&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelamorales?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=cpa-turned-entrepreneur-opens-fresh-coat-painters-franchise-in-san-antonio-2723082" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Mike Morales</a> is leveraging his business acumen to bring a splash of color to his San Antonio community with a new&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat">Fresh Coat Painters</a> franchise, set to open in August. Prior to joining the residential and commercial painting franchise, Morales spent years in corporate America, working in accounting roles for major companies like Coca-Cola and MillerCoors. Tired of the office life, Morales set out to build a diverse business portfolio of his own, starting an AllState Insurance Agency and a Jani-King franchise, as well as investing in an assortment of rental properties. But it was the appeal of&nbsp;<a href="https://freshcoatfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=cpa-turned-entrepreneur-opens-fresh-coat-painters-franchise-in-san-antonio-2723082" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Fresh Coat Painters</a>, with its established business models and potential for scalability, that inspired Morales to seek out his next entrepreneurial challenge.Intrigued by the prospect of bringing a professional touch to the area through a painting franchise, Morales assessed multiple brands before deciding on Fresh Coat. The company's decades of experience at the franchisor level; its customer-centric "three-three-three" philosophy (respond within three minutes, schedule in three days, work in three weeks); and its modern and appealing brand ethos all played a part in Morales' decision.As a Fresh Coat Painters franchisee, Morales’ ambitious plan is to grow his business to rank among the brand’s top-performing franchises in the country. This, he believes, could be the legacy he leaves for his children and grandchildren. Ever the risk-taker, Morales is determined to grow his business methodically yet aggressively, leveraging his skills in taking measured risks, which he developed in his insurance and accounting days.&nbsp;He&nbsp;plans to open his Fresh Coat Painters of North Central San Antonio franchise in August of 2023. In his new endeavor, Morales brings a wealth of entrepreneurial experience, a sharp eye for quality and a steadfast commitment to improving the aesthetics and feel of his local community.&nbsp;PROFILE QUESTIONS1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us.&nbsp;What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?Morales:&nbsp;This is not my first business venture. I started out working in Corporate America as a certified public accountant (CPA) until 2011 when I purchased an AllState Insurance Agency. I am still an insurance professional. I also owned a Jani-King franchise, but I sold that a few years back. I have always been intrigued by franchising. When I decided to start a new venture, I thought a painting concept could be a great opportunity to bring a professional touch to the area.&nbsp;1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?Morales:&nbsp;My first entrepreneurial route was with AllState, but that wasn’t quite a franchise. It did teach me about the importance of having an established business model to follow. I also learned the importance of taking measured risks and not being overly cautious. This year, I felt it was time to try and transfer those skills to a new business. I did a lot of research in regard to different painting franchises, but I felt that Fresh Coat was the right fit.&nbsp;1851:&nbsp;What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Morales:&nbsp;First, it was the experience at the franchisor level. All of the top leaders have decades of experience in franchising.&nbsp;Second, I really liked the consumer offering and brand reputation. The three-three-three philosophy — responding to customer requests within three minutes, reaching out within three days and scheduling the work within three weeks. That was very important to me because I know the value of being responsive. It is critical in any industry. Be good at the profession, and respond to the customer’s needs. The branding also feels fresh and contemporary, which I liked.In comparison to some of the other painting franchises, Fresh Coat’s investment model also lent itself better to scalability. If I am successful, the franchisor is successful. They don’t need to take a hefty percentage of the revenue like other franchisors. That really appealed to me.&nbsp;1851:&nbsp;What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?&nbsp;Morales:&nbsp;Eventually, my goal would be to rank among the top 10 Fresh Coat franchisees in the country. I want to grow methodically, but aggressively. There isn’t any limit to growth potential in this market.&nbsp;1851:&nbsp;What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?Morales:&nbsp;I am a financial expert by trade. I worked with a lot of small companies when I was in the accounting field. But I always knew I wanted to be on the entrepreneurial side and not on the bookkeeping side. I’ve always wanted to own multiple businesses. That will be the legacy I leave for my grandchildren and children.&nbsp;1851:&nbsp;What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?&nbsp;Morales: You definitely want to have sufficient resources to get to where you want to go. If you go the franchising route, you want to do your best to ensure that the people you are paying have the processes in place to support you. Associate yourself with someone who is knowledgeable and can transfer that knowledge for your benefit. I’ve spent decades researching franchises, and there are very few that I felt comfortable investing in.&nbsp;Fees to open a Fresh Coat Painters range from $66,150 to $96,250. To learn more about franchising with Fresh Coat, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat">https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat</a>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.

CPA-Turned-Entrepreneur Opens Fresh Coat Painters Franchise in San Antonio

1851 Franchise

Tired of bookkeeping, Mike Morales set out to build an impressive multi-brand portfolio of business ventures. His latest addition? Fresh Coat Painters.

This brand page has been paid for by FRESH COAT. 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

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For&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/fonsecaapr">Alex Fonseca</a>, owner of&nbsp;<a href="http://freshcoatfranchise.com">Fresh Coat Painters</a> of Muskegon, building a high-performing team has been crucial to business growth. As he has expanded, Fonseca has consistently focused on his team’s role in the business's broader trajectory, emphasizing culture and demeanor as well as more technical requirements such as accuracy and efficiency.“We get many of our customers through word of mouth,” he said. “So a customer being happy and telling their neighbors about us and our results… The painters who deliver that result are probably the most important people on our team.”<h2>Quality and Care as the Foundation</h2>What makes a “good team member,” for Fonseca, may be a bit more nuanced than expected.“Obviously, a very basic level would be someone coming in below the budget that we have for a project and being productive and efficient,” he said. “But for us, it’s just people who, when they show up, have a good presence about them.”In the home services space, a team's attitude is especially important, as they’re working in customers’ homes and often making significant changes to their biggest investment. Building teams that both make customers feel at ease and meet the quality expectations set for them lays a healthy foundation for Fonseca to further develop technically proficient painters.Shifting the definition of success from just speed and industry knowledge to a level of care, ability to build customer rapport, and potential for long-term value can be quite beneficial for the business.“Sometimes I would rather have a slightly slower painter who does a good job,” he said. “Customers are happy with that person and write reviews for them, and we’re going to get more jobs from those over time.”<h2>The Practical Approach To Building These Teams</h2>Since establishing these expectations, Fonseca has worked to develop a clear, actionable hiring and team development process. First and foremost, he focuses intently on hiring the right people, not just anyone who can do the job.“My initial thought was to hire people who have a lot of experience, but that’s when I realized that just because someone is a good painter doesn’t mean they’re a good person,” he said. “It’s really tough to teach someone how to be polite and mind their manners when they’re in someone’s home. We’ve been successful at hiring people based on their personalities and training them in the painting skills.”Fonseca doesn’t ignore the painting skills required to succeed as a part of the team by any means. He uses the resources available to him through the Painting Contractors Association and&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/info">Fresh Coat</a> franchise system.“We’re a part of the PCA, and they put out a lot of material on how to train painters,” he said. “Fresh Coat also put together a painter advancement system. So we can place people in different categories based on their levels of expertise, and it shows them the skills they need to level up.”These tools allow Fonseca to hire and train effectively while also setting the stage for talent retention and increased profitability. As painters continue to learn and develop their skills, they can take on more complex, higher-paying jobs, boosting their earning potential and increasing revenue for the franchise.<h2>A Person-First Staffing Approach and Long-Term Vision</h2>As the scaffolding he has provided within his business supports the professional growth of his teams, Fonseca has also worked diligently to build and maintain a team that truly supports each other, collaborates naturally and celebrates one another’s wins.“Instead of seeing anything as a competition, we try to evaluate who is really great at something and pair them with someone else who is trying to develop that same skill,” he said. “Our painters are really open to giving each other feedback on the work that they do, and it comes from a place of love. They’re approaching it saying, ‘Hey, let me try to help you out.’”In addition to supporting painters’ professional development and advancement, Fonseca and his teams also celebrate one another’s personal successes.“I want my painters to enjoy their work, but I understand that they’re here to make money and support their families,” he said. “Understanding how work can be rewarding but also helps them meet their own personal goals encourages us to celebrate their wins outside of just work, too.”Over time, Fonseca has carefully and intentionally built a team that not only works well together but also brings the soft and technical skills that propel the business forward. Often, this requires a more disciplined approach and a true investment in team building rather than taking a “just hiring” approach, but the results are always worth the effort.“I’m willing to take longer to hire the right person rather than rushing to hire a bunch of people then realizing they’re not the right fit,” he said. “It’s important to try to envision, five years from now, what you want your company to look like. Who are the types of employees you want to have? And be intentional about hiring, supporting and developing those people now.”To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/info">https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/info</a>.&nbsp;

Fresh Coat Painters franchise owner Alex Fonseca and President Lisa Hudson

Focusing on soft skills and professional development pathways as much as he emphasizes technical skill, Alex Fonseca has built and retained a thriving team of painters who power his business.

Inside a High-Performance Fresh Coat Franchise: How This Owner Built a Team To Scale

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Former McDonald’s Technology Manager Opens Fresh Coat Painters Franchise to Beautify the Klein Community

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MCALLEN, Texas&nbsp;—&nbsp;<a href="https://freshcoatpainters.com/locations/mcallen">Fresh Coat Painters of McAllen</a> has been recognized by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Lower Rio Grande Valley District Office, as the 2026 Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year for the Lower Rio Grande Valley District. Owner&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/why-this-army-veteran-chose-fresh-coat-franchise-ownership-as-his-next-mission-2720664#stories">Gilbert “Gil” Perez</a>, a U.S. Army veteran, first pursued franchise ownership following military retirement as he searched for a way to build a business of his own while doing valuable work in his own community.&nbsp;“I’m honored to receive this recognition from the Small Business Administration, not only for myself but for the teams and community members who have made it possible,” Perez said. “Hard work and service have always been a way of life for me. I took those values to the Army, and I still use them today with every&nbsp;<a href="http://freshcoatfranchise.com">Fresh Coat</a> project. Being named Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year is a testament to the fact that, when you keep your values front and center and commit yourself to your community, the reward is immeasurable.”Perez was selected from business owners across the district, which spans 14 Texas counties, for his leadership, dedication and influence as a small business owner. In addition to his own resilience in business, Perez is celebrated for the commitment he has shown to positively impacting the community.Over his time as a&nbsp;<a href="http://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/info">Fresh Coat</a> franchise owner, Perez has served the McAllen community with quality, reliable painting services, and by thinking bigger, has been able to have a real impact beyond his organization. As a business owner, Perez is able to create opportunities for others, and he takes great pride in working alongside others who prioritize service and share his family-focused values. That commitment to service extends beyond his business, as Perez serves on the Board of Directors for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nhporgv.com/">NHPO-RGV</a>, a professional organization dedicated to promoting enterprise and education for its members in partnership with the community.&nbsp;“After two decades of service, I was looking for another way to find purpose in my community,” Perez said. “Fresh Coat was my pathway, and I’m so proud of what I’ve built in McAllen. As a veteran, I know what it means to be a part of something bigger than myself, and business ownership has given me a platform to not only provide quality service but to become truly ingrained in the McAllen community, which has supported us every step of the way.”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.&nbsp;

image of freshcoat McAllen Named 2026 SBA Veteran-Owned Business of the Year

Following his service in the U.S. Army, Gil Perez pursued franchising with the national painting brand as a way to chase his dreams while serving the McAllen community.

Fresh Coat Painters of McAllen Named 2026 Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Lower Rio Grande Valley District Office

CPA-Turned-Entrepreneur Opens Fresh Coat Painters Franchise in San Antonio

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