Fresh Coat

<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewphughes/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=engineer-turned-entrepreneur-why-this-local-augusta-resident-is-ready-to-serve-the-homeowners-of-his-community-with-his-fresh-coat-painters-franchise-2722463" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Andrew Hughes</a>, a mechanical engineer with experience in real estate, is thrilled to open his new&nbsp;<a href="https://freshcoatfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=engineer-turned-entrepreneur-why-this-local-augusta-resident-is-ready-to-serve-the-homeowners-of-his-community-with-his-fresh-coat-painters-franchise-2722463" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Fresh Coat Painters</a> franchise in Augusta, GA. Tired of the corporate world, his journey to the brand began when he started searching for a customer-facing business that involved working directly with homeowners. Hughes found the perfect opportunity in the painting industry, which doesn't require years of apprenticeship like other trades.&nbsp;Hughes was initially skeptical of the franchising model, but upon further investigation, he realized the numerous benefits it offers. After weighing the risks and rewards, he chose to start his own franchise with&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat">Fresh Coat&nbsp;</a>due to the lower upfront cost and the company's well-established brand and resources. A proven game plan, dedicated business coaching and access to extensive marketing materials have been invaluable to him as a new franchisee.&nbsp;With his Fresh Coat franchise, Hughes aims to build a trustworthy local team that provides exceptional services at a fair price. His background in real estate and residential services, including flipping homes and acting as a landlord, has given him a unique perspective on what it means to be reliable in the market. Now, he is excited to delight the homeowners in his community and embark on this next phase of his career.&nbsp;1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us.&nbsp;What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?Hughes:&nbsp;I was originally born in Canada, but my dad worked in the oil and gas industry, so we moved around a lot from the U.S. to Egypt to Canada. I graduated from high school in Katy, Texas and started to follow in my dad’s footsteps by working in the oil and gas industry. I did that for 11 years, and eventually earned my mechanical engineering degree and helped build a nuclear power plant in the&nbsp;Augusta, GA area. During school, I also sold residential pools, worked as a realtor, and flipped houses.Around the start of 2021, I started looking at opportunities for a customer-facing business. I liked the person-to-person interaction of working with homeowners. We weren’t hyper-focused on painting at first, but I knew I wanted a residential services company that didn’t require years of apprenticeship, such as becoming an electrician or a plumber. With painting, the license is easier to obtain.We weighed the risk of the huge investment it would take to buy an existing business versus the smaller investment it would take to start our own franchise. We opted to start our own —&nbsp;there was less upfront cost, we wouldn’t owe anything to the bank and all the upside would be ours. We looked at several franchises and eventually settled on Fresh Coat. I really ran them through the ringer with all of my questions, and they met me every bit of the way.&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?Hughes:&nbsp;The idea of a franchisor taking a cut off the top wasn’t very appealing at first, but as we looked into it, it became obvious that franchises come with a lot of advantages, chief among them being the proven game plan. That was very attractive to me as I had never operated a full-fledged business. I knew it would be good to have a dedicated plan on paper. I just had to bring the energy to execute it. With every item on the checklist, there is a lot of guidance, and you are given a dedicated business coach to help answer any and all questions.&nbsp;When you are building a business, you spend most of your time in the day-to-day operations. Most of us aren’t marketers, for example, so putting together strong marketing materials will either take a long time or be very expensive. But when you buy a franchise, they already have all those materials available.&nbsp;1851:&nbsp;What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Hughes: There are really only five big painting franchises in the industry — CertaPro, Fresh Cost, 360º Painting, 5 Star Painting and WOW Painting.&nbsp;As far as size of resources, Fresh Coat is well-established compared to the rest, and they have really catchy branding. In talking to their team, I got the sense that they were on a good path in terms of brand growth. They were recognizing where they had some gaps, and they were finding ways to fix them. I felt as though I was coming in at the very beginning of an upside trajectory.&nbsp;1851:&nbsp;What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?&nbsp;Hughes: I want to build up a team locally that our neighbors can trust. That is important to me, because we’ve all dealt with residential service providers that were lackluster or untrustworthy. Most important to me is to build a team where we can legitimately earn that trust and do really good work for a fair price and a fixed quote. I also want to provide for other families by building a business that gives them an opportunity to work for a reliable and supportive company. We do what we say we are going to do.&nbsp;1851:&nbsp;What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?Hughes: With a background in real estate and residential services, I’ve flipped homes, been a landlord and been a homeowner myself. I know how rewarding it is to fix something in your home and take good care of your property. So, the ability to be on the service side of that experience is exciting. I will be able to draw on my own experience in the real estate industry as I understand what it means to be truly trustworthy in this market.&nbsp;1851:&nbsp;What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?Hughes: I made the decision very slowly and comprehensively. I read every word of the franchise contract, and everytime I didn’t understand something, I talked with the team until I was satisfied with the answer.&nbsp;When you are going to buy a franchise, you will be given the FDD, which will have a lot of information in it. One of the most useful sections is the list and contact information for not only all current franchisees, but also people who have left within the last year. I made it a point to call a lot of those people and ask them questions, especially those who had left the system. You get a few more insights that way as they can tell you how it really is.&nbsp;I also recommend asking to come along and sit in the truck with them for a day.&nbsp;I spent two days in Houston following a local Fresh Coat owner, for example, and also traveled to the Austin area and spent an afternoon picking the brain of one of the brand’s top-performers. That was really revealing and gave me the encouragement that if I follow the plan, I can be successful.&nbsp;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.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Engineer Turned Entrepreneur: Why This Local Augusta Resident Is Ready to Serve the Homeowners of His Community with His Fresh Coat Painters Franchise 

1851 Franchise

Combining a passion for customer service with his background in real estate, Hughes looks forward to building a trustworthy team and delivering exceptional painting services.

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

engineer-turned-entrepreneur-why-this-local-augusta-resident-is-ready-to-serve-the-homeowners-of-his-community-with-his-fresh-coat-painters-franchise

FRANCHISE INFORMATION

Own a Fresh Coat

Fresh Coat's National Accounts Program

Sherwin Willams Partnership

Learn

Visit Website

FRESH COAT

Facebook

LinkedIn

Instagram

YouTube

SOCIAL MEDIA

Multigenerational Contractor Seph Duggan Launches Fresh Coat Painters of Lakeland, Florida

How a Major Life Pivot Led This Military Spouse to Open a Fresh Coat Franchise in Melbourne, Florida

Fresh Coat Painters Eyes 200 Territories in 2026, Strengthens Franchisee Support

FRESH COAT MOST READ STORIES

1851 LOGIN

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

ABOUT FRESH COAT

CONTACT FRESH COAT

facebook

instagram

linkedin

youtube

First Name

Last Name

Email

Phone

City Of Interest

State Of Interest

Do you have over $50k to invest in your business?

Own a Fresh Coat Franchise

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

franchise-team-building

image of Ken Sandy, owner of Fresh Coat Painters from Spring, Texas 

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

fresh-coat-painters-franchise-ken-sandy-spring-tx

Photo of Fresh Coat Painters team member working on ladder

Keys to Team Retention for Fresh Coat Painters Franchisees

team-retention-strategies

1851 Franchisee Spotlight graphic with photo of James Burkhart and Fresh Coat Painters

Painting a New Life: Why This Seasoned Management Leader Walked Away From the Oil Industry to Scale a Fresh Coat Painters Franchise

fresh-coat-painters-bastrop-james-burkhart

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

Engineer Turned Entrepreneur: Why This Local Augusta Resident Is Ready to Serve the Homeowners of His Community with His Fresh Coat Painters Franchise

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS