Starting a business can feel like an uphill battle, but it doesn’t have to be. Many entrepreneurs choose the franchise model because of the structure and support offered from day one. Fresh Coat Painters, the 190-plus-unit painting concept, is a prime example of how a strong franchise brand can propel entrepreneurs’ success. From thorough onboarding to turnkey marketing support, the franchisor has multiple layers of resources in place to set franchisees up for success.
“I always wanted to own my own business and started looking at what franchises were out there,” said Phil Adkins, owner of Fresh Coat Painters of Bonney Lake in Washington. “I felt I needed the support of a franchise company instead of me just sitting there with a legal pad trying to develop my own company. I looked at various industries and companies and landed on Fresh Coat.”
Onboarding and Foundational Skills
From the time a Fresh Coat owner signs their franchise agreement, a support team is there to provide guidance. During the onboarding and training phase, owners learn about bidding, sales, recruiting, software and more. They also gain access to a recruiting and advancement tool that helps them build reliable, professional crews to serve their communities.
As they prepare to open, owners are also familiarized with Fresh Coat’s CRM and operational software, which streamline quoting, lead management and project scheduling.
The franchisor also helps franchisees begin developing their local and digital presence leading up to the official launch of the business. This includes everything from setting up a location-specific website and paid ads to providing help with customized direct mail, signage and branded apparel.
Fresh Coat focuses on partnering with owners to create a strong foundation for the business both in terms of owner preparedness and initial brand reputation and recognition in the local market.
Once an owner is launched with all of the necessary resources, the support shifts toward ongoing operational support, business development opportunities and continuing education resources.
Ongoing Operational Coaching, Infrastructure and Partnerships
The ongoing growth and success of Fresh Coat franchisees are driven by a combination of their own local efforts and the continued support offered by the franchisor.
One of the key resources available to owners is Fresh Coat’s partnership with Sherwin-Williams. In addition to the buying power associated with these types of partnerships, Fresh Coat owners benefit from expert advice, troubleshooting and application techniques; product guidance tailored to their specific projects; and on-site evaluations and support over the course of a project. Franchisees can also benefit from enhanced marketing partnerships, including opportunities for branded vehicle wraps featuring the Sherwin-Williams logo and additional marketing support.
Franchisees also have the backing of Fresh Coat’s national accounts program, which guides them through the process of identifying, securing and completing commercial projects. At the franchisor level, Fresh Coat maintains relationships with large-scale commercial clients and watches for new commercial opportunities. After the deal is closed, Fresh Coat approaches the local franchise owner with the opportunity, but the national accounts team stays involved for the duration of the project to ensure everything goes to plan.
“One of the great things that sold us on Fresh Coat was the ability to do both residential and commercial painting,” said Ike Grigsby, co-owner of Fresh Coat Painters of National Harbor in Maryland. “We plan to start with residential, as Fresh Coat corporate recommends, and then, depending on how things go, move into commercial work sooner rather than later. There’s a lot of opportunity — and money — in commercial painting.”
Fresh Coat owners have support with the seemingly smaller parts of business ownership, too. With dedicated franchise business coaches, owners have regular access to one-on-one planning, operational reviews and opportunities to share best practices. Further, owners throughout the system are remarkably open with and supportive of one another, working to drive the entire system forward and toward success for all whenever possible.
“Fresh Coat felt more like a family. Everyone we spoke with within the organization was supportive, informative and quick to respond,” said Joseph Jones, co-owner of Fresh Coat Painters of National Harbor. “I also love their back-end systems — I’m a systems guy — and they have great tools in place to support franchisees. It’s like going into battle; you need the right weapons and the right strategy to win. Fresh Coat has both, and that’s what drove me to sign on with them.”
The Power of a Trusted National Brand
Starting a Fresh Coat franchise unlocks multiple layers of support and access to a range of experts for entrepreneurs. This level of end-to-end support decreases risk and accelerates growth, and this advantageous market position is only strengthened by the less tangible benefits associated with joining a national brand.
In the home services space, trust and reputation are paramount. Homeowners are allowing teams into their safe spaces to work in and on what is often their biggest investment, and the Fresh Coat brand and everything it represents is another key contributor to growth for owners.
By combining operational coaching, turnkey marketing and strong vendor partnerships with the established reputation of a trusted national brand, Fresh Coat provides owners with the framework they need to thrive.
To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/info.