Fresh Coat

When&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-engle-b37150133/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=fresh-coat-franchise-central-valley-jeremy-engle-2729134" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Jeremy Engle</a> came across a&nbsp;<a href="https://freshcoatfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=fresh-coat-franchise-central-valley-jeremy-engle-2729134" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Fresh Coat Painters</a> franchise for sale in Tracy, California, he saw more than just a business — he saw a foundation he could build on. “<a href="https://1851franchise.com/all-star-franchisees-cliff-hudson-of-fresh-coat-5754#stories">Cliff Hudson</a> had been running the&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/info">Fresh Coat</a> in Tracy for 17 years. He was really well respected in the community, had a large customer base and had won multiple ‘Best Of’ awards in local publications,” Engle said. “That, combined with the backing of the franchise — the systems, the training, the support — made it feel like something with real potential. I saw it as an opportunity to hit the ground running and build on what Cliff had already created.”Engle, a longtime general contractor and plant manager for a modular building manufacturer, wasn’t new to running a business. But franchising offered him something different: a path with fewer unknowns. “What made franchising appealing — as opposed to starting a business from scratch — was that the systems and processes were already in place,” he said. “I didn’t have to reinvent the wheel. It gave me a way to get into business more quickly and with fewer hiccups.”Now based in Escalon, Engle has rebranded the business as Fresh Coat of Central Valley, a name chosen to reflect his ambitious plans for regional growth. “Our goal is to expand and eventually cover the entire Central Valley,” he said. “Our aim is to grow from east to west and then move south, reaching as much of the San Joaquin Valley as possible.”At the core of it all is a focus on experience — not just with the paint job, but with the people. “We want to provide the highest level of customer service possible — that’s really at the heart of what we’re doing,” Engle said. “We want to deliver not just a quality paint job, but a ‘wow’ customer experience. That’s how we want to be remembered — for how we cared for people, how we addressed their concerns, and how we made them feel throughout the process.”1851 Franchise spoke with Jeremy Engle about his franchising journey with Fresh Coat, his penchant for customer service and his ambitious plans for growth in the Central Valley region. Here’s what he had to say:1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What do you want us to know?Jeremy Engle: I've been in the Central Valley for more than 30 years. I live in Escalon with my wife and three daughters — they’re 26, 11 and 9 — so we’ve definitely got all phases of parenting going on at once. It’s a lot of fun.I’ve been in construction since 2000 and have been a general contractor in California since 2005. I also manage a company called Enviroplex — I’m the plant manager for a modular building manufacturer, and we build modular schools. I’ve been in that industry for the last nine years.Outside of work, I’m a city councilman for the city of Escalon. I sit on the San Joaquin Council of Governments for our county, as well as the San Joaquin Water Authority. I’m also the president of our local Lions Club and I lead a men’s group in the community once or twice a week. Giving back to the community is something I really enjoy.1851: What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?Engle: I’ve been in construction and modular building for years, but we were looking for some additional opportunities — something that would allow us to expand beyond our day-to-day. I came across a listing for a business for sale, and after doing some digging, I found out it was a Fresh Coat franchise. I reached out to the owner directly within a day of seeing the ad.That started a three- or four-month process of negotiations. We finally got the deal worked out, and I went out to Ohio last month for training.What made franchising appealing — as opposed to starting a business from scratch — was that the systems and processes were already in place. I didn’t have to reinvent the wheel. It gave me a way to get into business more quickly and with fewer hiccups. I’m sure there will still be some, but it just felt like a smoother path.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?Engle: Before I got into franchising, I mostly thought of it in terms of fast-food restaurants. That was really my only frame of reference. I didn’t realize how many other types of businesses were franchise-based until I started looking into it more.Now that I’m in it, I’d say franchising is a great way to enter into business with a proven track record. You’re not doing it alone — you’ve got partners with experience who are willing to help and guide you through the process.1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Engle: The biggest factor was the opportunity itself. Cliff Hudson had been running the Fresh Coat in Tracy for 17 years. He was really well respected in the community, had a large customer base and had won multiple “Best Of” awards in local publications.That, combined with the backing of the franchise — the systems, the training, the support — made it feel like something with real potential. I saw it as an opportunity to hit the ground running and build on what Cliff had already created. I’m hoping to take that foundation and grow the business beyond where it’s been.1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?Engle: We decided to rebrand the business as Fresh Coat of Central Valley instead of naming it after a single town. That was intentional. Our goal is to expand and eventually cover the entire Central Valley.Right now, we’ve got a good footprint — we’re in a valley between the coastal range and the foothills of the Sierras. Our aim is to grow from east to west and then move south, reaching as much of the San Joaquin Valley as possible.We felt like calling it Fresh Coat of Central Valley would resonate more with potential customers across multiple towns, as opposed to something like Fresh Coat of Tracy, which might make us seem less local to people in surrounding communities.1851: Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?Engle: We want to provide the highest level of customer service possible — that’s really at the heart of what we’re doing. We feel like customer service has gone by the wayside in a lot of businesses today.My team and I all share a similar vision. We want to deliver not just a quality paint job, but a “wow” customer experience. That’s how we want to be remembered — for how we cared for people, how we addressed their concerns and how we made them feel throughout the process.That’s what our mission statement will be built around — delivering that elevated level of customer care.1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?Engle: Step out of your comfort zone. Take a chance on yourself. If someone has the ambition to start something of their own — whether it’s to escape the 9-to-5 grind or just to build something for themselves — I’d encourage them to make the move. Be courageous. Bet on yourself.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>.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.

Franchisee Spotlight with Jeremy Engle and Fresh Coat Logo

Fresh Coat Franchise Expands in Central Valley as Jeremy Engle Builds on Local Legacy

1851 Franchise

By acquiring a respected franchise and leveraging Fresh Coat’s systems and support, Engle plans to expand across the Central Valley with a customer-first approach.

Jeremy Engle Builds on Legacy Fresh Coat Franchise To Launch Regional Vision in California

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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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Keys to Team Retention for Fresh Coat Painters Franchisees

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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

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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

Jeremy Engle Builds on Legacy Fresh Coat Franchise To Launch Regional Vision in California

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