Fresh Coat

<a href="https://freshcoatfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=fresh-coat-painters-2026-growth-franchisee-support-2731233" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Fresh Coat Painters</a>, the 190+ unit residential and commercial painting franchise under the Strategic Franchising Systems umbrella, is aiming high this calendar year, targeting 200 franchise territories by the end of 2026. With a seasoned team guiding franchisees and a renewed focus on coaching, the brand aims to deepen support for local franchise owners while positioning itself for growth and stronger franchisee profitability.The groundwork was actually laid in 2025 as&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/info">Fresh Coat Painters</a> developed connections throughout a variety of sectors, including restaurants, schools, grocery stores and storage facilities. Such efforts were designed to broaden brand reach while creating additional opportunities for franchise owners.&nbsp;“We were able to see growth both in the number of territories and in the growth of the volume of our owners. So,&nbsp;we’re very optimistic about 2026,” said Fresh Coat Painters Brand President&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-hudson-80317444/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=fresh-coat-painters-2026-growth-franchisee-support-2731233" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Lisa Hudson</a>. “We’ve been intentionally preparing our owners to invest in additional marketing and enter the first quarter with momentum, positioning them for a strong year ahead.”<h2>Empowering Franchise Owners</h2>A key component of Fresh Coat’s 2026 vision is helping franchisees sharpen leadership skills. At&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/info">Fresh Coat’s</a> upcoming “Profit Rodeo” national convention this February in Nashville, workshops and expert-led sessions will focus on business planning, better management of P&amp;L statements and general operational efficiency, delivering elevated coaching support to franchise owners.“A core part of our vision is helping owners actively grow and strengthen their businesses,” Hudson said. “That focus extends beyond the national conference and carries through to the bi-weekly coaching calls our team holds with owners. Many franchisees may not have prior experience running a business or working directly with P&amp;L statements, which is why we’re placing greater emphasis on financial education moving forward, ensuring owners are confident, capable operators who achieve the profitability they’re aiming for.”<h2>Market Highlights and Opportunities</h2>Fresh Coat continues to see strong growth in Texas and Florida, where favorable climates support operations taking place year-round. Dallas, in particular, is open for new franchisees, while the East Coast, California, Denver and the Midwest remain strong markets as well. Florida’s peak season also complements northern markets, allowing franchisees to serve customers migrating south during the winter months.<h2>Technology and Support Systems</h2>Fresh Coat Painters uses its own technology platform, updates it each year and is taking a measured look at AI tools that could improve communication, support and day-to-day efficiency. But, while technology is an important tool, it’s ultimately the people behind the systems that set Fresh Coat Painters apart.&nbsp;“We’re excited that we should hit 200 territories, which is a huge milestone. We laid a lot of groundwork in 2025,” Hudson said. “We have a very seasoned team that’s consistently with our owners on the journey. We don’t bring someone in and just leave them. That’s something I’m really proud of.&nbsp;It sets us apart from some other brands.”As Fresh Coat Painters moves into 2026, the combination of strategic territorial growth, expanded commercial opportunities and even stronger support of local franchisees positions the brand to strengthen operations while delivering local owners a properly-supported business model that’s both profitable and sustainable.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>.

Fresh Coat Painters 2026 Growth Plan: 200 Territories & Franchisee Support

1851 Franchise

Fresh Coat Painters Brand President Lisa Hudson outlines the growth plans, commercial opportunities and enhanced coaching that can help local franchise owners boost profitability.

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

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

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With a strong system and widely recognized brand identity,&nbsp;<a href="http://freshcoatfranchise.com">Fresh Coat Painters</a> — the nearly 200-unit painting franchise — has made a name for itself nationwide. While many franchise owners are drawn to the franchise because of the opportunity to complete residential projects, commercial projects offer additional opportunities for franchisees to scale with&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/info">Fresh Coat’s&nbsp;</a>systems and expertise behind them. From retail and office spaces to health care, hospitality and more, here’s what entrepreneurs need to know about the potential to grow with Fresh Coat in the lucrative commercial sector.“Before we started the commercial division of Fresh Coat, I ran the residential side, and I would see franchisees come in just starstruck by the prospect of commercial projects,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/gplatz">Greg Platz</a>, senior vice president of national accounts, commercial division. “They saw big dollars. Big commercial projects can be some franchisees’ big whale. You have to be very careful with them, which is why we started the national accounts and commercial divisions, but these resources allow franchisees to get a level of comfort in the commercial space and give them a distinct advantage.”<h2>Why Commercial Painting? Bigger Projects with Bigger Potential</h2>Commercial projects are a key driver for financial scale because they typically offer higher revenue per project. While the average residential project provides a strong opportunity for franchisees, commercial projects can bring in double the revenue.In addition to the financial potential commercial projects provide, they also set the stage for franchisees to build steady, long-lasting partnerships with other business owners. For example, once a Fresh Coat owner delivers satisfactory work at a multi-family development or manufacturing facility, they have made a good impression with the property manager or facility operator and can nurture that relationship to increase the likelihood of repeat business in the future.It’s also important to note that, because of the type and scale of projects commercial clients present, the opportunities flow relatively consistently throughout the year. While owners may experience lulls in residential opportunities on a seasonal basis, commercial demand remains steady, allowing owners to create additional stability in their businesses.By pursuing a mix of both residential and commercial projects, franchisees can diversify their revenue streams and create healthier, more scalable businesses.<h2>Support Systems To Set You Up for Success</h2>The prospect of bidding on and completing large-scale projects can be intimidating for new owners. The leadership team recognizes this, and it’s one of the key reasons they built the national accounts and commercial teams.“We’re invested in our franchisees’ long-term success, and part of this support structure is that, if they’re not ready for a large-scale commercial project in their territory, we’ll partner them up with another franchisee so they can gain the experience and get a portion of the revenue without taking such a big risk,” Platz said. “The national accounts division typically takes on smaller projects that are geared toward stair-stepping a franchisee into commercial work at a more comfortable pace.”Platz says that, if a Fresh Coat owner can complete a project to paint someone’s house, they can generally complete about 95% of the projects that flow through the national accounts division. Then, once they’re comfortable at this scale, they can begin growing into commercial even more, taking on larger projects like full warehouses.In addition to guiding franchisees in which projects may be the best fit for them, the franchisor offers additional tools and practical support to drive the projects forward. This operational support is designed to remove the most intimidating barriers to entry for commercial projects, including bidding and estimation.“Without the support team, an owner would have to go out and find blueprints, which often included paying a subscription fee to download those blueprints, then pay an estimator to review the blueprints and determine how much paint and what kind of equipment would be needed,” Platz said. “Now, if an owner wants to bid on a project, they fill out an online form that comes to us. My team downloads the blueprints, runs them through our software and provides the franchisee with what I like to call a ‘paint-by-number.’ We tell them what they need to paint, what to paint it with and how much paint they need to buy.”This package also includes project scope with data like how much the franchisee should charge for labor and how long the project will take. This saves the franchisee both time and money in the estimation and bidding phase, and it acts as a critical safety net to help ensure the bid is accurate and positions the franchisee for a profitable project.Fresh Coat also receives direct requests for bids on some commercial projects. When these projects are secured, the team funnels them directly to the local franchisee, providing yet another revenue stream — and one that essentially drives itself, as far as franchisee involvement is concerned.&nbsp;“Other painting franchisees do not offer this type of support, or if they do, the franchisee pays a premium royalty on any project funnelled through the franchisor,” Platz said. “Whether a franchisee goes out and identifies commercial projects to bid on independently or we hand it to them, they’re paying the exact same royalty. No one buys into a franchise to go it alone, and with Fresh Coat, they have a team in place with years of experience to draw on.”<h2>Managing the Differences Between Commercial and Residential Projects</h2>Though they are all painting projects, the demands of commercial projects are different from those of residential.“Franchisees can use the same crews for residential and national accounts work, but when they get into production-based commercial work — something that’s totally driven by how much square footage you can get sprayed in a day, it’s a different mentality and different painter than the team that’s going to go into Mrs. Smith’s house to paint her living room,” Platz said. “The personality is even different. The person that I would send into my mother’s home may not be the fastest, but they’re going to put her at ease. It may take a day longer to get the project done, but at the end of the day, my mother’s going to say, ‘I love that person. Next time I need something done, let’s call Fresh Coat.’”Alternatively, when owners take on production-focused commercial projects, they’re less concerned about personality and more focused on identifying someone who can get in, get the work done, and get out.“When those opportunities present themselves, you’re not necessarily going to have those commercial painters on payroll,” Platz said. “That’s why we work with our owners on knowing where to look and helping them develop that Rolodex of people to call when the opportunity arises.”In addition to their own team connections, Fresh Coat’s partnership with Sherwin-Williams contributes to staffing solutions, too. Store managers and field representatives are other great resources for helping franchisees identify and connect with commercial talent.Fresh Coat owners completing commercial projects must carefully consider the contract and scope of work. In commercial scenarios, specifically when there are other vendors and ongoing work at play, Fresh Coat owners must understand how to navigate scope and change orders to ensure they stay profitable.“Part of the support process is that, once we’ve won a bid, we review the contracts and send them over to the franchisee,” Platz said. “We tell them, ‘Here’s everything you’re responsible for. And if they ask you to do XYZ, that’s not in the scope; it’s a change order and a billable addition.’ You would be shocked — you can double or triple the size of a normal contract on change orders. We’re there to teach our franchisees and help them navigate those scenarios.”<h2>How Fresh Coat Franchisees Thrive in the Commercial Market</h2>Generally, franchisees who find the most success with commercial projects have strong communication skills and are great relationship builders. This is essential for managing client expectations, coordinating amidst the moving parts of a commercial project and nurturing long-term relationships that position owners for repeat business opportunities.Pairing these skills and efforts with Fresh Coat’s support structures allows owners to scale at their own pace while setting the stage for a more stable, diversified and valuable business.“With our support structures, we’ve removed the guesswork and many of the highest risk factors,” Platz said. “We provide the systems, bidding power and brand identity. When franchisees bring the drive to pursue this growth and build relationships along the way, we’re able to build something truly scalable together.”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;

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What Every Franchisee Should Know About Expanding Into the Commercial Industry With Fresh Coat Painters

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Fresh Coat Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

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<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-ross-2646323/">Sarah Ross</a>, a franchise owner with&nbsp;<a href="http://freshcoatfranchise.com">Fresh Coat Painters</a>, the 190-plus-unit national painting franchise, initially made the leap to entrepreneurship in the early 20-teens in search of a more balanced, fulfilling career. However, leaving the world of corporate accounting brought her much more, including an opportunity and a platform through which she has changed the lives of others in her community.“The biggest rewarding point that I didn't expect was the ability to employ others,” she said. “I knew that was the model with&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/info">Fresh Coat</a>, but I didn’t realize how much some painters struggle. My teams are thankful that I can keep them busy and they’re not out trying to sell the next project every time something winds down. They’re skilled at what they do, and they just want to be respected, be busy and do their trade.”Through steady business growth, Ross has consistently scaled her operation, broadening her impact both in terms of the number of teams she’s been able to employ and the number of satisfied customers she has completed projects with.Notably, though, Ross has also remained engaged with members of her community, consistently completing&nbsp;<a href="https://freshcoatpainters.com/about-us/fresh-coat-cares/">Fresh Coat Cares</a> projects to support families and organizations in need throughout her community.In recent years, Ross and the Fresh Coat Painters of&nbsp;<a href="https://freshcoatpainters.com/locations/marble-falls">Marble Falls</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://freshcoatpainters.com/locations/sw-austin/">Southwest Austin</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://freshcoatpainters.com/locations/hill-country/">Hill Country</a> teams have partnered with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cc4c.org/">CC4C</a>, an organization that supports families navigating the challenges of rare and undiagnosed diseases in children;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sharingtheharvestkingsland.com/">Sharing the Harvest</a>, a Kingsland, Texas, food bank; and, most recently, she and her teams played a role in helping local families recover from the devastating July 4th floods.“We had the opportunity, through Fresh Coat Cares, to participate in a lot of that recovery effort,” Ross said. “Initially, it was just mucking out homes, which was going in and shoveling the mud out of these homes, which is hard to even fathom. We ended up mucking out several homes, and my team even came back to me and said, ‘Thank you for letting us have this day.’”Through the process of the recovery effort, Ross and her team connected with others involved in the recovery process and neighbors whose homes were impacted.Ross recalled a neighbor whose home had been carried by flood waters across the street. As teams were mucking out a home next door, this homeowner returned and placed a “For Rent” sign on the front door.“This house floated away and was resting against another house, but that was like the heart of the community right then,” she said. “Everyone needed a good laugh, and it was fun to be there. It was sad to see what all these individuals had lost, but we had an opportunity to see the recovery effort all the way through.”Though they originally planned to focus on mucking out homes in need of recovery, Ross and her team ended up being able to drywall and paint two separate homes, seeing the recovery effort through to completion.“It was very rewarding,” she said. “I’m appreciative that the Fresh Coat Cares program is around, and I’m appreciative of the community that I live in… that they quickly responded and gave us the opportunity to do this.”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;

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How Fresh Coat Painters Empowers This Franchisee To Change Lives in Her Community

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With his background as a Finish Carpenter and a General Contractor,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/seph-duggan-899a3310a/">Seph Duggan</a> is well aware of the struggles people face when looking for people to handle their construction needs. Lack of awareness can make it difficult for customers to find help, leading to a major issue with customer access to a reputable workforce. His solution was to launch&nbsp;<a href="https://freshcoatfranchise.com/">Fresh Coat Painters</a> of Lakeland, providing an accessible, reputable workforce and a great customer experience.Duggan’s passion for the customer experience is driven by his other career. He spent a decade as a tour director and trip manager, where he learned about hospitality and customer experience. Duggan wants to ensure customers never feel abandoned after a project is completed.&nbsp;1851 Franchise spoke with Duggan about his journey into franchising with&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/info">Fresh Coat</a> and his plans for the future. Here’s what he had to say:1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What do you want us to know?Seph Duggan:&nbsp;I come from a multigenerational construction family. My grandfather, father, and I are all general contractors. I’ve been working on homes since I was 14, so I’ve worked in all areas of construction the majority of my life. Most recently I’ve worked in new home construction, historic preservation and commercial construction.1851: What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?Duggan:&nbsp;I’ve been a carpenter for 15 years and own my own carpentry business. I got into Fresh Coat because I wanted something with a little more brand awareness and internal support than my solo carpentry business offered. Franchising just made sense because during the process of growing my own businesses, I got to a point where I knew I needed to either invest in systems or hire more support. I wanted something that came with more tools at my disposal, like the internal systems brands have already formed. Franchising offers a structure with professional guidance that is indispensable for an owner looking to navigate the ups and downs one experiences in an attempt to scale a business at pace.&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?Duggan:&nbsp;As a business major, I understood the benefits of franchising. If anyone is skeptical over franchising, it is important to point out how many successful businesses are franchises. It's a wildly successful model, whether you look at the founding story of restaurant chains like&nbsp; Five Guys or Starbucks, Lowe’s or Home Depot; the model is proven time and time again on any scale, big or small. Starting any business takes time and money, but franchising provides more opportunities and advantages than I had on my own, especially in mitigation of risk through access to a network of professional support. The experience has been pretty incredible so far because the established systems, like the established brand recognition, access to marketing assistance like building of a website and Google SEO, I am able to focus on work and customer relations rather than system development.1851:&nbsp;What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Duggan:&nbsp;I worked with Fresh Coat franchises in Charleston, South Carolina, when I was a Finish Carpenter, and I always had a great experience working with them.I also realized that focusing on one aspect of construction, like painting, gives me the opportunity to channel all of my experience into one trade rather than in general construction, where you’re spread out over multiple trades and phases. Choosing to focus on one aspect of construction like painting with Fresh Coat provides an opportunity to hone my skills and more effectively maintain my bottom line:&nbsp; overhead, workforce, margins, and most importantly the customer experience.&nbsp;1851:&nbsp;What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?&nbsp;Duggan:&nbsp;Right now, one of the issues I see in construction is customer access. I talk to a variety of people on a weekly basis who need a variety of tradesmen such as contractors, handymen or painters, but they just don't know where to find them. For Fresh Coat Lakeland, I want to provide a great customer experience through trust and accountability by making sure customers are satisfied with not just the work but the entire process as well. Homes aren’t just an investment, they provide safety and comfort, and any disruption in our day to day at home can be nerve wracking. Understanding this, it is my goal to build a resource for professional industry knowledge and trusting relationships to facilitate a smooth process start to finish and after.&nbsp;The goal is to focus on residential painting first and eventually develop into the commercial painting space. I would also like to offer other services like drywall repair and handyman services, potentially by acquiring a handyman franchise once the painting business runs more autonomously.1851:&nbsp;Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?Duggan: Interestingly enough construction isn’t my only area of expertise. For the past 10 years, I’ve supplemented my career with seasonal hospitality work as Tour Director/Manager for renowned travel companies like National Geographic and Gate 1 Travel in the summer months. This endeavor has equipped me with access to some of the best hospitality training and experience which I’ve been able to incorporate into my best practices for construction as well. A field that, at times, can be desperately lacking in customer service. With me you’ll get a well rounded diversified experience that benefits the end result.I don't want any of my customers ever to feel like I’ve abandoned them after the job is done. Something that happens far too frequently in the Construction space. With Fresh Coat Lakeland not only will customers have direct access to myself but the comfort of knowing that I have the support of the entire Fresh Coat and Sherwin Williams guarantees as well.&nbsp;1851:&nbsp;What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?Duggan:&nbsp;Honestly, it’s just to trust the process. It’s a large investment up front, but that investment pays itself back as you utilize the support and resources the franchisor provides. You’re not just out there stranded on an island. I like the franchise because you can mitigate some of that risk by joining on with a team.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;

Fresh Coat Painters - Seph Duggan - Lakeland Florida - 1851 Franchise

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For nearly a decade,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-luttrell-00299326/">David Luttrell</a> served as a production manager of a custom apparel company, watching the organization grow from a single garage to three production facilities. While the growth was fulfilling, he found himself looking for something more and ultimately came to invest in&nbsp;<a href="http://freshcoatfranchise.com">Fresh Coat Painters</a>, the national painting franchise.“I like having some kind of stake and ownership in the decision-making process,” he said. “I just got tired of working in that business and wanted to do something different.”Though he had a strong background in graphic design, art and production management, he ended up finding his way to the home services space through careful due diligence during his franchise selection process.<h2>A Top-Down, Bottom-Up Approach</h2>When Luttrell began researching potential franchise opportunities, he didn’t just look at the numbers. While those were important, he did a thorough analysis of each company he vetted, using what he calls a “top-down, bottom-up” approach.“Look at how the process is from the top down,” he said. “What are the processes? What are the structures that corporate provides? Do they have national branding? Do they have systems and formulas?”Once the corporate structure is clear, he said, it’s time to change your perspective. “Look at it from the bottom up,” he said. “Where do I find my laborers? Where do I find my crew? Am I the one that’s actually going to be painting?”From there, once the business model has been evaluated from both angles, Luttrell recommends looking deeper into what your specific role will look like.<h2>Am I Buying a Business or a Job?</h2>One of Luttrell’s biggest hesitations early on, and one his partner shared, was the fear of buying a job rather than a true business. He did not want to spend his days climbing ladders; he was interested in an investment that would position him to lead and scale.&nbsp;A piece of advice that he received during the validation process lent some clarity. An existing owner said, “Look, if you’re painting, there’s a problem. You’re a business owner, not a painter.”This distinction, combined with the additional support the&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/info">Fresh Coat</a> model would offer, was a deciding factor in choosing Fresh Coat over an independent business venture. The more he learned about Fresh Coat, the more he realized the support offered by the franchisor would decrease the learning curve and provide a stronger foundation than “just buying a white van and slapping ‘Dave’s Painting’ on the side of it.”Fresh Coat’s support system was especially vital as Luttrell began expanding into the commercial space. While residential projects present great opportunities, especially during the “busy season,” commercial partnerships provide larger ticket sizes, economies of scale and additional stability in the residential off-season.<h2>The Human Element of Fresh Coat</h2>While support systems and a clear pathway to scale are crucial to long-term success, Luttrell has found additional fulfillment in the more personal, community-focused aspects of the franchise. By staying active in his local Chamber of Commerce, he’s able to keep his finger on the pulse of new developments in the area and partner with other local businesses preparing to open in the community for commercial projects.As an owner, Luttrell has also played a crucial role in transforming neighbors’ homes. For example, he completed a project for a woman who was moving into her late parents’ home. After a full renovation, the team put the finishing touch — a hand-painted piece of art by the client’s grandmother — on the project.“She got all teary,” he said. “That was probably one of the most rewarding projects. Helping other people has really been a key. I get to know people. I get to see their family, and I pet their dog … They really welcome us into their homes.”<h2>Luttrell’s Growth Trajectory and Insights for Others Considering a Similar Pathway</h2>For Luttrell, the transition to Fresh Coat has been a lateral move financially, but it has provided a major lift in quality of life. He controls the workflow, schedule and culture, and he knows that as he works, he’s building something for himself and his community.In this vein, he encourages prospective franchisees to consider their decision carefully. Income replacement is important, but thinking long term is even better.“You’re not buying a business for next year,” he said. “You’re buying a business for five, 10 years down the road.”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;

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How One Fresh Coat Franchisee Turned Production Experience Into Ownership

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Following a 2024 divorce after 27 years as a military spouse,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryesteele96/">Mary Steele</a> sought to control her future and build her own business.&nbsp;<a href="https://freshcoatfranchise.com/">Fresh Coat Painters</a>, the residential and commercial painting franchise, immediately appealed to her with its focus on home transformation, strong support and proven model. Her real estate background and passion for making houses feel like homes confirmed it was the right fit.What stood out most to Steele was&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/info">Fresh Coat’s</a> culture of transparency and community. The brand’s training, marketing guidance and network of experienced franchise owners provided not just a roadmap for success but a team genuinely invested in her growth.Now preparing to open her Melbourne, Florida, location in January 2026, Steele is focused on building a business that reflects her values like treating employees well, serving homeowners with care and creating lasting impact through every project.&nbsp;1851 Franchise spoke to Steele about her franchise journey with Fresh Coat and her plans for the future. Here’s what she had to say:&nbsp;1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?Mary Steele:&nbsp;Before getting into franchising, I was an active-duty military spouse. I traveled for many years — over 27 years. I got a divorce in 2024 and decided, “What does Mary want now that she gets to live life on her own terms?” Things were different. What did I want to do?I started digging into my past and the dreams I had, the things I wanted to do. I’d always wanted to become a franchise owner, but I thought that space would be in the food industry. Then I started working with a career coach, and we did a personal assessment to see what I liked to do. That turned out not to be what I wanted.We pulled up several franchises, and I did some research. I realized that one thing I love — because I also have a real estate background — is that every time we moved over the past 27 years, the first thing we did was paint. We’d either paint in preparation to sell the home for curb appeal or repaint once we arrived at a new place to make it feel like home.When I started looking at painting franchises, I connected with the culture at Fresh Coat and what the franchise had to offer. It just looked like a great fit. Once I started talking with the professionals there — especially the gentleman I spoke with for several months before he retired — and then my new franchise development coach, I felt at ease and comfortable.There was no hard-pressure sales, just transparency. They shared what their 20-year history looks like and what other franchisees say about Fresh Coat. It felt good. It felt right. That’s how I ended up with the Fresh Coat franchise.I have a background in real estate sales and the military, working with service members who were preparing to leave active duty and transition into civilian life. That’s what I did for 10 years. That was what I was used to, and that’s how I ended up coming to Fresh Coat.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?Steele:&nbsp;I think my perception was that if you decided to join a franchise, you’d have this big, established brand — something national or even international that everyone already knew about. I thought that was it. You join the franchise, they hand you the brand, and then say, “Now go make it your own.”What I found out is that it’s so much more than that. Especially with Fresh Coat, you have a built-in network of people who are rooting for you — people who want to see you win. When you partner with a national brand, they want to help you succeed because your success is their success.I gained a network of professionals who could help me with marketing and establishing my territory, as well as all the background support you need to be successful. Since going through training, I feel that even more. I had the opportunity to meet with other franchisees, hear their stories, learn what works, and understand what to focus on at 30 days, 90 days and six months in.I really value that because I’ve never been a franchise owner before; you don’t know what you don’t know. Having that built-in network of professionals who understand what I’m about to experience and can help me through it has been incredibly rewarding.1851:&nbsp;What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Steele:&nbsp;I think what excited me most about the company was that it’s something I’m genuinely interested in. Mind you, I’m a person who doesn’t color well inside the lines at all. When it comes to painting, I make a big mess — but I know what colors I like and what looks good. That part I’m great at.Knowing that Fresh Coat has been established for many years and has such a diverse collection of owners really stood out to me. We’re talking men and women, people born in the United States, people who weren’t, people who have lived here long-term and even those who live here part-time. It’s a great, diverse group of owners, and that was engaging to me.I liked seeing myself reflected in the ownership and the willingness of other owners to say, “Hey, if you need something, I’m here. Give me a call.” I love that sense of community.1851:&nbsp;What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?&nbsp;Steele:&nbsp;I hope to be a successful small business owner — replacing the income I had when I worked for someone else by working for myself and continuing to grow and expand.When I worked for other people, I often thought about why I stayed with a company. What did they offer that made me want to stay? Some things were great, and others, not so much. So, as I grow my business and eventually bring on my own staff, I want to be the kind of small business owner employees want to stay with because they’re treated well, have great benefits, and have steady painting opportunities.Starting out, I’ll be using subcontractors to get the business off the ground, and I’m glad to have that flexibility. My ultimate goal is to have my own crew — to employ several painters and build strong relationships with them so they don’t want to leave. I want them to stay and grow with me as the business grows.1851:&nbsp;Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?Steele:&nbsp;Don’t give up on your dreams. Don’t give up on your goals. Life will throw all kinds of curveballs, but as long as you can embrace the pivot, you’ll be okay. That’s what I call this stage of my life: embracing the pivot.“Pivot” has been used in military marching terms for years, but to me, it means being able to adjust and move in a new direction. As long as you don’t lose hope, stay optimistic and keep a positive attitude, you can embrace that pivot, go in a new direction and not be afraid. Life can be scary. We don’t always win or succeed right away. But one thing’s for sure — if you stop or quit, you’ll never grow or be successful. If you keep going, one step at a time — slowly but surely — you’ll get where you want to go. I truly believe slow and steady wins the race.You could not have told me 20 years ago that this would be my franchise. My mind was totally somewhere else. But because I stayed open to a different type of franchise, I’m so glad I embraced that pivot.1851:&nbsp;What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?Steele:&nbsp;Do your research. Do your due diligence. Don’t rush; take your time and ask all the questions. If it’s something you feel strongly about, go for it. You don’t want to live with a bunch of regrets or a bunch of “woulda, coulda, shouldas.” Go for it, and that way, when it’s time to tell your story, you can say, “This is something I wanted to do.”&nbsp;ABOUT FRESH COAT PAINTERS:Fresh Coat Painters, the residential and commercial painting franchise under the Strategic Franchising Systems umbrella, offers a low-cost 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.

Fresh Coat Painters - Mary Steele - Franchisee Feature - 1851 Franchise

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

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For many veterans, the transition out of the military and to civilian life can present challenges. The structure, discipline and fulfillment of service can be hard to replicate beyond the military, but&nbsp;<a href="http://freshcoatfranchise.com">Fresh Coat Painters</a>, the 190-plus-unit painting franchise, provides a prime vehicle for veterans to build something of their own while being backed by a system that draws on and rewards their military service.For Marine Corps veteran Jeff Berry and Air Force veterans Phil Adkins and Jason Zuccarelli, the franchise opportunity has provided structure and a pathway to entrepreneurial success.Berry’s path started in the Marine Corps when he was “a young guy.”“It made me grow up fast,” he said. “I became stronger — stronger-minded, stronger-willed and a better person than I was before.”After retiring from the military, Berry painted cars, but that began to take a toll on his health. When he knew it was time to make a change, he looked into franchising, knowing that the coaching, support and systems provided by a franchisor would set him up for success. Having gained valuable experience absorbing and executing plans in the military, Berry would be prepared to do the same in his business. After discovering that his own territory was available, he knew&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/info">Fresh Coat</a> “fit like a glove,” and he made the choice to invest.Like Berry, Adkins saw franchising as the next chapter in his journey. After serving over two decades in the Air Force, he successfully managed large distribution centers, but he had always dreamed of something bigger.“I always wanted to own my own business and started looking at what franchises were out there,” he said. “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.”While Adkins celebrates the support offered by the franchisor, he also recognizes the power that Fresh Coat ownership provides individual entrepreneurs.“You’re your own boss. There are a lot of military people out there who have the skills and discipline in place … service before self. A lot of those military skills are very applicable to make you stand out as a franchise owner above just your average, everyday painting company,” he said. “I’m really, really happy with buying a franchise and knowing that my success is ultimately up to me and how hard I want to work.”For Zuccarelli, who served 11 years as part of a rapid-deployment unit, the military taught him a diverse set of skills and equipped him well to take on new challenges.“We had our hands on everything,” he said. “I never turned away any opportunity to learn, and painting was one of the last things I really started grabbing a hold of. During our last deployment in Afghanistan, we had to spray an entire hangar, and I got curious about that. After getting home from my deployment, I did civil service, and another service member actually ended up mentioning Fresh Coat to me.”Like many, Zuccarelli had long considered starting a business, but it was a big leap. About seven months after learning of Fresh Coat from another veteran, he took the leap. For other veterans, he recommends taking a similar “leap of faith” approach.“The only thing I can say is to come in with a positive attitude,” he said. “It’s going to be scary. Anything can be scary, but have confidence in yourself. Believe in what you’ve been taught all these years in the military. Discipline, accountability and integrity — as long as you keep those values in line, you should not have a problem running your company.”As Fresh Coat continues growing, it remains committed to supporting veterans’ success, from a thorough due diligence and onboarding process to long-term support. With coaching, software and a veteran-friendly network, Fresh Coat offers the same teamwork veterans value most. For veterans, Fresh Coat doesn’t just offer a business opportunity — it offers a new mission driven by pride and purpose.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;

Design with image of military veteran, Fresh Coat Painters vehicles

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