For 35 years, Ken Sandy built his career as a technology manager with McDonald’s. But after retiring last year, he realized something was missing; despite decades of success, he had never really built something of his own. Wanting a new challenge and drawn to his longtime interest in painting, he began exploring business ownership.

Because of his experience working alongside business owners throughout his career, Sandy already understood the value of strong systems and support. He spent four months carefully researching nine different brands before landing on Fresh Coat Painters, which stood out for its structure and hands-on backing. Now, with the support of his wife, two children, and four grandchildren, Sandy is bringing that same detail-oriented mindset, shaped in part by his hobby of building custom cars from the ground up, into building a home services business in Klein, Texas.

1851 spoke with Sandy to learn more about his background, what drew him to the Fresh Coat brand and his plans for the future. 

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What do you want us to know?

Ken Sandy: I have lived in the Klein area for 15 years and worked for the McDonald's Corporation for 35 years as a technology manager before retiring last year. After retiring, I realized I had no assets and really wanted to start my own business. I chose Fresh Coat Painting because I enjoy painting and appreciate the existing systems and processes, having previous experience working with both franchisees and franchisors at McDonald's

1851: What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Sandy: Before this, I spent my career in corporate technology management. Franchising made sense to me because I believe it is a great system for creating success by developing systems and processes that can be marketed to others. Being a franchisee allows me to rely on a support system and community, enabling faster problem-solving by connecting with others who have encountered similar issues. I chose franchising to avoid spending time solving problems that the system has already addressed.

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?

Sandy: I always respected the model, having known about franchising for 36 years. Now that I am in it, I want people to know that franchising is a two-edged sword. You need to have a clear definition of what the franchisor does and, more importantly, what they do not do, because a lack of clarity on what is not supported can cause issues later.

1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?

Sandy: Although my first love is cars, I looked at 9 different franchise opportunities before narrowing it down to 2, ultimately selecting Fresh Coat. The primary reasons for choosing this brand were the strong support system, organization, and systematic approach. It was not the cheapest option available, but I found it to be the most organized.

1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth? 

Sandy: Growth is very important for my business, and I plan to open one or two additional locations in the local area within two to three years. I also plan to partner with brands like Sherwin-Williams, help grow contractors, develop people, and beautify the community, one room and one house at a time. I am committed and driven to make this business the best paint company in Klein, Texas, setting the standard for the community

1851: Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?

Sandy: I am very detail-oriented and believe that things should always be done correctly. You can see that in my personal life: I am passionate about cars and have built and customized multiple vehicles, including a 1966 Ford F-100 truck from the frame up, where I literally  painted every panel individually. I cannot bring myself to sell the cars I have built due to the "sweat equity" involved, which has resulted in me owning eight cars today.

1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?

Sandy: Conduct thorough due diligence to be prepared for what is involved, and know that success does not happen immediately. I emphasize the importance of talking to the "average" operator, not just the best performers recommended by the franchisor, to get a realistic perspective. Encourage yourself to drive forward and endure until the end, because franchising will provide a sense of satisfaction and draw out capabilities you did not know you possessed.

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.