Fresh Coat

Having sold&nbsp;<a href="http://freshcoatfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=fresh-coat-vp-to-owner-franchise-2730267" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Fresh Coat Painters</a> franchises for over three years,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/leohaley/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=fresh-coat-vp-to-owner-franchise-2730267" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Leo Haley</a> was incredibly fulfilled in his role. However, having watched countless entrepreneurs go from inquiry to successful growth in the franchise system, Leo began to think about how he may be able to secure a similar trajectory for himself.&nbsp;As Vice President of Franchise Development, he had a unique perspective on the opportunity; once he decided he was interested, the process was quick. Now, he has launched his&nbsp;<a href="http://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/info">Fresh Coat</a> franchise in the Pataskala, Ohio area, aiming to provide a family-like culture for team members, and an unmatched quality of service for clients.Leo took the time to chat with 1851 Franchise to discuss all of this and more. Here’s what he had to say:1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What do you want us to know?Leo Haley:&nbsp;I’ve lived in Pataskala for 24 years and have raised my family here. I have a deep involvement in the community, including owning and coaching the PFC Extreme Soccer Club.&nbsp;My business will serve as a platform through which I can serve the community both with great painting services and by reaching out to support youth sports and eating disorder care — two issues close to my heart.&nbsp;I have a very people and community-focused approach, and I aim to replicate the family-like culture of the PFC Extreme within the Fresh Coat business.1851: What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?Leo:&nbsp;I’ve been in sales my entire career. Prior to becoming a Fresh Coat owner, I was the vice president of franchise development for Fresh Coat for about three and a half years. Before that, I spent seven years in commercial construction sales.I had a great income. I was completely satisfied with what my existing position was. I truly enjoyed helping individuals achieve their goals and dreams. At the same time, seeing all of these individuals coming through the system and being successful really led me to think, “This is something that I can do to be successful for myself.”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?Haley:&nbsp;I had a strong understanding of franchising before I became a franchisee, as I walked prospective franchisees through the investment process in my prior role.I think people should know how important it is to work with a thorough, transparent franchisor. When I was selling franchises, I would go through things like the initial investment line-by-line and answer questions and provide context for potential owners. It was important to me that they understood what to expect from the investment and why they were paying these different costs. If a franchisor won’t be honest with you and answer your questions in detail, that’s probably a red flag.1851:&nbsp;What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Haley:&nbsp;I didn’t have to be convinced on Fresh Coat. But the constant flow of new owners, and having those discussions with them about operations, marketing and technology, really piqued my interest.Fresh Coat really has a proven model. Anybody can open a painting business, but opening a business that has the potential to be a large-scale, profitable business requires structure and support. And Fresh Coat owners have that behind them.1851:&nbsp;What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?&nbsp;Haley:&nbsp;I want to come out of the gate strong and be Rookie of the Year next year. I aim to expand in my market and achieve personal freedom and financial independence while offering a unique service that truly can transform the space for people in my community.The opportunity to involve subcontractors, employees, the community and even my kids in the business, in different ways, is very important to me.Another long-term vision is to give back to youth sports and eating disorder support organizations to lift up members of my community.1851:&nbsp;Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?Haley:&nbsp;I really do care about the people and the community. A project isn’t just something for us to make money off of. It’s an opportunity to come into a client’s home and truly take care of them. I feel I’ve built a strong, positive reputation in the community, and I plan to build on that with what we do through Fresh Coat.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;

1851 Franchisee Spotlight with photo of Leo Haley and Fresh Coat Painters logo

From VP to Owner: Fresh Coat Exec Launches Ohio Franchise

1851 Franchise

Inspired by the very owners he supported in their franchise journeys, Leo Haley began considering how he could secure a similar trajectory for himself.

Fresh Coat Painters Vice President of Franchise Development Transitions to Business Ownership With Multi-Territory Deal in Ohio

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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.

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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

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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

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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

Fresh Coat Painters Vice President of Franchise Development Transitions to Business Ownership With Multi-Territory Deal in Ohio

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