Fresh Coat

After 25 years in the logistics industry,&nbsp;<a href="https://freshcoatpainters.com/locations/longmont/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=from-fedex-to-fresh-coat-why-this-former-logistics-operator-is-opening-a-painting-business-in-his-community-of-shrewsbury-massachusetts-2722643" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Tim Stanley</a> was ready for a change. The fast-paced, high-stress environment of managing close to 30 trucks a day for FedEx Ground as an owner-operator had taken its toll, and he began searching for a new opportunity. With about 15 years left before retirement, Stanley decided to explore the more flexible painting industry, and soon discovered the&nbsp;<a href="https://freshcoatfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=from-fedex-to-fresh-coat-why-this-former-logistics-operator-is-opening-a-painting-business-in-his-community-of-shrewsbury-massachusetts-2722643" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Fresh Coat Painters&nbsp;</a>franchise. Now, Stanley is excited to bring the&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat">Fresh Coat</a> brand to his community of Shrewsbury and is eager to expand the business throughout the area.&nbsp;Stanley, who has always been self-employed, recognized that a franchise could help him overcome the learning curve of entering a new industry. After researching various franchise concepts and putting in an inquiry with Fresh Coat Painters, Stanley was immediately drawn to the company due to their enthusiasm, support and training. He knew that this partnership would provide him with the knowledge and resources he needed to succeed in the painting industry.Since opening earlier this year, Stanley has found that the painting industry offers a much more relaxed pace compared to logistics, allowing him to take control of his own destiny. As he embarks on this new chapter of his career with Fresh Coat Painters, he is filled with excitement and optimism for the future. Leveraging the support and partnership of the franchise, he is determined to make his mark on the New England market and help other franchisees do the same.1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us.&nbsp;What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?Tim Stanley:&nbsp;About 25 years ago, I started a contract with FedEx Ground as an owner-operator. It was still a pretty small logistic company at that point and wasn’t at the massive scale it is today. That has been the majority of my career.&nbsp;By the end, during the pandemic, I was running close to 30 trucks a day. It was a very challenging position, and I decided I needed a change. I have about 15 years before retirement, and I wanted something that wasn’t so stressful.&nbsp;So, after giving it some thought, I determined the painting industry could be a great option. The pace of the painting industry allows you to breathe and you have more control over your own business and destiny. But since I didn’t know much about the industry, I knew I needed a franchisor behind me. I started researching franchise concepts and eventually came across Fresh Coat Painters.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?Stanley:&nbsp;When you come up with a plan to change career paths or start a business, you get to a point where you need to ask yourself how quickly you will be able to get it started. I’ve been self-employed my entire career, and I knew that if I did it on my own, it would take a lot of time. Franchising helps you out with the learning curve, which makes the process much faster.&nbsp;&nbsp;1851:&nbsp;What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Stanley: It was all about the conversation I had with the leadership team. Their enthusiasm about where the brand was going, as well as the support and training that they offered, was very exciting.&nbsp;I remember I had a conversation with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/tararileymba?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=from-fedex-to-fresh-coat-why-this-former-logistics-operator-is-opening-a-painting-business-in-his-community-of-shrewsbury-massachusetts-2722643" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">president Tara Riley</a> where she told me: “It takes a partnership to make this work.” That really stuck with me because she is exactly right. The brand can’t succeed unless I — and all other franchise owners — are succeeding in our local markets.&nbsp;They bring the knowledge and we bring the driving force.&nbsp;1851:&nbsp;What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?&nbsp;Stanley: My main goal is to monopolize the New England market. Fresh Coat doesn’t have much of a market force here yet. I want to bring that to the table. As Fresh Coat grows and more owners come in, I also want to share my knowledge with them and put down the groundwork to grow the market share as big as we can.&nbsp;1851:&nbsp;What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?Stanley: Anytime that you go into business for yourself, there is a risk involved. Being a franchisee does not take away that risk, but it does give you an opportunity to access more information and know-how. You don’t need to learn through trial by fire. I have people I can call if I get stuck. If I were to do it on my own, the risk is the same, but I don’t have anyone to call. If you want to build a brand, doing it on your own is going to require a much longer learning curve.&nbsp;Also, a lot of the smaller painting companies hit a cap on how big they can grow because there are only so many hours in the day. But franchises like Fresh Coat teach you how to scale beyond that point and take the business to the next level.&nbsp;

From FedEx to Fresh Coat: Why This Former Logistics Operator Is Opening a Painting Business in His Community of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts

1851 Franchise

Tired of the high-stress environment of the logistics industry, Tim Stanley has taken control of his own destiny and built a lifestyle that works for him by franchising with Fresh Coat Painters. 

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

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Multigenerational Contractor Seph Duggan Launches Fresh Coat Painters of Lakeland, Florida

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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

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After a combined 27 years in food service distribution, Betsy and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-carleton-aa913236/">Alan Carleton</a> were familiar with the corporate scene, but the appeal of the corporate ladder was fading. The pair had become experts at navigating the demands of fast-paced, high-stakes work, but organizational shifts left them underwhelmed.“It got to the point where we got tired of the scene,” Alan said. “New owners would come in, buy our divisions out, and promise us the world. We all know how that goes.”This frustration became the catalyst for a life-changing pivot to&nbsp;<a href="http://freshcoatfranchise.com">Fresh Coat Painters</a>, the national painting franchise with over 190 units across the country. The Carletons found&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/info">Fresh Coat</a> “by accident,” but years later, the investment has turned into both a successful business and a family legacy defined by flexibility and partnership, providing a “safety net” and security that corporate life couldn’t.<h2>A Partnership Driven by Complementary Skill Sets</h2>The transition from employees to business owners required the Carletons to take a careful look at their individual strengths. Alan, a career salesman, knew he wouldn’t do well stuck behind a desk. Betsy, however, had spent her career as a food service coordinator, mastering the logistics and data that keep a business running smoothly — all from behind a desk.While Betsy originally stayed in the corporate world for benefits and stability, as the business grew, the two began to realize how her skills would benefit Fresh Coat.“His strength is my weakness, and my weakness is his strength,” Betsy said. “I take care of all the back-end books, the scheduling, the P&amp;Ls … All the things he’s not great at. He takes care of everything on the outside: operations, managing crews and taking care of customers.”With Alan’s “sell-anything” mindset, he knew he would need Betsy’s analytical eye to ensure the business would run smoothly.“I would go sell, sell, sell, but I didn’t pay much attention to the back end,” he said. “That’s when we decided Betsy would leave her position and take a leap of faith to work as a partnership.”<h2>The ‘Corporate’ Support Without a Fully Corporate Model</h2>While the Carletons knew they would work well together, they still had some apprehension about the transition from the corporate world to business ownership. For some first-time business owners, the lack of a roadmap can be detrimental. Fresh Coat offered structure through the franchise model without the bureaucracy the Carletons were looking to leave behind.“When Alan decided to do this, it was a really struggling economy,” Betsy said. “He researched and researched, and he just kept going back to Fresh Coat because it had more support. It had structure. With us never owning a company before, it was that safety net for us, and we really caught on to it.”As they’ve grown over the course of 12 years, the Carletons have consistently engaged with the support structures Fresh Coat offers. For example, in High Performance Groups, the Carletons engage with their fellow franchisees, talk through challenges and exchange ideas.“You have the best of both worlds,” Betsy said. “You’re self-employed, but you still have that accountability. Fresh Coat has your back.”<h2>A Family Affair and Legacy of Success</h2>The freedom and flexibility that define the Carletons’ success have to do with time and financial freedom, but the pair is also proud to be building a business alongside people they trust. Fresh Coat has been the backdrop to their family life for over a decade.Their son,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-carleton-4aa88ab9/">Josh</a>, has been a part of the journey since the very beginning. When Alan and Betsy launched Fresh Coat, Josh was in high school, and he was able to join the team through a work-study program. With this, he worked alongside painting teams to learn the trade, and he began to understand the craftsmanship and attention to detail necessary to deliver Fresh Coat-level quality. Now, he has grown into the role of project manager and represents the future of the family business.The family atmosphere in&nbsp;<a href="https://freshcoatpainters.com/locations/buford/">Fresh Coat Painters of Buford</a> extends beyond blood relatives to long-standing professional relationships and community members. For example, Alan’s former manager from the corporate world joined the family franchise nearly a decade ago, and he’s now the sales manager.“Our sales manager used to be my sales manager in corporate America,” Alan said. “He hired me, and now he works for us. He’s been with us for about nine years, and we just let him do his thing because he’s like family. So, when I say it’s a family affair, I mean it’s a family affair. He’s a very big part of this.”By bringing people who share their values and work ethic into the fold, the Carletons have created a business culture and environment that feels truly personal. This level of trust allows Alan and Betsy to take a step back from the day-to-day grind of the business and rest assured that the operation they’ve built is in good hands.This structure has both fueled growth and provided emotional fulfillment that was missing in the corporate world, turning a business venture into a long-lasting legacy.“It has been a great ride,” Alan said. “It has given us a lifestyle that we were never able to have before. You have some ups and you have some downs, but overall, it’s been the best decision we’ve ever made.”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;

Photo of Alan and Betsy Carleton, Fresh Coat Painters logo

How This Family Left the Corporate World to Find Freedom and Flexibility With a Fresh Coat Franchise

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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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Photo of Fresh Coat team member painting window

How Fresh Coat Painters Franchisees Build Their Teams and Scale Their Businesses

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<a href="https://freshcoatfranchise.com/">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/">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>.

From FedEx to Fresh Coat: Why This Former Logistics Operator Is Opening a Painting Business in His Community of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts

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