Fresh Coat

After nearly three decades behind the wheel and years in the corporate world, Ken and Angela Thompson were ready for a new chapter — one that would let them build generational wealth, tap into their entrepreneurial spirit and make a real impact in their community. The husband-and-wife duo recently launched&nbsp;<a href="https://freshcoatfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=from-trucking-to-transformations-houston-couple-brings-fresh-coat-to-iowa-colony-2729536" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Fresh Coat Painters</a> of Iowa Colony, serving the greater Houston area and bringing professionalism, integrity and an experienced support system to a booming local market. With a deep understanding of what it takes to run a business and a desire to create something lasting for their five children, the Thompsons are ready to roll up their sleeves and paint a brighter future — one wall at a time.1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What do you want us to know?Ken Thompson: Before&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/info">Fresh Coat</a>, I was a truck driver for 28 years. I also coached high school football for 10 years and basketball for 20 years. I even owned a cleaning business for nine years — so I’ve always been about building connections and delivering a service people can rely on. We relocated from Michigan to Houston two years ago, and now we’re excited to plant roots and grow something meaningful with Fresh Coat.Angela Thompson: I’ve spent years in corporate America, including working in franchise administration. I’m now helping Ken full-time and excited to apply my master’s degree in management and leadership to running the backend of our business. We have five children — four boys and one daughter, ages 14 to 32 — and we’re building a legacy for them through this business.1851: What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?Ken: Angela’s background really helped. She’s worked with franchises before, so she understood how the system works. I was exploring Amazon logistics businesses because of my 28 years in that field, but Fresh Coat offered a plug-and-play system that felt like a better fit.Angela: We were looking for a home-based, service-based business that served a need in the community. Fresh Coat checked all the boxes.&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?Angela: Franchising is a great way to get into business — it cuts the learning curve significantly. Yes, there are fees, but the value is there. You get access to partnerships like Sherwin-Williams and backend systems that would take years to build on your own.Ken: The support is everything. You’re not starting from scratch — you have proven guidelines, systems and resources. Those franchise fees pay for themselves when you see what’s included.1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Angela: Fresh Coat is affordable, and the leadership team is experienced and supportive. It’s a well-established brand — especially here in Texas — and it’s still growing.Ken: Brand recognition was a big factor. Fresh Coat has been around a long time in Texas, and the ongoing support — like weekly meetings — really shows they’re invested in your success.1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?Ken: I want us to grow and expand and be a trusted name in the community. I want people to know they can count on us for excellent service.Angela: I’m focused on building local partnerships and becoming a go-to resource in the area. We want to establish strong referral relationships and make our presence known.1851: Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?Angela:&nbsp;We’re building this business as a legacy for our family. With five children ranging in age from 14 to 32, we want this to be something they can grow with and maybe even take over one day. It’s about creating generational wealth and opportunities.1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?Ken: Talk to someone who understands franchising. It’s a great way to be your own boss without doing it alone. What you put into it is what you’ll get out. Learn everything you can, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Franchising opens doors you didn’t even know existed — and if you take it seriously, it can really change your life.About Fresh Coat PaintersFresh 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;

From Trucking to Transformations: Houston Couple Brings Fresh Coat to Iowa Colony

Houston Couple Launches Fresh Coat Franchise to Build Family Legacy

1851 Franchise

After decades in logistics and corporate America, Ken and Angela Thompson turn their passion for community and entrepreneurship into a new career with Fresh Coat Painters.

from-trucking-to-transformations-houston-couple-brings-fresh-coat-to-iowa-colony

FRANCHISE INFORMATION

Own a Fresh Coat

Fresh Coat's National Accounts Program

Sherwin Willams Partnership

Learn

Visit Website

FRESH COAT

Facebook

LinkedIn

Instagram

YouTube

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

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

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

FRESH COAT MOST READ STORIES

1851 LOGIN

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

ABOUT FRESH COAT

CONTACT FRESH COAT

facebook

instagram

linkedin

youtube

First Name

Last Name

Email

Phone

City Of Interest

State Of Interest

Do you have over $50k to invest in your business?

Own a Fresh Coat Franchise

For&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/fonsecaapr">Alex Fonseca</a>, owner of&nbsp;<a href="http://freshcoatfranchise.com">Fresh Coat Painters</a> of Muskegon, building a high-performing team has been crucial to business growth. As he has expanded, Fonseca has consistently focused on his team’s role in the business's broader trajectory, emphasizing culture and demeanor as well as more technical requirements such as accuracy and efficiency.“We get many of our customers through word of mouth,” he said. “So a customer being happy and telling their neighbors about us and our results… The painters who deliver that result are probably the most important people on our team.”<h2>Quality and Care as the Foundation</h2>What makes a “good team member,” for Fonseca, may be a bit more nuanced than expected.“Obviously, a very basic level would be someone coming in below the budget that we have for a project and being productive and efficient,” he said. “But for us, it’s just people who, when they show up, have a good presence about them.”In the home services space, a team's attitude is especially important, as they’re working in customers’ homes and often making significant changes to their biggest investment. Building teams that both make customers feel at ease and meet the quality expectations set for them lays a healthy foundation for Fonseca to further develop technically proficient painters.Shifting the definition of success from just speed and industry knowledge to a level of care, ability to build customer rapport, and potential for long-term value can be quite beneficial for the business.“Sometimes I would rather have a slightly slower painter who does a good job,” he said. “Customers are happy with that person and write reviews for them, and we’re going to get more jobs from those over time.”<h2>The Practical Approach To Building These Teams</h2>Since establishing these expectations, Fonseca has worked to develop a clear, actionable hiring and team development process. First and foremost, he focuses intently on hiring the right people, not just anyone who can do the job.“My initial thought was to hire people who have a lot of experience, but that’s when I realized that just because someone is a good painter doesn’t mean they’re a good person,” he said. “It’s really tough to teach someone how to be polite and mind their manners when they’re in someone’s home. We’ve been successful at hiring people based on their personalities and training them in the painting skills.”Fonseca doesn’t ignore the painting skills required to succeed as a part of the team by any means. He uses the resources available to him through the Painting Contractors Association and&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/info">Fresh Coat</a> franchise system.“We’re a part of the PCA, and they put out a lot of material on how to train painters,” he said. “Fresh Coat also put together a painter advancement system. So we can place people in different categories based on their levels of expertise, and it shows them the skills they need to level up.”These tools allow Fonseca to hire and train effectively while also setting the stage for talent retention and increased profitability. As painters continue to learn and develop their skills, they can take on more complex, higher-paying jobs, boosting their earning potential and increasing revenue for the franchise.<h2>A Person-First Staffing Approach and Long-Term Vision</h2>As the scaffolding he has provided within his business supports the professional growth of his teams, Fonseca has also worked diligently to build and maintain a team that truly supports each other, collaborates naturally and celebrates one another’s wins.“Instead of seeing anything as a competition, we try to evaluate who is really great at something and pair them with someone else who is trying to develop that same skill,” he said. “Our painters are really open to giving each other feedback on the work that they do, and it comes from a place of love. They’re approaching it saying, ‘Hey, let me try to help you out.’”In addition to supporting painters’ professional development and advancement, Fonseca and his teams also celebrate one another’s personal successes.“I want my painters to enjoy their work, but I understand that they’re here to make money and support their families,” he said. “Understanding how work can be rewarding but also helps them meet their own personal goals encourages us to celebrate their wins outside of just work, too.”Over time, Fonseca has carefully and intentionally built a team that not only works well together but also brings the soft and technical skills that propel the business forward. Often, this requires a more disciplined approach and a true investment in team building rather than taking a “just hiring” approach, but the results are always worth the effort.“I’m willing to take longer to hire the right person rather than rushing to hire a bunch of people then realizing they’re not the right fit,” he said. “It’s important to try to envision, five years from now, what you want your company to look like. Who are the types of employees you want to have? And be intentional about hiring, supporting and developing those people now.”To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/info">https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/info</a>.&nbsp;

Fresh Coat Painters franchise owner Alex Fonseca and President Lisa Hudson

Focusing on soft skills and professional development pathways as much as he emphasizes technical skill, Alex Fonseca has built and retained a thriving team of painters who power his business.

Inside a High-Performance Fresh Coat Franchise: How This Owner Built a Team To Scale

franchise-team-building

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

fresh-coat-painters-franchise-ken-sandy-spring-tx

Photo of Fresh Coat Painters team member working on ladder

Keys to Team Retention for Fresh Coat Painters Franchisees

team-retention-strategies

1851 Franchisee Spotlight graphic with photo of James Burkhart and Fresh Coat Painters

Painting a New Life: Why This Seasoned Management Leader Walked Away From the Oil Industry to Scale a Fresh Coat Painters Franchise

fresh-coat-painters-bastrop-james-burkhart

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

From Trucking to Transformations: Houston Couple Brings Fresh Coat to Iowa Colony

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS