Fresh Coat

Last year,&nbsp;<a href="https://freshcoatfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-fresh-coats-40000-donation-to-friends-of-the-troops-has-supported-military-families-2721939" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Fresh Coat Painters</a> franchise owner&nbsp;and military veteran&nbsp;<a href="https://www.chattanoogan.com/2020/9/2/414590/Cameron-Lee-Expands-Fresh-Coat-Painters.aspx?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-fresh-coats-40000-donation-to-friends-of-the-troops-has-supported-military-families-2721939" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Cameron Lee</a> earned back a large percentage of his franchise fee as part of the brand’s<a href="https://1851franchise.com/strategicfranchising/meet-strategic-franchisings-winners-circle-the-first-program-of-its-kind-2719156">&nbsp;Winner’s Circle Program</a>, which rewards hard-working franchise owners that hit predefined milestones by refunding their entire franchise fee over time. Lee decided to donate that $20,000 to the veteran-focused non-profit organization&nbsp;<a href="https://www.friendsofthetroops.org/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-fresh-coats-40000-donation-to-friends-of-the-troops-has-supported-military-families-2721939" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Friends of the Troops</a> and the Fresh Coat corporate team decided to match the donation, bringing it to a total of $40,000. In the few months since then, that charitable donation has gone a long way in supporting military families.&nbsp;“I knew I could give the money to our nation’s heroes who really need it,” Lee said. “The most important thing to me is giving back, and we try to help veterans organizations in every way we can each year.”Friends of the Troops is a 501c3 nonprofit organization established to help members of the United States Armed forces who, for any reason, slip through the cracks of other organizations. The nonprofit is led entirely by volunteers who are committed to honoring, aiding and encouraging Veterans and members of every branch of the United States military.“This Christmas, thanks to the Fresh Coat donation, we sent hundreds of stocking and care packages to troops overseas, as well as to some service members here in the U.S. who were at military bases or posts,” said Friends of the Troops Founder and CEO&nbsp;<a href="https://www.friendsofthetroops.org/leadership?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-fresh-coats-40000-donation-to-friends-of-the-troops-has-supported-military-families-2721939" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Jessica Duke</a>. “We just wanted to send a thank you for their service around the holidays.”&nbsp;The donated money was also used to help military families in need. “Every family that we helped this year had a member who was currently serving our country, either on active duty, or as a reserves or national guard,” said Duke. “A lot of people don’t realize that there isn’t a military program out there that is created to support military families in need. We helped in as many areas as we could.”&nbsp;So, what did that help look like?“This Christmas, we really wanted to make an impact and help give service members some relief,” said Duke. “We approached the holiday program with quality over quantity. We reached out to each family individually to ask what would be the most helpful this holiday season. Most people asked for groceries, formula, diapers. We were able to help with all of those things thanks to this donation.”&nbsp;<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/gKSutMBJb-vIUcDMIW2IQpqdsrLWyK45chsaPZpwUb5muJE-MvFMzSLt6_pFnHkr9z3GX8dpvWKWklpAiIAoMTY1uyvJt00V_j1ANuDQjmRz6ROBEHM1sG4erFdz4LEv34fKMoIPY2nEemtHGSQ7P54">Duke says Friends of the Troops donated bicycles, learning and educational toys, scooters, baby formula, grocery gift cards, car seats, books — anything the family needed.&nbsp;“We bought a stroller so one family could bring a baby home from the hospital,” said Duke. “Another family couldn’t afford a crib and they were intending to sleep with the infant in the bed with them, so we bought them a bissonnette. It was all about giving these families a breather so they could have a nice Christmas.”&nbsp;<img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/E-jLs64CPli1Yu7j7bhT4LpGtxNphcw8ja5AY20hN2pG_5NADVZc1Np8DZWAIyyQB5IVT4y5OWeEetkVVH6Y7YedeBuZRPKZMDCzaUW36hSqJAOvPznVhZ1gv5QGs9BMtgGdfslKGPrX1zMeLwcqlbQ">One family member wrote in a&nbsp;<a href="https://greatnonprofits.org/org/friends-of-the-troops?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-fresh-coats-40000-donation-to-friends-of-the-troops-has-supported-military-families-2721939" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">review</a>: “Friends of the Troops has been a true blessing for my kids and I. I've been crying in secret tears of worry for the last three months but was finally able to pour out tears of comfort and joy today. I can't stress my appreciation enough for what has been done for my family.”<img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/LAtxxzmf7__GHuyaFE3-RLNC-oxgMo6KWgePcJ8u77KQQ7Oa86xVIOoRLNNAAd7Pb3h9NqXrcN1Mah587fZPUJFmewy03oIme1Ps9bEVvVAd9IzW5cRu8xns2nLLRwijgIhblibwCufqgXecQsMveC8">Overall, Friends of the Troops utilized the Fresh Coat donation to support over 30 military families in six states throughout the southern U.S. this holiday season.“It was such an amazing experience seeing local volunteers, donors and people coming together to support these heroes,” said Duke. “There was not a dry eye in the room. With every person we helped, you could really see that joy and relief. We are very thankful for the generosity of Fresh Coat Painters and the experience we’ve been able to provide to these families.”The total investment required to start a Fresh Coat franchise ranges from $53,850 to $76,750, including the $44,900 franchise fee. For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://freshcoatfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-fresh-coats-40000-donation-to-friends-of-the-troops-has-supported-military-families-2721939" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://freshcoatfranchise.com/</a>.

How Fresh Coat's $40,000 Donation to Friends of the Troops Has Supported Military Families

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This past holiday season, the non-profit organization utilized Fresh Coat’s donation to provide families in need with groceries, formula, diapers, toys, books and more.

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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

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1851 Franchise Marketing Leaders: Katie Schoessel, Fresh Coat Painters

Top Franchise Marketing Leaders: Katie Schoessel — Vice President of Marketing, Fresh Coat Painters

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

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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.

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

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How Fresh Coat's $40,000 Donation to Friends of the Troops Has Supported Military Families

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