Fresh Coat

When&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-denny-14a37422?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-this-fresh-coat-painters-franchisee-found-his-ideal-work-life-balance-2724063" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Brian Denny</a>, the&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat">Fresh Coat Painters</a> franchisee in Dayton, Ohio, originally signed on with the residential and commercial painting brand in 2017, his goal was clear: take back more of his time.&nbsp;Before joining&nbsp;<a href="https://freshcoatfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-this-fresh-coat-painters-franchisee-found-his-ideal-work-life-balance-2724063" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Fresh Coat Painters</a>, the painting franchise with over 170 units, Denny's journey began in the retail sector, working long hours and weekends for larger companies. However, a stint with a competitor paint franchise changed his perspective.&nbsp;“I originally learned about the painting business in a commercial sales role,” said Denny. “It had never really crossed my mind to be a business owner. I had always worked for bigger retail companies, but working for a small business and knowing the owner personally, I saw the lifestyle, the flexibility and the rewards that came with being an entrepreneur.”&nbsp;Thinking about his own future, Denny says he saw the possibility of building a business up to the point where it could run efficiently without him. “It's kind of exciting to build something and grow it on your own,” he said.&nbsp;When the time came to start looking for a franchise venture of his own,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/what-makes-fresh-coat-painters-stand-out-in-the-painting-category-2721636#franchisor">Fresh Coat Painters stood out</a> right away. "I really liked the&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/how-much-does-it-cost-to-open-a-fresh-coat-painters-franchise-2723343#industry">Fresh Coat model</a> — the structure, the organization and the support," Denny said.Denny officially opened his&nbsp;<a href="https://freshcoat.wpengine.com/locations/south-dayton/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-this-fresh-coat-painters-franchisee-found-his-ideal-work-life-balance-2724063" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Fresh Coat Painters of South Dayton</a> in 2017. Since then, he has grown the business to include two territories that cover over 15 cities in the area.&nbsp;So, what does a typical day look like for Denny?&nbsp;After waking up to get the kids off to school, he says he leaves the house around 8:30 AM to head to the office. “On Mondays, we start a lot of jobs, so we’ll meet the crews there to walk the job and make sure they are set up for success," he said. “We do that for the first couple of hours. After that, we’ll have a few estimates. I currently have two estimators that work for me, so that doesn’t take up as much of my time as it used to.”From there, Denny says a significant portion of his week revolves around working alongside the salesperson, guiding customers through the sales process, managing scheduling, handling invoicing and ensuring customer satisfaction.“I basically bounce back and forth on the sales and administration side,” Denny said.In terms of his role as a leader, Denny is involved in overseeing the management team and all non-painters. “We have a good team in place to help with hiring and staffing,” he said. “Our crews are generally screened and hired by the production manager. We don’t have to fill those management roles too often. I am really just a fly on the wall.”Big picture, Denny says he also spends a lot of time focused on scalability. "We have weekly, monthly and yearly goals with the whole team,” he said. “Most of it comes down to production and capacity.”Marketing is another&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/5-reasons-to-buy-fresh-coat-franchise-in-2023-2721635">crucial aspect</a> of Denny's operations. With assistance from the corporate team and a third-party company, most of his marketing needs, from Google AdWords to social media posts, are outsourced to professionals.In terms of his day-to-day life, Denny says that the support he has received from the Fresh Coat corporate team has been robust without being intrusive.&nbsp;“They are there when we need them, which is great, but as long as you are happy and doing a good job, they don’t really bother you,” said Denny. “If we do need them, they are always quick to respond.”Denny wraps up most of his days by 5:30 PM. Considering his original goal was to spend more time with his family, Denny says this reliable schedule and work-life balance has been a key benefit of franchising with the Fresh Coat brand.&nbsp;“I have small kids at home, so I feel very fortunate that I can stick to a pretty strict 40-hour work week,” said Denny. “Very rarely do I have to work weekends and nights anymore. The schedule is similar to a normal job, but maintaining that entrepreneurial lifestyle is a constant focus of mine — I bought a business, not a job. I am constantly working towards making sure the business can run seamlessly without me. Fresh Coat allows me to achieve that lifestyle.”The total investment required to start a Fresh Coat franchise ranges from $66,150 to $96,250. To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit<a href="https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/info"> https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/info</a>

How This Fresh Coat Painters Franchisee Found His Ideal Work-Life Balance

1851 Franchise

Tired of working long hours and weekends, first-time entrepreneur Brian Denny invested in the residential and commercial painting franchise to spend more time with his family. 

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

how-this-fresh-coat-painters-franchisee-found-his-ideal-work-life-balance

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

How This Fresh Coat Painters Franchisee Found His Ideal Work-Life Balance

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS