Fresh Coat

<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-stern-42a77b16?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=multi-unit-two-men-a-truck-franchisee-expands-portfolio-with-fresh-coat-painters-in-chicago-suburbs-2724246" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Brian Stern</a>, the entrepreneur bringing residential and commercial painting franchise&nbsp;<a href="https://freshcoatfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=multi-unit-two-men-a-truck-franchisee-expands-portfolio-with-fresh-coat-painters-in-chicago-suburbs-2724246" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Fresh Coat Painters</a> to Northwest Chicago, is no stranger to the world of franchising. From his beginnings as a frontline mover to becoming a multi-unit franchise owner of that same moving company, Stern's determination and business acumen is impressive. His latest venture, embracing the world of painting with&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat">Fresh Coat Painters</a>, marks another significant milestone in his entrepreneurial journey.Stern's affiliation with franchising has been transformative. Initially managing, then owning, gave him a deep appreciation for the risks and rewards of franchise ownership. His time with&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/twomenandatruck">TWO MEN &amp; A TRUCK®</a> not only honed his business skills but also fueled his ambition to venture into new arenas. Fresh Coat Painters, with its low overhead, attractive margins and resonant core values, emerged as&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/5-reasons-to-buy-fresh-coat-franchise-in-2023-2721635">the perfect fit</a>.&nbsp;Stern, a resident and active community member of Vernon Hills, emphasizes the importance of community involvement and giving back — principles that are integral to his business philosophy. Now, Stern hopes to leverage his existing relationships with homeowners, friends and family in the community to grow his Fresh Coat franchise, which is set to open in November 2023.&nbsp;1851 Franchise caught up with Stern to learn more about his background, his journey to Fresh Coat and his plans for the future.&nbsp;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?Stern:&nbsp;I have been with&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/twomenandatruck/july-franchisee-feature-brian-stern-and-the-boston-ma-franchise-5184">TWO MEN &amp; A TRUCK</a> for about 18 years. During this time, I've experienced nearly every role, starting as a frontline mover and eventually working my way up to becoming a multi-unit franchisee of eight locations. In an effort to diversify our portfolio along with our business partners, we sought to integrate a new venture that complemented the moving business. We were looking for an opportunity that shared a similar customer model, had low overhead and offered good margins, which naturally led us to explore the painting industry.&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?Stern: I have always embraced ownership in every aspect of what I managed. Becoming an actual owner presented an opportunity for me to directly reap the benefits and equity of the business I was acquiring. The primary difference in this transition was the increased level of risk involved. I have always harbored ambitions of owning my own business, and TWO MEN &amp; A TRUCK provided an excellent pathway, offering guidance, knowledge and support necessary for becoming a successful business owner. This experience has been instrumental in leading me to where I am today, ready to expand my portfolio and delve into new industries and business models.1851:&nbsp;What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Stern: Fresh Coat's business model and their core values particularly resonated with us. We felt that we aligned well with what they were seeking in a franchisee, especially at a time when they are focused on growth and scaling. This alignment is something we are quite adept at handling, and it ultimately guided our decision to join Fresh Coat.&nbsp;TWO MEN &amp; A TRUCK is a home service-based company that just happens to move furniture. We go into people’s homes, we solve a problem, we build teams, we learn a trade, etc. All of the same skills apply to Fresh Coat, we are just painting instead of moving.&nbsp;1851:&nbsp;What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?&nbsp;Stern: Our primary goal for the first year is to focus on building, training and maintaining a robust frontline staff, while simultaneously growing and recruiting a strong leadership team. We place a high emphasis on identifying individuals who are not only strong from an operational standpoint but also deeply invested in fostering community relationships and contributing back to the community — values that are extremely important to us.Expanding our portfolio offers the distinct advantage of working with similar customer models and vendor needs. Many aspects of the business are relatable and familiar. This similarity allows us to build on the existing relationships we have, which are integral to developing our Fresh Coat platform. These connections are not just beneficial for building the business but are also crucial in supporting it long-term.1851:&nbsp;What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?Stern:&nbsp;I am not just an investor. I live in Vernon Hills. I am a local. My family is a very big part of the community. Being involved, giving back — these are passions that drove us to Fresh Coat. We have an opportunity to open another business model and provide another great service to customers, friends and family.&nbsp;1851:&nbsp;What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?Stern:&nbsp;If you are looking for a good business model or something that is going to help you scale, Fresh Coat is a great choice. In terms of general advice, it is important to invest in something you really care about. It is a lot of work, so you need to have that passion. But remember that there will be a lot of people around you to support your efforts. Never be afraid to reach out and speak to a professional. They will get you through any challenges.&nbsp;For more information on franchising with Fresh Coat Painters, visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/info">https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/info</a>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 170 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;

Multi-Unit TWO MEN & A TRUCK® Franchisee Expands Portfolio with Fresh Coat Painters in Chicago Suburbs

1851 Franchise

As he embarks on this new journey with Fresh Coat Painters, Brian Stern stands as a prime example of how diversification can pave the way for entrepreneurial success.

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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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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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

Multi-Unit TWO MEN & A TRUCK® Franchisee Expands Portfolio with Fresh Coat Painters in Chicago Suburbs

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