In the first quarter of 2026, Fresh Coat Painters awarded eight new franchise agreements and brought its network together for Profit Rodeo 2026, the brand’s annual conference in Nashville. Together, those milestones gave the 190-plus-unit painting franchise a busy start to the year.

“I am so proud of the Fresh Coat system and everyone throughout it for continuing to accelerate in an environment that is pushing many to tap the brakes,” said Lisa Hudson, brand president. “Closing the first quarter with eight new franchise owners joining our system is a clear indicator that the Fresh Coat approach resonates and provides a clear pathway to success for entrepreneurs. This is only bolstered by the incredible cooperation of our owners and support teams, as shown at our National Conference in Nashville. We’re growing the right way, with owners who are committed to excellence for themselves and their peers, and the results are tangible.”

The 2026 Profit Rodeo: Strategies and Workshops for Business Growth

The Profit Rodeo gathered franchise owners, team members and vendor partners for three days of collaboration and celebration. With workshops on topics like “Assembling an A-Team,” project management and managing conflict, Fresh Coat owners developed valuable technical and leadership skills to help them foster excellence and lead their local markets.

Educational sessions were anchored by the core philosophy that profit is not optional. Highlights included a specialized session on commercial painting and the bid-to-build process, along with a keynote address, “Mind Your Business,” from Strategic Franchising CEO Dan Murphy. 

“We’ve consistently focused on how our franchise owners can refine their business strategies as needed to continue to thrive in any economic climate,” Hudson said. “This year, we leaned into the digital demands of the current market and looked at website dashboards and local search rankings to ensure our owners are visible and able to show up as the experts in their areas.”

From workshops to panels, each session at the Profit Rodeo came back to the heart of the event: collaboration and mutual success. Through learning, discussion and connection with fellow owners, Fresh Coat franchisees gained valuable insights to support their success through 2026.

Celebrating Top Performers

The conference culminated with a dinner and awards ceremony, where the Fresh Coat team was able to celebrate over 30 franchise owners for outstanding results in 2025. In addition to financial performance, the awards recognized diverse paths to business ownership, impressive personal and professional growth, and the impact Fresh Coat owners have made as business leaders in their communities.

This year’s recognitions included: 

• Brian Denny, who won multiple awards as a top earner in the system.
• Alex Fonseca, who was named Franchisee of the Year in celebration of a five-year growth journey.
• Leah and Pat Boyle, who received the President’s Award for their dedication to their team and growth milestones.
• Isabel Colera and Diego Berto, who were recognized as Brand Builders for their local marketing discipline and commitment to community service.
• Jeff and Jenn Berry, who received the Rookie of the Year award after recording over strong sales during their first 12 months of operations, driven in large part by their grit and community-focused approach.

“We’re all incredibly proud of this year’s honorees and the standard of excellence they continue to uphold throughout the Fresh Coat system,” Hudson said. “Seeing our owners reach these milestones, whether it’s seasoned owners or a pair of new owners hitting the ground running in their first year, is a testament to the heart of this network. As we grow in numbers, we’re also growing in strength and passion. We’re kicking off the second quarter with great energy, and I’m more excited than ever.”

Fresh Coat enters the rest of 2026 with a productive first quarter behind it. With a focus on local impact and a business model grounded in discipline and personal service, the brand is continuing to grow even as the market shifts.

To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/info.