Rich Whitaker signed on to open his own Fresh Coat franchise after meeting the brand’s supportive corporate leadership team.

After serving in the U.S. Army for more than 20 years, Rich Whitaker decided he wanted to go into business for himself. But he didn’t want to jump into an opportunity blindly—there were a few conditions that his new venture needed to meet.

For starters, Whitaker knew he wanted to do something that would allow him to stay closer to his home and family in Tennessee after traveling extensively during his time in the military. He also wanted to be a part of a brand that allowed him to give back and be an active member of his local community. When he came across Fresh Coat, the nation’s leading residential painting franchise, he knew he found the perfect fit.

“Right off the bat, it was clear that Fresh Coat’s proven system and business model supported and encouraged growth. I was confident that the opportunity would generate profit and be attractive to potential customers in my community, and I was right,” said Whitaker. “But what separates Fresh Coat from every other franchising opportunity is trust. That’s ultimately why I decided to invest—as I got to know the leadership team, I knew that they would work with me to help my business get better and succeed.”

That commitment to providing unrivaled support is evident across Fresh Coat’s entire franchise system, which is currently made up of more than 120 units across the country. The brand’s leadership and support team are constantly working to ensure that their franchisees—and ultimately customers—are receiving the best possible service.

“I continue to be blown away by how supportive Fresh Coat’s corporate team is. As an owner, seeing their drive to improve the brand and make it more profitable makes me want to work harder as a local business owner,” said Whitaker. “That added effort is then visible to my employees and customers. People respond to businesses that show that they care—things as simple as showing up on time and getting the job done right really do go a long way.”

Fresh Coat’s reputation is unparalleled in the industry among business owners and consumers alike. By relying on painters that are employees rather than subcontractors, the brand ensures that jobs are being carried out by people who understand and support Fresh Coat’s commitment to quality. That high level of service combined with the brand’s tested and proven business model continue to make Fresh Coat the brand to beat not just in the painting industry, but in the franchising industry as a whole.

“At the end of the day, working with franchisees like Rich is what makes Fresh Coat unique. Our network of local owners all share the same heightened level of passion and excitement for the brand that we do on the corporate level, fueling Fresh Coat’s continued growth,” said Tara Riley, President of Fresh Coat. “We look forward to welcoming new franchisees into our system as we continue to expand our reach from coast to coast.”