1851

When Gerald Thompson needed a place to land after a 21-year stint in the U.S. Air Force, he set his sights on a franchise deal with <a href="https://www.premiumservicebrands.com/handyman-pro/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=handyman-pro-takes-off-in-kansas-city-missouri-with-us-air-force-veteran-at-the-helm-2714553" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Handyman Pro</a>, a budding home services franchise with six locations across the country.&nbsp;Handyman Pro, a brand under the Premium Service Brands umbrella offers top-quality maintenance and repairs around the home with skilled technicians and a customer-friendly platform.&nbsp;For Thompson, who eventually moved on to the Air Force reserves, splitting his time between duty and work as a maintenance supervisor, the franchising agreement seemed a natural fit. But to find the right brand, he needed help.&nbsp;“My wife and I had talked about owning our own business several times. I’d told her years ago that for me to entertain owning a business, it would need to be on the franchising side. Whether it's Starbucks, or McDonald’s, franchises work because of the training and systems already in place. There’s a system there you believe in and you follow it to success. That was what intrigued me,” he said.So while Thompson and his family liked the idea of franchising, they didn’t know where to start. Then one day he received a call from a franchising coach out of the blue, and life hasn’t been the same since.“The franchising coach took his time and really felt out what kind of personality I had and what my background was. He was thorough. He knew way more than just Starbucks or McDonalds and introduced me to the deeper world of franchising,” he said. “He figured out what kind of customers that I’d feel comfortable with and be successful.”Thompson, like many entrepreneurs, had a wide skill set and plenty of experience. With the dedication and perseverance he showed while serving his country, he’d likely excel in a number of industries, but the franchising coach helped him decide on a business that fit him exactly.&nbsp;It turned out that Thompson was a hot commodity in the home services franchising industry. He attended four discovery days at four different franchises, and they all wanted him to sign on.&nbsp;“Where do I feel the best fit?” he asked himself. “What makes me feel like I can be myself and be successful?”The coach helped Thompson figure out that home services was the right industry for him. But then his advice drilled deeper. “He narrowed it down to three or four different companies that would fit not only my personality but my desired lifestyle. All the companies that were presented were pretty good, but Handyman Pro stood out,” he said.&nbsp;Even though Thompson never worked as a contractor or professional home repair man, the corporate team at Handyman Pro saw his capability and potential to thrive.“I was just overwhelmed by how well I fit in at Handyman. It isn’t like I’m jumping into an industry I’ve never seen before in my life,” he said. “I can talk the talk and walk the walk.”“My background isn’t entirely in home repairs, but I’ve owned properties and done stuff around the house,” he said. After careful consideration, and a lot of prayer, he made his choice.&nbsp;Ultimately, Thompson picked Handyman Pro because of the support provided by Premium Services Brands. A franchise coach brought him into this business and understood his needs. Now the experts at Premium Service Brands would help guide him through the next phase in his journey.&nbsp;“One of the big things that jumped out at me is that Handyman has a coach meet me every week to sit down on Zoom and go over the numbers,” he said. “We go over anything that’s happened that week. It’s not always about the numbers, sometimes it's about recruiting or maybe an issue with bookkeeping, it can be anything. It’s helped me a lot. That’s what I was looking for when I got into franchising. I welcome someone looking over my shoulder and challenging me.”Since signing on in 2019, Thompson’s said his business has survived the COVID pandemic and the repair industry’s normal winter downturn, thanks in large part to his corporate support.&nbsp;“If I have something come up, I don’t have to wait until my session with the coach,” he said. “I can send him a text or call him, and if he’s available he’ll help me as much as he can.”The average Handyman Pro investment ranges from $99,125 - $139,500. For more information, visit: https://www.premiumservicebrands.com/handyman-pro/

Handyman Pro Takes Off In Kansas City, Missouri With U.S. Air Force Veteran At the Helm

1851 Franchise

When Gerald Thompson left the U.S. Air Force, he landed a franchise deal with Handyman Pro where corporate leadership helped him hammer out the path to business success.


handyman-pro-takes-off-in-kansas-city-missouri-with-us-air-force-veteran-at-the-helm

Senior Care Authority

Senior Care Authority Midyear Momentum 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Senior Care Authority Accelerates Franchise Support and National Growth in First Half of 2025

senior-care-authority-franchise-midyear-2025

Children's Lighthouse

How This IT Architect Became a Successful Children’s Lighthouse Franchisee

childrens-lighthouse-franchise-san-antonio-justin-leggett

Busy Bee Jumpers

Busy Bee Jumpers Buzzes into Franchising: Three New Franchisees Signed in First 30 Days

busy-bee-jumpers-buzzes-into-franchising-three-new-franchisees-signed-in-first-30-days

Fitness Premier

Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs Reports Strong Midyear Momentum 

Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs Reports Strong Midyear Momentum with Revenue Gains, Record Membership, and Strategic Expansion

fitness-premier-mid-year-growth-2025

Woodhouse Spas

image of a woodhouse spa franchise buildings exterior 

Woodhouse Spas Continues Strong Momentum With Double-Digit Growth in Q2

woodhouse-spas-q2-2025-growth-expansion

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Mega Franchisee Sizzling Platter Acquired by Bain Capital

mega-franchisee-sizzling-platter-acquired-by-bain-capital

Wendy's CEO Kirk Tanner Steps Down - Breaking News - 1851 Franchise

Wendy’s CEO Kirk Tanner Steps Down Amid Challenges, Leaving Franchisees Facing Uncertainty

wendys-ceo-transition-kirk-tanner-franchisee-uncertainty

"Come in, We're OPEN" sign against abstract background

Small Business Optimism Dips, Raising Concerns for Franchise Owners

small-business-optimism-dips-raising-concerns-for-franchise-owners

Photo of Roof Scientist truck and trailer

Roof Scientist Expands Into Northern Indianapolis as Entrepreneur Dale Speckman Launches New Business in Fishers

roof-scientist-expands-into-northern-indianapolis

Image of Donald Trump pointing with red stripes in the background

August 1 Tariff Deadline Is Said to Have ‘No Extensions’: What This Could Mean for Franchises

august-1-tariff-deadline-franchise-impact

Blending Tech, Hospitality and Health Care: How Three Women From Different Worlds Came Together to Build a Paris Baguette Franchise

paris-baguette-franchise-flower-mound-texas

Hely and Hiral Patel Bring Their Longtime Dream to Life With The Brass Tap

brass-tap-franchise-pasadena-maryland-hely-hiral-patel

From the Heart: How Wendy and TJ Henley Found Their Purpose With a Right at Home Franchise

right-at-home-franchise-tj-wendy-henley-colorado-springs

Arby’s Franchisee Signs 22-Unit Deal To Grow With Layne’s Chicken Fingers in Ohio

arbys-franchisee-laynes-chicken-fingers-ohio-expansion

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How To Create a Strong Incentive

how-to-build-strong-incentives-to-attract-prospective-franchisees

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores - Agg - 1851 Franchise

Handyman Pro Takes Off In Kansas City, Missouri With U.S. Air Force Veteran At the Helm

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS