How This Former Franchise Consultant Found His Own Match in Footprints Floors

Don Brammeier worked in the service industry for 20 years before moving into a franchise consultant role and helping others find their next business venture. Now, he has found a match of his own in Footprints Floors*, a 50-plus unit franchise that offers a higher level of service and sophistication.

When the pandemic hit, Brammeier decided to switch gears and fulfill his lifelong dream of becoming a business owner. Brammeier is now servicing Bradenton to Sarasota with plans to continue expanding to Naples.

1851 Franchise: Tell me your story – what did you do before franchising?

Don Brammeier: I was a franchise consultant for two years. Before working as a consultant, I had 20 years of experience in the service industry, working on commercial cooking and refrigeration equipment. I grew within that role and moved on to take over the entire state of Texas and then ? of the country, running a $40 million operation. Since moving to Florida five years ago, I saw a need for professionalism in service brands that just didn’t exist. I’ve lived in many different states, and it’s difficult to find quality workmanship in Florida. 

1851: How did you initially find out about franchising, and what was your perception of franchising before becoming a franchise owner?

Brammeier: I’ve always thought franchising is a great business model. You’re investing in a business where the founders have already figured out all the issues and have come up with solutions to work through them.

1851: How did you decide you wanted to be a franchisee?

Brammeier: When the pandemic hit, I wanted to switch gears. I learned a lot about Footprints Floors and realized the corporate team is just as great as the business itself. It’s a scalable business, so I can steadily expand. I always wanted to own my own business, and now I finally get to fulfill my dream and cross it off my bucket list.

1851: Why did you pick Footprints Floors? What excited you most about the potential?

Brammeier: The home services industry really struck me; it didn’t shut down during the pandemic and was actually doing well. When I worked as a consultant, I placed a few candidates with Footprints Floors. As I learned more about the business model, I felt it would be a great fit for this area and my skill set. All the principles (providing good communication, quality customer service, etc.) I applied in my previous role were transferable for this franchise, too. The competition in Southwest Florida is very fragmented since there are a lot of mom-and-pop shops that lack the level of professionalism that Footprints has.

1851: What are your dreams with the business? What does the future look like?

Brammeier: First, develop a stellar reputation with homeowners for outstanding service and communication at a reasonable price. Then, open additional markets in Southwest Florida so we can help more homeowners ensure their investment to improve the quality of their homes.

1851: What advice would you have for others looking at buying a franchise?

Brammeier: Find a FranServe-affiliated franchise consultant. The processes they employ to identify your goals, background and strengths allow them to identify many opportunities to find your perfect match. They’re the largest franchise consulting business in the world, and they provide guidance from the initial conversation through the signing. There’s also no cost to the candidate. 

1851: What do you do in your personal time (hobbies, family, sports, etc.)?

Brammeier: I enjoy spending time with my children and grandchildren who live in the Midwest. My wife and I love spending time with our dog, going to the beach, boating and exercising. 

ABOUT FOOTPRINTS FLOORS:

Upon his return to Littleton, Colorado, after serving in the U.S. Air Force, Bryan Park noticed that Denver’s flooring industry lacked a higher level of customer service and sophistication. So, in 2008, he founded Footprints Floors, which today specializes in installing hardwood floors, carpet, tile floors, backsplashes and laminates. With more than 50 current locations, Footprints Floors offers franchisees a robust support system, including a call center, flexible hours for work-life balance and a low cost of entry with outstanding economics.