Jorge and Kathy Cruz purchased their Minuteman Press franchise in Concord, NC in September 2024 from retiring owners Pat and Christine McGroder, who had built the business over a decade of steady growth. Since taking over, the Cruzes have accelerated that momentum, earning a place in the Minuteman Press International President’s Club in 2026 by surpassing $1 million in gross sales for 2025.
Jorge brings 27 years of corporate leadership experience from Aspect Software, where he led teams across Development, Consulting, Sales, Marketing, and Professional Services. Reflecting on the transition, he explains, “This business isn’t about print; it’s about creating solutions that help businesses grow. It’s about solving problems, building relationships, and leading a team… Minuteman Press gave me the perfect platform to continue that mission in a more personal, entrepreneurial way.”
Kathy, his partner in both life and business, brings a complementary background as a Social Worker and Project Manager, with strengths in optimizing processes and driving operational excellence.
When asked why they chose the franchise, Jorge points to three key factors. “First, the culture and people… everyone we met had long tenures and genuine passion for helping franchise owners succeed.” He adds, “Second, the franchise model… this is not a commodity business; it is a solutions business.” Finally, he highlights the balance of support and independence: “Minuteman Press provides the best of both worlds… exceptional systems, training, and tools while empowering owners with flexibility and autonomy.”
Their growth strategy has been both disciplined and innovative. Jorge shares, “We significantly increased our investment in digital marketing and SEO… which now drive approximately 20–25% of our business, bringing in 3–4 new customers per day.” They also doubled their Google reviews to over 536 with a 5.0-star rating.
Customer experience sits at the center of everything they do. “Our internal motto is ‘We Print Happiness,’ and it guides everything we do,” Jorge says. “Every interaction is an opportunity to create a positive, memorable experience.”
Networking and community engagement have also fueled their success. “We expanded our presence in BNI and created a hybrid business development role… delivering an exceptional return on investment,” he explains. “Community involvement is deeply important to Kathy and me… supporting mental health organizations and local nonprofits while building meaningful relationships.”
The transition from the previous owners was handled with care and respect. “Chris and Pat built an amazing business… they stayed on to guide us through operations and relationships,” Jorge shares. Today, about 85% of the original team remains. “We focused on listening, learning, and earning trust,” he adds.
Reaching the President’s Club milestone carries special meaning. “It is truly an honor and incredibly humbling… this achievement belongs to our entire team,” Jorge says. “It represents the positive impact we’ve had—helping small businesses grow and making a meaningful difference in people’s lives.”
Looking at their product mix, apparel and embroidery have become major drivers, now accounting for over 20% of revenue. “Kathy has done an exceptional job expanding apparel programs, including company stores and branded merchandise,” Jorge notes. They also see strong growth potential in direct mail and wide-format printing.
Their connection to the local community remains a cornerstone of their business. They are active members of the Cabarrus Chamber of Commerce, BNI, and the Latin American Chamber of Commerce Charlotte. “Helping small businesses succeed… is one of the most rewarding aspects of what we do,” Jorge says.
When asked about the rewards of ownership, Jorge reflects, “The greatest reward is the impact we have on people’s lives… we don’t just print products, we help people tell their stories and build their dreams.”
For other franchise owners, his advice is clear: “Never compromise on service and quality… invest in your team… introduce change thoughtfully… and embrace growth opportunities like apparel and promotional products.”
Grateful for the support of Minuteman Press International and the franchise community, Jorge and Kathy are confident in what lies ahead. “We often say we wish we had done this sooner… this truly feels like where we are meant to be.” With their guiding philosophy—“We Print Happiness”—they remain focused on serving their customers, growing their business, and making a lasting impact in Concord for years to come.
Minuteman Press International
SPONSORED
Minuteman Press franchise owners Jorge and Kathy Cruz carry printing business legacy forward and write their own chapter for Minuteman Press in Concord, NC.
Jorge and Kathy Cruz purchased their Minuteman Press franchise in Concord, NC in September 2024 from retiring owners Pat and Christine McGroder, who had built the business over a decade of steady growth. Since taking over, the Cruzes have accelerated that momentum, earning a place in the Minuteman Press International President’s Club in 2026 by surpassing $1 million in gross sales for 2025.
Jorge brings 27 years of corporate leadership experience from Aspect Software, where he led teams across Development, Consulting, Sales, Marketing, and Professional Services. Reflecting on the transition, he explains, “This business isn’t about print; it’s about creating solutions that help businesses grow. It’s about solving problems, building relationships, and leading a team… Minuteman Press gave me the perfect platform to continue that mission in a more personal, entrepreneurial way.”
Kathy, his partner in both life and business, brings a complementary background as a Social Worker and Project Manager, with strengths in optimizing processes and driving operational excellence.
When asked why they chose the franchise, Jorge points to three key factors. “First, the culture and people… everyone we met had long tenures and genuine passion for helping franchise owners succeed.” He adds, “Second, the franchise model… this is not a commodity business; it is a solutions business.” Finally, he highlights the balance of support and independence: “Minuteman Press provides the best of both worlds… exceptional systems, training, and tools while empowering owners with flexibility and autonomy.”
Their growth strategy has been both disciplined and innovative. Jorge shares, “We significantly increased our investment in digital marketing and SEO… which now drive approximately 20–25% of our business, bringing in 3–4 new customers per day.” They also doubled their Google reviews to over 536 with a 5.0-star rating.
Customer experience sits at the center of everything they do. “Our internal motto is ‘We Print Happiness,’ and it guides everything we do,” Jorge says. “Every interaction is an opportunity to create a positive, memorable experience.”
Networking and community engagement have also fueled their success. “We expanded our presence in BNI and created a hybrid business development role… delivering an exceptional return on investment,” he explains. “Community involvement is deeply important to Kathy and me… supporting mental health organizations and local nonprofits while building meaningful relationships.”
The transition from the previous owners was handled with care and respect. “Chris and Pat built an amazing business… they stayed on to guide us through operations and relationships,” Jorge shares. Today, about 85% of the original team remains. “We focused on listening, learning, and earning trust,” he adds.
Reaching the President’s Club milestone carries special meaning. “It is truly an honor and incredibly humbling… this achievement belongs to our entire team,” Jorge says. “It represents the positive impact we’ve had—helping small businesses grow and making a meaningful difference in people’s lives.”
Looking at their product mix, apparel and embroidery have become major drivers, now accounting for over 20% of revenue. “Kathy has done an exceptional job expanding apparel programs, including company stores and branded merchandise,” Jorge notes. They also see strong growth potential in direct mail and wide-format printing.
Their connection to the local community remains a cornerstone of their business. They are active members of the Cabarrus Chamber of Commerce, BNI, and the Latin American Chamber of Commerce Charlotte. “Helping small businesses succeed… is one of the most rewarding aspects of what we do,” Jorge says.
When asked about the rewards of ownership, Jorge reflects, “The greatest reward is the impact we have on people’s lives… we don’t just print products, we help people tell their stories and build their dreams.”
For other franchise owners, his advice is clear: “Never compromise on service and quality… invest in your team… introduce change thoughtfully… and embrace growth opportunities like apparel and promotional products.”
Grateful for the support of Minuteman Press International and the franchise community, Jorge and Kathy are confident in what lies ahead. “We often say we wish we had done this sooner… this truly feels like where we are meant to be.” With their guiding philosophy—“We Print Happiness”—they remain focused on serving their customers, growing their business, and making a lasting impact in Concord for years to come.
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