1851

<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-stern-42a77b16?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=multi-unit-two-men-a-truck-franchisee-expands-portfolio-with-fresh-coat-painters-in-chicago-suburbs-2724246" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Brian Stern</a>, the entrepreneur bringing residential and commercial painting franchise&nbsp;<a href="https://freshcoatfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=multi-unit-two-men-a-truck-franchisee-expands-portfolio-with-fresh-coat-painters-in-chicago-suburbs-2724246" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Fresh Coat* Painters</a> to Northwest Chicago, is no stranger to the world of franchising. From his beginnings as a frontline mover to becoming a multi-unit franchise owner of that same moving company, Stern's determination and business acumen is impressive. His latest venture, embracing the world of painting with&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat">Fresh Coat Painters</a>, marks another significant milestone in his entrepreneurial journey.Stern's affiliation with franchising has been transformative. Initially managing, then owning, gave him a deep appreciation for the risks and rewards of franchise ownership. His time with&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/twomenandatruck">TWO MEN &amp; A TRUCK®</a> not only honed his business skills but also fueled his ambition to venture into new arenas. Fresh Coat Painters, with its low overhead, attractive margins and resonant core values, emerged as&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/5-reasons-to-buy-fresh-coat-franchise-in-2023-2721635">the perfect fit</a>.&nbsp;Stern, a resident and active community member of Vernon Hills, emphasizes the importance of community involvement and giving back — principles that are integral to his business philosophy. Now, Stern hopes to leverage his existing relationships with homeowners, friends and family in the community to grow his Fresh Coat franchise, which is set to open in November 2023.&nbsp;1851 Franchise caught up with Stern to learn more about his background, his journey to Fresh Coat and his plans for the future.&nbsp;1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us.&nbsp;What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?Stern:&nbsp;I have been with&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/twomenandatruck/july-franchisee-feature-brian-stern-and-the-boston-ma-franchise-5184">TWO MEN &amp; A TRUCK</a> for about 18 years. During this time, I've experienced nearly every role, starting as a frontline mover and eventually working my way up to becoming a multi-unit franchisee of eight locations. In an effort to diversify our portfolio along with our business partners, we sought to integrate a new venture that complemented the moving business. We were looking for an opportunity that shared a similar customer model, had low overhead and offered good margins, which naturally led us to explore the painting industry.&nbsp;1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?Stern: I have always embraced ownership in every aspect of what I managed. Becoming an actual owner presented an opportunity for me to directly reap the benefits and equity of the business I was acquiring. The primary difference in this transition was the increased level of risk involved. I have always harbored ambitions of owning my own business, and TWO MEN &amp; A TRUCK provided an excellent pathway, offering guidance, knowledge and support necessary for becoming a successful business owner. This experience has been instrumental in leading me to where I am today, ready to expand my portfolio and delve into new industries and business models.1851:&nbsp;What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Stern: Fresh Coat's business model and their core values particularly resonated with us. We felt that we aligned well with what they were seeking in a franchisee, especially at a time when they are focused on growth and scaling. This alignment is something we are quite adept at handling, and it ultimately guided our decision to join Fresh Coat.&nbsp;TWO MEN &amp; A TRUCK is a home service-based company that just happens to move furniture. We go into people’s homes, we solve a problem, we build teams, we learn a trade, etc. All of the same skills apply to Fresh Coat, we are just painting instead of moving.&nbsp;1851:&nbsp;What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?&nbsp;Stern: Our primary goal for the first year is to focus on building, training and maintaining a robust frontline staff, while simultaneously growing and recruiting a strong leadership team. We place a high emphasis on identifying individuals who are not only strong from an operational standpoint but also deeply invested in fostering community relationships and contributing back to the community — values that are extremely important to us.Expanding our portfolio offers the distinct advantage of working with similar customer models and vendor needs. Many aspects of the business are relatable and familiar. This similarity allows us to build on the existing relationships we have, which are integral to developing our Fresh Coat platform. These connections are not just beneficial for building the business but are also crucial in supporting it long-term.1851:&nbsp;What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?Stern:&nbsp;I am not just an investor. I live in Vernon Hills. I am a local. My family is a very big part of the community. Being involved, giving back — these are passions that drove us to Fresh Coat. We have an opportunity to open another business model and provide another great service to customers, friends and family.&nbsp;1851:&nbsp;What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?Stern:&nbsp;If you are looking for a good business model or something that is going to help you scale, Fresh Coat is a great choice. In terms of general advice, it is important to invest in something you really care about. It is a lot of work, so you need to have that passion. But remember that there will be a lot of people around you to support your efforts. Never be afraid to reach out and speak to a professional. They will get you through any challenges.&nbsp;For more information on franchising with Fresh Coat Painters, visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/info">https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/info</a>ABOUT FRESH COAT PAINTERS:Fresh Coat Painters, the residential and commercial painting franchise under the Strategic Franchising Systems umbrella, offers a low-cost, high-margin business model that gives entrepreneurs from all walks of life the chance to become successful business owners in the communities they serve. Since starting in 2004, Fresh Coat has expanded to over 170 franchise locations nationwide. Thanks to its unparalleled professionalism and affordable business model, it has become one of the leading concepts in the booming residential and commercial painting segment. With continued year-over-year growth, Fresh Coat is well on its way to achieving its overall goal of becoming a truly iconic painting brand.&nbsp;

Multi-Unit TWO MEN & A TRUCK® Franchisee Expands Portfolio with Fresh Coat Painters in Chicago Suburbs

1851 Franchise

As he embarks on this new journey with Fresh Coat Painters, Brian Stern stands as a prime example of how diversification can pave the way for entrepreneurial success.

This brand page has been paid for by 1851. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

multi-unit-two-men-a-truck-franchisee-expands-portfolio-with-fresh-coat-painters-in-chicago-suburbs

SweatHouz

SweatHouz SWTHZ Franchise - Hunter and Mallory Mitchem - Franchisee Feature - 1851 Franchise

From Aerospace to Wellness: Hunter Mitchem’s Journey to a SweatHouz Empire

sweathouz-franchise-hunter-mitchem-6g

Onigilly Japanese Kitchen

Onigilly - Low Operating Costs Drive High Returns for Franchisees - 1851 Franchise

Maximize Your ROI: How Onigilly’s Low Operating Costs Drive High Returns for Franchisees

onigilly-franchise-fast-casual-franchise-opportunity

Layne's Chicken Fingers

What Is the Layne’s Franchise Disclosure Document, and What Will I Find in It?

laynes-franchise-disclosure-document

Athletech News: How SWTHZ Delivers on Wellness Demands of All Kinds

swthz-delivers-wellness-demands-contrast-therapy

TruBlue Home Service Ally

Why Protected Territories Matter and How the TruBlue Franchise Delivers

why-protected-territories-matter-and-how-the-trublue-franchise-delivers

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

Bed Bath & Beyond - Franchise Expansion - Retail Strategy - 1851 Franchise

Bed Bath & Beyond Launches Franchise Model as Part of Comeback Strategy

bed-bath-beyond-franchise-expansion-retail-strategy

Senior Entrepreneurship - Franchising - 1851 Franchise

Senior Entrepreneurship Is Rising — And Franchising Is a Key Outlet

senior-entrepreneurship-franchising-silver-startups

U.S. Government Shutdown - Impact on Franchises - 1851 Franchise

Government Shutdown Stalls SBA Loans: How the Shutdown Could Impact Franchises

government-shutdown-impacts-sba-loans-tourism-franchises

Subway Franchisees Resist Expensive Remodel Directives

subway-franchisees-resist-expensive-remodel-directives

The American Franchise Act: What It Means for Franchisors and Franchisees - 1851 Franchise

The American Franchise Act: What It Means for Franchisors and Franchisees

american-franchise-act-joint-employer-standard

1851 Franchisee Spotlight with photo of Mike Rippey and Sola Salons logo

How This Former Franchisor Is Using His Industry Experience To Help Beauty Pros Thrive With Sola Salons Franchise

mike-rippey-sola-salons-franchisee

1851 Franchisee Spotlight graphic with photo of Barb Volk and KidStrong logo

Why This Orangetheory Fitness Franchise Owner Is Developing KidStrong Franchises

kidstrong-franchise-owner-barb-volk-2025

Image of Mindy and Chad Beale for right at home from cambden south carolina

Chad and Mindy Beale Channel Their Passion for Senior Care and Veteran Advocacy Into Their Right at Home Franchise in Camden, South Carolina

right-at-home-camden-sc-chad-mindy-beale

photo-of-laynes-chicken-fingers-dalton-dennis-southern-oregon

23-Year-Old Entrepreneur Brings Soon to Be Famous Chicken™ to Southern Oregon With 3-Unit Layne’s Chicken Fingers Franchise Signing

laynes-chicken-fingers-dalton-dennis-southern-oregon

Top Education Franchises To Consider for 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Top Education Franchises To Consider Investing In for 2025

top-education-franchises-investment-opportunities

Power Eats: Smoothie King Rolls Out Food Nationwide To Fuel Franchise Growth

smoothie-king-food-menu-power-eats

Top Early Childhood Education and Child Care Franchises for 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Top Early Childhood Education and Child Care Franchises for 2025

early-childhood-education-child-care-franchises

Top Enrichment and Supplemental Education Franchises for 2025

top-enrichment-supplemental-education-franchises

Top Arts and Creative Learning Franchises for 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Top Arts and Creative Learning Franchises for 2025

top-arts-creative-learning-franchises

Multi-Unit TWO MEN & A TRUCK® Franchisee Expands Portfolio with Fresh Coat Painters in Chicago Suburbs

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS