With over 10 million residential pools in the U.S., the need for pool services, like the ones offered by Pool Scouts, is abundant. And, as the number of residential pools continues to grow, the brand’s need to expand its family of franchisees is growing with it. According to Brian Garrison, COO and president of Pool Scouts’ parent company Buzz Franchise Brands, Pool Scouts is the perfect entrepreneurial endeavor for veterans seeking a new opportunity after completing their military service. 

“It’s great on multiple levels. Most veterans operate very well in systems and processes and like to get things done. Franchising with Pool Scouts provides just enough guardrails and opportunities to a lot of different things,” said Garrison. “To me, it’s a natural transition. It’s all about doing what you need to succeed, operating your own system and knowing you’re part of something bigger.”  

Two of Pool Scouts’ veteran franchisees — Michelle Stern and Brent Berridge — agreed that the brand’s support and the ease of its business model made Pool Scouts an appealing investment opportunity. 

Berridge was a Marine from 1994–1998, serving as a motor vehicle operator stationed in California’s Camp Pendleton and North Carolina’s Camp Lejeune. After years traveling the world in the service, Berridge got a job with Dow Chemical in Michigan where he worked for 20 years before leaving to pursue his dreams of becoming an entrepreneur in 2018. 

“My dad had a business when I was a kid, so I kind of always thought I would too. Pool Scouts was the first franchise concept I found that I felt a connection to,” said Berridge, who is based in Houston. “It’s also been really nice to have the support that comes with working with a franchise. I don’t think I would have seen the growth I have if I had just tried to start this business on my own. Franchising helps with gaining experience and business acumen that you might not have already had.”

Berridge has seen significant growth with the brand: His year-over-year sales have increased 116%, and his customer base has increased 68%, from 187 to 314. Alex Weatherholt, also a veteran, has seen substantial growth in his business, increasing year-over-year revenue by 146% and doubling his customer base from 100 to 200. 

Stern was stationed in Corpus Christi, Texas after graduating from Notre Dame on a Navy ROTC scholarship. In Texas she was the only female officer on the “Wise Owls” pilot training squadron. Since then she’s moved to Dallas/Fort Worth where she continued to serve in the reserves as an aircraft maintenance officer at the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base. Even after eventually entering the corporate world, Stern remained in service until transitioning to inactive reserve after eight years. Now, after retiring from the Navy she’s developed a successful Pool Scouts franchise with her husband Steve in Dallas.

For Stern, one of a few impressive female franchisees with Pool Scouts she says the location’s success is reflected in the client relationships she’s built. 

“For Steve and me, we felt comfortable with the idea of recurring revenue,” said Stern. “Plus, there’s the ability to develop relationships with clients, which you don’t necessarily have the opportunity to do in a sales job — you really get to know your clients. It’s that relationship management and ongoing account business model that made us feel good about our investment.”

Garrison, a graduate of the US Naval Academy who served in numerous Navy leadership himself before retiring in 2012, says it's more than just the proven business model that makes Pool Scouts an attractive opportunity for veterans — the low upfront costs and hands-on work also make the brand stand out. 

“Veterans are typically more conservative with their money, and Pool Scouts is able to keep initial costs low because there’s no brick-and-mortar location,” said Garrison. “Plus, there’s a hands-on aspect to the whole thing. All veterans, regardless of their background, have some appreciation for handling their work directly in a way that doesn’t need to be too technical.”

According to Garrison, Virginia Beach, Virginia is a hub for active and retired members of the military community, which is why Pools Scouts is so heavily invested in supporting it. Through the VetFran program, Pool Scouts offers financial incentives to retired and honorably discharged members of the military — a discount that could be up to 20% off franchise fees.

“At the end of the day, we want to provide services that are honest and fair,” said Berridge. “That’s something we’ve had instilled in us as veterans. Business ownership is great for vets, and Pool Scouts is a brand that fits the veteran mentality well.”

The startup costs for a Pool Scouts franchise range from $80,400 to $133,300. The franchise fee for a single territory is $20,000. To learn more about franchising with Pool Scouts, visit https://poolscoutsfranchise.com/.