The Great Franchisee: Duane Holloway, 360º Painting, New Jersey

Duane Holloway has spent the majority of his career working in management for retail brands Home Depot, Lowe’s and Walmart, but he has long dreamt of owning his own business. This year, Holloway is making that dream a reality as one of the newest franchisees with 360º Painting, the 120-plus-unit residential and commercial painting franchise.

Holloway’s father worked as a general contractor, and he’s always had a knack and passion for home services. As the owner of a new 360º Painting in Edison, New Jersey, Holloway aims to turn his location into a million-dollar business before expanding into surrounding territories. 

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

Duane Holloway: Before franchising, I spent more than 20 years in retail. I worked for Home Depot as an assistant store manager for two years and in management for Lowe’s for 17 years. I took a year off and then I finished my career in retail at Walmart as a co-store manager for two years. 

My father was a general contractor, so before retail, I worked for him for almost as long as I can remember.

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

Holloway: I always looked into different franchises, whether it was fast food restaurants or gyms. When I took my year off in 2017, I started looking into franchising. A consultant reached out to me, and I was stuck between a couple of different franchises. I’m the type of person who, if you provide a structure, I can run it. I can tweak it and make it my own. That’s why I ended up going into franchising. 

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

Holloway: It just made sense. During my last six months at Walmart, 360º Painting was weighing heavy on my brain. I started to fall out of love with what I was doing, and I wanted to run my own business. 

1851: How did you perform your research?

Holloway: In 2017, I looked at five different franchises. They were presented to me by a consultant, and I narrowed it down to 360º Painting. In 2020, when I decided to try again at looking at them, I only looked at painting franchises. 

My dad was a general contractor, so I was familiar with the industry. I thought about a mobile gym franchise, but I thought about the potential repercussions of that business. The painting business just made sense to me. It was more what I had done with my dad at Home Depot and Lowes. 

1851: Why did you pick 360º Painting? What excited you most about the potential?

Holloway: It outperformed the competition, and it was very researchable. Some of the other painting franchises were a lot newer, while 360º Painting had already worked out the kinks and is constantly growing. I was able to talk to so many owners, and everything they told me just made sense. 

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

Holloway: My dream is to take this territory to a million-dollar territory. Somewhere around the $750k range. I want to expand territories or add on another Premium Service Brand franchise to my portfolio.

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

Holloway: Do your research. Ask as many questions as you possibly can. Anything that comes across your mind — don’t be afraid to ask. 

1851: What do you do in your personal time?

Holloway: I like to watch baseball, basketball and football, and they’re almost always on. I enjoy watching movies and taking day trips with my family. 

ABOUT 360° PAINTING:

Charlottesville, VA-based 360° Painting is one of the nation’s fastest-growing residential and commercial painting franchises offering comprehensive and personalized painting services with an approach founded on quality, responsiveness and customer experience. Founded in 2005 by parent company Premium Service Brands, 360° Painting has received major industry recognition by Entrepreneur magazine’s 40th Annual Franchise 500 list as No. 1 in the painting category for three consecutive years. 360° Painting has also placed on Franchise Times’ Top 200 list, which recognizes brands for their growth over the past 18 months. Since it began franchising in 2006, the brand has grown to over 120 units nationwide with plans to award 30 more locations by the end of this year. For more information about franchising opportunities with 360° Painting, please visit: https://www.premiumservicebrands.com/360-painting/