The Junkluggers is an eco-conscious junk removal franchise on a mission to make sustainable disposal the industry standard. The brand was founded in 2004 by Josh Cohen in Fairfield County, Connecticut, with one SUV and a simple goal: help people declutter responsibly by donating, recycling and rehoming items instead of sending them to landfills. What started as a local side hustle evolved into a national network of purpose-driven business owners committed to environmental stewardship and community impact. The company began franchising in 2012 and joined the Authority Brands family in 2023, combining founder-led culture with world-class operational infrastructure. Today, The Junkluggers operates more than 150 locations across the United States.
This is a really common question and certainly the right one to ask first. At The Junkluggers, we stand behind our model and we provide a Financial Performance Representation in Item 19 of our Franchise Disclosure Document, which all candidates will receive during the process. You also have the ability to connect with existing franchisees.
Justin Waltz, Brand President of eco-conscious junk-removal franchise The Junkluggers, has spent nearly two decades evaluating and navigating industry shifts while building an adaptable franchise system that can pivot and respond, and shares insights on how the industry continues to evolve, the role of data and tech when it comes to creating efficiency and how franchises can empower franchisees despite the emergence of a more competitive environment.
Justin Waltz joined 1851 Franchise Publisher Nick Powills on the “Meet the Franchise” podcast to discuss the home-service franchise trends that could define 2026 by driving industry change.