The Junkluggers

When people hear that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-mejia-junkluggers?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=lucy-mejia-franchisee-story-2730769" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Lucy Mejia</a> owns a location of&nbsp;<a href="https://junkluggersfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=lucy-mejia-franchisee-story-2730769" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">The Junkluggers</a> junk removal franchise, they often do a double-take. “When I say I do junk removal, people look at me like, ‘How did you get into this business? You?’” she said.&nbsp;Before she became a business owner, Mejia worked as a GIS technician at Southern Company Gas. “I loved my job,” she said. “But then, you know, I wanted to start a family. Once I had my son, I decided, ‘You know what? I’m going to stay home.’ So I stayed with him, had my daughter, and then I just knew that I would always go back to work one day.”That desire to return to work eventually turned into something bigger — entrepreneurship. “My husband was like, ‘What if you start your own business?’” she said. “I was like, ‘Oh gosh, that’s a lot to think about.’ My dad’s an entrepreneur. I know what it’s like. It’s very stressful to have a business. You have your ups and downs. But ultimately, the pros outweighed the cons — the flexibility — I could be with my kids during the day and take them to school and go to their games and have family life — not the nine-to-five.”<h2>Finding the Right Fit</h2>When Mejia and her husband began looking at franchise opportunities, one brand stood out immediately. “We did decide on The Junkluggers,” she said. “They checked every single box — from sustainability to being community-oriented, to the people at headquarters, to the other franchisee owners. The culture was solid, and it really hit all my passions and checkpoints.”Founded in 2004, The Junkluggers is an eco-conscious junk removal franchise that donates, recycles and repurposes items to keep them out of landfills. The brand’s mission is to make junk removal more sustainable with a growing network of over 75 locations across the country. For Mejia, that mission wasn’t just appealing — it was personal.“My day-to-day, I do the business and the marketing for my locations,” she said. “I hired a chief of ops and he’s handling the day-to-day with the crew. I’m out there being the face, connecting with the community, finding all our resources for recycling. We have eight different recyclers that we work with and over 15 different donation partners that we work with that need and recycle different kinds of items.”<h2>Leading With Heart</h2>Whether she’s networking at business association meetings, collaborating with local nonprofits, or jumping in to help her crew on a clean-out, Mejia’s leadership is hands-on and values-driven.&nbsp;“I couldn’t do it without my team,” she said. “They show up every day, no complaints. They get the job done. They work hard and they take care of us, and we take care of them. I don’t expect them to do anything that I wouldn’t do.”As a woman in what’s often considered a male-dominated field, Mejia doesn’t see barriers — she sees opportunities. “I don’t really see it as a roadblock,” she said. “I just show up like I need to, and they give me respect. It actually gives me a point to stand out, which I think is an advantage.”<h2>Building a Legacy and a Message</h2>Today, Mejia’s business continues to thrive — and so does her family.&nbsp;“To have my kids watch me growing a successful business, it just means the world to me,” she said. “Having that business, growing that legacy, helping the community and then educating people that we can do better — bringing that circular economy into the mix of our everyday lives is my ultimate goal. And I hope to pass that trait on to my kids.”Learn more about The Junkluggers franchise here:&nbsp;<a href="https://junkluggersfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=lucy-mejia-franchisee-story-2730769" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://junkluggersfranchise.com/</a>.

Lucy Mejia's Story: From Mom to Junkluggers Franchisee

1851 Franchise

After leaving her corporate career to raise her children, Lucy Mejia discovered a new path to purpose and flexibility through The Junkluggers franchise.

This brand page has been paid for by THE JUNKLUGGERS. 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

How This Stay-at-Home Mom Found Her Calling With The Junkluggers

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After Receiving Top Franchise Accolades and Adding Eight New Franchisees in 2025, The Junkluggers Sets Its Sights on Smart Growth for 2026

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<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-p-setter/">Sean Setter</a> retired from the Air Force in 2012 after 24 years of service. He later worked for the Department of State, helping African partner nations strengthen their militaries, before moving into government contracting and business development with a local company in Washington, D.C., in 2025. When funding cuts ended that job, Setter began looking at what could come next. He met with a life coach, explored franchise options and eventually found&nbsp;<a href="https://junkluggersfranchise.com/">The Junkluggers</a>, the sustainable junk removal services franchise.“The Junkluggers aligned with me because I wanted to help the environment and lead small teams,” Setter said. “I’ve led small teams in the past and it’s something I really enjoy doing. I went ahead and met everybody, and I saw that the core values aligned with me. So, I purchased the franchise.”&nbsp;He now owns&nbsp;<a href="https://www.junkluggers.com/electric-city/">The Junkluggers of Electric City, New York</a>.<h2>Why The Junkluggers Was a Good Fit&nbsp;</h2><a href="https://1851franchise.com/the-junkluggers/info">The Junkluggers</a> stood out to Setter because it offered more opportunities beyond basic service work. Unlike other franchises he considered, such as home inspections and lawn care, he liked that The Junkluggers aligned with eco-conscious values through donating, reselling and repurposing items instead of simply throwing them away.&nbsp;“I thought there were more areas of direction you could go with junk [than other industries],” he said. “The Junkluggers offered more opportunities to build, rather than running a single truck.”The franchise was also a good fit for his military background. Being a veteran comes with having skills such as discipline, team leadership, problem solving and time management, which are all traits that help him as a franchise owner. The military also instills the importance of professional appearance and communication skills, which he makes sure his employees follow.&nbsp;“I like being a force for good in the community,” Setter said. “Just getting out there, meeting people, being a connector. You see a lot of different groups, and I like being able to connect with them.”&nbsp;<h2>Corporate Support Helped Him Transition Into Business Ownership</h2>Setter has been set up for success by the support offered by The Junkluggers corporate team. This has been especially helpful as a very new business owner.&nbsp;“They support you through business development and through all the steps of getting up and running,” he said. “They provide marketing, the systems, the IT, as well as moral support and coaching.”He recommends The Junkluggers to other veterans looking for a new career path and encourages them to network with their communities and with other local veterans.&nbsp;“I think joining Business Network International was a good call,” he said. “Join any local networking groups. I also found volunteering to be a good fit. I volunteered for Habitat for Humanity ReStores before I started the business and I was able to see what furniture they’re looking for, what they would take. And when I started the business, they trusted me to bring donations to them.”&nbsp;Setter’s The Junkluggers franchise continues to give him a way to serve others while building something of his own.&nbsp;To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/the-junkluggers.">https://1851franchise.com/the-junkluggers.</a>&nbsp;

Air Force Veteran Sean Setter Finds a New Mission With The Junkluggers Franchise in Upstate New York

After losing his job to funding cuts, Sean Setter saw the eco-conscious junk removal model as a way to keep leading small teams and get involved locally.

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Qualities such as working well on a team and being disciplined are valued in both the military and franchising. That’s why many veterans like&nbsp;<a href="https://junkluggersfranchise.com/">The Junkluggers</a> franchisee&nbsp;<a href="http://linkedin.com/in/brian-puff">Brian Puff</a>&nbsp; turn to franchising as their next career step.&nbsp;Puff joined the U.S. Army Reserve following his high school graduation. He trained two summers while in college, later spending a year at Fort Hood in Texas, where he loaded trains with equipment that was sent overseas during Operation Iraqi Freedom. After his military career, Puff worked his way up to the vice president of operations at a North American computer parts plant. A few years later, he began seeking greater independence in his career, and that’s when he discovered franchising.&nbsp;“I started looking around and found a great fit with&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/the-junkluggers/info">The Junkluggers</a>,” Puff said. “It was actually through a franchise consultant who had me take some personality and skills tests. I'm not the type of person who likes to be in the office all day, every day. I like going to meetings, meeting new people, and getting out to do the work.”In 2025, Puff opened his franchise with The Junkluggers in Rochester East, New York.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>How a Military Background Influences Business Ownership</h2>The biggest skills that translate from the military to franchising are teamwork and leadership, Puff says.&nbsp;“At the end of my time in the Army, I was a sergeant. But really, almost everything that I did in my particular type of unit was done at the squad and then platoon level,” he said. “This meant a small group of people, usually in a squad of about 10 guys, working closely together as a team. We lived right next door to each other, we worked together, we did PT together.”Discipline is another important quality Puff learned in the Army that continues to influence everything he does today, including how he runs his business. The franchisee knows how important it is that his employees wear the right uniforms and that the trucks are kept clean, for example.“Those things seem small, but they really do build habits and discipline that help,” Puff said.&nbsp;<h2>Why The Junkluggers?</h2>Puff feels that The Junkluggers was a great fit for his personality and skill set. Being a franchise owner allows him to get out and be around people, rather than sitting at a desk all day.&nbsp;“I like being shoulder-to-shoulder with people, and this seemed very much like that,” he said. “I also love to drive. I love to be in my truck. As I pictured myself going from job to job, meeting new people, going to meetings, networking, and then going and pitching in and doing some work — it just all really appealed to me.”The support he received from the team was also an influential factor. Having read books both pro- and anti-franchising, Puff knew that not all brands offered the same level of responsiveness and support, with some franchisees of other brands complaining of being out on their own after signing the agreement.&nbsp;&nbsp;“It has not been like that at all with The Junkluggers,” he said. “They've been very supportive. They actively communicate with me very often. The procedures, background information, and resources they make available to us as owners are more than I can read. I still have weekly meetings with my business coach. Any question I ask internally, anyone will answer it.”<h2>Advice for Veterans Considering Franchising</h2>Puff would tell veterans who are considering buying a franchise to “absolutely do it.”&nbsp;“I'm definitely much happier,” he said. “It is really great to be more independent, have your own thing, yet still have support and not be completely on your own.”He advises franchisees to take a realistic view of the process and plan for factors such as how long it will take to ramp up, the resources needed to get through that phase, and the amount of work required.&nbsp;“It’s not always easy,” he said, “but it’s worth it.”For more information, visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://junkluggersfranchise.com/.">https://junkluggersfranchise.com/.</a>&nbsp;

How Discipline and Hard Work Led This Veteran to Franchising with The Junkluggers in New York

After serving in the military and working in corporate roles, Brian Puff wanted to do something for himself that involved working hard in his community.

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Photo of The Junkluggers franchisees Dana and Terri Jones

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<a href="https://junkluggersfranchise.com/">The Junkluggers</a> hosted its 2026 Franchisee Conference, bringing franchisees and leadership together to recognize performance across the system and discuss the brand’s priorities for the year ahead.The event focused on the strategies working across the network today and the company’s direction for this year. Sessions focused on operational updates, systemwide initiatives, and opportunities for franchisees to connect, exchange ideas, and learn from one another.“This conference is always a chance to step back and look at how far we’ve come as a system,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinwaltz/">Justin Waltz</a>, brand president of&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/the-junkluggers/info">The Junkluggers</a>. “We’re seeing strong execution across the board, and just as important, we’re seeing franchisees support each other and stay committed to what makes this brand different.”<h2>Focus on Operations and What Comes Next</h2>A large part of the conference focused on improving day-to-day operations and supporting more consistent franchisee growth.&nbsp;Leadership shared updates tied to customer experience, marketing support, and system standards, all designed to make it easier for franchisees to run their businesses while maintaining a consistent brand experience across markets. A major area of focus was the continued development of Remix Market, the brand’s resale platform that provides an additional revenue stream for franchisees.As part of that effort, The Junkluggers is building out a two-part resale approach: Remix Market, which will serve as a more curated, brand-forward experience, and a more streamlined&nbsp; Outlet model designed to help franchisees move inventory faster with fewer requirements.To support this rollout&nbsp; the company plans to introduce additional tools this year, including short-form content, social support, and clearer in-store messaging to help tell the brand’s story.“We’re focused on building systems that actually work in the field,” Waltz said. “If we can help franchisees move items faster and create a better experience for customers, that’s a win for everyone.”The brand is also inviting franchisees to play a direct role in shaping what comes next through a small working group called the Thrift Council, which will test ideas and provide feedback as the resale model continues to evolve.<h2>A Strong Culture Across the System</h2>Beyond operational strategy, the gathering also highlighted the collaborative culture that has developed across The Junkluggers system. Franchisees spent time sharing insights, discussing&nbsp; challenges, and learning from each other’s experiences.Sustainability and community impact remained central themes throughout the conference, with a spotlight on landfill diversion, donation partnerships, and responsible disposal practices that franchisees carry out locally.“Our franchisees care about doing the job the right way,” Waltz said. “That shows up in how they serve customers, how they run their teams, and how they show up in their communities.”<h2>Recognizing Franchisee Achievement</h2>The conference also featured an awards ceremony recognizing franchisees who demonstrated exceptional performance throughout the past year.&nbsp;<ul><li>The&nbsp;Weirdest Piece of Junk Award went to Evan Tyler of Los Angeles, California, who uncovered a skull bowling ball on a job.</li><li>The Impact Award&nbsp;was presented to Ian McCartney of Willamette Valley, Oregon for his leadership and growth throughout 2025.</li><li>The&nbsp;Green Way Award went to Joe Sandoval, Koby Agor, Rory Agor, and the Orange County, California team for their work in landfill diversion and sustainability.</li><li>The&nbsp;Green Way Award — National Accounts&nbsp;was presented to Bob Wojcik of Greater Northwest Indiana for his reporting and operational consistency.</li><li>The&nbsp;Helpful Neighbor Award&nbsp;was presented to Lucy Mejia of Atlanta Metro East for her willingness to support other franchisees across the system.</li><li>The&nbsp;Top NPS Location Award went to Josh Eaton and Caitlyn Eaton of Willamette Valley, Oregon for delivering a strong customer experience and earning high satisfaction scores.</li><li>The&nbsp;Distinguished Mensch Award honored Charles Dennis of Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island for his leadership and integrity.</li><li>The&nbsp;2025 Franchise of the Year Award was presented to franchise owner Frank Hill and CEO Kevin McGill of Long Island, Queens, and Nassau County for their performance and leadership within the system.</li></ul>“These awards are a reflection of the people behind this brand,” Waltz said. “They’re doing the work every day and setting the standard for others to follow.”<h2>Building on Momentum</h2>With continued investment in operations and marketing, The Junkluggers is focused on equipping franchisees with more tools to grow while maintaining consistency across markets. But leadership made it clear that the brand's foundation will remain the same.“We’re building on what already works,” Waltz said. “Strong operators, clear systems, and a shared commitment to our mission. That’s what will carry us forward.”To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/the-junkluggers">https://1851franchise.com/the-junkluggers</a>.

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The annual gathering gave owners and leadership time to recognize standout performance, exchange ideas, and align around the year ahead.

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SEYMOUR, Conn.&nbsp;—&nbsp;<a href="https://junkluggersfranchise.com/">The Junkluggers</a> spent 2025 adding new franchise owners and entering new markets, signing eight franchise agreements for eight territories. That growth included new locations in Silver Spring, MD; Windsor Hills, CA; College Station, TX; Saratoga, N.Y.; Orlando West, FL, Rocherster, NY, St. Louis, MO, and Katy, TX.That expansion reflects growing demand for values-driven home services as consumers and businesses seek more environmentally responsible ways to manage clutter and waste. For&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/the-junkluggers/info">The Junkluggers</a>, it also signals a franchise system built for scale without sacrificing its mission.“2025 was about strengthening the foundation and proving that purpose-driven businesses can scale responsibly,” said Brand President&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinwaltz/">Justin Waltz</a>. “As we head into 2026, we’re focused on smart growth, putting the right owners in the right markets and giving them the tools to win from day one.”The Junkluggers picked up several industry recognitions that reflected its continued growth. The brand moved up to No. 204 on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.entrepreneur.com/franchise500">Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500</a> list, improving from No. 218 the year before. It also advanced on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.franchisetimes.com/top-400-2025/">Franchise Times Top 400</a>, rising to No. 387 after ranking No. 399 previously. During the year, The Junkluggers was also named a finalist for the Zor Awards in the “Throw It Away (Junk Hauling)” category.“These rankings aren’t just about growth; they’re about consistency,” Waltz said. “They tell us we’re building something sustainable, something franchisees can trust long term.”The Junkluggers is built on the idea that junk removal shouldn’t end at the landfill. The brand focuses on donating, recycling, and reusing items whenever possible.Under Waltz’s leadership, the brand has doubled down on what he calls “frictionless franchising,” reducing operational burdens so owners can focus on people and performance.“Our goal is to take friction out of the system,” Waltz said. “When we lower back-end costs and centralize things like booking and support, franchisees can reinvest in their frontline teams — and that’s where real growth happens.”Support includes a national contact center, modern routing and job-management software, and a clear, data-driven operating playbook. Pre-opening training spans four virtual weeks prior to a week in person, consisting of ongoing coaching, marketing resources, and vendor partnerships available after launch.As the junk removal industry continues to grow, The Junkluggers is positioning itself for its next phase of expansion. Priority markets include Central Florida; Houston; Phoenix; Northern California; Milwaukee; Salt Lake City; Indianapolis; Las Vegas; Birmingham, AL; and Jacksonville, FL.“We’re entering 2026 with momentum, clarity, and hunger,” Waltz said. “We know where we’re going, and we’re building a network of owners who want to grow something meaningful in their communities.”About The JunkluggersFounded in 2004, The Junkluggers provides sustainable junk removal services. This team of big-hearted professionals revolutionizes the hauling and removal industry by focusing on eco-conscious, community-oriented practices as they remove your furniture and junk. For more information, please visit www.junkluggers.com. For franchise opportunities, visit <a href="http://www.junkluggersfranchise.com">www.junkluggersfranchise.com</a>.&nbsp;

After Receiving Top Franchise Accolades and Adding Eight New Franchisees in 2025, 

The junk removal franchise under Authority Brands signed eight new territories last year and is planning targeted growth in key markets nationwide.

How This Stay-at-Home Mom Found Her Calling With The Junkluggers

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