For millions of households and businesses, the cycle of buying, storing and eventually clearing out has become a constant. Downsizing boomers, fast e-commerce habits and the push for greener living have all converged to transform junk removal from a sporadic chore into a reliable, values-driven service. That shift is creating a powerful opportunity for entrepreneurs who want a business that does well by doing good. It’s the world The Junkluggers — the junk hauling franchise under the Authority Brands umbrella — was built for.
The Junkluggers isn’t simply about hauling things away — it’s about rehoming, repurposing and reducing landfill waste through an eco-minded operating model. Customers feel good because items are donated or recycled whenever possible, partner nonprofits receive usable goods and franchise owners build trust — and repeat business — by delivering a service that matches today’s environmental expectations. Under President Justin Waltz, a former franchisee with nearly two decades in the category, the brand has doubled down on a “frictionless” approach that removes barriers for both customers and owners.
“Frictionless franchising is key,” Waltz said. “We focus on reducing backend costs so franchisees can invest more in their frontline employees — the people who actually drive revenue.”
For owners, that looks like a national contact center handling bookings, modern software to manage routes and jobs, and a clear, data-driven playbook so operators can focus on growth and customer care. “Even in highly commoditized businesses, customer care is more important than ever,” Waltz said. “It’s not always about the product — it’s about how you make people feel in the moment.”
The Junkluggers story started in 2004. Founder Josh Cohen launched the company in Fairfield County, Connecticut, using his mom’s SUV and a storage closet in his dad’s office. The idea? Pick up unwanted items and do everything possible not to throw them away. As demand grew, the mission crystallized — make eco-conscious junk removal the norm, not the exception — and franchising followed in 2012.
In 2023, The Junkluggers joined Authority Brands, bringing the resources and maturity of a leading multi-brand platform while preserving the founder mentality that made the concept special from day one.
“The brand dies when you pull out the founder mentality,” Waltz said. “Franchisees buy into a business for two main reasons: the culture and the business opportunity. When you combine founder mentality with strong financial backing, the business can be very successful, as it keeps the franchisee’s well-being as the north star.”
Today, The Junkluggers operates over 150 locations and is actively awarding protected territories of roughly 400,000 people across 48 states. The model is built for accessible, responsible scale: trucks that serve as rolling billboards, a recognizable neon-green brand, centralized booking to keep calendars full and a community-first donation network that turns every job into a feel-good story.
Average gross revenue for the 65 franchisees operating the full fiscal year 2024 was $761,391, with top-tercile operators averaging $1,346,540, according to the brand’s FDD. For the right owners, the combination of brand awareness, operational efficiency and local partnerships creates a strong foundation for multi-territory growth.
Junk removal has big names, but The Junkluggers stands out where it matters: waste diversion and customer experience. “We divert nearly 50% more waste from landfills than anyone else,” Waltz said. That philosophy shows up in the day-to-day — from curated recycler relationships to donation receipts that reassure customers their items found a second life. It also shows up in how the brand builds the business around the owner. Waltz calls it “betting on the jockey, not the horse” — clear marketing plans, ongoing training and systemwide initiatives that push additional work to franchisees and shorten the ramp, especially in the critical first 18 months.
The approach resonates with owners like Lucy Mejia in Atlanta Metro East. “We decided on The Junkluggers because it checked every single box — sustainability, community orientation, the people at headquarters and the other franchisee owners,” she said. “The culture was solid, and it really hit all my passions and checkpoints.” Her team now partners with numerous recyclers and more than a dozen donation organizations, turning eco-values into everyday operations customers can see.
From discovery to launch, the pathway is structured and supportive. Pre-opening training runs about five business days and covers marketing, sales, customer interaction, operations, record-keeping and vehicle maintenance. After opening, owners get individualized coaching, national marketing resources, vendor partnerships and the ongoing lift of an in-house contact center.
The macro trends are unmistakable. Analysts project the junk removal market will grow from $1.6 billion in 2025 to $2.7 billion by 2033. Waltz points to multiple tailwinds: an aging population downsizing their homes, ever-rising storage unit volumes, an “Amazon mentality” of frequent buying and tossing, and a cultural pivot toward eco-friendly services. “We’re the hungriest company in this space,” he said. “We’re evolving, we’re innovating and we’re here to dominate the industry.”
That urgency is paired with openness. “Franchisees have often risked their life savings,” Waltz said. “Their feedback is invaluable. Many of the best ideas in franchising came from owners on the front lines. We’ll never shy away from that collective voice.”
Looking ahead, the brand is hoping to grow in several key markets across the country, including Central Florida; Houston, Texas; Phoenix, Arizona; Cincinnati, Ohio; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Salt Lake City, Utah; Indianapolis, Indiana; Birmingham, Alabama; Jacksonville, Florida; and Las Vegas, Nevada.
If you’re looking for a business that aligns purpose with profit — one that transforms a universal need into a community-minded service and a sustainable enterprise — The Junkluggers delivers. With prime territories available, an established platform under Authority Brands, and leadership intent on removing friction at every turn, there may never be a better time to join.
“We’re here to stay, and we’re coming for our competitors,” Waltz said. “If you want to be part of a forward-thinking, eco-conscious company that’s changing the world one truckload at a time, I’d love to hear from you.”
The estimated initial investment ranges from $96,010 to $359,160, including a $50,000 franchise fee for a standard territory. Learn more about franchising with The Junkluggers: https://junkluggersfranchise.com/.
The Junkluggers
SPONSORED
With sustainability at its core, The Junkluggers blends purpose and performance to create a modern franchise opportunity that puts community impact and operational simplicity on the same truck.
For millions of households and businesses, the cycle of buying, storing and eventually clearing out has become a constant. Downsizing boomers, fast e-commerce habits and the push for greener living have all converged to transform junk removal from a sporadic chore into a reliable, values-driven service. That shift is creating a powerful opportunity for entrepreneurs who want a business that does well by doing good. It’s the world The Junkluggers — the junk hauling franchise under the Authority Brands umbrella — was built for.
The Junkluggers isn’t simply about hauling things away — it’s about rehoming, repurposing and reducing landfill waste through an eco-minded operating model. Customers feel good because items are donated or recycled whenever possible, partner nonprofits receive usable goods and franchise owners build trust — and repeat business — by delivering a service that matches today’s environmental expectations. Under President Justin Waltz, a former franchisee with nearly two decades in the category, the brand has doubled down on a “frictionless” approach that removes barriers for both customers and owners.
“Frictionless franchising is key,” Waltz said. “We focus on reducing backend costs so franchisees can invest more in their frontline employees — the people who actually drive revenue.”
For owners, that looks like a national contact center handling bookings, modern software to manage routes and jobs, and a clear, data-driven playbook so operators can focus on growth and customer care. “Even in highly commoditized businesses, customer care is more important than ever,” Waltz said. “It’s not always about the product — it’s about how you make people feel in the moment.”
The Junkluggers story started in 2004. Founder Josh Cohen launched the company in Fairfield County, Connecticut, using his mom’s SUV and a storage closet in his dad’s office. The idea? Pick up unwanted items and do everything possible not to throw them away. As demand grew, the mission crystallized — make eco-conscious junk removal the norm, not the exception — and franchising followed in 2012.
In 2023, The Junkluggers joined Authority Brands, bringing the resources and maturity of a leading multi-brand platform while preserving the founder mentality that made the concept special from day one.
“The brand dies when you pull out the founder mentality,” Waltz said. “Franchisees buy into a business for two main reasons: the culture and the business opportunity. When you combine founder mentality with strong financial backing, the business can be very successful, as it keeps the franchisee’s well-being as the north star.”
Today, The Junkluggers operates over 150 locations and is actively awarding protected territories of roughly 400,000 people across 48 states. The model is built for accessible, responsible scale: trucks that serve as rolling billboards, a recognizable neon-green brand, centralized booking to keep calendars full and a community-first donation network that turns every job into a feel-good story.
Average gross revenue for the 65 franchisees operating the full fiscal year 2024 was $761,391, with top-tercile operators averaging $1,346,540, according to the brand’s FDD. For the right owners, the combination of brand awareness, operational efficiency and local partnerships creates a strong foundation for multi-territory growth.
Junk removal has big names, but The Junkluggers stands out where it matters: waste diversion and customer experience. “We divert nearly 50% more waste from landfills than anyone else,” Waltz said. That philosophy shows up in the day-to-day — from curated recycler relationships to donation receipts that reassure customers their items found a second life. It also shows up in how the brand builds the business around the owner. Waltz calls it “betting on the jockey, not the horse” — clear marketing plans, ongoing training and systemwide initiatives that push additional work to franchisees and shorten the ramp, especially in the critical first 18 months.
The approach resonates with owners like Lucy Mejia in Atlanta Metro East. “We decided on The Junkluggers because it checked every single box — sustainability, community orientation, the people at headquarters and the other franchisee owners,” she said. “The culture was solid, and it really hit all my passions and checkpoints.” Her team now partners with numerous recyclers and more than a dozen donation organizations, turning eco-values into everyday operations customers can see.
From discovery to launch, the pathway is structured and supportive. Pre-opening training runs about five business days and covers marketing, sales, customer interaction, operations, record-keeping and vehicle maintenance. After opening, owners get individualized coaching, national marketing resources, vendor partnerships and the ongoing lift of an in-house contact center.
The macro trends are unmistakable. Analysts project the junk removal market will grow from $1.6 billion in 2025 to $2.7 billion by 2033. Waltz points to multiple tailwinds: an aging population downsizing their homes, ever-rising storage unit volumes, an “Amazon mentality” of frequent buying and tossing, and a cultural pivot toward eco-friendly services. “We’re the hungriest company in this space,” he said. “We’re evolving, we’re innovating and we’re here to dominate the industry.”
That urgency is paired with openness. “Franchisees have often risked their life savings,” Waltz said. “Their feedback is invaluable. Many of the best ideas in franchising came from owners on the front lines. We’ll never shy away from that collective voice.”
Looking ahead, the brand is hoping to grow in several key markets across the country, including Central Florida; Houston, Texas; Phoenix, Arizona; Cincinnati, Ohio; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Salt Lake City, Utah; Indianapolis, Indiana; Birmingham, Alabama; Jacksonville, Florida; and Las Vegas, Nevada.
If you’re looking for a business that aligns purpose with profit — one that transforms a universal need into a community-minded service and a sustainable enterprise — The Junkluggers delivers. With prime territories available, an established platform under Authority Brands, and leadership intent on removing friction at every turn, there may never be a better time to join.
“We’re here to stay, and we’re coming for our competitors,” Waltz said. “If you want to be part of a forward-thinking, eco-conscious company that’s changing the world one truckload at a time, I’d love to hear from you.”
The estimated initial investment ranges from $96,010 to $359,160, including a $50,000 franchise fee for a standard territory. Learn more about franchising with The Junkluggers: https://junkluggersfranchise.com/.
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