When business owner Dave Hettiger started looking at ways to expand his portfolio, he found the perfect opportunity with The Carpet Chemist. The emerging carpet-care franchise is embarking on an ambitious expansion plan this year, and Hettiger saw an opportunity to partner with the brand to provide a much-needed service in his community.

A college-athlete turned entrepreneur, Hettiger says he knows how hard work and perseverance can result in big wins. Both on and off the field, Hettiger says he “approaches everything with integrity and an internal drive to succeed.” 

In 2015, Hettiger and a friend opened a protein shop. Despite the challenges of building his own business, the self-described “go-getter” quickly saw the benefits of being his own boss. Then last summer, he started looking into potential franchises to invest in to open in the Chicago area.  

“I originally began my research into franchising and business ownership because I have a growing family that I want to provide for, and I wanted to leave behind a legacy,” Hettiger said. “The Carpet Chemist allows me to do just that, and I know I will have the support and a team that will allow me to achieve this dream.”

Hettiger says while researching companies, everything about The Carpet Chemist stuck out to him, from the business model to the people to the logo itself. With bright purple vehicles, big bold lettering and the unique Chemist mascot, the company is a well-recognized and revered brand in its home market of Kentucky.

Once he inquired about the opportunity, “everyone at the corporate level was so helpful, the numbers were appealing, and it seemed like a no brainer,” he said.  

“Especially in our market, there's no other brand out there like The Carpet Chemist — one that does it all, from the repair process to dyeing and from carpet to hardwood floors,” he said. “Nobody really is doing the whole broad range of things we offer, and they're not offering the same level of expertise. These days, people want one contractor for basically everything. They don't want to call three different companies.” 

So Hettiger took the plunge and signed on as the brand’s first franchisee in mid-March. Today, he is in training, preparing to hit the ground running when his territory opens this summer. By the end of the year, his goal is to have three additional units open, and he thinks there is demand for about 10 total in the Chicagoland area, including La Grange, Riverside, Brookfield and Oak Brook.

“We could not be more excited to have Dave join us as our first franchisee,” said Eric Anderson, President of The Carpet Chemist. “Dave will play a key role in our brand’s history as our first franchisee and we are looking forward to his growth and continued expansion with us.”