TruBlue Home Service Ally

Ryan Jennings spent years climbing power poles, construction and working long hours in the trades. But when he lost his father and saw his mom struggling with home maintenance alone, something shifted. He wanted more time, more purpose and a way to help others like her. Now, Jennings is launching his&nbsp;<a href="https://www.trubluefranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=ryan-jennings-trublue-franchisee-east-des-moines-2729457" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">TruBlue Home Service Ally franchise</a> in East Des Moines, Iowa, offering home maintenance and handyman services tailored to seniors and busy adults. With his passion for service and decades of practical experience, Jennings is building more than a business — he's building a legacy of care. 1851 spoke with Jennings to learn more about his background, why he chose&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/trubluehomeserviceally/info">TruBlue</a> and his plans for the future.&nbsp;1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What do you want us to know?Ryan Jennings:&nbsp;I started out working in manufacturing plants, but it just wasn’t for me — I needed to be outside. I worked for a local contractor, became a journeyman lineman, and did that for about 10 years across the Southeast. Eventually I got burned out on traveling, so I got into construction,metal buildings,grading and hauling — anything I could do hands-on. I always enjoyed meeting people and talking to people.In 2005, I started a distributorship business selling to convenience stores. I’ve always had a place in my heart for sales and meeting great people. But my dad got cancer a few years ago, and I didn’t get to spend the time with him I wanted to because of my job. I lost him last year, right after I turned 50. My mom’s a single widow now and always needs help around the house. My dad could fix anything, and some of that rubbed off on me. I wanted to start something where I could give back to my community, especially seniors. I’ve always had a soft spot for grandparents. I grew up living with mine.1851: What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?Jennings:&nbsp;After the 2008 recession wiped out my other business, I always wanted to get back into ownership. I started looking at franchises because of the support you get. It’s not easy — but it’s turnkey. The brand gives you everything you need to succeed. There’s nothing they haven’t seen before. That kind of knowledge is invaluable. I’ve looked at franchises all my life and just decided it was finally time to try something new.1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?Jennings: I knew franchising gave you tools, but I didn’t realize how comprehensive it was. From branding to marketing, operations to hiring — they really help guide you. It’s a better shot than going out and figuring everything out from scratch.1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Jennings: When I looked into TruBlue, everyone on the team genuinely cared. You weren’t just a name or a number. When I signed on, there were about 100 franchisees across the U.S. They’d been around for a while, and that gave me a lot of confidence. It just felt right.1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?Jennings:&nbsp;I plan on growing and scaling. I’m starting out slow — hiring a few people and getting our systems in place. But the sky’s the limit. We’re here to help. If someone out there needs us, we’re going to find a way to serve them. My goal is to eventually sell the business in 10 years as part of my retirement.1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?Jennings: I’ve always told my mom and wife — you’ve got two kinds of people in this world. The ones who work 40 hours a week for the same person their whole life, and the ones who take chances. That’s how I was raised. Everyone around me was nervous about me buying a franchise. But if you don’t take chances, you’ll never know what opportunities are out there. For anyone doubting themselves, you’ve got to figure out what your goals are and follow your dreams. TruBlue fit mine perfectly. It’s a great brand, and I’m proud to be a part of it.About TruBlue Home Service Ally:TruBlue Home Service Ally® provides a unique and affordable approach to helping busy adults and seniors live a worry-free life by offering trustworthy handyman, home maintenance and senior modification services. Helping you maintain your home both inside and out, TruBlue’s services include handyman projects and to-do list chores, preventative home maintenance programs, kitchen and bath remodels, seasonal work, and senior modification services, all handled by professional, bonded and insured Tru-Pro® Technicians. TruBlue franchise owners are required to complete senior home safety certification programs through the NAHB and Age Safe America. As certified specialists, TruBlue franchisees are able to perform aging in place home safety assessments and can make recommended safety modifications as needed.All locations are independently owned and operated. Service offerings, certifications, and licenses vary by location.

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Ryan Jennings & TruBlue Home Service Ally logo

Ryan Jennings: TruBlue Franchisee | Home Services in East Des Moines, Iowa

1851 Franchise

From journeyman lineman to senior-focused entrepreneur, Jennings is combining a career in the trades with a calling to serve others in East Des Moines, Iowa.

After a Lifetime of Hands-On Work, Ryan Jennings Turns to TruBlue to Build a Business That Gives Back 

ryan-jennings-trublue-franchisee-east-des-moines

FRANCHISE INFORMATION

Own a TruBlue Franchise

How TruBlue Empowers Career-Changers to Become Business Owners

Turning Your Passion for Helping Others into a Profitable Business with TruBlue

Why is the Medical Community Investing in TruBlue?

The Future of the Home Service Market

Learn

Download Brochure

Visit Website

TRUBLUE HOME SERVICE ALLY

Facebook 

Instagram 

LinkedIn 

SOCIAL MEDIA 

Step-by-Step: What the First Year of Owning a TruBlue Home Service Ally Looks Like

TruBlue & Lifewise Partner To Create Safer Homes for Seniors

Sioux Falls Business Owner and Sales Veteran To ‘Finish Strong’ With TruBlue Home Service Ally Franchise

TRUBLUE HOME SERVICE ALLY MOST READ STORIES

1851 LOGIN

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

ABOUT TRUBLUE HOME SERVICE ALLY

CONTACT TRUBLUE HOME SERVICE ALLY

facebook

instagram

linkedin

youtube

First Name

Last Name

Email

Phone

City

State / Province

Zip Code

How did you hear about us?

What excites you about owning a TruBlue Franchise?

Own a TruBlue Total House Care

image of forrest havernin from tru blue home service ally in woodlands texas

Tech Industry Veteran Turns to TruBlue Home Service Ally to Build a Legacy with Purpose in The Woodlands, Texas

tech-industry-veteran-turns-to-trublue-home-service-ally-to-build-a-legacy-with-purpose-in-the-woodlands-texas

1851 Franchisee Spotlight graphic with photo of Robert Campbell, TruBlue Home Service Ally

Why This Philanthropist and Pastor Is Starting a TruBlue Franchise in Wilmington, North Carolina

pastor-veteran-robert-campbell-trublue-wilmington-nc

image of thatcher thornburg franchisee owner of trublue home service ally Santa Clarita California

Hollywood Roots, Home Safety Focus: How TruBlue’s Aging-in-Place Model Draws Purpose-Driven Owners

streaming-technology-veteran-launches-trublue-california

image of Blake Ostling 1851 franchise franchisee feature for trublue home service ally East Lansing

Seasoned Entrepreneur Launches TruBlue Home Service Ally Franchise in East Lansing

trublue-home-service-ally-franchise-blake-ostling-east-lansing

On a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bbU1xPK_gI">recent episode of the “Pursuit of Profit” podcast</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.trubluefranchise.com/">TruBlue Home Service Ally</a> President&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/seancfitzgerald">Sean Fitzgerald</a> unpacked why aging in place has quickly become one of the most urgent—and underserved — needs in America. Older adults overwhelmingly want to remain in their homes, but the typical home environment often isn’t maintained or designed to support safe independence.Fitzgerald shared how his leadership path through major franchise brands—and his personal experience losing his mother and later his father-in-law after a catastrophic fall—deepened his commitment to&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/trubluehomeserviceally/info">TruBlue’s</a> mission. He positioned TruBlue as far more than a handyman concept, explaining that the brand’s niche is helping older adults stay safer at home through a three-step approach:&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/trubluehomeserviceally/trublue-home-service-ally-offers-free-home-assessments-for-fall-prevention-month-2727190">home safety assessments</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/trubluehomeserviceally/why-trublue-is-the-no-hassle-way-into-the-senior-industry-2729582">senior modifications</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciA12NuaFVg">ongoing maintenance</a> that reduces risk over time.“I believe that most of the falls that seniors experience are due to the home environment not being well-maintained or they’re trying to maintain it,” Fitzgerald said.Throughout the episode, Fitzgerald emphasized that TruBlue wins trust by acting like a long-term partner rather than a one-off service provider — especially for the homeowners 50 and older who make up a majority of customers. The brand’s “Home Service Ally” identity reflects that relationship-first positioning, where small jobs create the credibility to earn larger projects and lifelong customer value.&nbsp;“There’s no job too small,” Fitzgerald said, noting that once a homeowner trusts TruBlue, repeat business follows—and so do referrals from families, neighbors, and even senior care organizations and medical networks seeking reliable in-home support.Watch the full episode&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bbU1xPK_gI">here</a>.&nbsp;For more information visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/trubluehomeserviceally/info">https://1851franchise.com/trubluehomeserviceally/info</a>.

Fitzgerald explains how TruBlue’s assessments, modifications and ongoing maintenance model helps older adults stay safer at home—while creating recurring, trust-driven demand for franchise owners.

TruBlue’s Sean Fitzgerald on Aging in Place, Fall Prevention and Building a “Home Service Ally”

trublues-sean-fitzgerald-on-aging-in-place-fall-prevention-and-building-a-home-service-ally

<a href="https://www.trubluefranchise.com/">TruBlue Home Service Ally</a>, the national franchise dedicated to helping busy adults and seniors age in place safely and comfortably, closed out 2025 as the strongest year in the brand’s history. Fueled by record franchise development, rising systemwide revenue, and increasing demand for aging-in-place solutions, the brand enters 2026 positioned for even greater expansion.“We had by far our best year ever,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/seancfitzgerald">Sean Fitzgerald</a>, president of&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/trubluehomeserviceally/info">TruBlue</a>. “We’ve seen tremendous growth in not only new franchise owners, but also in growth and revenue systemwide. We more than doubled our new franchise agreements signed in 2025, and we’ve seen over a 25% increase in systemwide revenue.”According to Fitzgerald, the momentum goes beyond the numbers. TruBlue is attracting a new caliber of franchise owners — professionals with strong leadership, sales and marketing backgrounds who recognize the long-term opportunity in the aging-in-place sector.“Overall growth is really overshadowing any other big developments,” Fitzgerald said. “A lot of new professionals are joining TruBlue with really impressive backgrounds. The level of business acumen of our new owners coming into the system has been very impressive.”As TruBlue’s footprint expands nationwide, the brand is unlocking new opportunities to serve seniors and their families through broader partnerships and programs aimed at supporting safe, independent living.“Because we’ve grown so rapidly and we have much more coverage than we did even a year ago, we’re beginning to develop more strategic partners and programs,” Fitzgerald said. “There’s nothing new about aging in place, but the demand for our services is becoming more and more pronounced.”That demand, Fitzgerald explained, is being driven by a critical gap in the marketplace, one TruBlue is uniquely positioned to fill.“There are not a lot of options for people who need simple and minor senior modifications like grab bars or handheld showers,” he said. “Durable medical equipment companies focus on large installations and don’t want to mess with small projects. Seniors are left struggling to find trustworthy people for these services, and that’s our sweet spot.”As insurance and subsidy models evolve, more age-driven services are becoming eligible for coverage, further accelerating demand.“Historically, health insurance only covered services prescribed by a doctor,” Fitzgerald said. “Now, more services are age-driven instead of need-driven, which is fueling demand. Our opportunities are going to increase because we’re happy to do these minor senior modifications. Our business model is to build long-term customer relationships and not just a transactional business.”Looking ahead, TruBlue’s leadership team sees its expanding coverage as the final piece needed to unlock even more national partnerships.“The only thing holding us back from developing more national partnerships in the past was coverage,” Fitzgerald said. “The demand is there, we just need good operators in more markets. It’s almost an ‘I told you so’ moment. The senior aging-in-place wave is here. It’s no longer coming — it’s evident, and it’s fueling our growth.”As TruBlue prepares for 2026, the brand continues to seek franchise partners who are natural community builders and storytellers.“We’re really looking for people with a sales and marketing mindset,” Fitzgerald said. “Our owners are creating awareness, connecting to the community and becoming the local authority on aging in place. We’re looking for people who can build teams, network and tell the story of why our services matter.”With record-setting growth behind it and powerful demographic trends ahead, TruBlue enters the new year confident in its position at the forefront of the aging-in-place movement.“Our owners have been doing a great job connecting with their communities,” Fitzgerald said. “This trend is only going to continue, and we are well-positioned for it.”To learn more about franchise opportunities with TruBlue Home Service Ally, visit: <a href="https://1851franchise.com/trubluehousecare/info">&nbsp;https://1851franchise.com/trubluehousecare/info</a>.

The home maintenance, repair, and senior modification franchise caps its strongest year ever, driven by rapid franchise expansion, systemwide revenue gains, and surging market demand.

TruBlue Home Service Ally Closes Out 2025 With Record Growth and Accelerating Demand for Aging-in-Place Services

trublue-home-service-ally-closes-out-2025-with-record-growth-and-accelerating-demand-for-aging-in-place-services

After a Lifetime of Hands-On Work, Ryan Jennings Turns to TruBlue to Build a Business That Gives Back

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS