TruBlue Home Service Ally

<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/thatcher-thornburg-80b887117/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=streaming-technology-veteran-launches-trublue-california-2731353" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Thatcher Thornburg’s</a> interest in aging-in-place services is deeply personal. Watching his grandmother navigate Alzheimer’s and dementia gave him firsthand insight into how challenging everyday home maintenance can become for seniors and their families. Simple tasks and overlooked safety issues can quickly turn into serious risks, especially without reliable support.While continuing to build a career in entertainment technology, leading teams, developing streaming platforms and supporting large-scale content delivery, Thatcher found himself increasingly drawn to more direct, community-based work. He wanted to apply his operational experience and problem-solving skills to something tangible: helping people maintain their homes and remain independent for as long as possible.He chose&nbsp;<a href="https://www.trubluefranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=streaming-technology-veteran-launches-trublue-california-2731353" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">TruBlue Home Service Ally</a> because it allowed him to combine that mission with a professional, structured business model. As he prepares to open his location, Thatcher&nbsp;is focused on building a trusted local service that emphasizes reliability, transparency and long-term relationships with customers.Thatcher took the time to chat with 18 Franchise to discuss all of this and more. Here’s what he had to say:1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What do you want us to know?Thatcher Thornburg:&nbsp;I spent over 15 years in corporate America working in entertainment technology for one of the world’s leading studios. My team helped build a significant portion of their streaming platform, developing workflows, tools and systems that supported global content releases. It was a challenging and rewarding environment that taught me how to lead teams, manage complexity and deliver reliable results.Alongside that career, I always had a strong interest in home improvement and helping others. That motivation really came into focus when my grandmother developed Alzheimer’s and dementia. I spent a lot of time with her in hospitals and later in assisted living, and I saw how important home safety and maintenance are to quality of life. Volunteering during that time left a lasting impact on me.When my department was eventually shut down, I took the opportunity to reassess what I wanted to do next. I explored more than 18 different business options before finding a model that allowed me to help people age in place while also building a sustainable business.1851: What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?Thornburg:&nbsp;My background is in emerging technology. I worked across DVD, Blu-ray, on-demand and streaming platforms, supporting global releases and helping test new systems for content delivery and vendor management. It was a fast-moving industry that required adaptability and strong collaboration.Franchising made sense to me because it aligned with my values and gave me a clear framework to bring a much-needed service to my community. Having access to established systems, training and a support network removes many of the early obstacles that come with starting a business from scratch, while still allowing you to build something of your own.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?Thornburg:&nbsp;My concept of franchising was that it was food-only — big chains like McDonald's where you needed millions of dollars to buy property and get involved. It never occurred to me that there were non-food franchises focused on serving the community.Now that I’m in it, I want people to know that there are hundreds of options that aren't just big global conglomerates driving a "race to the cheapest burger." You can find businesses that fulfill a massive community need. The best part is that while you are building a business yourself, you are not alone. You have a support network, which is different from my experience trying to launch an independent company where I hit constant roadblocks.1851:&nbsp;What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Thornburg:&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/trubluehomeserviceally/info">TruBlue</a> checked all the boxes for the kind of business I wanted to build. The focus on home safety, especially for seniors and busy families, really resonated with me. I was also drawn to the preventive maintenance and subscription-based services, which help homeowners stay ahead of issues rather than reacting to emergencies.In my community, there are many senior care organizations, and I see a real opportunity to partner with them by providing reliable aging-in-place updates and a trusted handyman service. TruBlue’s model emphasizes professionalism, vetted technicians and clear communication, which gives customers peace of mind. That level of trust and consistency is something I’m excited to bring to my area.1851:&nbsp;What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?&nbsp;Thornburg:&nbsp;My immediate goals are to launch successfully, build the right team and reach profitability so we can reinvest back into the business and the community. I want to work with nonprofits, churches and schools to help address needs I’ve seen locally.From a growth perspective, I believe in reinvesting profits to scale responsibly. I want to build a company that values its customers and takes the time to educate them, provide excellent service and earn long-term trust.1851:&nbsp;Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?Thornburg:&nbsp;It’s really about bringing a connection back to the community. Especially in California, I see companies that come in, slap something together and leave. I want to build something that provides jobs and careers while serving seniors and busy families. I’m currently in the process of getting our support vehicles ready and ensuring we have a team that is friendly, communicative, reliable and educational.1851:&nbsp;What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?Thornburg:&nbsp;At the core, this is about community connection. I want to build a business that creates local jobs, offers career paths and truly serves seniors and homeowners. Right now, I’m focused on preparing our support vehicles, finalizing systems and assembling a team that is friendly, knowledgeable and dependable.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.

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

Streaming Technology Veteran Launches TruBlue Home Service Ally in California

1851 Franchise

After 15 years building streaming tech for a major studio, Thatcher Thornburg joined TruBlue Home Service Ally to help California seniors age in place through home modifications.

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

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For decades,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-dawes-09067411/">John Dawes</a> has successfully built businesses from the ground up. Most recently, it was his work in bathroom safety remodeling that shifted his perspective. While helping seniors modify their homes for safety, Dawes saw firsthand the immense relief and joy his work brought to families.Now, at 60 years old, Dawes isn't looking to retire, he is looking to continue making a difference. Determined to spend the next decade doing meaningful work, Dawes has launched&nbsp;<a href="https://www.trubluefranchise.com/">TruBlue Home Service Ally</a> in Sioux Falls. By pivoting to franchising, he is skipping the "start-up" headaches he faced in previous ventures to focus entirely on what drives him: providing peace of mind to the Sioux Falls community and helping neighbors stay safe and comfortable in their homes.1851 Franchise sat down with Dawes to discuss the launch of his new business. Here’s what he had to say:1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What do you want us to know?John Dawes: I've been in sales and management for most of my career. I bounced around from the auto industry to the mortgage industry, then onto the advertising agency world. I owned a mortgage company for many years here in Sioux Falls. Then I became their national sales trainer and their sales manager for 34 locations. I also owned an auto dealership leads and credit repair company called The Right Track Solution for five years.For the last year and a half, I headed up a national bathroom remodeling company. About 75% of my business was working with seniors, and I really enjoyed seeing firsthand how we impacted our customers and the new peace of mind our services provided for them. This really motivated me to open a business centered around seniors. I still have 10 to 15 years left to work, so I thought, “Why not open a senior service-centered business?”1851: What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?Dawes: My first two businesses that I owned, there was not really a model to go by. So, you pretty much had to do everything from figuring out your CRM and your marketing approaches. I did not want to go down that road again because it takes a lot of work and a lot of time. What really attracted me to franchising is that they've already got everything completed for you. It’s like a turnkey business. You go in, follow the instructions and here you go.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?Dawes: I have a lot of friends that own franchises in different industries, so a lot of my perception of franchising comes from their experiences. Some of them were given a ton of freedom and leeway, others not at all. I thought initially that the franchisor would give me everything, but it turned out that they did give me some decision-making power, and I really appreciate that.1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Dawes: When I found&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/trubluehomeserviceally/info">TruBlue</a> it was just a perfect match. I've always had a heart for helping people, especially seniors. With what they get for compensation and then the amount of things that they give you and the amount of support they give you, there really aren’t any franchises out there like them. They go above and beyond what many other companies do.1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?Dawes: I grew up in North Dakota in Grand Forks, so there might be possibilities of expanding to my home areas. I would definitely like to expand further south, maybe to Sioux City. There aren’t too many TruBlue territories in this area, so there is plenty of opportunity to expand.1851: Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?Dawes: I've always had just a passion for helping people and treating them how they should be treated. With my sales background I always aimed to not put a ton of pressure on customers to purchase or not purchase.Also, I've played racquetball for probably 40 years, 50 years, and I’m a new grandparent! I have one grandchild right now, with 2 more on the way. A lot of my time is spent with my family these days.1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?Dawes: I would definitely say that if you've got the inkling that franchise ownership is something you want to do, then you should do it. The nice thing about franchising is that there's always going to be help and support at the ready for you. If you have the drive to succeed, you will succeed.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.

TruBlue Home Service Ally - John Dawes Franchisee Feature - 1851 Franchise

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Seasoned Entrepreneur Launches TruBlue Home Service Ally Franchise in East Lansing

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Former Finance Professional Brings TruBlue Home Service Ally Franchise to Nassau, New York, To Support Local Seniors

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<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>.

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

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

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