Advice From a Multi-Unit Franchisee: Bob Gomori, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®

Multi-Unit Franchisee: Bob Gomori

Franchise: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK*®

Bob Gomori’s relationship with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, the full-service franchised moving company, began when he was 24 and fresh out of college. With the help of his dad, he bought his first unit in Boardman, Ohio, in 2004. 

After building that location into a successful business, Gomori began thinking bigger. He sold his franchise and used the proceeds to buy several franchises in Texas with his new business partner (and fellow franchisee) Chad Arnold. Together, they now own six TWO MEN AND A TRUCK locations in the Dallas market,  including units in McKinney, Denton, Carrollton and Garland, as well as two in South Dallas.

“I just saw the opportunity and wanted a bigger market,” said Gomori. “So that’s where we are now and we’re probably not stopping with just Dallas. We’ll probably continue on as long as we can. Nothing immediate, but we’re always looking for the right opportunity.”

1851 Franchise sat down and talked with Gomori about his journey in franchising, his accomplishments and his advice for other entrepreneurs looking to become the next great multi-unit franchisee.

A transcript of 1851’s interview with Gomori appears below. It has been edited for clarity, style and brevity.

1851 Franchise: Can you tell me your personal story and how you found your way into franchising?

Bob Gomori: I was young, 24 years old, when I bought my first franchise in Ohio. I had it for 15 years and then sold it. That experience allowed me to buy into the Dallas market with my business partner, Chad Arnold. We bought six franchises here, and that's how I got to where I am today. 

I just saw the opportunity and wanted a bigger market. So that’s where we are now and we’re probably not stopping with just Dallas. We will probably continue as long as we can. Nothing immediate, but we’re always looking for the right opportunity.

1851: So was TWO MEN AND A TRUCK your first franchise, or was there one before that?

Gomori: No, this was it. I was basically one year out of college. I was lucky enough to have my dad back me financially. I signed when I was 24.

1851: Right, you struck gold. Many people struggle to find the right franchise that works best for them.

Gomori: Yeah, it's not without struggles. It was a grind for many years. A smaller franchise gives you the tools to know what to do when you get to the bigger ones and how to scale from there.

1851: How did you settle on TWO MEN AND A TRUCK? Was it an industry you were looking into, or did this franchise in particular get your attention?

Gomori: I looked at different franchises, from the service industry to food retail. I didn't have much wisdom at that age, but I saw where the need was. It mainly came down to dealing with the franchisor and deciding if I liked them and if our values lined up. When I met the family involved in TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, I felt like it was more of a partnership than a franchisor-franchisee relationship. That sold me; it didn’t really matter what the business was as long as I had a solid foundation.

1851: Where are you now with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK? How many units do you have?

Gomori: We have six franchises across the Dallas area: McKinney, Denton, Carrollton, Garland and South Dallas.

1851: Any more on the horizon?

Gomori: Nothing immediate, but we're always looking for the right opportunity.

1851: When you first started franchising, were you thinking about scale, or did that come later?

Gomori: That came later for me. You always dream big, but as you get into it, you figure out how to get there. Once I was five-to-seven years in, I knew I wanted to scale. I needed to find out how to get there financially and how to build the platform for scaling. Networking and meeting people helped, and that's how Chad and I partnered.

1851: Tell us more about your partner, Chad.

Gomori: We met through networking within the franchise. Franchisees become your best friends in the business. Chad had franchises in Michigan, sold them, then went to Sacramento. We had established a good relationship and wanted to work together. The timing was right, and we both moved our families to Dallas and grew the franchise significantly. It's about the people you have and building your team.

1851: When you were evaluating franchise opportunities, what did you look for in a franchisor?

Gomori: I looked for a proven track record, financial potential, and the values of the franchise and its people. It was important that I felt confident in the franchisor's support and partnership.

1851: Now that you’re a successful multi-unit franchisee, what would a franchisor need to do to get your attention?

Gomori: Good question. They'd need to have strong values, understand the importance of people, and invest in technology and support for franchisees. I’d want to talk to other franchisees and ensure the franchisor is committed to moving the business forward.

1851: Would you consider diversifying with another brand if the opportunity arose?

Gomori: Sure, diversification is always good. Right now, my focus isn’t there, but I have a lot of career ahead of me, so I would look at complementary brands.

1851: Thinking back to when you decided to go from one unit to two units, what roadblocks did you face?

Gomori: My situation was different because I bought into an existing franchise group in Dallas. The transition was easier than starting a second unit from scratch. The challenge is ensuring you have boots on the ground and the right people to maintain the culture and operations.

1851: Do you have any advice for first-time franchisees who want to become multi-unit franchisees?

Gomori: It doesn't come quickly. Keep your head down, do the right thing, be fair to your customers and people, and the growth will come. It takes time to get the capital and access to capital, so be patient and stick to your principles.

1851: Anything else you’d like to add?

Gomori: Just that it's all about the people. Treat everyone right, both within your organization and your customers, and you'll achieve your goals.

Every great franchisee had help buying a franchise. Want to learn more about how 1851 helps franchisees find the right franchise opportunity? Visit www.1851growthclub.com and start your journey.