TWO MEN AND A TRUCK

<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-oversmith-33965a1a/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=alan-oversmiths-leap-from-general-manager-to-owner-sparked-a-dual-brand-franchise-journey-in-ann-arbor-michigan-2729663" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Alan Oversmith</a> found his footing in the trades after high school thanks to a family friend who encouraged him to join&nbsp;<a href="https://franchise.twomenandatruck.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=alan-oversmiths-leap-from-general-manager-to-owner-sparked-a-dual-brand-franchise-journey-in-ann-arbor-michigan-2729663" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">TWO MEN AND A TRUCK</a> as a general manager. That role eventually turned into an ownership opportunity.“I worked as a general manager for the franchisee who originally opened the&nbsp;<a href="https://twomenandatruck.com/movers/mi/ann-arbor?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=alan-oversmiths-leap-from-general-manager-to-owner-sparked-a-dual-brand-franchise-journey-in-ann-arbor-michigan-2729663" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Ann Arbor TWO MEN AND A TRUCK</a>,” he said. “When he decided to retire, I was already familiar with the operational side of the business, and he approached me about buying him out. For me, it made sense to make the leap.”Now, Oversmith is expanding with a&nbsp;<a href="https://twomenandajunktruck.com/franchise?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=alan-oversmiths-leap-from-general-manager-to-owner-sparked-a-dual-brand-franchise-journey-in-ann-arbor-michigan-2729663" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">TWO MEN AND A JUNK TRUCK</a> franchise in Ann Arbor, Farmington Hills and Brownstown. He sees it as a natural complement to his moving business and a way to meet community demand with responsible, service-driven solutions. “What excites me most is the opportunity to bring a trusted, community-focused service to a city that values innovation, sustainability, and small-business support,” he said. “Ann Arbor, Farmington Hills and Brownstown are all vibrant and diverse communities, and I’m excited to provide a service that not only helps people declutter and move forward, but also emphasizes responsible disposal and recycling.”1851 Franchise spoke with Oversmith about his franchising journey with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK and his expansion into junk removal through TWO MEN AND A JUNK TRUCK. Here’s what he had to say:1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What do you want us to know?Alan Oversmith: I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do after high school, but I eventually found my path in the trades. A family friend — who owned a TWO MEN AND A TRUCK franchise — kept encouraging me to come work for him as a general manager. I finally accepted, and that decision changed everything. I’ve been in the moving industry ever since, and I haven’t looked back.TWO MEN AND A TRUCK has been an incredible brand to grow with. The support, training and values behind the name have made a real difference in my career. I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve had — not just to learn and lead, but to keep growing every step of the way.1851: What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?Oversmith: I worked as a general manager for the franchisee who originally opened the Ann Arbor TWO MEN AND A TRUCK. When he decided to retire, I was already familiar with the operational side of the business, and he approached me about buying him out. For me, it made sense to make the leap.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?Oversmith: Before becoming a franchisee, I viewed franchising primarily as a “business-in-a-box” — a simplified path to entrepreneurship. I believed that if you followed the model, success was almost guaranteed. I assumed the franchisor would handle most of the difficult parts, like branding, marketing and operations, leaving me to simply manage day-to-day tasks.Now that I’m in it, I’ve learned that while franchising does offer a proven system, it’s far from passive. You still need to be an engaged, strategic business owner. Success depends on how well you execute the model, lead your team, adapt to local market conditions and connect with your community. It’s not a shortcut — it’s a framework.What I want people to know is this: Franchising gives you tools, not guarantees. It’s ideal for people who want to be in business for themselves but not by themselves. But it still takes grit, resilience and strong business sense to thrive. The support is there — but so is the responsibility.1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Oversmith: I’ve been in the moving industry since 2010. Junk removal and moving go hand in hand, so this was a great growth opportunity for what we are already doing.What excites me most is the opportunity to bring a trusted, community-focused service to a city that values innovation, sustainability, and small-business support. Ann Arbor, Farmington Hills and Brownstown are all vibrant and diverse communities, and I’m excited to provide a service that not only helps people declutter and move forward, but also emphasizes responsible disposal and recycling.Being part of a growing franchise like TWO MEN AND A JUNK TRUCK allows me to blend entrepreneurial ambition with a mission that aligns with the values of this area.1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?Oversmith: First, to become the go-to name for junk removal and donation pickup within our franchise marketing territories by consistently delivering top-notch customer service.Second, to build strong partnerships with local charities, recycling centers and community organizations to ensure that we’re contributing to the greater good, not just clearing space.And third, to grow a team that’s proud to work here — providing opportunities, training and a positive culture that reflects the professionalism and care our brand is known for.1851: Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?Oversmith: I was already working as a general manager for the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK brand in Ann Arbor when the opportunity to purchase the business came up. It wasn’t something I had thought about until the opportunity presented itself. I took the risk and have continued to grow.1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?Oversmith: Know yourself first. Ask yourself why you want to be a franchisee. Are you comfortable following someone else’s system? Do you prefer structure, or do you want creative freedom? Franchising suits those who want to run a business within a proven model — not reinvent the wheel.Do your research thoroughly. Not all franchises are created equal. Look beyond the brand name. Investigate:<ul><li>Financials: What are the real costs — initial investment, royalties, marketing fees, etc.?</li><li>Franchisor support: What kind of training, ongoing help, and marketing assistance do they provide?</li><li>Franchisee satisfaction: Speak with current (and former) franchisees to get honest insights.</li></ul>Understand the commitment. Franchising is not passive income. It often requires long hours, especially in the beginning. You’re buying into a system, but you’re still the one responsible for making it work.Read the FDD carefully. The Franchise Disclosure Document is your blueprint. Read it with a fine-tooth comb — and have a franchise attorney review it. Know your obligations, restrictions and rights.Have a financial cushion. Unexpected expenses will arise. Make sure you have enough capital not just to start, but to sustain the business through the ramp-up period — which can take months, even years.Be ready to lead. You’re not just buying a brand — you’re becoming a leader. Whether it’s managing staff, building a customer base, or solving problems, your success depends on your ability to lead people and operations.Franchising can be a powerful path to entrepreneurship, especially if you’re aligned with the brand and willing to work hard. But go into it with eyes wide open — informed, prepared and realistic.ABOUT TWO MEN AND A JUNK TRUCK:Headquartered in Michigan, TWO MEN AND A JUNK TRUCK is a full-service junk removal company that is committed to conquering your clutter. The company handles furniture pickup, appliance removal, debris cleanouts, and more, offering a hassle-free experience for residential and commercial customers. With over 70 locations across 23 U.S. states, the brand operates as a franchise-based business, and each location is independently owned and operated. TWO MEN AND A JUNK TRUCK is part of ServiceMaster® Brands, a leading franchise provider of needs-based residential and commercial services in the restoration, cleaning, moving, and bioremediation industries. ServiceMaster was founded as one of America’s first franchise businesses and does business under seven brands today across 50 states and nine countries that generate more than $3.5B in system-wide sales. TWO MEN AND A JUNK TRUCK is the sister brand of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, a trusted moving company founded in 1985, which operates 430 locations in 48 U.S. states, as well as in Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.

Alan Oversmith’s Leap from General Manager to Owner Sparked a Dual-Brand Franchise Journey

Alan Oversmith Expands TWO MEN AND A TRUCK in Ann Arbor

1851 Franchise

With over two decades in the moving industry, Oversmith has expanded his footprint by launching a TWO MEN AND A JUNK TRUCK franchise focused on community and sustainability.

Alan Oversmith’s Leap from General Manager to Owner Sparked a Dual-Brand Franchise Journey in Ann Arbor, Michigan

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TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® Marks 40 Years of Success

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TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® Marks 40 Years of Success With New Signings, New Franchisees and System Growth

Treasure Coast Business: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® Treasure Coast Expands Under New Ownership

TWO MEN AND A JUNK TRUCK® Makes Entrepreneur’s Top New and Emerging Franchises List

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Own a TWO MEN AND A TRUCK Franchise

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ST. LOUIS, Mo.&nbsp;—&nbsp;<a href="https://franchise.twomenandatruck.com/">TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://franchise.twomenandajunktruck.com/">TWO MEN AND A JUNK TRUCK®</a> brought franchise owners and corporate leaders together for the company’s 2026 Annual Conference, held Feb. 21-24 at the Marriott Grand in St. Louis, Missouri. The multi-day event focused on collaboration, recognition, and strategic planning as the brand prepares for the upcoming busy moving season.“TWO MEN AND A TRUCK has always been about empowering our franchise owners to grow strong businesses while serving their communities,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/randyshacka/">Randy Shacka,</a> president of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK. “Annual Conference gives us the opportunity to come together, celebrate the achievements across the system and share the strategies that will help our franchises continue to grow, even in a changing market.”This year’s theme, “Gateway to Growth,” was inspired by the conference’s host city and its historic significance as the gateway to the American West.“We were in St. Louis, which is home to the Gateway Arch, and historically it served as a staging point for explorers and pioneers. Our conference represents a gateway to growth for the system and our franchises”, said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/rikishook/">Riki Shook</a>, marketing and communications director.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>A Week of Learning and Collaboration</h2>Throughout the four-day event, franchise owners participated in keynote sessions, breakout workshops, and networking opportunities designed to help them strengthen their operations and prepare for the busy season ahead.“A lot of the focus this year was on innovation and technology, looking at where the system needs to be from a sales, marketing and operations perspective,” Shook said. “We really focused on tools for growth and where the moving industry is going as a whole.”The conference also featured a vendor marketplace with record participation from partners providing technology, marketing and operational services to franchise owners.“Having our annual conference at the beginning of the year really sets the stage for the rest of the year,” Shook said. “Franchise owners get to connect with peers, talk about what’s working in their markets and share best practices.”<h2>Recognizing Franchise Excellence</h2>A highlight of the conference was the annual awards ceremony, which recognized franchises and team members for operational performance, leadership, and community impact.During the conference, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK recognized franchises that reached major revenue milestones through the brand’s Million Dollar Club, which celebrates locations achieving significant levels of annual gross revenue.“We also had a new award this year, the Heart of the Brand Award,” Shook said. “That one was really to reinforce the ‘movers who care’ mindset and the support system that franchise owners build within their local teams.”The 2026 award winners included:<ul><li>Founders Award: Berkeley, California — Mark Snyir and Tanya Nickel</li><li>Safety Award: Lubbock, Texas</li><li>Business Moves Revenue Award: St. George, Utah — Justin Phillips and Kirk Phillips</li><li>Boxes and Packing Revenue Award: Hollywood/Ft. Lauderdale, Florida — Britt Lanier and Susan Lanier</li><li>Interstate Annual Gross Revenue Award: St. Louis, Missouri — Naim Gasanov, Doug Haber, John Judson, Tom Schopp, Joel Trost and Steve West</li><li>Multi-Family Award: Columbus, Ohio — Justin and Stephanie Clarey</li><li>Crated Moving Award: Springfield, Virginia — Martin Pollack</li><li>Sales Order Growth Award, Under 18 Months: Huntington Beach, California — Komal and Santanu Bandyopadhyay</li><li>Sales Order Growth Award, Over 18 Months: College Station, Texas — Jay Mellentine and Christine Thomas</li><li>Highest Single Unit Gross Revenue Award: St. Louis, Missouri — Naim Gasanov, Doug Haber, John Judson, Tom Schopp, Joel Trost and Steve West</li><li>Highest Multi-Unit Operating Unit Gross Revenue Award: Minneapolis South, Minnesota — Nick Bailey</li><li>International Move Hero: Sam Hellem - Colorado Springs, Colorado&nbsp;</li><li>Heart of the Brand Award: Taylor Suman — Fort Worth, Texas franchisee</li><li>Newsmaker Award: Twin Cities — Nick Bailey</li><li>Achievement In Excellence Program (AIE) No. 1 U.S. Metro Market: Charlottesville, Virginia — Nathan Bocock and Bryan and Rebecca Feldman</li><li>AIE Program No. 1 Mod-Market: Idaho Falls, Idaho — Terry Bruns, Lucas Keefe and</li><li>Exceptional Customer Service Award: Gainesville, Florida — Mark and Saundria Golden, Chris Hardoin and Anyse Medwedeff</li><li>Humanitarian Award: Grand Rapids North, Michigan — Heidi and Kyle Norcutt</li></ul><h2>Looking Ahead</h2>As the brand prepares for the busy summer moving season, leadership emphasized the importance of refining strategies now so franchise locations are positioned for success when demand increases.“The strength of our brand has always come from the dedication of our franchise owners and the teams they build in their communities,” Shacka said. “When we come together to share ideas, celebrate success and prepare for the year ahead, it reinforces the culture that has driven this brand for 40 years and positions our entire system for continued growth.”ABOUT TWO MEN AND A TRUCK:&nbsp;Headquartered in Michigan, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK is an international, full-service franchised moving company with more than 430 locations and 3,000 trucks operating in 47 U.S. states in addition to Canada, Ireland and the United Kingdom. Each location is independently owned and operated, and together, the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK network has performed more than 10 million moves since its inception in 1985. In 2026, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK was featured on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 list, where the brand was ranked No. 1 in the Moving/Junk Removal Services category. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK was also named a top franchise by Franchise Business Review and was featured on the Best National Moving Company List by Newsweek. In 2021, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK was acquired by ServiceMaster® Brands, which is a leading franchise provider of needs-based residential and commercial services in the restoration, cleaning, moving, and bioremediation industries. ServiceMaster was founded as one of America’s first franchise businesses and does business under seven brands today across 50 states and nine countries that generate more than $3.5B in system-wide sales. For franchising opportunities, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://franchise.twomenandatruck.com">franchise.twomenandatruck.com</a>.

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The brand’s “Gateway to Growth” conference brought franchise owners, corporate leaders and industry partners together in St. Louis to celebrate achievements and prepare for the year ahead.

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® Celebrates Franchise Growth and Leadership at 2026 Annual Conference

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LANSING, Mich. —&nbsp;<a href="https://franchise.twomenandajunktruck.com/">TWO MEN AND A JUNK TRUCK®</a>, a fast-growing junk removal franchise, has been named to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.entrepreneur.com/franchises/directory/fastest-growing-ranking">Top New and Emerging Franchises list by Entrepreneur magazine</a>, a distinction that recognizes standout brands that have begun franchising within the past five years and are demonstrating strong early growth.Entrepreneur builds the list using its Franchise 500 evaluation, which reviews more than 150 data points, including costs, growth, franchisee support, brand strength and financial stability. The Top New and Emerging Franchises list focuses on brands that began franchising in 2020 or later and have started gaining traction in the market.“Watching the system grow like this has been exciting,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/randyshacka">Randy Shacka</a>, president of TWO MEN AND A JUNK TRUCK. “We built the brand to be straightforward for owners, with the support they need behind them, while giving customers a reliable option for junk removal.”TWO MEN AND A JUNK TRUCK, now operating more than 70 locations across 23 states, has found its stride by making junk removal simple, handling everything from old furniture and appliances removal to major cleanouts for homeowners and businesses alike.Being part of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.servicemaster.com/">ServiceMaster Brands</a> family gives the company a serious edge, drawing on a long history of franchise know-how and resources. ServiceMaster, which has been around since the early days of franchising, manages several service brands across the country, bringing in over $3.5 billion in sales across its entire system.TWO MEN AND A JUNK TRUCK also builds on the trusted reputation of its sister company,&nbsp;<a href="https://franchise.twomenandatruck.com/">TWO MEN AND A TRUCK</a>, which has been a leader in the moving industry since 1985 and operates hundreds of locations worldwide.To learn more about franchising with TWO MEN AND A JUNK TRUCK, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://franchise.twomenandajunktruck.com">https://franchise.twomenandajunktruck.com</a>.ABOUT TWO MEN AND A JUNK TRUCK:Headquartered in Michigan, TWO MEN AND A JUNK TRUCK is a full-service junk removal company that is committed to conquering your clutter. The company handles furniture pickup, appliance removal, debris cleanouts and more, offering a hassle-free experience for residential and commercial customers. With more than 70 locations across 23 U.S. states, the brand operates as a franchise-based business, and each location is independently owned and operated. TWO MEN AND A JUNK TRUCK is part of ServiceMaster® Brands, a leading franchise provider of needs-based residential and commercial services in the restoration, cleaning, moving and bioremediation industries. ServiceMaster was founded as one of America’s first franchise businesses and does business under seven brands today across 50 states and nine countries that generate more than $3.5 billion in systemwide sales. TWO MEN AND A JUNK TRUCK is the sister brand of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, a trusted moving company founded in 1985, which operates 430 locations in 48 U.S. states, as well as in Canada, Ireland and the United Kingdom.

With more than 70 locations in 23 states, the junk removal concept continues to expand its footprint and gain industry recognition.

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Alan Oversmith’s Leap from General Manager to Owner Sparked a Dual-Brand Franchise Journey in Ann Arbor, Michigan

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