James Sumlar spent five years in the Marines and several more navigating the complexities of the logistics world as an owner-operator. He knew the industry from the driver’s seat, but he also knew that a market as massive as Los Angeles required a strategic approach.

To meet that challenge, Sumlar first assembled a powerhouse leadership team consisting of friends and partners Jason Crenshaw and Joseph Reese to bring TWO MEN AND A TRUCK to the LA market. As a national, full-service franchise specializing in comprehensive home and business moving, storage and junk removal, the brand offers the structural support the trio needs to scale in a major city.

By combining Sumlar’s logistics expertise and military discipline with Crenshaw’s proven track record of scaling a business from the ground up, this veteran-led group is bringing the brand to LA for the first time.

Sumlar and Crenshaw sat down with 1851 Franchise to discuss their transition from independent business owners to franchise partners and why they said yes to the high-stakes LA territory. Here’s what they had to say:

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What do you want us to know?

James Sumlar: I’m a Marine Corps veteran and have since been in logistics. I ran my own trucking company for years, but I reached a point where I wanted to build something larger. I’m constantly looking for my next investment and TWO MEN AND A TRUCK offered a system I could grow alongside family and people I trust.

Jason Crenshaw: I owned and operated Gym Stuff 4 Sale LLC for more than seven years here in Huntington Park. I know what it’s like to build something from the ground up, so coming into this venture with James and the support of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK felt like the right evolution.

1851: What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Sumlar: I owned and operated my own trucking company. I started looking into several franchises in different industries, but once I saw the structure of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®, I knew it was the right fit.

Crenshaw: James approached me about this opportunity, and having run an independent business, I saw the value in taking my years of operational experience and plugging it into a franchise model. It allows us to focus on scaling rather than having to build every single system from scratch.

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?

Sumlar: Now that I’m in it, the biggest lesson is, yes, you’re given the tools, but you still have to be the one to do the heavy lifting. It’s a partnership, not a hands-off investment. 

1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?

Sumlar: It was the presentation and the people. When I met the recruiters at an expo in LA, they showed me a system that worked. It was surprising to realize that such a massive territory like Los Angeles didn't have a franchise yet. Being the first to plant the flag here is a huge opportunity.

1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?

Sumlar: Right now, our focus is stability and excellence. I want to get a full year under our belt to really understand the seasonal flow of the LA market.

Crenshaw: With my background in sales and James’s background in operations, we’re looking to scale. Once we’ve solidified our reputation here, expansion is definitely the goal.

1851: Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?

Sumlar: This is a true family-and-friend-powered business. We each bring a different strength, and it’s a real team effort.

1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?

Sumlar: Do your research and look for the veteran discounts! There are a lot of resources out there for veterans to get into franchising. Also, don't be afraid to talk to other owners. I spoke with several neighboring franchisees before signing.

ABOUT TWO MEN AND A TRUCK: 

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 $3.5 billion in system-wide sales. For franchising opportunities, visit franchise.twomenandatruck.com.