Veteran Andrew Dunn Brings His In-Depth Experience as a Supply Officer in the US Navy to Batteries Plus Bulbs

After spending eight years as a supply officer in the U.S. Navy, Andrew Dunn moved to Virginia to help other veterans find work. When he decided he wanted to operate his own business, Batteries Plus Bulbs—the nation’s largest and fastest-growing battery, lightbulb and smartphone repair franchise—piqued his interest.

“There were three Batteries Plus Bulbs locations for sale on the Virginia Peninsula,” said Dunn. “After doing my research, it was clear that the Batteries Plus Bulbs offer was a top-tier franchise opportunity.”

Started in 1988, Batteries Plus Bulbs was the first brand to identify the growing need for battery replacement and specialty bulbs in an age of ever-changing technology. Since beginning to franchise in 1992, the brand has expanded to include more than 725 units across the United States. Since 2014, Batteries Plus Bulbs has also offered guests smartphone and tablet repair services, keys and an extensive line of premium battery and bulb products with both commercial and retail applications.

Dunn purchased the three existing Batteries Plus Bulbs stores in May 2017, including the Newport News, Hampton and Williamsburg locations. With the oldest of the three having operated for over a decade, the Batteries Plus Bulbs brand was already recognized and established in the southeast Virginia area.

“Batteries Plus Bulbs is not the typical brick-and-mortar retail store,” said Dunn. “With our pricing models, inventory, bulk deals and supply chain, 30% of our sales come from commercial customers. We have access to the widest selection of battery and lightbulb products available—including more than 60,000 types of batteries, bulbs and accessories—and offer unmatched service to consumers, businesses and government entities at the national and local levels.”

As Dunn points out, Batteries Plus Bulbs offers an Amazon-proof model in which customers visit the brick-and-mortar location for repair services, expertise and products that are not available online.

“We sell specialty products, such as marine and automotive batteries, which are too heavy to ship,” he said. “Beyond that, as people shift away from buying laptop and camera batteries, our repair offerings have provided us with an in-demand service and an additional revenue stream for franchisees. No one wants to go hours without their cell phone, let alone days while they wait for shipping. These differentiators really attracted me to the brand.”

The Virginia Peninsula includes a large maritime and military population in need of military-grade batteries. Dunn has been able to leverage his experience in the military, acquiring a GSA contract that allows his Batteries Plus Bulbs locations to offer their products and services to military and government customers. “The contract positions us as a trusted government vendor,” said Dunn. “The ability to acquire commercial partnerships, whether it be selling to schools or hospitals, gives franchisees additional, steady revenue streams. We’ve become an invaluable resource in the community because of our exceptional customer service, expertise and quality-tested products.”

Dunn has also been able to bring his experience as a navy supply officer to the logistical, inventory aspect of life as a multi-unit Batteries Plus Bulbs franchise owner. “My background has been invaluable in helping me to manage bulk sales and succeed with our product line,” he said.

With his three Batteries Plus Bulbs locations, Dunn services seven municipalities on the Virginia Peninsula. As the president-elect of the Rotary Club of Oyster Point—a club of over 70 local business owners that help the community through charity work and benefits—Dunn has contributed to the local community through a Bikes for Tykes project each Christmas as well as through work with Habitat for Humanity.

“Batteries Plus Bulbs has been around for 30-plus years and I am probably one of the younger owners in the system,” he said. “As the older franchise group looks to transition away from ownership, I hope to continue to grow with the brand and purchase some of the other locations in the surrounding area.”

With a well-known name that’s established and growing, multiple revenue streams and an Amazon-proof model, Batteries Plus Bulbs continues to position franchisees like Andrew Dunn for exceptional success.

The start-up cost to open a Batteries Plus Bulbs franchise is $190,144 to $367,358 with a franchise fee of $37,500 and a 5% royalty. For more information on franchising opportunities with Batteries Plus Bulbs, please visit https://batteriesplusfranchise.com/.