How did you get into the industry?
I was in the real estate/construction trade all my life and in 2008, when the economy collapsed and the banks shut everything down, my construction business folded. Because of that, I decided to launch a niche business that’s in-demand, needed, recession-proof and unique. The Patch Boys concept was born! After perfecting the model and making it profitable, I met Chris Connor at a local trade show and he convinced me to franchise this concept. In late 2015, we sold our first franchise and the rest is history as they say.
What’s New in the Business or in the Franchise Model?
Not only are we America’s FIRST AND MOST-TRUSTED drywall-repair franchise company, but we have also invented and introduced this concept to the masses. This is a niche that’s in-demand, and a great low-cost opportunity for the potential franchise owner. We have created a solution for a big problem, and as of late 2019, we have 100+ locations across the nation and we continue to grow successfully.
Where do you See Opportunities or Challenges for the Franchise/Business Moving Forward?
Thank God for challenges or this would be really boring! There are always challenges and that’s usually a good sign of growth and expansion, and that’s the case in our business. We are not a “One Size fits All” idea. What works for Oakland, CA, does not necessarily work for Cedar Rapids, IA, and what works for McKinney, TX, does not work for Denver, CO. We have learned to follow the trends in every community and pin-point the local flavor to learn what people expect, what it takes to get good employees in the local region and the type of services they need. In addition, we are always “two steps ahead” and try to predict and forecast what is needed to be ready for change.
What is your Goal for the Business Moving Forward?
For the most part, we want to continue to innovate and grow at a steady pace. Since we are the creators of this idea and concept, we have to set the trends. We have to constantly innovate, originate and revolutionize to ensure that we give our franchise partners the tools they need for success. While we continue to grow, we have to be sure we grow in a way that makes sense for our franchise partners and customers. We are constantly looking at our systems to ensure that no one gets lost in the shuffle as new locations come aboard.
Talk to us About Training and Support, How Do You Deliver?
Training and support are by far the most important parts of the puzzle for success. We have created our own “out-of-the-box” method. We travel to each location, opening and conducting the training at the franchise location. This gives new owners a much better understanding of the business and an opportunity to do estimates and work on actual jobs with our corporate training team. In addition, we do one-on-one training with every single new location. We ensure that every owner gets our undivided attention and receives the training at their speed, their pace and their liking. Once we are done with training, our support team gets to work and monitors the territory and offers guidance as needed..
Your most difficult moment at the Franchise Business?
There are constant “most difficult moments” as there are thousands of franchise brands aggressively vying and competing for a particular territory, so we continuously need to educate the franchise world about The Patch Boys concept.
How is your Franchise Model Structured?
A. Training and Support Model?
3 days of training at the franchisee’s location
B. What is the Fee Structure?
7% for Franchise Royalties with NO minimum / 2% for Marketing Fund
C. Territory Definition?
300,000 MSA
What does Your Franchisee Do in the Business Every Day?
It’s all about management and structure. As the franchise owner, you need to ensure that the workers are on time, there is quality control on the jobsite, routing and scheduling is organized, and most of all franchisees should have a commitment to great customer service. You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression, so you need to be on top of your team to represent the business.
Who is the Ideal Franchise Candidate?
A motivated person! It’s not about the money you have, the experience you have or the credit score you have. It’s all about your motivation and drive. You must take pride in your work, and be willing to always give it 110%. Everything else will automatically fall into place.
Success Stories and Failures with Franchisees?
This is what franchising is all about. We love helping people achieve the dream of business ownership. We have so many feel-good stories that makes all the hard work worth it. It is so rewarding to the corporate team. We have a young couple who, before investing in The Patch Boys, could hardly make ends meet. They just bought their first house. We are extremely proud of our veteran owner in the Midwest, who made The Patch Boys his first-ever business and ramped it up 20% month over month and never looked back. Or, my favorite success story is a franchisee from the south who lost his entire business years ago, and was feeling hopeless. With The Patch Boys, he turned his life around and now has a fresh start and a lucrative business. There are so many lives we have changed and that is the real reward for us.
What Goals Do you Have for the Franchise Model in the Future?
To continue to grow, innovate, expand and offer this service in every city and town across this great nation. www.ThePatchBoys.com
For more information: https://thepatchboys.com/