Columns
FRANCHISEE OF THE MONTH: Todd + Jennifer Miller, beem Light Sauna
As late bloomers to franchising, Todd Miller and his wife, Jennifer, were drawn to beem® Light Sauna for its simple yet effective model. “We were excited by their accessible franchise model, training through beem University and its community-driven approach,” Miller said. The brand delivers research-backed benefits through red light and infrared sauna experiences. Sessions are personalized to support the health and wellness journey of each client, including detoxification, muscle recovery, skin health and deep relaxation. By Erika Ortega
FAMILY AFFAIR: 1-800-Plumber +Air
For the owners of 1-800-Plumber +Air of Columbus, Ohio, friendship and business go hand in hand. Friends since middle school, this group has always shared a vision of owning a business together. When Branton Cummins and his friends, Jake, Junior and Brennan, discovered 1-800-Plumber +Air, the only combined plumbing and HVAC franchise on the market today, they knew they’d found the perfect fit. By Shelby Green
FEATURED FRANCHISE CONSULTANT: Peter Vekselman, FranServe, Inc.
As a highly successful real estate investor, Peter Vekselman has amassed an impressive portfolio of sales over the past two decades, completing well over 3,500 transactions and partnering with like-minded entrepreneurs across the country to help them achieve real estate success. He credits his mentors for their role in his success and through franchise consulting has found a way to inspire the success of others too. By Jessica Petrucelli
BUILD YOUR FUTURE: Goosehead Insurance
For entrepreneurs seeking a future in insurance franchising, Goosehead Insurance offers more than just a simple business model. They also deliver rigorous training, coaching and a bulletproof team-building plan. By Jessica Petrucelli
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A FRANCHISEE: 180 Water
When someone turns on a faucet each morning, they probably don’t think twice about where the water comes from. However, for the families who rely on private wells, keeping that water flowing safely and consistently is vital – and that’s where 180 Water franchise owners come in. By Shelby Green
GAME CHANGERS: Dawn Abbamondi, SMB Franchise Advisors
Through your leadership, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit you created a new brand that could be the next big thing in franchising. Start thinking about how this day-to-day business has changed your life. Provide for family, fulfill your drive to support community and provide a product or service no one else offers the way you do. By Dawn Abbamondi
GAME CHANGERS: Beyond Income, Naturals2Go
When people think about starting a business, they often imagine long hours, heavy investments and constant stress. However, for Naturals2Go owners, the story is a bit different. At Naturals2Go, business isn’t just about generating a steady income; it’s about building a life of freedom. By Tamara Rahoumi
GAME CHANGERS: 911 Restoration
When disaster strikes, 911 Restoration does more than fix the damage; it restores peace of mind. Founded on the concept of delivering a fresh start, the brand’s commitment to communication has become its biggest competitive edge. By Lizzy Yeserski
GAME CHANGERS: Sea Love
With a lifelong passion for fragrance, Sea Love Co-Founder Stacy Miller opened a small boutique in coastal Maine focused on personalized experiences. Following a successful career as general manager of a hair care franchise, she partnered with her husband, Barry, and started the business. By Erika Ortega
GAME CHANGERS: Break Coffee Co.
Break Coffee Co. and its family of franchisees are redefining the experience of the office coffee break. The company’s business model centers on providing and servicing luxury coffee makers and elevated coffee products to office buildings, allowing employees to enjoy a quality cup of coffee without leaving their workplace. As many people believe, a good cup of coffee can not only provide the energy boost needed to get through the day but can also improve the overall workday experience. By Kelsi Trinidad
GAME CHANGERS: Paul Davis Restoration
At Paul Davis Restoration, training is more than just a box to check – it’s the foundation of the brand’s mission to serve people during life’s most challenging moments. For Senior Vice President of Training and Launch Leslie Anderson, supporting new franchisees goes beyond teaching systems – it’s about helping them springboard into the future with confidence. By Lizzy Yeserski
GAME CHANGERS: Pet Butler
For more than three decades, Pet Butler has been a trusted name in the pet services industry across the U.S. While many still think of the brand as a simple waste-removal company, today’s Pet Butler has grown into something much more: a franchise system that empowers owners to become true community partners while building stable, scalable businesses. By Tamara Rahoumi
GAME CHANGERS: NTV360
Every entrepreneur has a different definition of success. For some, it’s about building a team, scaling fast and creating a high-growth enterprise. For others, it’s about carving out a reliable income on a schedule that supports family, lifestyle or retirement planning. NTV360 is built for both visions – and everything in between. By Tamara Rahoumi
GAME CHANGERS: Global Financial Training Program
For many, the idea of launching a business in finance feels out of reach – too much industry jargon, too many barriers to entry, and so on. Global Financial Training Program, however, was built to challenge that perception, making commercial lending accessible to anyone willing to learn, regardless of background. By Tamara Rahoumi
GAME CHANGERS: Heyday Skincare
Following a year of successful brand repositioning and an assets overhaul, Heyday Skincare is committed to a national skincare reinvention. By Erika Ortega
GAME CHANGERS: Home Helpers® Home Care
Specializing in providing in-home care services and support, Home Helpers® Home Care prides itself on leading with a spirit of innovation. With a goal of addressing the needs of consumers while providing franchisees with an effective opportunity to scale their business, the Cared-4™ program was introduced in 2020. The program was designed to provide a holistic approach to senior care and covers companionship, 24-hour monitoring, wellness checks, nutrition and well-being. By Erika Ortega
GIVING BACK: Corporate Cleaning Group
Contributing to the community is a principle that has been baked into the DNA of Corporate Cleaning Group from the very beginning. Their giving back program was given the name “Feel Goodz” by Founder Len Yakuber. It was his mission to deliver these “feel goodz” to uplift the communities the brand impacts. By Kelsi Trinidad
WHAT THE HECK IS A FRANCHISE CONSULTANT?: Don Clayton, FranServe, Inc.
One of the responsibilities of a Certified Franchise Consultant (CFC) is to dispel common myths in the industry. One common myth is that one needs a million dollars to invest in a franchise. While this sometimes is most certainly the case, it’s more of a myth than reality. By Don Clayton
FranServe, Inc.: The Power Trio: How Leadership, Culture, and Innovation Drive Growth
FranServe, Inc. CEO and President Alesia Visconti has built a reputation as a trailblazing leader – someone who not only breaks new ground but also clears the way for others to succeed. Under her leadership, FranServe has grown into the world’s largest franchise consulting organization, transforming how people explore and enter franchise ownership. By Nancy E. Williams
We’re proud to unveil this year’s 100 Game Changers – visionary franchise brands that are rewriting the rules of business ownership. Each one was nominated by you, our readers, whose passion and insight spotlight the very best in franchising. By Rose Mango
Features
BrightStar Care: Starting Fresh: A Couple’s Transition from Corporate to Caregiving
Lori and Biju Kewalram began their life together by building a software company from the ground up in Australia. Eventually, they exited their start-up, and the husband-and-wife team moved to Long Beach to set up a local company’s software development arm. After their move to California, Lori was faced with hospice care for her mother and, later, home care for her father. Those experiences gave Lori a deeper understanding of the home care industry and left a lasting impression. By Kelsi Trinidad
LIME Painting®: Where Culture Drives Growth
In 2017, Tyler Fuss began his journey with LIME Painting®, not as a franchisee but as an account manager at its corporate offices in Denver and Boulder, Colorado. In 2020, he decided to take the leap into ownership, purchasing locations in Boulder and Fort Collins. In just five years, he has expanded his business, adding three locations in Phoenix, Arizona, and three more in San Diego, California. By Nancy E. Williams
That 1 Painter: Charting a Course for Continued Growth
That 1 Painter has announced Tyler Colby as its new brand president, and his goal is to drive the brand to continue to set the standard for painting and home services. By Erika Ortega
Assisting Hands® Home Care: A Culture of Family and Support
When people think about buying a franchise, they often focus on numbers, systems and territories. While these are important considerations, at Assisting Hands® Home Care, many franchise owners say the culture made the decision for them. That culture is best described by a term unique to Assisting Hands: FOFO® – Family of Franchise Owners. By Jessica Petrucelli
Blue Kangaroo Packoutz: Restoring Memories, Not Just Materials
In the aftermath of a fire, flood or storm, many people think restoration is about cleaning soot-covered furniture and drying carpets. But for Blue Kangaroo Packoutz, it is much more personal. By Brianna Bohn
WorldKids® School: Providing a Head Start
WorldKids® School is an emerging, innovative early childhood education franchise, and it’s transforming the way young minds are nurtured by blending high-quality child care with immersive multilingual learning that prepares children to thrive. By Shelby Green
City Wide Facility Solutions: Endless Potential & Boundless Benefits
Before owning his own City Wide Facility Solutions franchise, Joshua Zoppel built a career in property management across commercial, residential and industrial properties in Philadelphia. By Kelsi Trinidad
Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt: Capitalizing on America’s Health-First Momentum
According to Innova Market Insights, the frozen yogurt industry is experiencing a renaissance. Consumers are increasingly favoring the healthy treat over traditional ice cream, drawn to its probiotic benefits, lower fat content and customizable flavors. The demand for high-protein snacks and meal replacements is also driving a frozen yogurt sales boom. By Jessica Petrucelli
Renew Medic™: Strategically Scalable Support That Fuels Growth
Launched in 2024, Renew Medic™ has quickly become one of the fastest-growing cabinet restoration brands in the country. With over 50 licenses sold across Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, Tennessee, Nevada, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, and more, the company is now setting its sights on new growth throughout the Midwest and Northeast. By Jessica Petrucelli