Columns
FRANCHISEE OF THE MONTH: Patrick Laurie, 911 Restoration
When disaster strikes, Patrick Laurie is ready. The Alberta-based entrepreneur has quickly carved out a reputation for himself as one of 911 Restoration’s fastest-rising franchise owners, and he’s breaking records along the way. By Lizzy Yeserski
FAMILY AFFAIR: NaturaLawn® of America
Darrin Hewartson opened his NaturaLawn® of America location in Leesburg, Virginia, in 1992. At the time, he had never seen a lawn care company that didn’t use a long list of chemicals. He was attracted to the company’s innovative, proprietary blend of organic-based products and biological controls that address the root of lawn care problems. By Kelsi Trinidad
FEATURED FRANCHISE CONSULTANTS: Jack & Jill Johnson, FranServe, Inc.
When Jack and Jill Johnson decided to quit their six-figure corporate jobs on New Year’s Eve 2016 and venture into the world of franchise consulting, they bet everything on a simple insight: Most franchise buyers weren’t getting advice from people who had owned a franchise. By Jessica Petrucelli
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A FRANCHISEE: Pet Butler
When Steven Chmielewski was laid off after 10 years at T-Mobile, he decided to take a year off to be a stay-at-home dad. It wasn’t long before he started wondering what came next – and whether it was time to build something for himself. By Tamara Rahoumi
FITNESS + WELLNESS: Out With The Old & In With The New, Dawn Abbamondi
As we round out the end of 2025 we look back on what went well and what can be even better in the future. In early 2026, I have to celebrate those emerging brands I hold near and dear to my heart. This past year, they focused and worked to adopt best practices early in their brand development. This allowed them to compete with established brands – in their unique industry – while also competing with others in the larger universe of franchises. By Dawn Abbamondi
FITNESS + WELLNESS: COVER STORY: Pilates Addiction
The way people think about fitness has fundamentally changed. It’s no longer a task to check off; it’s a lifestyle choice tied to longevity, balance and belonging. It has been over five years since the 2020 global pandemic, and in that time, many people have started thinking about movement as a cornerstone of their well-being and quality of life, rather than just a path to looking fit. By Tamara Rahoumi
FITNESS + WELLNESS: The Back Nine Golf
The Back Nine® Golf is revolutionizing the game of golf with its golf simulator franchise model. When golfers aren’t able to make it to the golf course or are looking for a place to perfect their swing, the company offers 24/7 access to its golf bays that members can reserve through the app. By Kelsi Trinidad
FITNESS + WELLNESS: iFlex Stretch Studios
In the evolving world of wellness, recovery has emerged as the next frontier. Once an afterthought in fitness, it’s now a full-fledged category driven by a cultural shift toward longevity, mobility and preventive health. Assisted stretching, once niche, is now central to that story. By Tamara Rahoumi
FITNESS + WELLNESS: BODY20
BODY20 is the nation’s fastest-growing electro-muscle stimulation (EMS) fitness franchise, and it’s revolutionizing how Americans work out by delivering full-body results in tech-driven 20-minute sessions. According to Lindsay Junk, the brand’s
new CEO, it’s a game-changing fitness option for athletes, busy professionals, people recovering from injury and anyone looking for a time-efficient, low-impact workout. By Jessica Petrucelli
FITNESS + WELLNESS: Heyday Skincare
Heyday Skincare was founded in 2015 in New York City, aiming to make self-care through regular facial services more accessible to the everyday consumer. Founders Adam Ross and Michael Pollak, friends from business school, saw a gap in the wellness market for spa treatments. They noticed that treatments tended to be costly and time-consuming and that most people saw them more as occasional luxury services rather than regular maintenance. To fill this gap, the two friends built a business on the mantra, “Get a facial on your lunch break.” By Kelsi Trinidad
FITNESS + WELLNESS: beem Light Sauna
As a brand rooted in research, beem® Light Sauna is dedicated to continuously improving while providing clients with the latest technology. By Erika Ortega
FITNESS + WELLNESS: Prime IV Hydration & Wellness
As the wellness industry continues to evolve, Prime IV Hydration & Wellness plans to stay ahead of the curve by expanding its footprint, refining its offerings and reimagining what it means to prioritize vitality as a way of life. The brand’s vision for 2026 is clear: turn wellness from a trend into a lifestyle movement rooted in science, safety and compassion. By Lizzy Yeserski
FITNESS + WELLNESS: Tee Box
For many people, golf has lived in two separate worlds: a leisure activity on one side and a serious sport on the other. However, today’s wellness landscape is closing that divide. People want movement that feels good, improves performance and fits naturally into their lives. They want community, measurable progress and entry points into activities they’ve always been curious about but never knew how to begin. That broader shift is exactly where Tee Box has found its footing. By Tamara Rahoumi
GIVING BACK: Mr. Transmission, Milex Complete Auto Care
The Mr. Transmission® and Milex Complete Auto Care franchises, operated by Moran Family of Brands, place a great deal of importance on addressing humanity’s greatest needs. By Jessica Petrucelli
WHAT THE HECK IS A FRANCHISE CONSULTANT?: Don Clayton, FranServe, Inc.
Every building has an entry point and an exit point. Sometimes it’s through the same door. A lot of what franchisors talk about is how to enter the world of franchising. Come one, come all and explore the thrill of owning your own business through franchise ownership. By Don Clayton
Features
That 1 Painter: The Benefits of a Collaborative Team Structure
Equipping franchisees to succeed is a primary goal for That 1 Painter. To continuously deliver top-tier craftsmanship and superior customer service, coaching is built into the company’s franchise model and complemented by structured business planning and shared learning. By Erika Ortega
BrightStar Care: Matching Your Ambition
Ryan Bethay started his nursing career in the ICU and then transitioned to pediatric care and worked in the NICU. Bethay has always been ambitious and began his career thinking he’d work his way up the corporate ladder at the hospital. By Kelsi Trinidad
Assisting Hands Home Care: Coaching, Mentoring & Supporting Peers
Richard Ueberfluss had years of experience in hospital acute care, outpatient orthopedics, sports medicine and home health care when he decided to switch careers and open an Assisting Hands® Home Care franchise. By Jessica Petrucelli
Sea Love: The Art of Scent: A Franchise Growth Story
Dedicated to helping franchisees grow and succeed, Sea Love continues to set itself apart from the competition. By Erika Ortega
Home Helpers Home Care: From Crisis to Comfort
After two decades in residential real estate, Hilary and Greg Eldridge were ready for a new chapter – one that would allow them to help people while making a deeper impact in their Chicago hometown. Hilary’s personal experience caring for her father, who developed Parkinson’s disease in his 80s, inspired their career shift. By Jessica Petrucelli
HomeVestors: Leadership with Purpose: Joshua Waltzer’s Vision
When Joshua L. Waltzer stepped into the role of CEO at HomeVestors®, he brought with him a clear focus: to help franchisees thrive through stronger systems, smarter tools and a renewed commitment to trust. With a career spanning financial and real estate services, including time as head of residential bridge lending at Silver Hill Capital, Waltzer understands what it takes to balance analytics with human connection. By Tamara Rahoumi
FranServe, Inc.: Confidence, Core Values & Growth
For a second year in a row, FranServe, Inc., the world’s largest franchise consulting organization, has made it onto the annual Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private businesses in America. Alesia Visconti, FranServe’s CEO and President, attended the awards ceremony and black-tie gala, proudly representing the company. She was asked about her experience at the event and how FranServe achieved this recognition once again. By Nancy E. Williams