Columns
FRANCHISEE OF THE MONTH: Beth Dow, Home Helpers Home Care
Beth Dow didn’t originally set out to become a business owner. Her career had taken several turns – from working in juvenile court to ministry work to helping place children removed from their homes – but the common thread was always supporting people during difficult moments. By Tamara Rahoumi
FEATURED FRANCHISE CONSULTANT: Ray Glover, FranServe, Inc.
Ray Glover was working 12 hour days and clocking in on the weekends, serving a large national tenant in the commercial real estate industry. He was stressed, overworked and not loving the life he was living. So, he decided to use that same time and energy to launch his own business and seek a better work/life balance. By Jessica Petrucelli
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A FRANCHISEE: Body20
Serving as vice president of experience and training at BODY20 includes hectic yet rewarding days for Kelly Turner. Focused on optimizing client experiences, Turner identifies opportunities to streamline and improve front-house operations, standards, training and workout offerings. BODY20 provides personal training workouts that utilize advanced technology. Clients wear wireless electro-muscle stimulation (EMS) suits that deliver electrical impulses, engaging up to 90% of muscles simultaneously. By Erika Ortega
SPECIAL SECTION: COMMUNITY + ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY: Dawn Abbamondi
Franchising is a unique, forward thinking and diverse industry with small businesses that collectively create BIG impact. You can be a solo business owner, just one person in a side hustle – or the leader of dozens of employees – making a difference for those around you while improving your local community. By Dawn Abbamondi
SPECIAL SECTION: COMMUNITY + ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY: NaturaLawn® of America
When Chase Atwell discovered NaturaLawn® of America in 2022, it planted a seed. By Lizzy Yeserski
SPECIAL SECTION: COMMUNITY + ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY: 911 Restoration
When homeowners and business owners face water damage, fire loss or mold issues, they want clarity, speed and someone they can trust to handle the chaos. 911 Restoration provides exactly that, backed by a growing network of franchise owners who work together to deliver a true fresh start. By Shelby Green
SPECIAL SECTION: COMMUNITY + ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY: PrideStaff
Jeremy Thacker was no stranger to entrepreneurship. Throughout his career, he had owned multiple businesses and some franchises, but he hadn’t found the type of business he felt would endure until he retired. He knew he wanted to pursue the franchise route, having had experience growing businesses from the ground up. He was familiar with the benefits of a proven, turnkey franchise model. By Kelsi Trinidad
SPECIAL SECTION: COMMUNITY + ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY: LIME Painting
In the home improvement industry, sustainability is often framed in terms of product selection – things like low-VOC paints or recycled materials. But for LIME Painting®, sustainability begins much earlier in the process, rooted in how projects are approached from the start. By Tamara Rahoumi
SPECIAL SECTION: COMMUNITY + ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY: One River School
One River School® combines a modern, purpose-driven approach to art education with a community-first mission. The brand’s genuine connection with students and local communities is producing real results, both in student growth and its scalable franchise model. By Brianna Bohn
SPECIAL SECTION: COMMUNITY + ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY: Sea Love
When Stacy Miller launched Sea Love in 2017, her goal was to create natural, nontoxic and clean-burning candles that wouldn’t trigger her husband’s asthma. By Jessica Petrucelli
COVER STORY: Right at Home
In franchising, the strongest concepts are not always the loudest. Some of the most enduring brands are built on consistency, necessity and long-term relevance, and Right at Home is one of them. By Rose Mango
WHAT THE HECK IS A FRANCHISE CONSULTANT?: Don Clayton, FranServe, Inc.
Don’t get me wrong – I love a good burger and some fresh, crispy fries. And there are some fantastic franchise brands that offer exactly that. However, when a novice investor assumes franchising only exists in the fast-food space, they’re missing the bigger picture. In reality, franchising spans dozens of thriving industries and opportunities that many investors never even realize exist. By Don Clayton
FAMILY AFFAIR: Twinkle Star Dance Academy
At Twinkle Star Dance™ Academy of Plano, Texas, family is truly at the core of everything. For Elizabeth DeRusha, that begins at home. DeRusha operates the studio alongside her husband and daughter, working together to create an environment where children feel safe, encouraged and celebrated. By Shelby Green
GIVING BACK: Paul Davis Restoration
For 60 years, Paul Davis Restoration has been helping homeowners and businesses recover from water, fire, mold and storm damage. But beyond business success, the franchise also prioritizes giving back to the community. For eight years, the brand has partnered with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and for the past year with the National Fire Sprinkler Association. By Nancy E. Williams
Features
Love the Work, Love the People & Love the Results: Ace Handyman Services
Ace Handyman Services® is thriving with a model that differs from the traditional independent handyman structure. “We operate on an employee-based model,” said Colette Bell, vice president of franchise development. “Our craftsmen are W2 employees, not day laborers or subcontractors. That means background checks, ongoing training, accountability and professional customer experience from start to finish.” By Erika Ortega
The Automotive Union of Mr. & Mister: Moran Family of Brands
In December 2025, Moran Family of Brands expanded its global footprint with the acquisition of Mister Transmission of Canada, adding 58 locations to the portfolio and complementing its U.S.-based Mr. Transmission® operations. The announcement represents a significant milestone in the company’s history. By Lizzy Yeserski
The Best Kept Secret: The Power of Patented Equipment and Expert Training: Pilates Addiction
According to its website, Pilates Addiction provides clients with “dynamic Pilates classes that blend classical technique and modern intensity to strengthen your core and sculpt long, lean muscles.” The brand accomplishes this through its patented reformers and specially designed classes. To explain further, Liza Beres, vice president of educator training, shared her expertise. Beres leads the development of the educator training programs, curriculum and the systems that support the growth of the teaching teams as Pilates Addiction expands nationwide. By Nancy E. Williams
Turning Flexibility Into a Business: iFlex Stretch Studios
Once viewed as something people did briefly before or after workouts, stretching is increasingly recognized as a key component of mobility, recovery and long-term physical health. For brands entering the wellness space early, that shift presents an opportunity to help define what the category becomes, and that’s exactly what iFlex® Stretch Studios is doing. By Tamara Rahoumi
Support, Systems & Shared Success: NTV360
By offering comprehensive, ongoing sales and marketing support to franchisees, NTV360 provides owners and operators with the tools they need to succeed. As an emerging brand with an impressive playbook, onboarding support and established operating procedures, NTV360 has developed an effective blueprint for business growth. By Erika Ortega
Setting the Stage for Growth: Clear Pest Pros
The mission of Clear Pest Pros is clear and simple: to take care of pest problems for homeowners and businesses, delivering high-quality pest control solutions that eliminate pests at the source and mitigate their return. Whether you’re an experienced pest control professional or an aspiring business owner looking to enter the market for the first time, the brand promises a strong investment opportunity and an in-demand service. By Jessica Petrucelli
Cutting the Corporate Cord: Creative Kids Movement Network
Creative Kids Movement Network began almost by accident when President and Founder Kate DeBiase was a 20-year-old college student in 1998. She worked as a waitress and taught dance classes on the side. One day, a friend asked her to teach a dance class at a daycare, sparking her interest in turning teaching into a business. By Kelsi Trinidad
Settling Down Without Slowing Down: beem Light Sauna
Haley and Josh Mitchell were high school sweethearts who met in marching band while growing up in Gainesville, Florida. They each earned their degrees before Haley went into corporate finance and Josh took a job as a regional manager for a national retailer. Eventually, the couple had two children. After moving around, the Mitchells found themselves in Minneapolis. By then, their children were growing up and making friends. Not wanting to put them through another relocation, they began exploring how they could settle down. By Kelsi Trinidad
Contest Winners Donate $20,000 to Their Community: HomeVestors
After years of independent investing, Paul and Tanice Myers joined HomeVestors® of America in 2018, the real estate brand behind “We Buy Ugly Houses®.” In 2025, the husband-and-wife franchisee team captured the company’s top prize. By Jessica Petrucelli
Navigating Franchise Resales: What You Need to Know Before You Buy: FranServe, Inc.
Franchise resales are a hot topic for aspiring entrepreneurs who don’t want to start from scratch, but to understand the world of franchise resales, it’s important to consult an expert. Mike Halpern, CAFC, owner of Franchise Freeway, a FranServe, Inc. affiliate, is just that. Halpern was asked to share his knowledge and insights on this topic. By Nancy E. Williams