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12 03, 2021

Slingshot Partners With Mosquito Squad For A Dedicated Pest Sales And Support Team

Tatyana Stemkovski2021-03-12T09:37:43-05:00March 12th, 2021|Tags: Authority Brands, eliminating mosquitoes and ticks from outdoor living spaces, home services, Lyme disease, Malaria No More, Mosquito Squad|

Slingshot creates a team of customer support and sales agents exclusively for Mosquito Squad franchises for the busy summer season and Project ‘No Missed Calls.’

LEHI, Utah — Slingshot, the modern customer support and sales solution for home services providers, and Mosquito Squad, an Authority Brands company, have partnered to create a unique offering with industry specialists dedicated solely to Mosquito Squad franchises. These agents will work within Mosquito Squad’s CRM to qualify, sell and schedule customers quickly and efficiently.

Tom Swift, Chief Operating Officer at Mosquito Squad, anticipates the impact of this partnership to be significant, “By giving franchise owners a fully-dedicated team of agents ready to serve and sell 24 hours a day, we are giving them the most valuable resource of all; time. Not having time to answer calls and respond to customers meant losing leads. With Slingshot, no more missed calls means no more missed revenue.”

With over 50 percent of franchise owners already signed up, response has been overwhelmingly positive. Greg Atwell, owner of Mosquito Squad El Paso, says, “Slingshot gave us the semblance of being a big company because we can say we’re open 24/7. Slingshot agents don’t just take calls like an answering service, they can talk to the clients about our packages and sign them up. I tell people all the time that Slingshot is just another part of our company.”

With the ability to engage customers through multiple communication channels in their Central Inbox platform, Slingshot agents will be able to respond to all Mosquito Squad leads via text, web chat, or form submits. This option has been a gamechanger for Atwell and his team, “As far as a system, I would say they are the best out there. Slingshot responding to web chats and calls after hours is priceless.”

Chris Huntsman, Slingshot’s cofounder, is determined to see it successful for both Mosquito Squad and their parent company, Authority Brands. “We feel honored that Authority Brands has trusted us with the responsibility to provide such a valuable service to their Mosquito Squad family. This partnership will continue to deliver die-hard fans and customers for every franchise owner.”

To learn more about Slingshot’s pest and home services answering service, visit getslingshot.com to learn more.

About Slingshot
Since 2014, Slingshot has helped pest control providers adapt to the on-demand economy through around-the-clock sales and customer support. With 25% of sales calls happening after-hours or weekends, Slingshot helps businesses respond to every new lead, sign more contracts, and instantly engage with current and potential customers 24 hours a day. We offer a multi-channel support platform across text, voice, email, chat, and web lead response with the ability to dynamically assign to the Slingshot team to respond and close. Find out more at www.getslingshot.com.

About Authority Brands

Authority Brands is a leading provider of home services, building brands that support the success of our franchisees, as well as bettering the lives of the homeowners we serve and the people we employ. Authority Brands is dedicated to supporting individual franchisee growth through providing strong marketing, technology, and operational support. Our goal is to have our franchisees at the local level averaging over $1 million in annual revenue. Contact us today at www.authoritybrands.com.

8 03, 2021

Leading Service Providers Help Keep Backyard Mosquitoes Away And Pools Clean This Spring

Tatyana Stemkovski2021-03-08T12:08:31-05:00March 8th, 2021|Tags: America's Swimming Pool Company, Authority Brands, eliminating mosquitoes and ticks from outdoor living spaces, Lyme disease, Malaria No More, Mosquito Squad, swimming pool cleaning and renovation franchise|

America’s Swimming Pool Company and Mosquito Squad celebrate warmer weather with expert tips and Operation: Outdoor Oasis contest for homeowners.

MACON, Ga. — As spring approaches, America’s Swimming Pool Company (ASP) and Mosquito Squad have joined forces to ensure homeowners can turn to their own backyards to enjoy the outdoors amidst the pandemic. With temperatures on the rise over the next few months, backyards can become breeding grounds for mosquitoes if they’re not properly maintained. Now more than ever, people are creating an escape in their own backyards and enjoying more time outside. ASP and Mosquito Squad are providing consumers with tips and best practices to protect themselves from mosquito- and water-borne illnesses, as well as offering homeowners the chance to win seasonal backyard maintenance packages through their #OperationOutdoorOasis sweepstakes.

“With continued COVID-19 concern plaguing Americans, consumers shouldn’t have the added stress of worrying about mosquito-borne illnesses this spring,” said Tom Swift, chief operating officer of Mosquito Squad. “Homeowners deserve a safe outdoor space to unwind and enjoy their downtime while continuing to practice social distancing.”

To promote healthy living this spring, America’s Swimming Pool Company and Mosquito Squad are working together to launch the #OperationOutdoorOasis sweepstakes to help transform a lucky winner’s backyard to their very own private sanctuary. To enter, participants must go through the submission form on either the ASP or Mosquito Squad contest page at https://www.mosquitosquad.com/outdoor-oasis/ or https://www.asppoolco.com/outdoor-oasis/.

The contest is open for entries beginning March 8 through May 3. Once entries close, Mosquito Squad and ASP will select one winner at random and announce them on May 7. The winner will receive a full season mosquito protection package from Mosquito Squad and a complimentary pool maintenance package from ASP, both for the 2021 season.

“A pool is a luxury investment, but the amount of time allotted for upkeep is often overlooked,” said Stewart Vernon, founder and COO of America’s Swimming Pool Company. “Working alongside Mosquito Squad, we hope to provide homeowners with a new type of paradise just steps outside of their homes by providing tips on how to obtain a pristine pool and combat mosquitoes.”

For additional #OpertationOutdoorOasis contest details, full terms and conditions and to keep up with entries, visit either https://www.mosquitosquad.com/outdoor-oasis/ or https://www.asppoolco.com/outdoor-oasis/.

About Authority Brands
Headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, Authority Brands’ companies include ten leading home service franchisors, America’s Swimming Pool Company, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, The Cleaning Authority, DoodyCalls, Homewatch CareGivers, Mister Sparky, Monster Tree Service, Mosquito Squad, One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning, and STOP Restoration. Together, these brands provide home services through more than 1,900 territories operated by more than 1,000 franchise owners in the U.S., Canada and Latin America. Authority Brands is dedicated to supporting individual franchise owner growth by providing strong marketing, technology, and operational support. See www.theauthoritybrands.com for more information.

About Mosquito Squad
With approximately 250 franchise locations in the United States, Mosquito Squad specializes in eliminating mosquitoes and ticks from outdoor living spaces, allowing consumers to enjoy their yards, outdoor living spaces, special events and green spaces. For more information, visit http://www.MosquitoSquad.com and http://MosquitoSquadFranchise.com. Follow Mosquito Squad on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for the latest news and trends.

About America’s Swimming Pool Company
ASP is the largest swimming pool cleaning, repair, and renovation franchise system in the nation. Founded in 2002 by Stewart C. Vernon, the company is based on the belief that by providing a higher quality pool service at a reasonable price, the brand would raise the industry standards for pool service. In 2005, ASP began franchising and now covers more than 400 cities in 22 states across the nation. For more information on ASP’s swimming pool franchise opportunities visit https://www.aspfranchising.com/. For more information on ASP – America’s Swimming Pool Company, visit https://www.asppoolco.com/ or find us on Facebook @asppoolco.

19 02, 2021

Authority Brands acquires DoodyCalls

Tatyana Stemkovski2021-02-19T12:20:31-05:00February 19th, 2021|Tags: America's Swimming Pool Company, at-home care, Authority Brands, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, home services franchising platform, Homewatch CareGivers, Mister Sparky, Monster Tree Service, Mosquito Squad, One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning, pest control services, residential cleaning, STOP Restoration, swimming pool repair and maintenance, The Cleaning Authority|

COLUMBIA, Md. — Authority Brands, LLC announced today the purchase of DoodyCalls. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The acquisition marks the eighth brand addition for Authority Brands since October 2018, with DoodyCalls representing the company’s tenth brand in its home service portfolio.

Founded in 1999 by husband-and-wife team Jacob and Susan D’Aniello, DoodyCalls has transformed from a side business to the nation’s leading pet waste removal service for dog owners.Headquartered in Charlottesville, Virginia, and with operations in more than 45 territories in 16 states, DoodyCalls has made its mission to put the company’s customers first while always continuing to solve pet waste problems for the planet using its unmatched industry expertise.

Authority Brands’ companies include leading home service brands The Cleaning Authority, Homewatch CareGivers, America’s Swimming Pool Company, Mosquito Squad, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, Mister Sparky, One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning, Monster Tree Service and STOP Restoration, which operate across the residential cleaning, at-home care, swimming pool repair and maintenance, pest control services, plumbing, electrical and heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (“HVAC”), tree care and restoration sectors, respectively. Authority Brands supports individual franchisee growth by providing strong marketing, technology and operational support.

“We’re excited to welcome DoodyCalls to the Authority Brands family and further diversify our portfolio. Jacob and Susan have established a strong business model and grown the brand tremendously over the last two decades. We look forward to helping propel the company to new heights as we put our full network of support behind this leading and innovative brand,” said Rob Weddle, CEO of Authority Brands.

“DoodyCalls adds another layer of expertise to Authority Brands and further strengthens our network. The growth and success that the company has experienced to-date is impressive, and we’re confident that DoodyCalls will continue to hit new milestones as it integrates into the Authority Brands system,” said Ashish Karandikar, Partner at Apax Partners.

“For the past 22 years, Susan and I have worked tirelessly to build a business that helps make the world a happier and healthier place for everyone and we couldn’t be more thrilled to continue our mission as part of the Authority Brands network. The support and resources we’re gaining – from marketing and operations to IT and more – will help us better serve our customers and continue growing the brand,” Jacob D’Aniello, Founder and President of DoodyCalls.

Boxwood Partners represented DoodyCalls and acted as their financial advisor for the transaction.

About Authority Brands

Headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, Authority Brands’ companies include ten leading home service franchisors, America’s Swimming Pool Company, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, The Cleaning Authority, DoodyCalls, Homewatch CareGivers, Mister Sparky, Monster Tree Service, Mosquito Squad, One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning, and STOP Restoration. Together, these brands provide home services through more than 1,900 territories operated by more than 1,000 franchise owners in the U.S., Canada and Latin America. Authority Brands is dedicated to supporting individual franchise owner growth by providing strong marketing, technology, and operational support. See www.theauthoritybrands.com for more information.

4 11, 2020

Authority Brands acquires STOP Restoration

Tatyana Stemkovski2020-11-04T12:57:24-05:00November 4th, 2020|Tags: America's Swimming Pool Company, at-home care, Authority Brands, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, home services franchising platform, Homewatch CareGivers, Mister Sparky, Monster Tree Service, Mosquito Squad, One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning, pest control services, residential cleaning, STOP Restoration, swimming pool repair and maintenance, The Cleaning Authority|

COLUMBIA, Md. — Authority Brands, LLC announced today the purchase of Service Team of Professionals (“STOP” or “STOP Restoration”). Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The acquisition marks the seventh brand addition for Authority Brands since October 2018, with STOP Restoration representing the company’s ninth brand in its home service portfolio.

For decades, STOP Restoration has been helping clients transform disasters into peace of mind. Based in Indiana and currently operating in 31 territories across the U.S., STOP’s trained franchise professionals understand how stressful fire, water and mold damage can be and bring a depth in management and professionalism that makes the restoration process as easy as possible. The company is committed to providing the restoration services their customers need with the compassion and understanding they deserve.

Authority Brands’ companies include leading home service brands The Cleaning Authority, Homewatch CareGivers, America’s Swimming Pool Company, Mosquito Squad, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, Mister Sparky, One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning and Monster Tree Service, which operate across the residential cleaning, at-home care, swimming pool repair and maintenance, pest control services, plumbing, electrical and heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (“HVAC”) and tree care sectors, respectively. Authority Brands supports individual franchisee growth by providing strong marketing, technology and operational support.

“We’re thrilled to add STOP Restoration to the Authority Brands portfolio. Their commitment to customer service and professionalism make them a standout brand in the industry. We’re excited to be working with their experienced team and look forward to helping them grow their presence across the U.S.,” said Rob Weddle, CEO of Authority Brands.

“The addition of a restoration brand is key to enhance Authority Brands’ offering to existing franchisees and their customers. Based on STOP’s impressive track record, we’re confident that this partnership will further strengthen Authority Brands’ network,” said Ashish Karandikar, Partner at Apax Partners.

“We’re excited to be joining Authority Brands as its newest home service company. With the robust marketing, operations and IT resources now available to us, we’re eager to continue our growth and propel our success as we work to further our position as a leader in the industry,” said Brian Clark, President at STOP Restoration.

Boxwood Partners represented STOP Restoration and acted as their financial advisor for the transaction.

About Authority Brands

Headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, Authority Brands’ companies include nine leading home service franchisors, America’s Swimming Pool Company, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, The Cleaning Authority, Homewatch CareGivers, Mister Sparky, Monster Tree Service, Mosquito Squad, One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning, and STOP Restoration. Together, these brands provide home services through more than 1,900 territories operated by more than 1,000 franchise owners in the U.S., Canada, Latin America, Kenya and Indonesia. Authority Brands is dedicated to supporting individual franchisee growth through providing strong marketing, technology and operational support. See https://www.theauthoritybrands.com/ for more information.

17 09, 2020

Authority Brands acquires Monster Tree Service

Tatyana Stemkovski2020-09-17T10:10:28-04:00September 17th, 2020|Tags: America's Swimming Pool Company, at-home care, Authority Brands, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, home services franchising platform, Homewatch CareGivers, Mister Sparky, Monster Tree Service, Mosquito Squad, One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning, pest control services, residential cleaning, swimming pool repair and maintenance, The Cleaning Authority|

COLUMBIA, Md. — Authority Brands, LLC announced today the purchase of Monster Tree Service. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The acquisition marks the sixth brand addition for Authority Brands since October 2018, with Monster Tree Service representing the company’s eighth brand in its home service portfolio.

Founded in 2008, Monster Tree Service is the leading tree care company in the U.S., and the only franchise offering local certified arborist teams in multiple locations nationwide. With more than 200 territories across the country, Monster Tree Service is committed to keeping trees healthy and customers satisfied. The brand provides a suite of effective and environmentally friendly services including tree removal, trimming and pruning, land and lot clearing, and more.

Authority Brands’ companies include leading home service brands The Cleaning Authority, Homewatch CareGivers, America’s Swimming Pool Company, Mosquito Squad, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, Mister Sparky and One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning, which operate across the residential cleaning, at-home care, swimming pool repair and maintenance, pest control services, plumbing, electrical and heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (“HVAC”) sectors respectively. Authority Brands supports individual franchisee growth by providing strong marketing, technology and operational support.

“Monster Tree Service is a terrific addition for Authority Brands. As the largest franchised residential tree service in North America, they’re a great complement to our other leading home service brands. We’re excited to help them continue their extraordinary growth by putting all of our marketing, operations and IT resources behind them,” said Rob Weddle, CEO of Authority Brands.

“The acquisition of Monster Tree Service supports our strategy of growing Authority Brands and furthers its position as a leader in home service business franchising. We’re pleased to support the expansion of Authority Brands’ network and we are confident that this collaboration will help strengthen their portfolio of brands,” said Ashish Karandikar, Partner at Apax Partners.

“We’re excited to be joining Authority Brands as its newest home service company. This is a significant step for our brand that will help propel our growth and success as we continue to provide unparalleled services to customers across the country. We look forward to this new venture together,” said Scott Hilary, Vice President of Operations at Monster Tree Service.

Boxwood Partners represented Monster Tree Service and acted as their financial advisors for the transaction.

About Authority Brands

Headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, Authority Brands’ companies include eight leading home service franchisors, America’s Swimming Pool Company, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, The Cleaning Authority, Homewatch CareGivers, Mister Sparky, Monster Tree Service, Mosquito Squad, and One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning. Together, these brands provide home services through more than 1,875 territories operated by nearly 1,000 franchise owners in the U.S., Canada, Latin America, Kenya and Indonesia. Authority Brands is dedicated to supporting individual franchisee growth through providing strong marketing, technology and operational support. See https://www.theauthoritybrands.com/ for more information.

9 09, 2019

Arizona Monsoon Rains Bring Hordes Of Mosquitoes

Tatyana Stemkovski2019-09-09T11:23:05-04:00September 9th, 2019|Tags: Authority Brands, eliminating mosquitoes and ticks from outdoor living spaces, Lyme disease, Malaria No More, Mosquito Squad|

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Recent reports have shown that cases of West Nile Virus in Maricopa County have already exceeded last year’s total and with monsoon rains well on their way, mosquito bites are also expected to multiply this year. Because Arizona continues to present an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes, their influx has doubled each year, a pattern that will likely continue.

Mosquito Squad of Greater Scottsdale is urging homeowners to take preventative measures and is sharing insight into what they can expect when the monsoon rains arrive in force.

Female mosquitoes have been laying billions of eggs and those eggs are just waiting (they can wait up to 2 years) for a little rain to hatch and invade the yards of residents throughout the state. One female can breed up to 1 billion eggs in a month, which can hatch in just 3 days.

As trusted experts in mosquito control, Mosquito Squad of Greater Scottsdale wants to ensure that locals are equipped with the knowledge and resources needed to help relieve the mosquito infestation in their yard after the rains.

In addition to tipping over toys, bowls, and other areas of standing water in the yard, also be mindful of the water in less obvious places, like the bottom of a pool toy chest, in the dish under an outdoor plant, or water sitting in drains.

To avoid getting bit when going outside, put on a good repellent containing DEET and dress in light colored, non-clingy clothing. Mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors and have a difficult time penetrating loose clothing.

Set up a large fan on the patio, as mosquitoes cannot fly against heavy wind.

Mosquitoes are also attracted to the bacteria on smelly feet and the sweat emitted from beer drinkers. So beer drinking guys with smelly feet need to beware! Clean those feet and switch to wine to bring down the risk of a bite.

For consumers who use mosquito foggers or zappers, it’s important to know that the foggers are only effective for a short time and the zappers will actually attract mosquitoes from neighboring properties and could end up worsening the situation.

Most importantly, call the professionals for a yard treatment. Using a barrier treatment at home reduces the need for using DEET-containing bug spray and other repellents. Mosquito Squad uses the latest EPA-registered mosquito control barrier treatments, larvicide and all-natural products to eliminate mosquitoes from yards and outdoor spaces. The brand protects families (and pets) from the nuisance and danger of mosquitoes, ticks and scorpions by offering top-of-the-line services that help customers take back their yards.

For additional information on the services available through Mosquito Squad of Greater Scottsdale, please visit https://www.mosquitosquad.com/scottsdale/ or call 480-500-7282.

About Mosquito Squad
With approximately 250 franchise locations in the United States along with international operations in Kenya and Indonesia, Mosquito Squad specializes in eliminating mosquitoes and ticks from outdoor living spaces, allowing consumers to enjoy their yards, outdoor living spaces, special events and green spaces. For more information, visit http://www.MosquitoSquad.com, http://MosquitoSquadFranchise.com and https://www.theauthoritybrands.com/. Follow Mosquito Squad on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for the latest news and trends.

About Authority Brands
Headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, Authority Brands, LLC is the parent company of seven leading home service franchisors, America’s Swimming Pool Company, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, The Cleaning Authority, Homewatch CareGivers, Mister Sparky electric, Mosquito Squad, and One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning. Together, these brands provide home services through more than 1675 locations operated by 920 franchise owners in the U.S., Canada, Latin America, Kenya and Indonesia. Authority Brands is dedicated to supporting individual franchisee growth through providing strong marketing, technology and operational support.

11 07, 2019

Leading Service Providers Help Keep Swimming Pools Mosquito-Free This Summer

Tatyana Stemkovski2019-07-11T11:05:04-04:00July 11th, 2019|Tags: America's Swimming Pool Company, Authority Brands, eliminating mosquitoes and ticks from outdoor living spaces, Lyme disease, Malaria No More, Mosquito Squad, swimming pool cleaning and renovation franchise|

Mosquito Squad and America’s Swimming Pool Company celebrate National Swimming Pool Day with expert tips and social media contest for consumers

COLUMBIA, Md. — In honor of National Swimming Pool Day, Mosquito Squad and America’s Swimming Pool Company (ASP) have joined forces to ensure families everywhere can enjoy their yard and swimming pool this summer without mosquitoes getting in the way. With the rise in temperatures and increased humidity, backyards can become breeding grounds for mosquitoes if they’re not properly maintained. As experts in mosquito control and swimming pool service, Mosquito Squad and ASP are providing consumers with tips and best practices to prevent that from happening.

”Summer should be spent enjoying family time outside, not worrying about mosquitoes,” said Amy Lawhorne, chief operating officer of Mosquito Squad. “Warm weather and frequent rainfall is the perfect recipe for mosquitoes to multiply and with help from our friends at America’s Swimming Pool Company, we’re sharing our knowledge with consumers so they can keep themselves and their families protected while soaking up the sun and splashing around.”

To further fuel conversation around yard and pool maintenance this summer, Mosquito Squad and ASP are launching the #GuardOurYard contest. To enter, participants must post a photo or video of them enjoying their pool to the contest landing page, GuardOurYard.com, or social media platforms Twitter or Instagram, using the hashtag #GuardOurYard and sharing their zip code.

The contest is open for entries beginning today, July 11, through August 26. Once entries close, Mosquito Squad and ASP will select one winner at random and announce them on social media on Labor Day, September 2. The winner will receive a full season mosquito protection package from Mosquito Squad and free year of pool maintenance from ASP, both for the 2020 season.

“Pool maintenance is often overlooked and without the proper care, your pool could face some serious complications,” said Jimmie Meece, senior vice president of America’s Swimming Pool Company. “Teaming up with Mosquito Squad gives us an opportunity to not only share pool maintenance tips that will help consumers keep their pools healthy and clean, but also best practices to maintain their yard overall so they can play outside and in the pool with their families without unwanted mosquitoes.”

For additional #GuardOurYard contest details, full terms and conditions and to keep up with entries, visit GuardOurYard.com.

About Mosquito Squad
With approximately 250 franchise locations in the United States along with international operations in Kenya and Indonesia, Mosquito Squad specializes in eliminating mosquitoes and ticks from outdoor living spaces, allowing consumers to enjoy their yards, outdoor living spaces, special events and green spaces. For more information, visit http://www.MosquitoSquad.com, http://MosquitoSquadFranchise.com and https://www.theauthoritybrands.com/. Follow Mosquito Squad on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for the latest news and trends.

About ASP
ASP – America’s Swimming Pool Company is the largest swimming pool cleaning, repair, and renovation franchise system in the nation. Founded in 2002 by Stewart C. Vernon, the company is based on the belief that by providing a higher quality pool service at a reasonable price, the brand would raise the industry standards for pool service. In 2005, ASP began franchising and now covers over 400 cities in 21 states across the nation. For more information on ASP’s swimming pool franchise opportunities, visit ASPfranchising.com. For more information on America’s Swimming Pool Company, visit ASPPoolco.com or find us on Facebook @asppoolco, Instagram, and Twitter.

About Authority Brands
Headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, Authority Brands, LLC is the parent company of seven leading home service franchisors, America’s Swimming Pool Company, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, The Cleaning Authority, Homewatch CareGivers, Mister Sparky electric, Mosquito Squad, and One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning. Together, these brands provide home services through more than 1675 locations operated by 920 franchise owners in the U.S., Canada, Latin America, Kenya and Indonesia. Authority Brands is dedicated to supporting individual franchisee growth through providing strong marketing, technology and operational support.

21 02, 2019

Authority Brands welcomes the Clockwork brands into its family

Tatyana Stemkovski2019-02-21T16:17:28-05:00February 21st, 2019|Tags: at-home care, Authority Brands, home services franchising platform, pest control services, residential cleaning, swimming pool repair and maintenance|

Addition doubles Authority Brands’ overall system revenue to over $1 billion

NEW YORK and COLUMBIA, Maryland — Authority Brands, a leading home services franchising platform backed by funds advised by Apax Partners, announced today the acquisition of Clockwork, Inc., and certain of its affiliates (“Clockwork”) from Direct Energy Group, a subsidiary of Centrica plc. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2019. The acquisition is the third home services add-on for Authority Brands since the company was acquired by funds advised by Apax Partners in September 2018.

Established in 1999, Clockwork delivers critical home services through three leading plumbing, electrical, and heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (“HVAC”) providers across the United States. Its household-name brands – Benjamin Franklin Plumbing® (“Benjamin Franklin“), Mister Sparky® electric, and One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning® (“One Hour”) – are all rated among the best-in-class in their respective categories.

Authority Brands is the parent company to leading home services brands The Cleaning Authority, Homewatch CareGivers, America’s Swimming Pool Company and Mosquito Squad which operate across the residential cleaning, at-home care, swimming pool repair and maintenance, and pest control services sectors respectively. Authority Brands supports individual franchisee growth by providing strong marketing, technology and operational support.

Rob Weddle, CEO of Authority Brands, said: “The addition of the Clockwork group of brands is an important and significant step in the evolution of Authority Brands. All three brands are market-leading franchises within their respective industries and their addition to our portfolio doubles our overall system revenue to over $1 billion. This scale allows us to further strengthen each of our brand’s systems and continue down the path of becoming the home services franchisor of choice for both business owners and consumers.”

Ashish Karandikar, Partner at Apax Partners, said: “We are delighted to support Authority Brands in this transformational acquisition. The Clockwork brands operate in attractive markets and will bring scale and diversification to Authority Brands’ platform. We anticipate substantial benefits for both businesses from cross-selling and collaboration across marketing, technology and operational support.”

Bruce Stewart, president of Direct Energy Home North America said: “The decision for this sale reflects our goals to focus and simplify our channels to customers and to own our own brands. Authority Brands is a good home for Clockwork and the franchise owners and customers will see no difference in our service delivery as we conclude this transaction.”

About Authority Brands

Headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, Authority Brands, LLC is the parent company of four leading home service franchisors, The Cleaning Authority, Homewatch CareGivers, America’s Swimming Pool Company and Mosquito Squad. Together, these brands provide recurring home services through more than 550 franchise locations in the U.S., Canada, Latin America, Kenya and Indonesia. Authority Brands is dedicated to supporting individual franchisee growth through providing strong marketing, technology and operational support.

About Apax Partners

Apax Partners is a leading global private equity advisory firm. Over its more than 40-year history, Apax Partners has raised and advised funds with aggregate commitments of c.$50 billion. The Apax Funds invest in companies across four global sectors of Tech & Telco, Services, Healthcare and Consumer. These funds provide long-term equity financing to build and strengthen world-class companies. For more information see: www.apax.com.