home improvement

Independent survey shows female franchise owners are highly satisfied with the leading custom window treatment provider’s performance

DENVER — Gotcha Covered, the leader in custom window treatment across the U.S. and Canada and part of the innovative, growing Five Star Franchising platform of home service brands, has been named a Top 100 Franchise for Women by Franchise Business Review.

With an emphasis on end-to-end consultations, Gotcha Covered provides homeowners and businesses with the best in soft and hard window treatments, including a variety of blinds, draperies, and smart home solutions.

“Gotcha Covered is committed to the success of all of our franchise owners, who come from a wide range of backgrounds and bring a diversity of expertise,” said Paul Linenberg, president of Gotcha Covered. “Franchise Business Review rankings stand out in the industry. They represent the real-world experience of franchise owners and show the true value of Gotcha Covered’s proven support and systems.”

Franchise Business Review, a franchise research firm that performs independent surveys of franchisee satisfaction, provides the only reviews of franchises based solely on actual franchisee satisfaction and performance. Franchise Business Review publishes its rankings of top franchises in its annual Guide to Today’s Top Franchises, as well as in quarterly reports throughout the year that recognize the top franchises in specific sectors.

Gotcha Covered was among 350 franchise brands, representing over 8,500 female franchise owners, that participated in Franchise Business Review’s research on the Top Franchises for Women. Gotcha Covered franchise owners were surveyed on 33 benchmark questions about their experience and satisfaction regarding critical areas of their franchise systems, including leadership, training and support, financial opportunity, and work/life balance.

“Franchising is a terrific option for women seeking business ownership on a full- or part-time basis,” said Michelle Rowan, president and COO of Franchise Business Review. “With so many franchise opportunities to choose from, it’s critical to do in-depth research to understand how satisfied current female franchise owners are with the training and support, work/life balance, financial opportunity, culture, and leadership of any brand they’re considering before making an investment. When you look at the brands on this year’s list of the Top Franchises for Women, 89% of women said they enjoy being part of their franchise organizations and 88% said they enjoy operating the business, making them all excellent options for women looking to make the transition to business ownership.”

Gotcha Covered was named to Franchise Business Review’s Top 200 Franchises list in 2023 and 2024. In 2023, the company appeared on FBR’s lists of Top Low-Cost Franchises, Top Recession-Proof Franchises, Top Franchise Cultures and Most Innovative Franchises.

For more information on franchising with Gotcha Covered, visit gotchacoveredfranchising.com.

For more information about Five Star Franchising, visit http://fivestarfranchising.com/.

New franchise owner to lead Parkland, Florida location

WESTON, Fla. — Gotcha Covered, a leader in custom window treatment consultation in the U.S. and Canada, has announced the opening of a new center in Parkland, Florida. Gotcha Covered of Parkland – Sunrise is owned and operated by Maria De La Salas.

With an emphasis on end-to-end consultations, the new center provides the best in soft and hard window treatments to homeowners in Parkland, Coral Springs, Tamarac, Sunrise and Plantation by offering a variety of blinds, draperies, smart solutions and much more.

“Florida is a very important market for the Gotcha Covered brand, so we want to ensure we are meeting the needs of our customers across the state,” said Paul Linenberg, president of Gotcha Covered. “The Parkland location isn’t just providing home and business owners with window treatments. Maria (De La Salas) is bringing an essential service that will be an asset to the entire community. We are proud and happy to have her as an ambassador to the brand.”

As former president of Welcome Wagon and past general manager of Dropoff, De La Salas brings a wealth of knowledge to Gotcha Covered including experience in business transformation, new movers marketing, general management and business operations.

It was De La Salas’s passion for building and growing successful businesses that inspired her to join a franchise.

“I wanted to start and grow a business that created true value for consumers by solving their problems and making their lives easier,” said De La Salas. “I love being part of the homeowner journey, and offering immediate and qualified solutions to their window covering needs is a great way to help them through the many steps of renovating or moving into a new home.”

In addition to helping homeowners, De La Salas said that owning a franchise gives her the flexibility to be active in her community.

“My passion is to create meaningful relationships with people in my community,” De La Salas said. “Owning a Gotcha Covered is an exciting opportunity that allows me to continue being active in my community while helping homeowners by beautifying their homes.”

Adding 30 new franchise locations in 2023, Gotcha Covered currently has over 170 total franchises across the U.S. and Canada. The franchise has been operating under the Gotcha Covered name since 2009.

To schedule an appointment with Gotcha Covered of Parkland Sunrise, visit https://www.gotchacovered.com/parkland-sunrise/.

Local entrepreneurs Russell and Kathy Dull to lead location

PALM BAY, Fla. — Gotcha Covered, a leader in custom window treatment consultation in the U.S. and Canada, has announced the opening of a new center in Florida. Gotcha Covered of Palm Bay is owned and operated by Russell and Kathy Dull.

With an emphasis on end-to-end consultations, the new center provides the best in soft and hard window treatments to homeowners in the Palm Bay area by offering a variety of blinds, draperies, smart solutions and much more.

“We have nearly 30 locations in Florida, and it’s because homeowners and business owners there are savvy and want innovative design solutions, which are a staple of the Gotcha Covered brand,” said Paul Linenberg, president of Gotcha Covered. “Russell and Kathy will continue the standard of excellence our brand offers, and I’m confident they’ll deliver amazing customer experiences at their Palm Bay location.”

With a background spanning manufacturing to software engineering, Russell Dull and his wife Kathy — who also shares a robust manufacturing career — believe they will bring a fresh perspective to the industry.

“Launching Gotcha Covered of Palm Bay is a dream realized, fueled by our ambition to set new benchmarks in service excellence and design innovation,” Russell Dull said.

The Dulls said their approach combines cutting-edge digital marketing strategies with personalized customer engagement events, aiming not only to grow their business but also to enhance the customer experience in every interaction.

“The joy of transforming a space and witnessing the immediate impact of our work is profoundly gratifying. It’s about creating moments of delight for our clients through meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail,” Kathy Dull said.

Adding 30 new franchise locations in 2023, Gotcha Covered currently has over 170 total franchises across the U.S. and Canada. The franchise has been operating under the Gotcha Covered name since 2009.

To schedule an appointment with Gotcha Covered of Palm Bay, visit https://www.gotchacovered.com/palm-bay/.

Adam Shaffer to lead Farmington Hills and Northville location

DETROIT — Gotcha Covered, a leader in custom window treatment consultation in the U.S. and Canada, has announced the opening of a new center in Michigan. Gotcha Covered of Farmington Hills and Northville is owned and operated by Adam Shaffer.

With an emphasis on end-to-end consultations, the new center provides the best in soft and hard window treatments to homeowners in the Farmington area by offering a variety of blinds, draperies, smart solutions and much more.

“Design know-how, creativity and problem-solving skills can be integral to a Gotcha Covered owner, and Adam has an abundance of all three,” said Paul Linenberg, president of Gotcha Covered. “He’s built a career helping people find food solutions to fit their needs. Now, he’ll be helping Michigan homeowners and business owners find solutions to make their design dreams become reality.”

Known as the “Food Wizard,” Shaffer spent more than 15 years serving as a food scientist for nationally known brands before deciding to utilize his critical thinking skills in a new way.

“I love brainstorming solutions and finding new ways to do something,” Shaffer said. “I’ve not met a problem yet that I couldn’t solve. Gotcha Covered has a multitude of options and resources, so I know I’m always going to be able to help a customer design the perfect setting for their home or business.”

Adding 30 new franchise locations in 2023, Gotcha Covered currently has over 170 total franchises across the U.S. and Canada. The franchise has been operating under the Gotcha Covered name since 2009.

To schedule an appointment with Gotcha Covered of Farmington Hills and Northville, visit https://www.gotchacovered.com/farmington-hills-northville/.

New franchise owner to lead Canton, Georgia location

CANTON, Ga. — Gotcha Covered, a leader in custom window treatment consultation in the U.S. and Canada, has announced the opening of a new center in Canton. Gotcha Covered of Canton is owned and operated by Eric Gitonga.

With an emphasis on end-to-end consultations, the new center provides the best in soft and hard window treatments to homeowners in Cartersville, Canton, Holly Springs and Woodstock by offering a variety of blinds, draperies, smart solutions and much more.

“The center in Canton is our sixth location in the state of Georgia,” said Paul Linenberg, president of Gotcha Covered. “We are excited to offer the Gotcha Covered experience to the homeowners and businesses in the community. We pride ourselves in providing first-class service, and we are confident Eric (Gitonga) will be an asset to our brand and the Canton community.”

A five-year U.S. Navy veteran, Gitonga brings an attitude of hard work to the Gotcha Covered brand. He also brings over six years of experience as an electrician, earning his electrical journeyman certification.

It was Gitonga’s desire to control his own destiny that inspired him to enter the franchising world.

“I wanted to own my own business so that I had the flexibility and freedom to determine how I wanted to run the company,” said Gitonga. “That’s why joining Gotcha Covered was a no-brainer. They give me the flexibility that allows me to control my own destiny.”

When asked what he enjoys the most about the window treatment business, Gitonga replied, “turning dreams into reality.”

“I use my problem-solving, communication and analytical skills to deliver high-quality, tailored services that meet the expectations of my customers. With the goal of providing an excellent customer experience, I aim to design and execute innovative projects that enhance the aesthetic and functionality of the spaces I work on. I want people to be in awe after I’m finished with a project.”

Adding 30 new franchise locations in 2023, Gotcha Covered currently has over 170 total franchises across the U.S. and Canada. The franchise has been operating under the Gotcha Covered name since 2009.

To schedule an appointment with Gotcha Covered of Canton, visit https://www.gotchacovered.com/canton/.

The leading window treatment consultation franchise opens second location in Louisiana

PONCHATOULA, La. — Gotcha Covered, a leader in custom window treatment consultation in the U.S. and Canada, recently welcomed Jason and Heather Roper to their growing list of franchise owners. The couple are the owners and operators of Gotcha Covered of Mandeville Covington, the second location in Louisiana.

With an emphasis on end-to-end consultations, the new center provides the best in soft and hard window treatments to homeowners on the North Shore by offering a variety of blinds, draperies, smart solutions and much more.

“We are always looking for opportunities to expand the Gotcha Covered brand nationwide,” said Paul Linenberg, president of Gotcha Covered. “The new location in Louisiana is a testament to how quickly we are growing. Jason and Heather (Roper) have a tremendous opportunity to showcase to the Mandeville and Ponchatoula communities the importance of having a trusted window treatment business locally. We are confident that they will have a positive impact on the community by delivering an excellent customer experience.”

The Ropers bring diverse backgrounds to the Gotcha Covered family. Jason spent the bulk of his career as the owner of a landscape management company. He also spent time as the supervisor of Los Robles Golf Course in California.

Heather learned the elements of design early through cosmetology, which led to a career in sales management with Procter and Gamble. She also served as the director of e-commerce at Coty Inc. and Wella Company.

The idea of buying a franchise came when the COVID-19 pandemic struck, and the couple started looking for opportunities closer to home.

“After our daughter, Rachael, graduated from high school, Heather and I moved to California for a few years to expand Heather’s corporate career in sales leadership,” said Jason Roper. “When COVID-19 hit, we started looking for an opportunity to come back home to Louisiana and be near our family and friends. We wanted a business that would combine both our strengths and allow us to retire from something we built together. We also wanted more flexibility with our time so we could spend it with our grandchildren and family.”

“Gotcha Covered allows us to continue to grow and achieve many short-term and long-term goals. This franchise is the means for us to stay challenged and productive, serve the people in our community, fulfill our purpose and enjoy our future.”

Regarding the window treatment industry, it’s building relationships and the one-on-one time they get to spend with customers that the Ropers enjoy the most.

“Working with customers to design their perfect look is something we love to do. Our products also allow us to solve any issues homeowners may have,” Heather Roper said. “We love working together and the time this business affords us.”

Adding 30 new franchise locations in 2023, Gotcha Covered currently has over 170 total franchises across the U.S. and Canada. The franchise has been operating under the Gotcha Covered name since 2009.

To schedule an appointment with Gotcha Covered of Mandeville Covington, visit https://www.gotchacovered.com/mandeville-covington/.

The leading window treatment consultation franchise announces Stephanie Bulgar as owner of Boca Delray location

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Gotcha Covered, a leader in custom window treatment consultation in the U.S. and Canada, has announced the opening of Gotcha Covered of Boca Delray, the franchise’s 29^th location in the state. The center is owned and operated by Stephanie Bulgar.

With an emphasis on end-to-end consultations, the new center provides the best in soft and hard window treatments to homeowners in Boca Raton and Delray Beach by offering a variety of blinds, draperies, smart solutions and much more.

“At Gotcha Covered, our franchise owners are dedicated to delivering an excellent experience to their customers,” said Paul Linenberg, president of Gotcha Covered. “The Boca Delray location will be no different as we further establish our footprint in the Florida market. Stephanie (Bulgar) will be a great asset to the Boca Raton and Delray Beach community by providing first-class value and services to homeowners in the area.”

Before joining Gotcha Covered, Bulgar spent most of her career in sales. Over the past decade, she worked in health care as the vice president of a health care company focusing on long-term care services.

But it was Bulgar’s desire to control her own destiny that drove her into the franchising world.

“The feeling of wanting to own my life had been brewing within me for quite some time,” said Bulgar. “I had been in touch with different business brokers over the past few years. When my daughter and her family moved out of the state of New York, that was the impetus I needed to not only leave the corporate world but to follow them to Florida.”

Bulgar says it’s the synthesis of her love for design and her sales background that she enjoys the most about the window treatment business.

“Joining Gotcha Covered is the culmination of my professional life,” Bulgar said. “All of the mistakes, achievements, lessons and learned skills have led me to becoming a business owner.”

Adding 30 new franchise locations in 2023, Gotcha Covered currently has over 170 total franchises across the U.S. and Canada. The franchise has been operating under the Gotcha Covered name since 2009.

To schedule an appointment with Gotcha Covered of Boca Delray, visit https://www.gotchacovered.com/boca-delray/.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Gotcha Covered, a leader in custom window treatment consultation in the U.S. and Canada, has announced the opening of Gotcha Covered of Central Charlotte, the fourth location serving the major North Carolina city. The center is owned and operated by Dhwani Mehta and Alpesh Patel.

With an emphasis on end-to-end consultations, the new center provides the best in soft and hard window treatments to homeowners in Central Charlotte, South Park, Myers Park, Cotswold and Dilworth by offering a variety of blinds, draperies, smart solutions and much more.

“Charlotte is continuously growing, and we want to ensure we are meeting their window covering needs,” said Paul Linenberg, president of Gotcha Covered. “This new location will provide Central Charlotte and the surrounding areas with experts that can help guide them through their window treatment journey. Dhwani (Mehta) and Alpesh (Patel) will continue to be an asset to a community they’ve lived in for over three decades.”

Mehta and Patel bring a diverse set of skills to the Gotcha Covered brand. After earning a master’s degree in nutrition, Mehta practiced as a registered dietitian. For the last eight years, she has served as a director of clinical research in the oncology field.

Patel studied interior design and worked in the design field for several years. Since 2009, he has successfully owned and operated K.P Builders, a design-build residential construction company.

The desire to own and operate their own businesses was always a goal for Mehta and Patel.

“We both have been raised in families that run their own businesses in hospitality and retail, so being entrepreneurs comes naturally. We both love networking and building relationships,” said Mehta. “We had been seeking a business that complimented both our skill sets, challenged us and still gave us control of our time. At the same time, we didn’t want to start from scratch.”

“The support of a franchise meant that a good foundation was laid out, and we did not have to reinvent the wheel. Gotcha Covered ticked all our boxes.”

While Mehta and Patel love the design and creative aspects of the window treatment business, it’s their excitement for building new relationships that they really enjoy about the business.

“Gotcha Covered allows us to integrate deeper into our community and provide creative yet practical solutions for our clients who need our services,” said Patel. “The Charlotte community is generous, kind and friendly, so we want to provide an excellent experience for those looking to buy window treatments for their homes or businesses.”

Adding 40 new franchise locations in 2022, Gotcha Covered currently has over 155 total franchises across the U.S. and Canada. The franchise has been operating under the Gotcha Covered name since 2009.

To schedule an appointment with Gotcha Covered of Central Charlotte, visit https://www.gotchacovered.com/central-charlotte/.

Independent survey shows franchise owners are highly satisfied with the leading custom window treatment provider’s performance

DENVER — Gotcha Covered, the leader in custom window treatment across the U.S. and Canada and part of the innovative, growing Five Star Franchising platform of home service brands, has been named a Top Franchise for the third consecutive year by Franchise Business Review. This is the 19^th annual ranking of the 200 best franchise opportunities as rated by franchise business owners. The list is available at https://franchisebusinessreview.com/lists/top-200-franchises/.

“At Gotcha Covered, we’re relentless in our commitment to our franchise owners, so we truly appreciate this honor,” said Paul Linenberg, president of Gotcha Covered. “We provide franchise owners with industry-leading support so they can thrive and grow by delivering extraordinary experiences to their customers. It’s gratifying to see that our franchise owners recognize the difference our franchise systems and values make.”

With an emphasis on end-to-end consultations, Gotcha Covered provides homeowners and businesses with the best in soft and hard window treatments, including a variety of blinds, draperies, and smart home solutions.

Franchise Business Review, a market research firm that performs independent surveys of franchisee satisfaction and employee engagement, provides the only rankings and awards for franchise companies based solely on actual franchisee satisfaction and performance. Franchise Business Review publishes its rankings of the top 200 franchises in its annual Guide to Today’s Top Franchises.

“This prestigious recognition stands out because it’s based on the satisfaction of franchise owners, who are the engine of our success,” said J. Andrew Mengason, chief growth officer for Five Star Franchising. “Gotcha Covered and Five Star Franchising are committed to supporting franchise owners as they pursue their dreams of financial freedom through owning a franchise business. This ranking reflects our commitment and the value of the innovative franchise resources we provide that empower them to deliver world-class service to their customers.”

Gotcha Covered was among more than 375 franchise brands, representing over 35,000 franchise owners, that participated in Franchise Business Review’s research. Gotcha Covered franchise owners were surveyed on 33 benchmark questions about their experience and satisfaction regarding critical areas of their franchise systems, including training and support, operations, franchisor/franchisee relations, and financial opportunity.

“Franchisee satisfaction continues to be the leading indicator of franchise performance and system health, and we are pleased to report that our latest research shows satisfaction has remained at some of the highest levels in the past 19 years. In fact, our survey results show that three out of four franchise owners would recommend their brand to others. That’s extremely encouraging news for franchise owners and anyone considering investing in a franchise,” said Michelle Rowan, president and COO of Franchise Business Review. “As an independent research firm, Franchise Business Review is committed to helping prospective franchisees get an objective view of the best franchise opportunities available based on actual feedback from the people who own them.”

In 2023, Gotcha Covered was named to Franchise Business Review’s lists of Top 200 Franchises, Top Low-Cost Franchises, Top Recession-Proof Franchises, Top Franchise Cultures and Most Innovative Franchises.

For more information on franchising with Gotcha Covered, visit gotchacoveredfranchising.com.

For more information about Five Star Franchising, visit http://fivestarfranchising.com/.