home improvement

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/.

The leading window treatment consultation franchise welcomes DeAnn Von Rueden to growing group of owners

FARGO, N.D. — Gotcha Covered, a leader in custom window treatment consultation in the U.S. and Canada, has officially announced its first location in North Dakota with the opening of Gotcha Covered of Fargo. The newest location is owned and operated by DeAnn Von Rueden.

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

“We are excited to be opening our first location in the state of North Dakota,” said Paul Linenberg, president of Gotcha Covered. “There are great opportunities for growth in Fargo, and we know that DeAnn (Von Rueden) is the person who can help us establish a footprint in the area. We have complete confidence that she will be a great ambassador of Gotcha Covered as well as an asset to the community.”

Von Rueden brings nearly 28 years of medical field experience to the Gotcha Covered family, starting out as a paramedic before transitioning to being a registered nurse in 2015.

After spending over two decades in the medical field, Von Rueden decided she wanted to pursue other interests.

“I was looking for more autonomy and flexibility in my career,” said Von Rueden. “I wanted to try something new and different from the medical field. I also wanted to build a business that my husband, Jeff, could transition to full time in the future.”

After researching potential opportunities, Von Rueden came across Gotcha Covered and realized it was the perfect opportunity for her to create the flexibility she desired. In addition, she now has the ability to help people in a different way.

“Owning my own business gives me the opportunity to directly help people and provide quality customer service while building solid business relationships in our community,” Von Rueden said. “I will have the opportunity to provide service in the Fargo and Grand Forks area in North Dakota and as far east as the Detroit Lakes on the Minnesota side.”

“The number of possibilities available to transition a living space into something completely new and different is endless, and that’s one of the things I love most about the window treatment business. The customers are always excited to have this service completed, and I look forward to seeing the finished project.”

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 Fargo, visit https://www.gotchacovered.com/fargo/.

Former Marine takes the reins of established window treatment consultation business

EDMOND, Okla. — Gotcha Covered, a leader in custom window treatment consultation in the U.S. and Canada, welcomes Bryan Baldwin to the franchise family. He is taking over as the owner of Gotcha Covered of Edmond. It’s currently the only location in Oklahoma.

Baldwin enters the franchising world after 25 years of working in human resources in corporate America.

“Twenty-five years of working in corporate America was all I could take,” said Baldwin, a Marine veteran. “Owning a Gotcha Covered meant independence and the ability to manage my own schedule. That played a big role in my decision to join the franchise. I wanted to avoid being gone for 12 hours a day. I pretty much missed the first half of my kids’ lives because I was always gone.”

Baldwin said he is excited to be taking over Gotcha Covered of Edmond because he likes selling products that improve customers’ homes.

“We aren’t repairing or dealing with problems,” Baldwin said. “It’s awesome to work with customers who want to make their homes nicer and have their trust in a top-quality company like Gotcha Covered.”

With an emphasis on end-to-end consultations, Gotcha Covered of Edmond provides the best in soft and hard window treatments to homeowners in the north metro area of Oklahoma City by offering a variety of blinds, draperies, smart solutions and much more.

“Gotcha Covered is nothing without its excellent franchise owners,” said Paul Linenberg, president of Gotcha Covered. “They are the ones interacting with customers daily and providing excellent customer experiences. We are confident Bryan (Baldwin) will do the same for the Edmond community. He has shown the work ethic and dedication it takes to be a successful Gotcha Covered owner, and we are excited to see the results he brings to the franchise.”

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 Edmond, visit https://www.gotchacovered.com/edmond/.

Clifford Oberg, Heike Porter continue expansion in Northeast Florida

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — Gotcha Covered, a leader in custom window treatment consultation in the U.S. and Canada, has announced the opening of its North St. Johns County location. The new center is owned and operated by Clifford Oberg and Heike Porter.

With an emphasis on end-to-end consultations, Gotcha Covered of North St. Johns County provides the best in soft and hard window treatments to homeowners in the county by offering a variety of blinds, draperies, smart solutions and much more.

“Clifford (Oberg) and Heike (Porter) have proven that they are a true asset to the Gotcha Covered family,” said Paul Linenberg, president of Gotcha Covered. “The North St. Johns community will soon find out the reasons why. We know Clifford and Heike will jump in the community right away and showcase the excellence that Gotcha Covered covets in all our franchisees.”

Oberg, a 21-year veteran in the U.S. Air Force, is no stranger to the franchise world. In 2014, he opened his first Gotcha Covered in Apollo Beach. In just under five years, he made it the third largest Gotcha Covered franchise. He is now venturing into his third territory.

Porter, who grew up in Germany, spent many years with the U.S. Army working as a civilian contractor. She has been in the U.S. for over 20 years and specializes in designs and colors.

“Being part of Gotcha Covered is more than just owning a small business. It means being part of a family,” said Oberg. “The constant support and friendly relationships we have developed mean everything to us. There is no better franchise than Gotcha Covered.”

Porter said that owning a Gotcha Covered helps build strong relationships in the community.

“What we love most about the window treatment business is developing strong relationships with our clients and putting smiles on their faces,” Porter said. “We are changing their homes and their lives through the use of proper window coverings.”

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 North St. Johns County, visit https://www.gotchacovered.com/st-johns-county/.

Chris DeBartolo to lead new custom window treatments consultation business in Bentonville

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Gotcha Covered, a leader in custom window treatment consultation in the U.S. and Canada, welcomes Chris DeBartolo to the franchise family. He is the owner and operator of Gotcha Covered of Bentonville, the first location in Arkansas.

With an emphasis on end-to-end consultations, Gotcha Covered of Bentonville will provide the best in soft and hard window treatments to homeowners in Northwest Arkansas by offering a variety of blinds, draperies, smart solutions and much more.

“We are excited to have our first location in the state of Arkansas,” said Paul Linenberg, president of Gotcha Covered. “This is an opportunity to show the homeowners in Northwest Arkansas the importance of having a window treatment partner they can turn to when they redecorate or renovate their homes. We are confident that Chris (DeBartolo) will be an excellent representative of the Gotcha Covered family.”

Prior to joining Gotcha Covered, DeBartolo spent 16 years in the medical field as an ophthalmic surgical scrub and LASIK technician. It was his desire to control his own success that encouraged him to join the franchise.

“I wanted the opportunity to control my own future, build a strong relationship with my community and live a more flexible lifestyle,” said DeBartolo. “I chose franchising because it provided an opportunity to buy into an existing business model that had a proven track record with an excellent support system.”

“What I love most about the window treatment business is the ability to meet with friends and neighbors to assist them in achieving their vision to elevate the look of their home. Gotcha Covered gives me an avenue to do that. I’m proud to be part of a quality recognized brand associated with exceptional customer service and a superb reputation.”

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 Bentonville, visit https://www.gotchacovered.com/bentonville/.

Hailey Handzel joins leading custom window treatment’s franchise family

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. — Gotcha Covered, a leader in custom window treatment consultation in the U.S. and Canada, welcomes Hailey Handzel to the franchise family. She is the owner and operator of Gotcha Covered of West Hartford, the newest location in Connecticut.

With an emphasis on end-to-end consultations, Gotcha Covered of West Hartford will provide the best in soft and hard window treatments to homeowners in West Hartford, the Farmington Valley, Glastonbury and surrounding areas by offering a variety of blinds, draperies, smart solutions and much more.

A resident of the West Hartford area for 15 years, Handzel said it was her love of working with people one-on-one and helping people bring beauty into their spaces that inspired her to start her window treatment business.

“There’s something very special about getting to help someone solve a problem, and with Gotcha Covered, it means improving a client’s most treasured assets – their home and business,” said Handzel.

Having worked as a registered dietitian in Hartford, CT and Springfield, MA, Handzel is no stranger to building relationships with clients and working to improve their day-to-day lives.

“With Gotcha Covered, I get to work with people in a consultative manner. I learn about their goals and challenges, help craft their vision and manage each step to bring it all to life,” Handzel said. “Homes are personal. How a space is used, the feelings it invokes and the way it functions are unique to each person and each room. I genuinely love the opportunity to transform clients’ homes and workspaces making them more functional, comfortable and beautiful.”

“I had been in search of creative fulfillment in my work life and knew that building up a business of my own while creating something I could be proud of and put my personal touches on was exactly what I needed. I am excited to bring Gotcha Covered to West Hartford and the surrounding areas and help create beautiful spaces in my clients’ homes and 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.

“We wanted to expand our footprint in Connecticut, and we believed the Greater Hartford area presented the perfect opportunity for growth,” said Paul Linenberg, president of Gotcha Covered. “We are confident that Hailey (Handzel) will provide the West Hartford community and surrounding areas with a great customer experience that will make Gotcha Covered of West Hartford a tremendous asset to the community.”

To schedule an appointment with Gotcha Covered of West Hartford, visit https://www.gotchacovered.com/west-hartford/.

To speak to Hailey Handzel more about her vision, design style and business goals, contact Hailey at haileyhandzel@gotchacovered.com.