Junkluggers

Leading Home Service Franchise Group on Track to Have a Grand Slam Year in Development Signing 44 New Franchise Agreements and Expanding Across 76 Territories. 

COLUMBIA, Md. — Authority Brands announced today continued success at the halfway mark of 2023 with another strong quarter that saw the franchise group sign a total of 44 new deals and 76 new territories across their portfolio of 15 home service brands. This resilient second quarter followed a record-breaking first quarter wherein the franchise leader sold more than 70 territories and achieved a six percent increase in system-wide revenue. Year-to-date, the franchise group has completed 89 new deals and grown across 149 territories with plans for continued expansion through the end of 2023.

“With our continued success and ongoing commitment to each of our home service brands, our team is proud of the accomplishments we have achieved so far in 2023. From our corporate and sales team to our franchise owners out in the field, Authority Brands is a results-driven company that strives for excellence and being the best in the business,” said Jordan Wilson, Senior Vice President of Franchise Development at Authority Brands. “We are humbled and motivated by the milestones we have fulfilled thus far and look forward to seeing what the next half of the year holds as we identify new means of expansion and opportunities to support our incredible family of franchise owners.”

Second quarter highlights from companies within the Authority Brands portfolio include:

• America’s Swimming Pool Company targeted the South for expansion by signing on four new owners to service Bradenton, Florida; Sarasota, Florida; South Shore, Florida; and New Orleans, Louisiana.
• Benjamin Franklin Plumbing expanded their franchise footprint by signing six new deals that included five new owners and one cross-branded owner in markets across the country including Gilbert, Arizona; Bentonville, Arkansas; Long Beach, California; Boise, Idaho; Grand Rapids, Michigan; and Sherman, Texas.
• The Cleaning Authority welcomed seven new owners in seven territories including Anaheim, California; St. Augustine, Florida; Winter Garden, Florida; Venice Beach, Florida; Dayton, Ohio; West Cleveland, Ohio; and Evansville, Wisconsin. The residential cleaning franchise also opened four new locations in Pompano Beach, Florida; Cherry Hill, New Jersey; West Cleveland, Ohio; and East Portland, Oregon.
• Color World Painting broadened their brushstrokes with a new franchise owner covering two territories in Cypress, Texas.
• DoodyCalls signed on five new owners in territories including Phoenix, Arizona; Miami, Florida; Crystal Lake, Illinois; Syracuse, New York; and West Chester, Pennsylvania.
• DRYmedic Restoration Services signed two new deals with one new owner and one cross-branded owner in Alabama and Jensen Beach, Florida.
• Homewatch CareGivers launched a new recruitment website as a result of the homecare franchisor’s renewed focus on supporting franchisees develop their employer culture and as a means for individual owners to streamline the recruitment and retention process. Additionally, Homewatch began implementing quarterly performance groups to help support participating franchise owners improve financial performance through collaborative sharing of best practices and peer mentorship.
• The Junkluggers signed with a franchise owner to open across three territories in Katy, Texas.
• Mister Sparky signed three new deals in Sacramento, California; Dayton, Ohio; and Livingston, Texas.
• Monster Tree Service welcomed one new owner in Midsouth, Tennessee; two new resale owners in North Anne Arundel County, Maryland and Sarasota, Florida; and a new franchise in Greater Boulder, Colorado.
• Mosquito Squad celebrated two new franchise openings in Wyoming and Chattanooga, Tennessee.
• One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning fueled development efforts with four new deals signed including three in a nearly sold out market in Georgetown, Lakeway, and Willow Creek, Texas along with another in Easton, Pennsylvania.
• Screenmobile completed their transition to Authority Brands in the second quarter of 2023 and are already establishing a strong development pipeline. The brand is poised to achieve new goals with a major focus on expansion on the Gulf Coast and South Atlantic regions of the United States.
• Woofie’s had its most successful quarter yet signing 10 new owners over 18 territories, including in Castle Rock, Colorado; Lutz, Florida; West Orlando, Florida; Sandy Springs, Georgia; Bethesda, Maryland; Grand Rapids, Michigan; Morristown, New Jersey; Greenville, South Carolina; Grapevine, Texas; and Alexandria, Virginia. The pet care franchise also opened four new locations across the United States in Q2.

In addition to new signings and growing sales, franchisors in the Authority Brands portfolio continue to innovate with new business tactics to enhance the customer and franchise owner experience. Earlier in the quarter, DoodyCalls launched a new CRM software system that allows franchise owners to fully track their customer’s personal service journeys. Additionally, these home service brands continue to engage in strategic partnerships to differentiate themselves from others in the industry, like America’s Swimming Pool Company who partnered with Heritage Pool Supply to give franchise owners a competitive edge to streamline product and supply purchasing.

Combined, the Authority Brands franchise brands operate more than 2,000 locations with an expansive network of more than 1,000 franchise owners. All franchisors within the Authority Brands portfolio are looking to expand with qualified franchisees across the United States. To learn more about franchising opportunities within the Authority Brands portfolio, please visit: https://www.authoritybrands.com/franchising/.

Leading Home Service Franchise Group Marks Milestone Quarter Seeing More Than 70 Territories Sold and a 6% Increase in System-Wide Revenue

 COLUMBIA, Md. — Authority Brands announced today that it achieved a strong start to 2023 with a record-breaking first quarter that saw the franchise group sign a total of 45 new area development agreements covering 72 territories and acquire America’s only national mobile screen repair service, Screenmobile. Authority Brands continued their upward trajectory by exceeding the financial goals set for the first quarter with a 6% increase in system-wide revenue and opening more than 18 franchises. Authority Brands’ rapid growth reinforces the viability of each brand and the industry at large.

“It has been a historic quarter at Authority Brands, and I am proud that our franchise owners continue to see the value in being a part of our family of industry-leading home service brands and are committed to helping us grow across the United States,” said Jordan Wilson, Senior Vice President of Franchise Development at Authority Brands. “Kicking off what we hope to be our most successful year yet, our team is looking forward to another great quarter and continued expansion of our invaluable network of franchise owners in order to provide the highest quality home services to customers all around the country.”

Highlights of the milestones these brands achieved in the first quarter of 2023 include:

• America’s Swimming Pool signed 2 new franchise agreements for a total of 6 territories including the Chicagoland area and upstate South Carolina.
• Benjamin Franklin Plumbing signed 2 new franchise agreements for a total of 4 territories including areas of Ohio and New Jersey.
• The Cleaning Authority signed 4 new franchise agreements for a total of 4 territories including Redmond, Washington; Torrance, California; and several markets in New Jersey.
• Color World Paining signed 1 new franchise agreement for 2 territories in West Fort Worth, Texas.
• DoodyCalls signed 3 new franchise agreements for a total of 3 territories including Corpus Christi, Texas; Forsyth, Georgia; and Rochester, New York.
• DRYmedic Restoration Services signed 2 new franchise agreements for a total of 8 territories including Houston, Texas and several markets in California.
• Homewatch CareGivers signed 6 new franchise agreements for a total of 7 territories including Boston, Massachusetts; Pleasanton and Folsom, California; Hollywood and Winter Garden, Florida; and Potomac, Maryland.
• The Junkluggers signed 2 new franchise agreements for a total of 4 territories including Savannah, Georgia and Miami, Florida.
• Mister Sparky signed 2 new franchise agreements for a total of 5 territories including Santa Rosa, California and Columbus, Ohio.
• Monster Tree Service signed 2 new franchise agreements for a total of 5 territories including Springboro, Ohio and St. Charles, Missouri.
• Mosquito Squad signed 4 new franchise agreements for a total of 4 territories including Phoenix and East Valley, Arizona; Rancho Cucamonga, California; and West Tulsa, Oklahoma.
• One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning signed 8 new franchise agreements for a total of 8 territories including Fresno and San Diego, California; Hilton Head, South Carolina; Calumet City, Illinois; and more.
• Screenmobile was acquired by Authority Brands in February and signed 1 new franchise agreement in South Mills, North Carolina.
• Woofie’s signed 5 new franchise agreements for a total of 10 territories including its first-ever in California.

Combined, the Authority Brands franchise brands operate more than 2,000 locations with an expansive network of more than 1,000 franchise owners. All franchisors within the Authority Brands portfolio are looking to expand with qualified franchisees across the United States. To learn more about franchising opportunities within the Authority Brands portfolio, please visit: https://www.authoritybrands.com/franchising/.

COLUMBIA, Md. — Authority Brands announced today the purchase of Weed Pro. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Founded in 2001 by Rob Palmer, Weed Pro is an Ohio-based lawn service company currently serving the Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati markets. Weed Pro has made a name for itself in Ohio with its environmentally friendly VitaminLawn packages and expert lawn care services that include fertilization, weed control, aeration, seeding and more for residential and commercial customers.

With this acquisition, the company will be rebranded and become part of Authority Brands’ incubator for emerging brands within the home services sector. The incubator is designed to leverage Authority Brands’ in-depth home services experience to accelerate growth and development of smaller-scale franchise concepts that have a proven system and strong management.

“We are very impressed with the company Rob has built and the skill his teams have mastered in the Ohio lawn care market,” said Craig Donaldson, CEO of Authority Brands. “They are known for superior customer service and their extensive training and knowledge. We believe Weed Pro’s success in Ohio will be replicated nationwide as Rob Palmer and Authority Brands work to create a leading franchise system.”

Companies under the Authority Brands umbrella include leading home service brands America’s Swimming Pool Company, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, The Cleaning Authority, Color World Painting, DoodyCalls, DRYmedic Restoration Services, Homewatch CareGivers, The Junkluggers, Mister Sparky, Monster Tree Service, Mosquito Squad, One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning, Screenmobile, STOP Restoration and Woofie’s. They operate across multiple home service sectors. Authority Brands’ incubator program and emerging brands group launched in 2022 and serves as a growth engine for innovative emerging concepts. Brands included in the program to-date are Woofie’s and Color World Painting.

“The leadership at Authority Brands has a unique aptitude for guiding brands with great potential,” said Ashish Karandikar, Board of Directors member of Authority Brands’ parent company and Partner at Apax. “With this newest partnership, we will provide Rob and his team with the unmatched support of our marketing, technology and operational tools and resources, helping them continue delivering to their high standards while fueling their expansion.”

“Our company has combined years of experience with a passion for lawn care to help properties throughout Ohio stay healthy and safe in every season,” said Rob Palmer, founder of Weed Pro. “Exceeding expectations has always been the norm for us, and now we have a thrilling opportunity to combine our talents with the brand-building expertise of Authority Brands. We look forward to expanding beyond our home state to reach more customers and future franchisees who can help us strengthen the legacy we have started.”

Principium White Oak represented Weed Pro and acted as their exclusive financial advisor for the transaction.

This partnership allows multiple brands under one company to provide exposure to various jobs and industries to kids and teens in Boys & Girls Clubs nationwide.

COLUMBIA, Md. — Authority Brands, a leading home services company, announced today its partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America with the goal of providing young people with exposure to a variety of career paths and opportunities through career coaching and workforce readiness educational programs. According to a recent statistic, 1 in 9 people ages 16-24 are not in school and don’t have a job.  With the help of Authority Brands and its extensive platform, Boys & Girls Clubs of America is taking action to address this issue and is proud to have Authority Brands as a partner in providing the resources and tools needed to equip Club members in communities nationwide with the necessary skills needed to pursue job opportunities.

Starting March 16th, Authority Brands will be volunteering its diverse array of home service franchise teams, both at the corporate and local franchisee level, to introduce Boys & Girls Club members to opportunities to develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the workforce. Authority Brands will be devoting most of their time to volunteering their efforts toward the Workforce Readiness Program, which focuses on providing kids with career exploration/coaching, job readiness education, and on-the-job work-based learning experience opportunities for teens to get exposure to a wide variety of career opportunities offered under the Authority Brands umbrella. The program will allow each franchisee to tailor their involvement to best suit their business model, giving them the ability to make an impact in their own community.

“Philanthropic efforts and community involvement are vital to the culture at Authority Brands,” says Heather McLeod, Chief Growth Officer at Authority Brands. “We are thrilled to be partnering with Boys & Girls Clubs of America to support their mission of providing youth in our communities with a brighter future.”

“We are honored to have support from Authority Brands as we work to enhance our workforce readiness efforts with corporate partners,” said Chad Hartman, National Vice President of Corporate Partnerships & Business Development at the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. “Today’s kids and teens are the future of our workforce and Authority Brand’s dedication to philanthropy will further enhance resources and support for them to be successful.”

This partnership marks a new chapter in Authority Brands’ commitment to giving back to the communities they serve and will launch on March 16th, providing franchisees that fall under the Authority Brands umbrella the opportunity to further tap into the communities they serve through outreach, career coaching, fundraising, tutoring, and more.  For more information on Authority Brands, visit https://www.authoritybrands.com/.  For more information on Boys & Girls Club of America, visit https://www.bgca.org/.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For 160 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA.org) has provided a safe place for kids and teens to learn and grow. Clubs offer caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Boys & Girls Clubs programming promotes academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. Nearly 5,000 Clubs serve 3.6 million young people through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in Boys & Girls Club of America-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of America on Facebook and Twitter.

The IFA Recognized Notable Franchisees from the Authority Brands Portfolio.

COLUMBIA, Md. — Authority Brands, a premier home service portfolio, announced today that multiple brands within their system were honored as part of the International Franchise Association’s (IFA) Franchisees of the Year. The annual IFA awards recognize dozens of franchise owners and operators across the country who exemplify excellence in community, workforce, diversity, and veteran affairs.

“Our franchisees recognized by this prestigious industry award have exemplified tremendous entrepreneurial skills in their respective brands. They continue to showcase the drive for growth while offering top-of-the-line customer service. We’re proud to help amplify their contributions to the teams and communities they serve,” said Heather McLeod, Chief Growth Officer at Authority Brands. “Seeing valued members of our Authority Brands portfolio being honored by the IFA is a testament to our system. We are excited to see what is next for each of them as they continue to evolve alongside our brand.”

As part of the IFA Franchisee of the Year Awards, honored Authority Brands’ franchisees include:

• America’s Swimming Pool: Miguel Macias operating in Reno, Nevada
• Benjamin Franklin Plumbing: Lenny Siers operating in Niceville, Florida
• The Cleaning Authority: Chris and Jen Lanagan operating in Cedarburg, Madison, and Kenosha, Wisconsin
• Homewatch CareGivers: Bindu Agarwal operating in Lower Bucks County and Elkins Park, Pennsylvania
• Mister Sparky: Aaron Hagan operating in Tulsa, Oklahoma
• Monster Tree Service: Don Elliott operating in Knoxville, Tennessee
• Mosquito Squad: Tom and Maryellen Heinemann operating in North New Jersey
• One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning: Richie Drew operating in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

The Franchisee of the Year Award, sponsored by IFA’s partner Paychex, recognizes leading franchise owners from IFA member brands whose outstanding performance and contributions help protect, enhance, and promote the franchise business model. Nominated by their parent company, individuals are selected for their service to their communities, fostering a strong and vibrant workforce, opening the doors for career growth and entrepreneurship, and supporting their fellow franchisees.

“Franchisee of the Year recipients represent the best in franchising,” said Matthew Haller, president and CEO of the International Franchise Association. “This is the highest honor IFA awards to individual franchisees, and local business owners like these Authority Brands’ franchisees exemplify the power of franchising and its positive contributions to communities around the world.”

To learn more about franchise development opportunities within the Authority Brands portfolio, please visit: https://www.authoritybrands.com/franchising/.

About the International Franchise Association:
Celebrating over 60 years of excellence, education, and advocacy, the International Franchise Association (IFA) is the world’s oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. IFA works through its government relations and public policy, media relations, and educational programs to protect, enhance and promote franchising and the approximately 790,492 franchise establishments that support nearly 8.4 million direct jobs, $825.4 billion of economic output for the U.S. economy, and almost 3 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). IFA members include franchise companies in over 300 different business format categories, individual franchisees, and companies that support the industry in marketing, law, technology, and business development.

Leading Home Service Franchise Group Achieved Strong Development in 2022, Acquiring Four New Home Service Brands and Experiencing a 15% Increase in System-Wide Revenue.

COLUMBIA, Md. — Authority Brands announced today that it achieved significant success in 2022, acquiring four strong home-service brands and experiencing a jump in year-over-year growth across its entire brand portfolio. With the addition of Woofie’s, DRYmedic Restoration Services, The Junkluggers, and Color World Painting, Authority Brands celebrated its fifth year in business by continuing to build a portfolio of brands that perfectly complement each other and are committed to being the best in their industry.

“At Authority Brands we firmly believe in supporting each franchisee’s growth. We offer unparalleled marketing programs and support, top-of-the-line technology in each brand’s respective industry; playbooks and formulas for operational and financial success and other resources aimed at driving strong returns for our franchisees. Our success in 2022 is a strong testament to these efforts,” said Craig Donaldson, Chief Executive Officer of Authority Brands. “Our team is looking forward to building on this incredible momentum as we venture through 2023. We have big plans that include looking for new opportunities that will expand our footprint with up-and-coming home service brands.”

Highlights of the success and milestones these brands achieved include:

• America’s Swimming Pool opened 12 new franchises and broke previous revenue records with 13% YoY growth
• Benjamin Franklin Plumbing opened 8 new franchises and broke previous revenue records with 8% YoY growth
• The Cleaning Authority opened 14 new franchises and broke previous revenue records with 16% YoY growth
• Color World Paining opened 10 new franchises and broke previous same store revenue records with 8% YoY growth
• Homewatch CareGivers opened 10 new franchises and broke previous revenue records with 10% YoY growth
• The Junkluggers opened 16 new franchises and broke previous revenue records with 14% YoY growth
• Mister Sparky opened 8 new franchises and broke previous revenue records with 21% YoY growth
• Monster Tree Service opened 6 new franchises and broke previous revenue records with 19% YoY growth
• Mosquito Squad opened 4 new franchises and broke previous revenue records with 13% YoY growth
• One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning opened 14 new franchises and broke previous revenue records with 16% YoY growth
• STOP Restoration broke previous revenue records with 16% YoY growth
• Woofie’s opened 10 new franchises and broke previous revenue records with 40% YoY growth

Combined, the Authority Brands franchise brands operate more than 2,000 locations with an expansive network of more than 1,000 franchise owners. Authority Brands’ family of franchise companies include leading home service brands America’s Swimming Pool Company, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, The Cleaning Authority, Color World Painting, DoodyCalls, DRYmedic Restoration Services, Homewatch CareGivers, The Junkluggers, Mister Sparky, Monster Tree Service, Mosquito Squad, One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning, Screenmobile, STOP Restoration, and Woofie’s.

Authority Brands is looking to expand with qualified franchisees across the United States. To learn more about franchising opportunities within the Authority Brands portfolio, please visit: https://www.authoritybrands.com/franchising/.

COLUMBIA, Md. — Authority Brands announced today the purchase of Screenmobile. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Founded in 1982 by the Walker family in Glendora, CA, Screenmobile currently operates in over 145 territories across the United States. As America’s only national mobile screen repair service, Screenmobile has successfully combined unparalleled value and convenience with a proprietary mobile workshop model that remains an industry standout. Screenmobile has over 115 franchise owners operating in over 30 states.

Companies under the Authority Brands umbrella include leading home service brands America’s Swimming Pool Company, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, The Cleaning Authority, Color World Painting, DoodyCalls, DRYmedic Restoration Services, Homewatch CareGivers, The Junkluggers, Mister Sparky, Monster Tree Service, Mosquito Squad, One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning, STOP Restoration and Woofie’s. They operate across multiple home service sectors. Authority Brands supports individual franchise owner growth by providing strong marketing, technology and operational tools and resources.

“Screenmobile is the perfect addition to our ever-expanding Authority Brands portfolio of home service brands,” said Craig Donaldson, CEO of Authority Brands. “Screenmobile takes pride in having extremely high satisfaction ratings, and that is the kind of client dedication we look for in a new partner. The Walker family has built a special business and we are excited to partner with them to expand Screenmobile’s footprint and provide franchise owners with increased support to help them reach their goals. We are excited to welcome Screenmobile to our family of brands and support them as they continue to grow.”

“As Authority Brands continues to grow, our team looks to partner with likeminded brands who put their customers and service standards first. Screenmobile’s impressive satisfaction rating with both customers and franchise owners made it a clear winner for the Authority Brands family and we are looking forward to supporting their success through the many resources we provide,” said Ashish Karandikar, Board of Directors member of Authority Brands’ parent company and Partner at Apax.

“Throughout the last nearly five decades our family-founded Screenmobile team has consistently strived to offer high quality home services with an emphasis on quality, customer service, and integrity,” said Scott Walker, Chief Executive Officer and President of Screenmobile. “We are excited to expand our family network with the Authority Brands team as it will allow us to further enhance service capabilities and innovation, while continuing to strengthen our franchise owner support. Through our partnership with Authority Brands we hope to reach new customers, broaden our franchisee family, and experience many more decades of screening success.”

“When we first started Screenmobile, we had a dream to become the best and largest mobile screening company in the nation,” said Monty L. Walker, Chief Operations Officer and Vice President of Screenmobile. “It has been an honor to see our humble screening business grow to become a leader in our industry, and we are thrilled to partner with Authority Brands in this next step of Screenmobile’s story.”

COLUMBIA, Md. — Authority Brands announced today the purchase of The Junkluggers. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

The Junkluggers is an eco-friendly junk removal franchise focused on customer service and bettering the environment in communities around the country. Founded by Josh Cohen in 2004, The Junkluggers made it their mission to disrupt the junk removal industry by instituting sustainable practices to divert waste from landfills through recycling, donations to charities, and innovative concepts like Remix Market, a secondhand marketplace. The Junkluggers has franchise owners operating across 350 territories with over 90 locations spread across the United States.

Companies under the Authority Brands umbrella include leading home service brands America’s Swimming Pool Company, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, The Cleaning Authority, Color World Painting, DoodyCalls, DRYmedic Restoration Services, Homewatch CareGivers, Mister Sparky, Monster Tree Service, Mosquito Squad, One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning, STOP Restoration and Woofie’s. They operate across multiple home service sectors. Authority Brands supports individual franchise owner growth by providing strong marketing, technology and operational tools and resources.

“The Junkluggers is a natural fit to our ever-expanding Authority Brands portfolio of home service brands,” said Craig Donaldson, CEO of Authority Brands. “As we celebrate Authority Brands’ 5^th anniversary, we look forward to the coming years of continued growth and success, much of which is made possible by our strategic acquisitions and our partnership with mission-driven brands that align with our core values. We are excited to welcome The Junkluggers to our family of brands and support them as they continue their upward growth trajectory and expand their franchise business.”

“As we continue to broaden our Authority Brands portfolio, our team hones in on brands and entrepreneurs that are driven to succeed. The Junkluggers’ dedication to their customers and the environment makes them a key partner for our Authority Brands family and we are looking forward to supporting their success through the many resources we provide,” said Ashish Karandikar, Board of Directors member of Authority Brands’ parent company and Partner at Apax.

“The Junkluggers was created to not only help customers get rid of unwanted items, but to promote green practices in every community we operate in and with each piece of junk we lug,” said Josh Cohen, Founder and CEO of The Junkluggers. “Our new partnership with the Authority Brands network will power our mission and allow us the support and resources to expand our client network without sacrificing our passion for sustainability and customer service that have been the cornerstone to our success. I can’t wait to see what the future holds as my team and I continue to be involved and committed to the company.”

Boxwood Partners LLC represented The Junkluggers and acted as their exclusive financial advisor for the transaction.