4 and Counting as Phoenix Franchise Manufacturers Builds Portfolio | Franchise Information

In his 30-plus years of franchising, Greg Longe has helped manufacturers similar to Molly Maid and Mr. Handyman develop nationally. Now, he’s amassing rising ideas underneath Phoenix Franchising Manufacturers with an eye fixed towards of recurring income for franchisees.

Longe, who early in his profession spent greater than 10 years at automotive detailing franchise Ziebart Worldwide, mentioned that have helped form him as a enterprise chief. As director of franchise improvement and vice chairman of world improvement, he helped convey the corporate from two merchandise to 31 and practically 1,000 areas throughout 40 international locations. He counts former Ziebart CEO Thomas E. Wolfe as a mentor.  

“I really feel like I actually grew up there,” Longe mentioned. “I actually realized loads about creating companies globally in nearly any social, political and financial local weather.”

Phoenix Franchise Manufacturers, which he fashioned along with his spouse, Maria Longe (who serves as president), is his subsequent endeavor. Its 4 manufacturers—Fetch Pet Care, Furry Land, Spray Foam Genie and Door Renew—are all a bit totally different, although every is within the service sector. 

Acquired in March 2020, Fetch offers canine strolling and pet sitting companies by means of its 134 areas. Furry Land, added to the Phoenix lineup in April 2021 and with 35 areas, is a cell pet grooming service. 

Within the residence service section are Spray Foam Genie, a house insulation firm with 5 areas, and Door Renew, a 22-unit door refinishing and refurbishing idea. Door Renew has been part of Phoenix since June 2021; Spray Foam Genie is the latest, acquired in September 2022. 

In relation to discovering these franchises, Longe has a set of standards. 

“I wish to be certain that it’s an business that’s not going backwards, has big potential and it’s extra want than need,” he mentioned.

All 4 manufacturers meet varied wants, which to Longe is crucial half. Even throughout COVID-related lockdowns, folks nonetheless had pets and upkeep across the residence. The recurring want facet will get a model’s foot within the door for Phoenix, although there’s extra to it. 

All of the franchises underneath Phoenix are solely thought of if they’re reasonably priced for franchisees. Longe is searching for the “candy spot” in franchising, with an funding vary of slightly below $100,000 to $650,000. That’s a part of the rationale why he appears for service fashions as a substitute of brick-and-mortar shops. “You don’t have an entire lot of overhead with a purpose to get entangled,” he mentioned.

Longe drew on his personal expertise in creating the standards for Phoenix. Having gone by means of recessions and the pandemic, he’s seen all of it. When he bought Fetch, it was March 1, 2020. 

“Little did we all know what loomed just some weeks later,” he mentioned. “It was fairly surreal.”

Figuring out that important staff had pets, Longe wished to verify these pets may nonetheless be cared for and that Fetch’s personal workers may get again to work. Getting the web site constructed up for buyer use was a precedence. As a way to promote gross sales, they employed Market360. 

“I believe it gave our franchisees confidence realizing that their new mother or father was going to put money into the enterprise,” mentioned Longe. 

That effort paid off with progress in 2021 and 2022 as Fetch added 80 items; the model had 54 when Longe bought it. Including to which might be the founders of the businesses Longe acquired. Except for Fetch, whose founders had beforehand exited, all of the founders have discovered locations at Phoenix, persevering with to work with their manufacturers and collaborating within the progress.