Whalen Joined the Junk Removal and Moving Franchise in 2016 as General Manager of Tampa-Based Location
College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving has promoted Dan Whalen to vice president of operations. In this new role, he will oversee franchise and corporate-owned locations and lead the team of franchise business consultants. Whalen brings almost a decade of experience to the role, including operations management, sales, and business ownership in the health and fitness industry. He joined the moving and junk-hauling franchise in 2016 as general manager of the Tampa, Fla., company, which was recognized on the Inc. 5000 list in 2019. In 2020, he became a franchise business consultant before being promoted to director of franchise business consulting.
“My goal has always been to make a significant positive impact on our franchise owners, clients, and team members. This role grants me greater opportunities to achieve that. I love being able to marry the tactical with the conceptual when it comes to overall business strategy and implementing new systems or processes. All in all, my goal has always been to help this brand succeed to the fullest possible extent, and I can’t wait to continue those efforts at the next level,” Whalen said.
College HUNKS’ core values immediately resonated with Whalen, who said he was attracted to the brand’s dedication to developing team members and providing a stress-free experience for its customers, all while having a blast. Since joining the franchise, Whalen said he has seen an increased emphasis on innovation, data-driven decision-making, and the strategic creation of an infrastructure that’s conducive to scaling the business.
Senior Vice President of Operations Marc Richard praised Whalen’s service to the company and said he looks forward to him having an even greater impact in the new role. “Dan has played such an integral part in the growth and evolution of our brand, and we are thrilled to promote him to his new leadership position. He embodies the College HUNKS core values and has proven over the years his commitment to our brand and ensuring our success in each role he has fulfilled. It’s been incredibly exciting to watch him develop as a professional and serve as a fantastic role model for others.”
A ‘Cheat Code’
With a network of passionate partners, a proven system, and great support and training from the franchisor, Whalen views the franchising business model as a “cheat code” for success. “If an entrepreneur can find a way to preserve what makes them special while being willing to evolve the business, they have a shot at making it over the long haul,” he said. “Your people, and how you treat them, will set both the ceiling and floor on your potential, so balancing culture with margin is important.”
Staying Grounded to Achieve Success
As an experienced entrepreneur himself, Whalen understands that business is as much a mental game as it is mechanics. He advises aspiring entrepreneurs to ground themselves from the highs and lows of entrepreneurship to succeed in the long run and ensure they will enjoy the fruits of their labor.
