Franchise Owners Thrive Through Hands-On Training, Collaboration and Supportive Culture
Joining a franchise is a little like getting married. You’re making a long-term commitment, becoming part of a new family and counting on the people around you to have your back. And just like any good relationship, shared values, trust and communication are essential. After all, when you’re building a business, you want to know you’re surrounded by people who genuinely care about your success.
That’s the kind of environment Fibrenew works hard to create. The mobile leather, plastic and vinyl restoration franchise has built a close-knit community where owners look out for one another and the corporate team is always just a phone call away.
“It is an all-for-one, one-for-all culture,” says Denver Dominas, who works in franchise development. “We really work to help each other out, not just from head office to the franchises, but from franchise to franchise.”
And it’s not just the corporate team saying so. Fibrenew earned a spot on Franchise Business Review’s 2026 Top 200 Franchises list, an award based on independent franchisee satisfaction surveys. The brand has also been recognized by Entrepreneur’s prestigious Franchise 500 list for 10 consecutive years, along with Best in Category honors and recognition among the Top Franchises Under $150,000, Top Global Franchises and more. These awards speak to what franchise owners value most: great franchisee support, approachable leadership and knowing they have people they can count on.
For Dominas, Fibrenew’s supportive culture changed his career trajectory. What started as a part-time job eventually turned into a rewarding role with the company.
A musician by trade, Dominas joined the Canadian-based franchisor’s warehouse to earn extra money between shows. It did not take long for him to realize he had found more than a side gig. He loved the people, the atmosphere and the company. As he grew with Fibrenew, new opportunities kept coming his way.
Dominas eventually became warehouse manager, and in 2023, the company offered him an opportunity in franchise development. The role brought together the people skills he had developed through music, including networking, communicating and connecting with people from all walks of life. “It was perfect for me because I love people,” Dominas says.
Today, Dominas helps prospective franchise owners learn about the restoration business and decide whether the opportunity is right for them. He enjoys the company culture so much that he regularly works from the office even though his job can be done remotely. “I could be on an island somewhere, but I choose to come into the office because it’s a great environment.”
Franchisee Support
Frachisee support is at the center of the Fibrenew franchise system. Dominas describes the Fibrenew community as collaborative, approachable and built around people helping one another. Neighboring franchise owners may share products if someone runs low, cover jobs during a vacation or meet to discuss business ideas and local opportunities.
Since Fibrenew started franchising in 1987, it has grown to more than 315 locations across Canada and the U.S., but Dominas says the organization still feels small. Franchise owners can call president Jesse Johnstone, a support team member or someone at the corporate office without working through layers of departments or waiting for a service ticket. “It’s very much a human business, and we like keeping it that way.”
Franchisee feedback is also taken seriously. Whether an owner suggests a product improvement or a change to the system, the corporate team listens and responds. “We’re a proud head office, but we’re not an elite head office,” Dominas says. “We take what the franchisees say very seriously.”
Unique Business Model
Fibrenew franchisees repair and restore damaged leather, plastic and vinyl rather than replacing it. The work can include furniture, vehicle interiors, boats, aircraft, medical equipment and commercial seating. It is a feel-good, eco-friendly business that gives worn items a second life while helping keep bulky furniture, vehicle seats and other materials out of landfills. It also offers an AI-proof business for entrepreneurs who want to work with their hands, solve real-world problems and provide a valuable service that technology can’t easily replace.
Owners can work across automotive, aviation, marine, medical, residential and commercial markets. That variety creates several potential revenue streams and keeps the business from depending too heavily on one type of customer. The model also gives owners flexibility in how they grow. Some remain hands-on owner-operators who complete most of the restoration work themselves. Others add technicians, pursue larger accounts and build a more expansive operation. “We’re not locking you into anything,” Dominas says.
Because restoration requires technical skill, training is an important part of the opportunity. New owners complete two weeks of hands-on instruction, followed by a year of field training and continued support. Dominas says the initial program gives franchisees a strong foundation, while the follow-up helps them become more efficient and confident.
“The best fit is someone who enjoys working with people, isn’t afraid to roll up their sleeves and wants to make a positive difference for customers and the community,” Dominas say.
Learn more about the Fibrenew franchise opportunity.
