Collaboration, Support, Technology Aim to Sustain Momentum
All things growth dominated HomeFront Brands’ second HomeComing Convention held this month in Charlotte, N.C. The property services umbrella franchise also celebrated achievements and promoted collaboration during the gathering of nearly 500 people that included representatives of more than 200 franchise ownership groups and 50-plus vendor partners.
HomeFront’s portfolio currently contains Window Hero, The Designery, Top Rail Fence, Yard Patrol and Temporary Wall Systems. “We’re primed to continue our exceptional growth,” says Chief Growth Officer Zack Dudan. HomeFront’s aspirations dovetail with the forecast for franchising overall, according to the International Franchise Association’s 2024 Economic Outlook report. It predicted franchise businesses will reach 821,000 total units in the United States by year-end, an increase of 15,000 in 2024.
Dudan says the HomeFront Brands franchise has “excelled with awarding territories and driving same-store-sales domestically and internationally. We’ve accomplished this through all-in commitment to our franchise partners, providing them with continuing learning, top-notch technology and data-driven insights. Our investments in these areas help franchisees thrive and scale within a network of capable partners.”
HomeFront’s C.A.R.E.S. approach infuses its business practices: Community, Accountability, Responsibility, Excellence and Service. “These values drive HomeFront’s mission and its commitment to positive social impact,” Dudan says.
HomeComing Agenda
HomeComing represents an important component of the HomeFront franchise’s corporate support by delivering the latest business insights, hands-on workshops and inspiring speeches. Two VIP speakers were Mike Keonigs, an artificial intelligence expert who nurtures business empires, and Michael Reddington, executive coach and leadership development adviser who created the Disciplined Listening Method.
One particularly valuable HomeComing session covered brand-specific planning for 2025, Dudan says. “This interactive session, which was led by each Brand President and peer franchise partners, helped attendees craft an actionable road map and financial plan for success next year. They received practical tools, expert advice, game-changing action plans and inspiration to help them refine their operational strategy, take advantage of new marketing opportunities and optimize customer engagement.”
Honors for Franchisees
Various awards also were on the HomeComing agenda. Franchisee award recipients were:
- Rookies of the Year – Sean Raftery, Top Rail Fence, Denver; Chad Taylor and Lilly Aranda, Window Hero, Frisco, Texas; Steven Moore, The Designery, Greensboro, N.C.; Brendan Mahoney, Temporary Wall Systems, Puget Sound, Wash.
- Top Producer of the Year – Bob Stewart, Top Rail Fence, Richmond, Va.; Brent Chapman, Window Hero Triad, Greensboro; Rebecca Merola, The Designery, Quakertown, Pa.; Jon Williamson, Temporary Wall Systems, North Georgia.
- CARES – Shane Jarmin, Top Rail Fence, West Palm Beach, Fla.; Ben Brown, Window Hero, Knoxville, Tenn.; Dana and Anne-Louise Merrill, The Designery, Raleigh, N.C.; Ryan Bufalini, Temporary Wall Systems, Detroit.
- Team Member of the Year – William Edwards, Top Rail Fence Triad; Tim Cook, Window Hero, Raleigh Durham; Liz Laurito, The Designery, Quakertown; Biten Kothari, Temporary Wall Systems, Metro Philadelphia.
- Salesperson of the Year – Jennie Davidson, Top Rail Fence, Nashville; Adam Ames, Window Hero, Charlotte; Shawn Ferguson, The Designery, Charleston, S.C.; Steve Holden, Temporary Wall Systems, Fort Worth, Texas.
- Franchisee of the Year – Bob Stewart, Top Rail Fence, Richmond; Brent Chapman, Window Hero Triad; Rebecca Merola, The Designery, Quakertown; Ryan Bufalini, Temporary Wall Systems, Detroit.
Global Awards
Global awards presented were:
- Franchisee of the Year – Bob Stewart, Top Rail Fence Richmond.
- Team Members of the Year – Tom Welsh, Temporary Wall Systems; Julie Moretz, HomeFront Brands; Adam Hatley, Top Rail Fence.
- Vendor of the Year – Abatement Technologies.
- Salesperson of the Year – Jennie Davidson, Top Rail Fence, Nashville.
Closing Message
In his HomeComing wrap-up, HomeFront CEO and Chairman Jeff Dudan spoke passionately about the power of mutual support and emphasized that “no one is more invested in the success of your business than the dedicated corporate team, fellow franchisees within your brand, and broader network of franchise partners across the HomeFront family.” He stressed the importance of collaboration and lifting up all HomeFront Brands partners.
Jeff urged attendees to “set ambitious goals, stay focused, and embrace a mindset of possibility and growth. By fostering a strong sense of community, celebrating shared victories and boldly pursuing the future, the collective strength of the HomeFront Brands network will continue to propel everyone forward.”
HomeFront’s History and Growth
That momentum has paced every day of HomeFront Brands’ brief history. At its launch in January 2023, HomeFront had 34 franchisees and 117 awarded franchise territories. Today, less than two years later, HomeFront has 200 franchisees operating in more than 600 territories across North America.
“This rapid expansion underscores the strong demand for HomeFront’s services and the effectiveness of its franchise model,” Zack says. “It’s remarkable that more than 90% of the awarded territories are already open and fully operational. Looking ahead, the HomeFront Brands franchise is on track to exceed nine-figure system-wide sales, marking a significant milestone in its journey to becoming one of the fastest-growing and most impactful property service platforms in North America.”
More growth is certain. In early 2025, HomeFront will add Roof Scientist (previously called Innovative Roof Solutions) to its portfolio. Roof Scientist handles premium roof repair, roof replacement and proprietary roof coatings for residential and commercial clients. Zack says HomeFront will soon make a detailed announcement about Roof Scientist.
