This Franchisee Has a 'Fix' on Business Success in the Lone Star State

Image credit: Andrew Brown

Franchise Players is Entrepreneur's Q&A interview column that puts the spotlight on franchisees. If you're a franchisee with advice and tips to share, email franchiseplayers@entrepreneur.com.

As a young child, Andrew Brown watched -- he says in awe -- as a repair man fixed his family's refrigerator. Growing up on a farm, young Andrew often helped his father fix machinery. But when he saw the refrigerator begin to run again, thanks to the repair, he knew what he wanted to do when he grew up.

That childhood fascination with fixing things led Brown to join Sears in 1979. A project working with Mr. Appliance in 2005 taught him about franchise opportunities with the brand. Nine years later, he fulfilled his childhood dream of owning his own appliance-repair business: He retired from Sears and relocated to Texas to purchase his own franchise. Since then, Brown has gone on to become one of the company's strongest franchisees -- a success which undoubtedly traces back to that day in the kitchen with a broken refrigerator and a little boy's burgeoning interest in fixing things.

Name: Andrew Brown

Franchise owned: Mr. Appliance, of Plano, Tex.

How long have you owned a franchise? 12 months

Why franchising?

Franchising provides you the opportunity to pursue your financial dreams at your own pace. It also allows you to do something that you are truly passionate about and provide jobs in your local community.

What were you doing before you became a franchise owner?

I spent 35 years in corporate America as a national sales managers for Sears Home Repair Services at the company's headquarters in Illinois. After retiring in January 2015, we relocated to Texas to open our franchise because of the tremendous growth opportunity available in the state.

Why did you choose this particular franchise?

I chose to purchase my Mr. Appliance franchise because of the corporate values of Dwyer Group, which places emphasis on respect, integrity and customer focus. To me, the Dwyer Group really stood out in an industry that's completely based on trust since you are in the customer's home making repairs, and it was immediately obvious to me that the company doesn't just speak to these values, but truly lives it everyday. This made purchasing a Mr. Appliance franchise very appealing to me, because in today's environment, it's crucial to share the same values in regards to how you treat your customers and your associates. Additionally, it is a very profitable business model and provided me with the opportunity to successfully do something that I really love.

How much would you estimate you spent before you were officially open for business?

My total cost was $77,000, including: $35,000 for a van purchase and tools, $23,000 for a franchise fee down payment, $2,500 for office set-up, $7,500 for insurance -- general liability, auto and workers comp, $4,000 for marketing materials and advertising and $5,000 in other expenses

Where did you get most of your advice/do most of your research?

I got most of my advice from current Mr. Appliance franchise owners, including Kim Gandy, who owns the Crystal Lake, Ill., location and had previously worked with me at Sears; and Andrew Green, who owns the Mr. Appliance of East Texas and is one of the company's top franchisees. Additionally, Robert Tunmire from the Dwyer Group provided me with exceptional information regarding the market I was considering purchasing.

The Dwyer Group has a phenomenal support network, and everyone involved is truly willing to help and emphasizes that this is a genuine collaborative effort, where everyone has the same goal. The supportive environment and existing network were huge assets when I was starting out and launching my franchise. Additionally, I also did extensive research on different types of franchises, as well as utilized Entrepreneur magazine!

Related: Franchise Players: This Former Stay-at-Home Mom Takes on Home Inspection Franchising

What advice do you have for individuals who want to own their own franchise?

I would advise them to thoroughly research the franchise network that they are considering joining and to become part of a business that they are truly passionate about. Additionally, if they are going into an area they're not familiar with, I recommend shortening the learning curve by connecting with the local chamber of commerce and industry professionals, as well as utilizing a local realtor and business networks as resources to get information. Learning about your new community should always be a priority, as it's key to understanding how to better serve your new customers.

What's next for you and your business?

Currently, we have three technicians. We plan to double the size of our workforce in the next 18 months and grow our annual revenue by 25 percent.

This Franchisee Has a 'Fix' on Business Success in the Lone Star State Andrew Brown traces his interest in fixing appliances back to a broken refrigerator in his childhood. Today, he's a top franchisee with Mr. Appliance.

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