CertaPro Painters has been recognized as the #1 painting company franchise in North America by Entrepreneur Magazine as a part of its annual Franchise 500 ranking. Additionally, the brand has recently made the prestigious Franchise Business Review Top 200 list for franchisee satisfaction. These recognitions come at a time of steady growth for the brand, as it is projected to reach $1B in revenue by the end of 2023. CertaPro had a smooth finish to 2022, locking in four new territory signings, and rounding out the year with 25 existing location resales.  With the painting industry being valued at $60B there is plenty of room for growth, and the brand is looking to sign 25 territory agreements in key markets across the United States and Canada this year. The service industry remains a strong sector in franchising, and CertaPro has a lasting and growing legacy in the category. Today’s guest is Michael Stone, President and CEO of CertaPro Painters. We chat about how CertaPro is dialed in on growing with new franchises and how the proven business model paired with a low initial investment can lead for a high return for its franchisee and the success of the locations that maintain its massive footprint.   Key Takeaways: [1:57] - CertaPro has received very high accolades in the industry. [2:43] - Michael shares his background and how he got into the franchise world. [5:15] - There are a lot of different types of franchises. CertaPro is service-based. [6:41] - CertaPro isn’t looking for people driving a van around to paint. They have professional office spaces and are looking for leaders. [8:24] - Michael explains that the ideal operator isn’t necessarily in the painting industry, but they typically have good management and leadership backgrounds. [10:27] - CertaPro Painters is the largest painting company in the United States. [13:08] - Networking is important and service providers offer a lot of referrals. [14:50] - Michael describes the experience in completing virtual estimates and the system they created during Covid. [17:10] - CertaPro Painters has a great relationship with Sherwin Williams. [20:01] - When team members and franchisees are given the right tools, they will be able to build relationships with clients. [24:27] - CertaPro has a detailed process that ensures both the franchisee and client are satisfied. [28:05] - The industry has a lot of opportunities and CertaPro has a lot of franchising opportunities to build a business. [29:27] - Michael shares the goals for CertaPro Painters franchising for this year.   Mentioned in This Episode: CertaPro Painters Website CertaPro Painters Franchise Site