When it comes to opening a moving franchise, nobody has more experience than TWO MEN AND A TRUCK — we’ve helped new franchisees start their own moving companies for nearly four decades now.
Since the very beginning when Founder Mary Ellen Sheets made the decision to take her local moving operation and begin franchising it in the late 1980s, we’ve worked on tweaking and developing our franchising model to be as effective and profitable as possible. This involves developing new services to diversify revenue streams, staying innovative with technology and equipment, expanding our footprint to reach even more customers, and finding new ways to keep our franchisees and their employees growing both personally and professionally.
We’re proud to say we have over 350 franchises across the United States, as well as locations in Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. And guess what? We’re not done!
If you’re looking to be next in line on our list of successful franchisees, check out the video below on how to start a moving company and learn some of the main aspects of franchising with TWO MEN AND TRUCK!
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is the first and largest franchised moving company in the United States. Let us help move you forward! For more helpful tips and information on moving services subscribe to our blog and like us on Facebook.
For the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® brand to continue reaching new heights, it takes a commitment from our franchisee network to push the brand where it needs to go with innovation, creativity, and hard work.
We like to describe this mindset as “moving people forward”, as it’s quite literally what we do as a brand. But this doesn’t just mean moving our customers forward – it means moving our own people forward, too. The “Moving People Forward” award was created to recognize franchisees in our system who go above and beyond the normal roles of running a moving franchise and help their employees find success in their personal and professional careers.
This year, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK named Franchisee Mike Lally as the 2022 recipient of the award. Lally currently owns locations in Connecticut, Kentucky, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, and has helped numerous people in his network work toward opening franchises of their own.
“[We get so many] great comments from folks when we mention Mike Lally,” said TWO MEN AND A TRUCK President Randy Shacka. “When they respond to that name, it’s always a smile and it’s always somebody that says ‘man, he’s always there to help and always willing to listen when something is going’.”
Check out the video below to see Lally receiving news of his award while hearing from a few long-time employees about how he has impacted their careers!
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is the first and largest franchised moving company in the United States. Let us help move you forward! For more helpful tips and information on moving services subscribe to our blog and like us on Facebook.
As Johnathan Cuttino made the move from Virginia to Georgia over a decade ago, he had no idea how much moving would become an integral part of his life.
Starting his new life down south, Cuttino began searching for work, applying for various jobs in the Atlanta-area online before he finally received a call from one of the local TWO MEN AND A TRUCK locations. Next thing he knew, he was on the truck making moves; he was also setting himself up nicely for a new career.
“I never thought I’d be moving furniture for a living,” Cuttino said. “But I tried it, and I fell in love with it, and I fell in love with the company and its culture.”
Fast forward to last month, and Cuttino climbed the ladder all the way to the top when he transitioned to franchisee and opened the new Macon, Ga., franchise with his sister, Jocelyn. It completed a long journey for Cuttino in which he’s held nearly every position there is at a franchise: mover, driver, customer service representative, location manager, and lastly, regional manager.
With so much experience and knowledge of the brand, the transition into becoming a franchisee was too good to pass up.
“[I was excited about] the opportunity to be able to work for myself, doing what I love,” Cuttino said. “Also, the chance to be a part of a proven, successful company that offers support like no other business I’ve seen. The idea of being able to grow as much as you want [within the company] is very attractive.”
Given how much transition he has already made since joining TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, Cuttino is familiar with the process of learning a new role, and noted how prior experience, paired with proper training, will help him make this new jump.
Still, becoming a franchisee is a big-time adjustment, and he knows there’s plenty of new responsibility and knowledge coming with the role.
“One thing I’ve had to remind myself with this change is remembering that I don’t know it all, but what I don’t know, there is someone who does know,” Cuttino said. “There are plenty of knowledgeable people willing to assist me. The best feeling in the world is to have a strong support system that doesn’t want to see me fail.
“I’ve also learned you have to keep moving forward and never slack off. You must hit the ground running to be successful. “
Moving forward, Cuttino will do just what he mentioned above – hit the ground running – and start the process of growing his new franchise. This starts with building a strong team, generating consumer interest, and getting a culture in place that people want to be part of.
“My personal goal is to elevate my knowledge of the business,” Cuttino said. “I want to master every aspect of being a franchisee and become a multi-unit franchisee. My goal for the new location is to be the top performing location in the industry. I want to develop a team of like-minded individuals to grow the business, while helping others create opportunities for themselves within the company.”
With the knowledge he already possesses and the background he has established, the sky is the limit for Cuttino and his future plans.
His hard work has gotten him to this position today, and he jumped on the opportunity when it was available. He recommends franchising with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK to anyone who wants to make a change, as it’s a major goal of his moving forward.
“I would recommend franchising to someone interested for the chance to change lives and move people forward,” Cuttino said. “It’s a chance to be able to create the change you would like to see. If you care about people and want to make a living while helping them, this is a perfect opportunity.”
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is the first and largest franchised moving company in the United States. Let us help move you forward! For more helpful tips and information on moving services subscribe to our blog and like us on Facebook.
Behind every great franchising brand is a unique, detailed, and financially sound franchising system which encourages sustainable profit and growth for the franchisees.
At TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®, we’ve worked diligently to build a franchising model which is both exciting and dependable for new franchisees. Since the company’s very early days, as we began to add on our first franchises outside of Lansing, Mich., in the late 1980s and early 1990s, we’ve looked to partner with new franchisees who share a passion for delivering the highest levels of customer service in the moving industry and who love giving back to their employees and their communities. We feel these are the driving forces behind our brand, and it has helped us expand to 46 states and four different countries.
For any potential franchisee looking to join a franchising brand – not just with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK – the most important step is figuring out the details of your investment. Doing detailed research of what you’re buying into, working with the franchise development teams for a brand to ask important questions, and speaking with other franchisees within a system are all crucial steps in determining if your investment is a good fit.
From the moment we begin speaking with potential franchisees, our Home Office support teams encourage all of the above and work to serve as a valuable resource. Whether it’s figuring out initial startup costs, purchasing trucks and equipment, building out a franchise team, or finding an office location – there are a lot of question involved with franchising, and we’re here to help.
Below are some of the most important questions our franchise development teams go over with potential franchisees before they sign any agreements so they know exactly what they’re getting into.
How much money is needed to open a TWO MEN AND A TRUCK franchise?
On average, the initial investment required for our standard franchise market start-up costs runs between $179,000 and $585,000 depending on a wide range of variables including authority fees and the amount of trucks you purchased. The capital required for a standard market is $150,000 in liquid assets and $400,000 in net worth.
For our mini market franchise locations, start-up costs usually run between $100,000 and $192,000. Mini markets require $80,000 in liquid assets and $160,000 in net worth.
How many trucks are required to open a franchise?
Based on our numbers, the average TWO MEN AND A TRUCK franchise is usually running somewhere around 12 trucks at any given time. We require new franchises to have at least two trucks in operation at opening. Adding new trucks increases your capacity and increases your ability to serve more customers.
What is the best type of market for me?
Multiple factors can go into this, as we offer a variety of different options for new franchisees. Markets differ in both size and demographics, and the decision to open in an existing market or start in a new territory is generally based on the cost and personal preference of the new franchisee.
Also, we offer our mini-market territories which allows for franchise openings in areas with a smaller population. You can learn more about this plan, here.
What is the best time on the calendar to open a new franchise?
There is no right or wrong time to open a new franchise with us. Moving is constant, but a majority of our business happens during the summer months in the year. There are advantages and disadvantages of any season from an operations and finance perspective, but it generally boils down to what fits your personal plan.
How quickly can I expect return on my investment?
According to our franchising data, franchises that had been open for 12 months of operation saw an average gross sales of $682,402, while average annual expenses totaled $655,259. By year three of operations, a majority of our franchise were able to experience significant growth, with an average gross sales of $1,176,579 and an average annual expense total of $951,321.
By year five of operation, the average annual gross sales were $2.2 million with an average profit of 11 percent, showing just how quickly you can start to see a return on that investment.
To learn more about franchising with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK and to find out how you can start your own franchising story today, visit our franchise development website, here!
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is the first and largest franchised moving company in the United States. Let us help move you forward! For more helpful tips and information on moving services subscribe to our blog and like us on Facebook.
People who tend to find the greatest success in life are the ones who don’t shy away from new challenges, responsibilities, or opportunities, regardless of what they might be.
For new TWO MEN AND A TRUCK Franchisee Jake Whitt, he fits this description perfectly – in fact, he’s made it a personal point to never say to no to new responsibility since he started with the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK brand more than a decade ago. This started right from the beginning, as Whitt found himself at a crossroads and needing something new professionally.
“Prior to starting at TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, I was a member of The Business Professionals of America all throughout high school, and this helped lead me to a management position at a retail store soon after,” Whitt said. “During the recession in 2008, this store went out of business, and I was forced to find a new occupation. Work was tough to come by at this time, but I was able to find an opening at the new TWO MEN AND A TRUCK location which was opening in Elmhurst, Illinois in November of 2009. Soon after, I was making my first moves in February of 2010.”
The rest, as they say, was history. Working under former TWO MEN AND A TRUCK Franchisee Paul Brown, Whitt continued taking on new responsibilities and working his way up through the ranks at all of Brown’s franchises before finding himself in a management role.
After nearly 12 years of hard work, dedication, and helping move these franchises forward, Whitt reached his professional dream when Brown sold him the Wheaton, Orland Park, and Chicago Midway, Illinois franchises recently.
“I felt I have been given great opportunities throughout my career with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, and I’m not one to say no to more responsibility,” Whitt said. “I was lucky enough to have a great mentor in my predecessor Paul [Brown]. He molded me into the businessman I am today, and I intend to use what I’ve learned from him and others within the system to continue the growth at the franchise I now own. It’s relationships like that – plus other relationships I’ve made throughout the brand – that made this such an exciting opportunity.”
These relationships and mentorships have also gone a long way in helping Whitt prepare both personally and professionally for this major transition, something he greatly appreciates.
“I feel that Paul did a phenomenal job of preparing me for these transfers from management to owner,” Whitt said. “One thing I’ve learned is that I need to be comfortable in knowing no process is ever complete in this business because things are always changing. I’ve learned the importance of asking questions to my staff members, and I’ve learned the importance of encouraging change within our staff. You must be open for new ideas, but firm in policy.”
While business ownership will be new for Whitt personally, he will be taking over franchises with an already established reputation and customer base.
There are many goals Whitt is interested in completing now that he’s taken over – everything from culture to sales and career growth for employees – but one main objective will always be top of mind for Whitt.
“Total growth,” Whitt said. “By that, I mean molding a team which can handle growth on every front. That’s always the main goal.”
It’s an exciting time for Whitt as he begins this new journey, and he’s ready to dive in headfirst.. It may not been on his radar in November of 2009 when he first heard of the job opening he would end up taking, but the hard work and dedication he has put in since then has rewarded him in a big way.
“Throughout my growth within the company over the last 12 years, I have constantly been able to speak with other franchise managers and franchisees to assist with my own personal growth,” Whitt said. “TWO MEN AND A TRUCK has been incredibly inclusive to all employees at all stages of their careers, me included. I would tell anyone who is interested in opening their own franchise that it can be a very fruitful investment for you, both personally and financially.”
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is the first and largest franchised moving company in the United States. Let us help move you forward! For more helpful tips and information on moving services subscribe to our blog and like us on Facebook, and for career opportunities, click here.
With Veteran’s Day being celebrated yesterday, we as a brand like to pause and honor the sacrifices made by the brave men and women veterans of this country.
All year long, we strive give back to veterans through programs like our Movers for Military campaign, and we also work hard to be a destination for veterans with employment after their time in the service has ended. Throughout the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK family, you can find numerous veterans working in a variety of roles, including as franchisees of their own TWO MEN AND A TRUCK locations.
“Being a TWO MEN AND A TRUCK franchisee was an easy transition for me coming from the military,” said Michael Sham, a TWO MEN AND A TRUCK franchisee in Mississippi. “The job is similar in many ways. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK makes franchise ownership easy, and even gives veterans a military discount on the purchase of the location.”
Veterans are able to align well with the lifestyle at our franchise locations, and things like our company core values resonate with their military backgrounds.
“I think a lot of the same core values that are in the military align well with being a business owner, especially at TWO MEN AND A TRUCK in particular,” said Tim Lightner, a veteran multi-unit franchisee for the Racine, Janesville, New Berlin, Madison, Milwaukee, and Waukesha, Wisc. locations. “Values and techniques like discipline, hard work, putting the cause before yourself – those all fit well together, and there’s an overlap.”
The work we’ve put into our franchising model as a destination for veterans has been noticed on national level, as we’ve been recognized in publications like Military Times and Franchise Business Review as great opportunities for veterans.
It’s a testament to the people who have transitioned from life in the military to our brand finding success, and to the systems we’ve put in place to build a sustainable franchising model.
“I would tell not only veterans but anybody that if you really, firmly believe in customer service and are really willing to work hard, this is one of the best situations I’ve ever seen for starting a business,” said Bob Christensen, a multi-unit TWO MEN AND A TRUCK franchisee with locations in Iowa and Illinois.
For veterans out there who are looking for the next step and who have interest in becoming a business owner, we encourage you to reach out to our Franchise Development team and learn more about the opportunity, or visit our Franchise Development website, here.
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is the first and largest franchised moving company in the United States. Let us help move you forward! For more helpful tips and information on moving services subscribe to our blog and like us on Facebook.
There’s no set path to business ownership, and each path to becoming a business owner is unique to the individual living it and setting out on the path to be their own boss.
For TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® franchisee Pedro Gallegos, he brings another unique chapter to the company’s vast franchisee network. His career with the company started in 2008, where he worked as a finance intern at the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK Home Office location for a year. But his overall story started a year prior when he made a decision that would affect his entire world.
“My story is a little different. I am a first-generation Hispanic immigrant,” said Gallegos, who is the current franchisee for the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK San Diego franchise. “I emigrated here from Ecuador in 2007.”
As the world celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month, it’s important to acknowledge and celebrate people of Hispanic backgrounds, making a difference in communities across the country.. For Gallegos, though, this concept isn’t something he has been familiar with very long – but it’s something that comes with an immense amount of pride.
“I honestly didn’t know about Hispanic Heritage Month until a couple of years ago because I didn’t grow up with that,” Gallegos said. “However, I do feel proud of myself coming to United States 14 years ago with two bags and no family to now owning a business that employs 50 people.”
It’s been a long journey for Gallegos, but one filled with opportunity and the chance to make a difference in the lives of others.
He made the purchase of the San Diego franchise with his wife Alicia in the summer of 2012 after she encouraged the decision. It was a bold step for the couple, but one that was filled with a ton of support along the way.
“My wife Alicia had been working in the system her whole working career, as she is the daughter of one of the original ’stickmen‘, Brig Sorber,” Gallegos said. “So, our process was a little different than most. It was a little overwhelming at first because you’re getting fed so much information in a short amount of time, but that happens with any new business you start. Everyone at Home Office was so helpful at the time, and I continue to rely on them as much as I did nine years ago when we started.”
Coming from a background of finance and working in the consulting arm of a public account firm, the idea of independence and the flexibility of owning your own business appealed to Gallegos.
Paired with the idea of being able grow a business while being able to impact the lives of his employees and help move them along in their careers, he knew he was ready to jump at the chance of becoming a franchisee.
“Some of my favorite parts of the job are just being able to service a very distinctive need in the community,” Gallegos said. “Moving is not fun, so being able to assist customers with their moves provides a lot of satisfaction. I also enjoy creating and providing jobs and seeing my employees grow. Plus, the flexibility of being a franchisee allows me to spend time with my young daughter.”
Gallegos pointed to TWO MEN AND A TRUCK being a “tried and true business” when talking about why he would recommend the opportunity to others. Through recessions and pandemics, the business is still able to thrive, and the opportunities for growth continue to present themselves year after year.
The journey has been eventful, but worthwhile for Gallegos, and he’s proud of what he’s been able to achieve. He came here from Ecuador in 2007 unsure what to expect, and has worked his way to being a Hispanic business owner in his community – something he knows isn’t easy, but is obtainable.
“It means a lot. I feel proud that I’m an immigrant and have achieved my version of the American Dream now that I am a U.S. Citizen,” Gallegos said. “The “American Dream” is alive and well, despite what you might hear these days. America is a great place to move and live and raise a family once you compare it to many other places. I am a true testament that you can still come to the U.S. with nothing and make something out of yourself. It’s just a matter of putting in the hard work and effort into whatever you do.”
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is the first and largest franchised moving company in the United States. Let us help move you forward! For more helpful tips and information on moving services subscribe to our blog and like us on Facebook.
In order to continue expanding our franchise network and growing the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK brand, we‘re offering new informational sessions on what the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK franchisee experience entails!
These sessions will help potential franchisees learn about our exciting mini-market model, which is a plan we developed in 2017 that allows franchisees to open TWO MEN AND A TRUCK franchises in smaller markets for an investment that is less than our traditional franchise model.
Franchisees who have opened mini-markets with our brand have found success quickly, and that’s why we are looking to continue expanding this option while targeting additional markets across the country with a need for high-quality, professional moving services.
During our Franchising 101, you’ll learn all about franchising with our brand, hear from members of our Home Office Executive and Franchise Development teams, as well as other important details about starting a mini-market franchise, including startup costs, available territories, details about the business, and knowledge from experienced franchisees.
Register here for one of three sessions held on October 26 and 27!
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is the first and largest franchised moving company in the United States. Let us help move you forward! For more helpful tips and information on moving services subscribe to our blog and like us on Facebook.
Since TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® Founder Mary Ellen Sheets decided to grow TWO MEN AND A TRUCK into a franchising brand, welcoming new franchisees in to expand the family, it’s been a priority to continue improving our franchising model with new and improved innovations.
Throughout the last 35 years, we’ve taken feedback- both good and bad- to determine new ways to support our franchisees while giving customers additional service options.. And, with recent moves like the acquisition of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK by ServiceMaster Brands, we’re improving the resources we have available to continue pushing our brand new to heights.
However, at the end of the day, the success of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK can only be achieved with an outstanding franchisee network, and we have just that. With individuals from all types of business backgrounds, we have hard-working people representing the brand daily who are just a eager to see their franchises grow.
Take a look at a few of our TWO MEN AND A TRUCK franchising success stories below!
Nick Roerig – Multi-Unit Franchisee – Georgia, Tennessee, Texas
Holly Stewart – Multi-Unit Franchisee – Georgia
Mike Reps – Multi-Unit Franchisee – Minnesota, North Dakota
Steve West – Multi-Unit Franchisee – Illinois, Maine, Missouri, South Dakota
To learn more about the franchising opportunities TWO MEN AND A TRUCK has to offer and to learn how you get started on your own franchising journey, visit our Franchise Development website.
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®is the first and largest franchised moving company in the United States. Let us help move you forward! For more helpful tips and information on moving services subscribe to our blog and like us on Facebook.
For anyone who is planning to make an investment into franchising, there’s one question which stands out above the rest: How soon will I see a return on my investment?
It’s no secret a big goal when it comes to business ownership is seeing a return on your investment as you work to build a sustainable operation that can help you and your employees continue to move forward. For a franchising model like TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®, this starts with building brand awareness, offering a variety of quality services, and proving you’re a brand customers can trust time and time again.
“We love the franchise model – you don’t have to reinvent the wheel,” said Bert Kolz, president of the Blackwolf Group, a multi-unit TWO MEN AND A TRUCK franchise group. “TWO MEN AND A TRUCK is a well-respected brand, it’s a high-quality brand, and we don’t have to reinvent things. We can basically use the road map that TWO MEN AND A TRUCK gives to us, and then expand that into our local markets and make them successful.”
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK has worked hard over the past 35 years to provide franchisees with all of the necessary resources to become successful franchise owners. Our bread and butter began with traditional home moving, and we have since built additional services around this – including long-distance moving, junk removal, storage, packing services, in-home delivery, in-home moving, and more.
We’re proud to boast a 96% customer referral rate, showing we’re a brand name people recognize as reliable. This goes a long way in maintaining our success, and given our recent acquisition by ServiceMaster, we’re working harder than ever to grow our brand even further.
“Franchising with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK gives you the ability to run a small business with the support of a very caring system,” said Josh Payne, a multi-unit franchisee with locations in Delaware, Maryland, Ohio, and Texas. “The revenue and profit potential in comparison to other franchising opportunities is incredible. When you add those things with the ability to truly help people and make a difference in the community, it is an opportunity everyone should look into.”
According to our franchising data, franchises that had been open for 12 months of operation saw an average gross sales of $682,402, while average annual expenses totaled $655,259. By year three of operations, a majority of our franchise were able to experience significant growth, with average gross sales of $1,176,579 and an average annual expense total of $951,321.
By year five of operation, the average annual gross sales were $2.2 million with an average profit of 11 percent, showing just how quickly you can start to see a return on that investment.
“I would definitely recommend franchising with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK,” said Jeremy McDuffie, a franchisee in Outer Banks, North Carolina. “The company’s reputation speaks for itself. It provides endless career opportunities and it provides the chance to give back and help in the community.”
If you’re interested in learning how you can become the next successful franchisee with our brand, visit our Franchise Development website to see available territories, learn about mini-market opportunities, and see what our company is all about!
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is the first and largest franchised moving company in the United States. Let us help move you forward! For more helpful tips and information on moving services subscribe to our blog and like us on Facebook.
Franchising You. 