For any franchise brand, the bottom line of company success comes when the franchisees within your brand find happiness and achieve their own success.
Successful, dedicated franchisees who are bought into the mission of the company are crucial for any franchised brand, and here at TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, we have just that. Since the beginning, when TWO MEN AND A TRUCK Founder Mary Ellen Sheets made the decision to franchise her local moving business based out of Lansing, Mich., we’ve gone on to open more than 350 locations across the United States, Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.
A commitment to high-quality moving services and customer care were key in the growth of the brand, but it’s a franchisee network of like-minded individuals from all backgrounds who keep pushing this mindset and allowing TWO MEN AND A TRUCK expansion. Many of our franchisees started out as movers and drivers before working their way up and know exactly what it takes to open and operate their own successful moving franchises.
Are you interested in learning more about franchising with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK? Check out some of these success stories below to see what is possible when investing with us!
Moving People Forward: Juan Gallegos
Moving People Forward: Anthony Jent
Moving People Forward: Rob Wallace
Success Story – Johnathan Cuttino
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.
Today is Veteran’s Day, a day where the entire country can come together to recognize and honor the sacrifices of the brave men and women who have served this country.
While it’s important to pay tribute to these individuals today, the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK brand strives to do this all year long. Whether it’s through something like our Movers for Military campaign – a program designed for our franchises to collect and donate essential care items to veterans shelters each fall – or through our employment and franchising opportunities, we work hard to create a welcoming atmosphere for veterans.
Throughout our company structure, you can find veterans at all levels – from movers and drivers to franchisees, and even team members at our Michigan Support Center in Lansing, Mich. Specifically with franchising, we have long featured a history of veteran franchisees who find immense success within our franchising model.
“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.”
Franchising with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK has become a viable option for veterans because the structure of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK is conducive to experiences they’re used to from their time in the military.
Veterans often align well with our team-oriented environment and lifestyle associated with our franchises, creating a chance for success, as well as personal and professional growth.
“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.”
It’s not just our franchisees and franchise team members who have spoken highly of their time with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, either.
We’ve received numerous recognitions for our work with franchisees from publications like Franchise Business Review and Military times, which is a testament to our franchising model and how sustainable it can be for veterans.
“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 looking for the next step and who have interest in becoming a business owner, we encourage you to 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.
As TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® has continued to grow over the years, so too has our franchising model and how we position our franchisees for success when they invest with our brand.
We’ve dedicated years of research and development into building the best service options possible for our franchises, which has helped us become leaders within the moving industry. We offer more than just moving options, but also junk removal, packing services, storage, long-distance and corporate relocation, load and unload services, and more. With all of these services available, franchisees are able to reach even further with their customer base and increase revenue for their locations.
“After speaking with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK and learning about their core values and what they stood for, I was hooked,” said Samantha Miller, a new franchisee with our brand with a location in California. “I knew I could be successful with their support behind me. Growing up, my brother worked for a local moving company, and I saw how successful the owners were. By partnering with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, I didn’t have to wait to build brand recognition, I could jump right in.”
To see how the franchising process can benefit you, and to learn more about who we are as a brand, check out these TWO MEN AND A TRUCK franchisee testimonials and find out why we’re a smart option for business ownership!
Holly Stewart – Multi-Unit Franchisee
Steve West – Multi-Unit Franchisee
Jonathan Crain – Multi-Unit Franchisee
Justin Tangeman – Multi-Unit Franchisee
If you’re looking to learn more about franchising with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, visit our Franchise Development website to learn more!
When looking at the scope of Joe Turbeville’s time with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®, you’ll have a tough time finding someone who has experienced more with the brand than him.
Turbeville has seen both sides of the coin working with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, holding positions at the corporate office location in Lansing, Michigan, as well as the work he has done as a franchisee – which now includes multiple locations across the country. Given this wide range of experience, he has a unique view of the brand, its operations, and how he can best put his locations in position for success.
His time with the company began as a simple recruiting pitch from a former coworker, and since then has led down a road full of twists and turns.
“I worked in construction throughout my teens before going into retail sales during my college years,” Turbeville said. “I worked at a local sports store and eventually worked my way up there to associate manager. I then went to work in construction sales as a plant manager, but my former manager at the sports store recruited me to come join the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK corporate team.”
At the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK corporate office, Turbeville worked as a franchise business consultant, which put him in a role where he would work directly with multiple franchise teams across the system to help them operate at their highest levels.
This type of work gave him a direct look into how a franchise system operates, and how to find success as a franchisee within the brand.
“I began working as a franchise business consultant where I worked with approximately 40 locations to relay best practices and assist franchisees in areas they were struggling,” Turbeville said. “I learned a lot from franchisees and general managers, and once I was presented with an opportunity to purchase my first franchise location in Boston, I realized what a fantastic opportunity it could be.”
This purchase – which Turbeville made with his business partner and fellow TWO MEN AND A TRUCK Franchisee Alan Oversmith – laid the groundwork for the duo which would lead to them opening multiple franchises together and expanding into new territories. It all started with the first Boston franchise, and they’ve continued to grow since.
“We moved many employees out from Michigan to manage East Coast operations, and we hit the ground running,” Turbeville said. “We now have half the Boston market.”
Turbeville’s path to becoming a franchisee was not a typical one, but one that has worked out regardless. Partnering with Oversmith, the two knew what was needed to operate a successful franchise, and they were able to apply these ideas within the framework of the brand seamlessly.
“[How I became a franchisee] was slightly unconventional,” Turbeville said. “The opportunity presented itself, and we [Oversmith] wanted to stay within the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK brand. It seemed like a smart financial move. We had the opportunity to see how successful some franchise owners were and becoming a TWO MEN AND A TRUCK franchisee was exciting.”
For Turbeville, the most recent location he opened with Oversmith was in Rhode Island, which was a significant opening for both their team and the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK brand overall, as it was the company’s first location in Rhode Island and the 46th state the brand operates.
Turbeville is focused on continuing his expansion on the East Coast and opening franchises in markets where TWO MEN AND A TRUCK has yet to operate. He’d also love to become the top moving franchise in the state of Rhode Island.
He’s loved the journey of becoming a multi-unit franchisee and has simple advice for anyone looking to pursue their own franchising dreams.
“It is vital to work hard, stay resilient, and ultimately go follow your dreams,” Turbeville said. “You can build a successful business if you put your mind to it.”
Like so many people around the world, Samantha Miller was growing in her marketing career for a large retailer when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, causing her office in California to relocate to New York.
She found herself faced with a difficult choice: move to New York with two newborn twins or move into a new position elsewhere. After some time off to mull the decision, she ultimately opted for a new role in marketing for an environmental science company, but during this time began to explore the world of franchising and what it might entail. After researching more than 20 franchising brands, she came across TWO MEN AND A TRUCK and began the process – a move that ended up being a completely new start for Miller.
“After speaking with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK and learning about their core values and what they stood for, I was hooked,” Miller said. “I knew I could be successful with their support behind me. Growing up, my brother worked for a local moving company, and I saw how successful the owners were. By partnering with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, I didn’t have to wait to build brand recognition, I could jump right in.”
Jump right in she did, as Miller and her husband Aaron recently opened their first TWO MEN AND A TRUCK franchise in Pomona, California.
“I was ready to be my own boss, and we had looked into the franchising industry before COVID-19 and saw TWO MEN AND A TRUCK was still going strong two years later,” Miller said.
It was a major life move for Miller, but one she was ready to tackle after thorough research and concluding the decision to step into franchising was the right move.
“I read every page on their website, looked on Yelp reviews, and even searched on their franchisee Instagram pages to see how involved they were with the local community. I called every franchise owner in California and many across the country and basically interviewed them to learn more about their experience with the brand. I didn’t meet anyone during this time who didn’t love TWO MEN AND A TRUCK. I also went to the Pasadena location and walked through their operation – from dispatch to storage – and saw how strong their team culture was.”
Miller was attracted not only to the business model set in place by TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, but also their involvement in each of the communities they currently operate in. She also enjoyed how the brand develops employees into becoming leaders, and she looks to provide these same opportunities for her own employees down the road on top of her other business goals – one of which includes future expansion.
“I definitely have plans for growth, and I would love to own multiple territories in the future,” Miller said. “My next goal would be to open another territory in about three years. We’re currently looking to fill our team with six drivers and nine movers.”
Franchising allows Miller to be her own boss and build something of her own – a welcoming change as the mother of two twin toddlers and stepmom to a teenager. Family time is a priority to Miller and this allows her to continue working hard while still giving her the flexibility of spending quality time with her family.
She would encourage anyone who is interested in franchising to do extensive research and don’t give up right away. She pointed out how finding a good fit for you personally is arguably the most important thing in franchising, which is exactly what she found with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK.
Now, it’s time for the Millers to build up their franchise and establish themselves in this new California market.
“I want to create a successful business not only for myself and my family, but for my community, which is why I chose to franchise,” Miller said. “If I hadn’t partnered with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, I would be starting in an industry that I didn’t come from and had no experience in. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK has the experience and a successful business model developed from trial and error that will give me a head start at success.”
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.
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.
Franchising You. 