What does the timeline to ownership look like when franchising with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK?

June 24, 2022 / tmtfranchising / Leave a comment

There are plenty of ways an individual can reach their dream of business ownership, and one way which should be highly considered is through the avenue of franchise ownership.

Buying into a franchising brand gives you plenty of the perks you’d imagine with business ownership, but instead of dreaming up an idea and building everything from scratch, you’re buying into a proven model of success with brand recognition to match. You’ll also tap into a wealth of knowledge and resources from the existing franchisee network, full of individuals who have been in your shoes and understand what it takes to get a successful franchise up and running.

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK has been in franchising for nearly four decades now, and we’ve built a vast network which spans 46 states across the U.S. We’re a proven name in the moving industry – one which people know they can trust – and we have a wide-range of service options to meet all customer needs which help our franchisees diversify their revenues.

“There are very few brands that are as committed to franchisee support as TWO MEN AND A TRUCK,” said Nick Powills, CEO and founder of Mainland. “From the depth of corporate departments to the depth of training at the corporate headquarters, franchisees can clearly see their royalties at work. This is a business focused on never being satisfied, which in turn, will continue to change the lives of those who are allowed to join this exclusive club.”

If you’re interested in franchising with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, we encourage you to take a look at our franchising timeline below and get a feel for how the process works. If you find yourself interested in learning more, visit our Franchise Development website and see how you can start the franchising process with the “Movers Who Care®”!

Step 1: Review (7-10 days)

This is the initial step in the process where we get to know the candidate to find out what they are looking for, what their expectations are, and walk them through important details such as financial requirements that are necessary to kick off the process.

Step 2: Application (7-10 days)

This is where you’ll fill out a request for consideration, giving you a chance to put into words why you think you’re a good fit with us. Where do you want to be in five years? How involved will you be? What are your goals as a franchisee? All of these questions come into play during this step.

Step 3: Acceptance (14-30 days)

The expectations for TWO MEN AND A TRUCK franchisees are presented with our Franchise Disclosure Document, and we also encourage potential franchisees to speak with current or former franchisees to ask questions about their time in the system to learn more about the role.

Step 4: Planning (30-60 days)

The longest stage of the process, we will provide the potential franchisee with a business plan template for them to fill out. Various team members from our Home Office departments are available to assist you with developing your plan and answering questions you might have about various parts of the operation.

Step 5: Discovery Day (14-30 days)

Come meet our team! This day is all about you as a new franchisee, and you’ll see all of the work involved with the franchising process starting to come together. You’ll learn who we are, what we do, and get a chance to meet various people throughout the business.

Step 6: Awarding (30-60 days)

Congrats – you’re a part of the team! Now, it’s time to get working. We’ll work with you to get your doors open and your business running, with operational experts helping you work through the transition of opening your first TWO MEN AND A TRUCK franchise.

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.

Franchisee testimonials show ownership possibilities when franchising with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK

April 15, 2022April 13, 2022 / tmtfranchising / Leave a comment

Since TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® Founder Mary Ellen Sheets made the decision to franchise the brand in the late 1980s, we’ve done our best to build a franchisee network of people from a variety of backgrounds and give them the opportunity to find lasting success.

This requires effort from everyone involved with the brand, as we continue to build out additional services and systems to continue attracting new customers and allowing our franchisees to expand their reach. But at the end of the day, it’s our franchisees and their hardworking teams that keep the brand moving forward.

Without their business-savvy leadership and commitment to driving the brand in the right direction, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK wouldn’t be what it is today. We continue to add new franchisees to our network and have several open territories still available.

Curious as to what life is like as a franchisee? Check our some of our newest testimonials to learn more!

Anthony Jent

Juan Gallegos

Rob Wallace

To learn more about franchising with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, click here!

A love for the brand helped drive this New Jersey franchisee’s career path

April 1, 2022April 1, 2022 / tmtfranchising / Leave a comment

There’s no one clear cut path to franchise ownership with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®, and new franchisee Mackenzie Kilgariff is a perfect example of this.

While a number of our franchisees started on the trucks as movers or drivers and worked their way up, a large chunk of our franchisee network carved out their own path in their professional careers. For Kilgariff, franchising with a moving company might not have seemed like something she’d ever do just five years ago when she was attending college for criminal justice, but a love for the brand and its people is what set her on the journey to business ownership.

“When I was about to finish up my freshman year of college, [franchisee] Brittany Ishman was actually the one to tell me the Philadelphia location was looking for a marketing intern to help with social media and grassroots, and I thought I would be a good fit,” Kilgariff said. “I had no idea what I was doing and hadn’t even heard of terms like ‘ad words’ and ‘SEO’. Once I jumped in, though, I immediately fell in love with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK. I quickly switched my major to business management, and I knew I wanted to continue with the company. It was like I had an epiphany.”

This epiphany set off a domino effect for a rapid climb up the franchise system for Kilgariff, who went from marketing intern to working in sales as a customer service representative, before her transition to logistics manager and finally landing as the general manager at the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK Princeton location.

Throughout this time, she quickly formed a bond with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK Franchisee Brittany Ishman, and it paid off in a big way for Kilgariff after she participated in the Mary Ellen’s Moving People Forward Scholarship program, which gave her the training and education to open the New Brunswick, N.J., franchise with Ishman at the end of 2021.

It’s been a bit of a whirlwind for the young franchisee, but she’s taking it stride and doing everything she can to grow into the role.

“One of the things I love about TWO MEN AND A TRUCK is the sky is the limit. You can hold every single position, you can move to another state, you can work with other franchises, you can work at home office, and so on,” Kilgariff said. “If you love the brand, you can go anywhere with it. I also loved the idea of the scholarship program and that TWO MEN AND A TRUCK gives you the opportunity to grow as an individual. I love this brand and everything it has done for me, so becoming a franchisee was an easy decision.”

While it’s been an exciting time for Kilgariff, it’s also been a challenge to learn the intricacies of business ownership, and it’s something she’s working each day to take on and improve with.

“This job isn’t for the faint of heart,” Kilgariff said. “At first, it was a struggle for me to take a step back and look at the bigger picture. This is probably the most notable and important thing I’ve learned as a franchisee. A TWO MEN AND A TRUCK franchise has a lot of moving parts working together.”

Still, learning and all, it’s been a successful journey for Kilgariff already, and she’s just getting started. When asked what her goals are moving forward, she doesn’t hold back when saying she wants to be the “queen of moving” in the state of New Jersey, and wants TWO MEN AND A TRUCK to be the only name people care about when it comes to home moving in the state.

She also is extremely focused on making sure her New Brunswick location lives up to the company core values at TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, specifically “inclusion”, and she hopes to build a diverse workplace culture.

The process of being a franchisee has just begun, but the options are endless for Kilgariff. At the end of the day, she would recommend TWO MEN AND A TRUCK franchising to anyone who is interested.

“I experience something new and exciting every day,” Kilgariff said. “Owning a franchise never has a dull moment. Don’t get me wrong – it’s a lot of work, but the payoff is equally – if not better – than what you can imagine. Basically, what I’m trying to say is: there will always be a challenge and there will always be bad that comes with the good, but working at TWO MEN AND A TRUCK? The good is always great.”

Multi-Unit Franchisee Mike Lally wins the 2022 “Moving People Forward” award

March 18, 2022March 17, 2022 / tmtfranchising / Leave a comment

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!

Learn why you should consider a franchising opportunity with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK

February 18, 2022 / tmtfranchising / Leave a comment

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK franchisee on the phone

To get where we are today as a franchising brand, a strong commitment to our franchisees, their franchises, and the overall franchising system we built was critical.

Today, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK proudly operates over 380 franchises across four different countries, and we recently completed our 9 millionth move as a brand. We’ve come a long way as a company from the days of two high school brothers trying to earn a little extra spending money in the Lansing, Mich., area in the mid-1980s, and this is in large part due to the franchise network we have built.

Our franchisees come from all different business backgrounds and walks of life, and we have kept growing our franchise footprint with each passing year by offering a franchising model built for success. With proven systems in place, a sustainable business model, and brand recognition to go with it all, an investment into a franchise with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK can be a lucrative and worthwhile experience.

Click the links below to see the layers of our franchise model and how it can benefit you!

Training and Support

It all starts with training and support for new franchisees, and we offer extensive training opportunities to make sure you’re ready to go when it’s time to open the doors of your new franchise.

DOT and Risk Management

DOT and risk management are critical when running a moving franchise, and we’ll help you understand the nuances of both.

Finding Employees

A good TWO MEN AND A TRUCK franchise starts with assembling a motivated and reliable team.

Applicant Pool

To assemble a strong team, it starts with knowing how to find the proper employees for your location.

Ongoing Support

The support you receive as a TWO MEN AND A TRUCK franchisee is never-ending. From our Home Office support teams to a diverse network of successful franchisees, you have endless resources to help you succeed.

Growth Opportunities

At TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, we practice what we preach, and we preach employee growth within the company at every level.

Capacity and Growth

Any business plan needs to show the ability to grow, and we’re always looking for ways to expand who we are at TWO MEN AND A TRUCK. From new service options like junk removal to how we operate, we’re always innovating.

Marketing

As a TWO MEN AND A TRUCK franchisee, you gain access to tried-and-true marketing tactics that work on both a local and national level.

Opening the Franchise

After you open your TWO MEN AND A TRUCK location, you continue receiving ongoing support on all levels of the business.

If you’re interested in learning more about franchising with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK or you want to begin your franchising journey, click here!

Illinois franchisee’s motivation and commitment to the brand helped him reach his dream of business ownership

January 21, 2022 / tmtfranchising / Leave a comment

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.”

14 years after emigrating from Ecuador, San Diego franchisee continues to find success as TWO MEN AND A TRUCK franchisee

October 15, 2021 / tmtfranchising / Leave a comment

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.”

New North Carolina franchisee used family as motivation to advance and grow his career

July 23, 2021 / tmtfranchising / Leave a comment

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK Franchisee Jeremy McDuffie

Career growth is a priority at TWO MEN AND A TRUCK– from our movers and drivers up through our managers, we are proud to create opportunities our franchises can offer their frontline teams to advance their careers.

Many TWO MEN AND A TRUCK franchisees began their journeys on the trucks as movers and drivers and for new franchisee Jeremy McDuffie, he is no different. McDuffie – along with co-franchisees Tim Kirian and Brian Churney – recently opened the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK Outer Banks, N.C. franchise. This is not only a milestone achievement for our brand as we open a new location, but also for McDuffie, who was able to have years of hard work solidified as he transitions to the franchisee role.

He’s had quite the ride to get to this place, and those closest to him served as his biggest motivation as he worked toward this achievement.

“I initially started as a mover and I was eager to learn the business,” McDuffie said. “Shortly after beginning my career, I was blessed to learn that I had a daughter on the way and would soon be a father. I used that as motivation to be the best employee I could possibly be, and this determination led to me coming a driver, and eventually landing in management positions.”

With so many different roles prior to becoming a franchisee, McDuffie was able to see the workings of a TWO MEN AND A TRUCK franchise from various positions, which he knows will help him out as a business owner.

There are still new challenges involved like there would be with any career change, and it’s something McDuffie is looking to take head on.

“The biggest challenge from this transition would be just handling the new responsibilities that are different from what I’m accustomed to in previous positions,” McDuffie said. “I’m working on developing the most effective schedule so I’m able to focus on each task, something I know is vital to being a franchisee.”

It’s not all hard, however, and he’s enjoyed some of the new responsibilities involved with this role..

“My favorite part about being a franchisee so far is just having the opportunity to show employees what can be accomplished when you combine hard work with our core values,” McDuffie said. “I am living proof that you can certainly move forward within TWO MEN AND A TRUCK.”

With being a new franchise and opening a brand new location, there is a never-ending list of tasks McDuffie and his co-franchisees will work on as they build their location and generate customer awareness in their area.

McDuffie is also really focused on the employee side of things as he works to get a team set in place at his location. He feels building relationships is one of his most important jobs as a franchisee.

“I believe everyone working together as a family is what keeps the business moving in a positive direction,” McDuffie said.

It’s the beginning of another franchising journey in the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK family, and another example of how much is possible with this company when hard work is put in. McDuffie is honored and ready for the new opportunity, and he would encourage anyone interested to go for it.

“I would definitely recommend franchising with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK,” McDuffie said. “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.”

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is the first and largest franchised moving company in the United States. Interested in franchising with us or learning more about our franchise opportunities? Visit our Franchise Development website for more details or subscribe to this blog.

Franchisee success stories highlight how many meaningful franchising opportunities are available with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK

April 2, 2021June 24, 2021 / tmtfranchising / Leave a comment

When TWO MEN AND A TRUCK Founder Mary Ellen Sheets decided to franchise the brand, she did so with the intention that all franchisees would play an integral part in the company’s mission to not only move people forward with outstanding moving services, but also make an impact locally by giving back to the community.

More than 35 years later, all of our franchisees have lived up to this vision, and as we’ve surpassed 8.5 million moves as a brand and opened locations in 45 states across America as well as Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom, it’s clear that a strong franchisee network has helped continue our push to be the leaders of the moving industry.

The success of our franchisees is imperative to the success of our brand. This is why we put so much commitment into our franchising model and ensure our franchisees have the proper resources and support to see success at their franchises and expand their franchise network if they choose.

From our extensive training programs for new franchisees to numerous in-person events for networking, training, education, and recognition – we’ve built a culture of success for all of our franchisees.

Take a look below at some of the great TWO MEN AND A TRUCK franchising success stories!

Holly Stewart – Multi-Unit Franchisee – Georgia

Justin Tangeman – Multi-Unit Franchisee – Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico

Nick Roerig – Multi-Unit Franchisee – Georgia, Tennessee, Texas

Steve West – Multi-Unit Franchisee – Illinois, Maine, Missouri, South Dakota

Mike Reps – Multi-Unit Franchisee – Minnesota, North 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.

Franchisee Kyle Norcutt named 2021’s “Moving People Forward” award winner

March 19, 2021June 24, 2021 / tmtfranchising / Leave a comment

The TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® brand is fortunate to have outstanding franchisee leaders who contribute to our brand’s continued growth by investing in their teams.

A mantra that we often use here is, “Moving People Forward®”, and this can mean moving both customers and employees forward in their lives. This is now an award given at our company’s annual meeting to recognize franchisee leaders who have made a real impact in the lives of their team members. Last week, we announced our 2021 winner of this award is Multi-unit Franchisee Kyle Norcutt.

Norcutt has been with the brand for multiple decades now, and currently is the owner of franchises in Colorado, Michigan, Utah, and Washington. Numerous employees who have worked at Norcutt’s franchisees have gone on to do great things with our brand, and it’s a testament to the culture that Norcutt has built across all of his locations.

Here what those who have worked closely with Norcutt had to say about their time together and his journey!

Congratulations, Kyle!

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