Another year has passed and at TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®, we continue our journey of moving customers forward with a variety of service options as we head into 2022.
The TWO MEN AND A TRUCK brand has been around now for nearly four decades, and although we’ve grown immensely over the years, the core of who we are and what we believe in has remained the same. From the days when it was actually just two men – Founder Mary Ellen Sheets’ sons, Brig and Jon – moving customers’ belongings around the Lansing, Mich., area in an old pickup truck to today, where we have franchises in 46 states across the country in addition to Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom – we’ve always focused on the customer experience while giving back to the communities where we work and live.
To learn a little more about the history of how TWO MEN AND A TRUCK came to be, we present the following: The Story of the Stickmen.
Enjoy!
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.
It’s hard to believe, but another year has passed us by and 2021 is coming to a quick close.
For TWO MEN AND A TRUCK , 2021 was a year of change and growth – especially coming off the challenges we all faced in 2020. Thankfully, with the resiliency of our franchisees and their teams and with the systems we’ve put in place over the years, we were able to survive those challenges and even continued to grow the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK brand into 2021.
With many existing franchisees growing their current operations and expanding, as well as new locations opening up with first-time franchisees – the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK franchising network is as strong as it’s ever been, and that franchise growth is expected to continue going into 2022! With an added emphasis on our mini-market model and finding new franchisees from within our system and from other business backgrounds, what we are building is proving to be a sustainable franchising model that can take the business to new heights.
We thought it would be a good idea to take a look back at everything that happened in 2021 on our franchising blog platform and revisit some of our top stories from the year.
“Norcutt has been with the brand for a few 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.”
“For TWO MEN AND A TRUCK Franchisee Stephanie Clarey, she has just that – experience and nearly two decades worth of it at her side. Clarey has held a variety of roles within the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK system for 18 years now and over this time, has worked her way up to now having her own location.”
“Since the days of literally “two men and a truck” working for extra little extra spending money in the Lansing, Mich., area to being the largest franchised moving company in the United States, we’ve worked to build a brand that helps people move forward in life while also giving back. Founder Mary Ellen Sheets’ simple idea has opened doors for people from all walks of life, and we still carry the mindset of that small, local moving company from Lansing.”
“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.”
“The goal for us is always growth,” said Multi-unit Franchisee Nick Roerig. “We want to grow the business, grow people’s careers, and grow the positive impact we can have on the people around us. That’s what’s great about this company – it is a place where you can grow all of these things with like-minded people.”
“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.”
“When you open a TWO MEN AND A TRUCK franchise, your main goal is to oversee all assets of the franchise and ensure they are operating smoothly. This includes hiring a management staff and movers and drivers, purchasing trucks and moving equipment, and more. Most importantly – you want to build a culture of success within your franchise to ensure you keep growing within your community.”
“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, franchisee of the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK Canton, Ohio, location. “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.”
“Financial planning is critical for any business journey, and franchising is no different. We encourage all potential franchisees to do their due diligence as they inquire about the franchising journey with us., We also do our best to offer helpful resources and answer questions they might have along the way. From the initial franchise startup costs to purchasing trucks and equipment, building your team, and finding an office – there can be quite a bit of research involved.”
“Mini-markets run very similar to our tradition markets, but on a smaller scale. We now have the technology and support mechanisms in place to help create a profitable business in a market that requires a smaller local support staff,” said Jon Nobis, CEO of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK. “The TWO MEN AND A TRUCK brand has grown significantly throughout the United States, giving customers a recognizable yet local name to do business with no matter where they move.”
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.
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.
While there are certainly smaller-sized cities and regions throughout the country, one thing’s for sure … there is still a need for professional moving services!
This was the driving idea behind TWO MEN AND A TRUCK’s mini-market franchise model, which was designed to bring our world-class, professional moving services to areas with smaller populations. It gives potential franchises the opportunity to open their own TWO MEN AND A TRUCK franchise, but at an investment cost that is lower than our traditional franchise model.
“Mini-markets run very similar to our tradition markets, but on a smaller scale. We now have the technology and support mechanisms in place to help create a profitable business in a market that requires a smaller local support staff,” said Jon Nobis, CEO of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK. “The TWO MEN AND A TRUCK brand has grown significantly throughout the United States, giving customers a recognizable yet local name to do business with no matter where they move.”
Two of the first states to open mini-market franchises were Montana and Wyoming, and both have hit the ground running with their operations as they work to expand the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK brand in these states.
Watch the video below to learn about our mini-market franchises in Wyoming and its franchisees, Rob Graham and Justin Woods, to see how the experience has gone for them!
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.
In order for the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® brand to continue reaching new heights, a financially sound franchising model is required, allowing success for our franchisees and their teams to be obtainable and sustainable.
We’re proud of the wide range of successful franchisees who have joined us throughout the years from a variety of backgrounds. Like any business, one of the most important details they dive into before franchising with us is if their investment will be worth it.
Financial planning is critical for any business journey, and franchising is no different. We encourage all potential franchisees to do their due diligence as they inquire about the franchising journey with us., We also do our best to offer helpful resources and answer questions they might have along the way. From the initial franchise startup costs to purchasing trucks and equipment, building your team, and finding an office – there can be quite a bit of research involved.
Our TWO MEN AND A TRUCK Home Office support teams are valuable resources during this process, and they’re here to help you every step of the way. Below, we’ve included a few of the most common financial planning questions we get from potential franchisees and hope it helps you understand what goes into becoming your own TWO MEN AND A TRUCK franchisee.
How much do I need to open a franchise?
The initial investment for our standard marketing start-up costs run between $179,000 and $585,000, depending on a number of variables that range from authority fees to store location and the amount of trucks you purchase. The capital required for our standard markets 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 do I need to open with?
The average TWO MEN AND A TRUCK franchise has more than 12 trucks running, so we require a new franchise to have two trucks in operation upon opening. Adding trucks increases capacity and will help grow your franchise location.
What is the best time of year to open a franchise?
There is no “right” or “wrong” answer to this question – the moving industry is a cyclical business, and a large amount of business happens during the summer months of the year. There are advantages and disadvantages to any season from an operational and financial perspective.
What is the best market type for me?
We offer a variety of franchise ownership options, and our market areas range in both size and demographics. The decision to either open in an existing market or start in your own market is generally based on the cost and personal preference of the buyer.
We also offer our mini-market plan, which allows for franchise ownership in areas with a smaller population. Learn more here.
How soon can I expect a 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.
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.
As a business owner, it’s imperative to establish diverse revenue streams in order to see a positive return on the investments you’ve made.
For TWO MEN AND A TRCK® franchisees, this is one of the major selling points of joining our franchising network and investing with our brand, as we offer a variety of revenue streams to help you keep your business growing and expanding your customer reach. Although traditional home moving is our bread and butter – and what customers tend to know us for best– we offer much more than just packing up a customer’s belongings and moving it to their new home.
From long-distance moving to our brand new junk removal service, packing service, our full line of moving boxes and packing supplies, storage, business moving, and much more – there’s a lot to be excited about as a potential franchisee.
“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, franchisee of the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK Canton, Ohio, location. “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.”
With more than 350 franchise locations in 46 states – as well as Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom – it’s clear that our franchise network is taking full advantage of these different revenue streams and using it to grow their locations, and even open multiple locations.
Take a look at the many different service options we are able to offer as a brand and learn how you can diversify as a TWO MEN AND A TRUCK franchisee!
This is where it all got started for our brand, and what continues to separate us as the leaders in the moving industry. When people think of moving a home, they think of our trucks and our brand.
This is an area where we’ve seen major growth in recent years, and one we’ve worked hard to provide even more options to customers. We offer our traditional, expedited long-distance moving option but Value Flex Crate moving.
New to the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK brand (at select locations) is junk removal. Whether it’s removing unwanted items from a home, staging a home to sell, or more – we can pick up, haul away, and dispose of unwanted items.
If a customer has rented a moving truck or storage container but doesn’t want to do the heavy lifting themselves, they can call our moving teams to take care of it for them.
All across the country, businesses trust our professional moving teams to help them relocate to new offices, rearrange their current office, or just assist with the moving of heavy items around their building. We work around their schedule to limit disruptions to business hours.
It’s the same idea as a home move, but with much more regulations, rules, and planning as you work within the guidelines of an apartment complex or rental community. Moving up stairs and around tight corners is tricky, and that’s why customers trust us to do it for them.
When customers purchase a large appliance, piece of furniture, or something else that is heavy and difficult to move, they can call TWO MEN AND A TRUCK to schedule a pickup and delivery of this item to their home. This saves them the hassle and pain of moving it into their home themselves.
Sometimes customers at home need just the moving help, and not the truck. We can help with as little or as much in-home moving as a customer needs, from moving furniture in or around the house to helping with home staging, decluttering, and more.
Select TWO MEN AND A TRUCK franchises now offer storage on-site for customers, eliminating the need for finding separate storage solutions while moving and instead offer an all-inclusive moving and storage experience.
We offer a full-line of packing supplies and a full-line of moving supplies for customers so they have everything they need to get a move done right. If they want, they can even call our teams to come pack up as little or as much as they’d like.
If you’re interested in starting your own franchising journey with TWO ME NAND A TRUCK, click 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.
Franchising You. 