Everything But the Kitchen Sink

Gerry Henley, president of Kitchen Solvers, isn’t a man to mince words. So when you ask him what makes the brand such a great opportunity for franchisees, you can expect a clear and honest response.

“It’s a great business model,” he said. “Ninety-five percent of our franchisees are home-based, no brick and mortar or showroom required. That helps cut down on a lot of overhead and startup costs. No. 2 is we are a cash-based system with a very large average ticket price, so cash flow is not a big issue. Also, we have no inventory to worry about – all our products are custom ordered. The bulk of our products are specific to jobs, so you don’t have to worry about maintaining a warehouse somewhere for materials. A business can generally be run with one or two employees. No headaches.”

Of course, an exceptional franchise system is only one part of the equation. Kitchen Solvers needs the right men and women in the driver’s seat to ensure operations succeed. Which begs the question: Who is the ideal Kitchen Solvers franchisee?

“It’s almost easier to say who is not our ideal candidate,” Henley said. “The C-level executive typically won’t do well in our business. We’re looking for mid- to upper-management people, the kind that come from a project management background. The kind that know how to multi-task.”

Interestingly, the brand isn’t on the hunt for people with construction or remodeling backgrounds.

“The owner-operator shouldn’t be in the field doing it anyway,” Henley continued. “We want to concentrate on business builders, financial acumen and sales training.”

And with nearly 25 percent of dollars from the $300 billion remodeling industry being spent on kitchens and baths, it’s easy to see why.

After 30-plus years in business and more than 40,000 kitchens remodeled, Henley has earned the right to keep his answer short and sweet. After all, actions speak louder than words.