--- title: "Budget Blinds Sees Major Growth of Whole Home-Connected Systems during COVID-19" url: https://burnaze.com/article/549e0ec7-73ae-49bf-91d9-9fb5fd74a989 source: "Franchising.com" original_url: https://www.franchising.com/news/20201009_budget_blinds_sees_major_growth_of_whole_homeconnected_systems_during_covid.html category: "Remodel & surfaces" industry: "Home Services" segment: "Remodel & surfaces" published: 2020-10-09T12:00:00.000Z modified: 2026-11-01T02:33:28.222Z image: https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1581578731548-c64695cc6952?w=1600&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop --- # Budget Blinds Sees Major Growth of Whole Home-Connected Systems during COVID-19 **TL;DR:** Budget Blinds reports record growth of its Smart Home Collection due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The collection offers automated, tech-connected products for home ambiance, convenience, security, and energy efficiency. *originally published in Franchising.com on 2020-10-09. [Read the original](https://www.franchising.com/news/20201009_budget_blinds_sees_major_growth_of_whole_homeconnected_systems_during_covid.html).* ## Key facts - Budget Blinds sees record growth of Smart Home Collection - Over 1,200 franchise locations offer automated products - Virtual consultation service implemented during pandemic ## Story ## Smart home growth Budget Blinds, North America’s largest provider of custom window coverings, is reporting record growth of its Smart Home Collection, one of the world’s largest offerings of automated, tech-connected products that bring together home ambiance, convenience, security and privacy, energy efficiency, comfort, child and pet safety at the touch of a button or the sound of a voice. Launched in 2019 to solidify Budget Blinds’ leadership of the DIFM (Do-it-For-Me) movement, especially among Millennials, the Smart Home Collection has been growing steadily in customer inquiries and sales at the more than 1,200 Budget Blinds franchise locations across North American since the first shelter-in-place orders in March. ## Market trends “Without a doubt, nothing has spurred the growth of the fully integrated, tech-connected home more than the shelter-in-place and work-from-home mandates associated with the coronavirus,” said Tracy Christman, executive vice president of product development and North American lead designer of Budget Blinds. “Interest in our Smart Home Collection has been off the charts as long-sheltered homeowners get a better sense of what works and what can be improved with the latest technology.” Christman said Budget Blinds has been able to specifically target new and existing customers with new shades and retrofit solutions with an array of products ranging from its own private-label Smart Home Collection brand to Somfy®, SONOS and other manufacturers offering compatibility with Amazon® Alexa, Google® Home, Apple® Home Kit Nest® and other home systems. The many choices make smart home technology accessible for all lifestyles and budgets. “The consumer mindset is that if you’re spending more time in your home than ever before, you want to invest in the technology that will maximize that experience, especially your efficiency, convenience, safety and peace of mind,” she continued. “Homeowners are amazed to learn what is possible: from motorized blinds that automatically adjust to the time of day to push-button operation of window coverings, lighting, climate, home security and entertainment systems. Some systems even allow for special-occasion settings like subdued ambiance for a cocktail party and total-blackout for home movie night.” “With homeowners now more concerned with homebound kids and pets, automated, cordless window coverings are also at the top of many homeowners’ list.” Earlier this year, Budget Blinds implemented a virtual consultation service for customers wanting to complete the window covering-design process 100% online during the pandemic. The service allows homeowners to show their homes and windows to Budget Blinds designers virtually and then work with local experts through the online platform to design blinds, shutters, shades, drapery and other customized solutions, and arrange delivery when they are ready. To book an online virtual consultation, go to the website and click on the Virtual Consultation link. The service may not be available in all locations. Budget Blinds is a proud member of Home Franchise Concepts (HFC), one of the world’s largest franchising systems in the home improvement goods and services space. In addition to Budget Blinds, HFC franchises Tailored Living®, Concrete Craft® and AdvantaClean® businesses. Budget Blinds® is the largest window covering franchise in North America, offering custom blinds, shutters, shades, drapery, and more for residential and commercial consumers in more than 10,000 communities in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Budget Blinds’ nearly 900 business owners have dressed more than 25 million windows since the brand’s founding in 1992. Budget Blinds is part of the Home Franchise Concepts (HFC) family of home improvement goods and services brands. Home Franchise Concepts (HFC) is one of the world’s largest franchising systems in the home improvement goods and services space, among the world’s largest franchise businesses and a recognized leader in franchisee-franchisor relationships. HFC’s four brands including Budget Blinds, Tailored Living®, Concrete Craft® and AdvantaClean® are consistently rated at the top of their categories and supported by more than 2,100 franchise territories in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. JM Family Enterprises, Inc., founded by Jim Moran in 1968, is a $17.75 billion diversified automotive company ranked No. 20 on Forbes’ list of America’s Largest Private Companies. It is also ranked No. 26 by FORTUNE® as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For®, its 22nd consecutive year on the list. JM Family has more than 4,300 associates and its primary subsidiaries include: Southeast Toyota Distributors, the world’s largest independent distributor of Toyota vehicles; JM&A Group, one of the leading independent providers of finance and insurance products in the automotive industry; Southeast Toyota Finance and DataScan, both part of World Omni Financial Corp., a diversified financial services company; JM Lexus, South Florida’s only Lexus Plus dealer; and Home Franchise Concepts, a franchise network of home improvement products and services consisting of Budget Blinds, Tailored Living, Concrete Craft and AdvantaClean. Headquartered in Deerfield Beach, Fla. ## Entities - Franchising.com (publication) - Home Services (sector) - Amazon (company) - Google (company) - covid-19 impact (topic) - Apple (company) - Home Franchise Concepts (company) - Budget Blinds (company) - JM Family Enterprises (company) - smart home technology (topic) - Home Franchise Concepts acquisition of Budget Blinds (deal) - home automation (topic) --- Originally reported by Franchising.com (https://www.franchising.com/news/20201009_budget_blinds_sees_major_growth_of_whole_homeconnected_systems_during_covid.html). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/549e0ec7-73ae-49bf-91d9-9fb5fd74a989).