Fresh Coat Franchise Expands in Central Valley as Jeremy Engle Builds on Local Legacy

When Jeremy Engle came across a Fresh Coat* Painters franchise for sale in Tracy, California, he saw more than just a business — he saw a foundation he could build on. “Cliff Hudson had been running the Fresh Coat in Tracy for 17 years. He was really well respected in the community, had a large customer base and had won multiple ‘Best Of’ awards in local publications,” Engle said.

“That, combined with the backing of the franchise — the systems, the training, the support — made it feel like something with real potential. I saw it as an opportunity to hit the ground running and build on what Cliff had already created.”

Engle, a longtime general contractor and plant manager for a modular building manufacturer, wasn’t new to running a business. But franchising offered him something different: a path with fewer unknowns. “What made franchising appealing — as opposed to starting a business from scratch — was that the systems and processes were already in place,” he said. “I didn’t have to reinvent the wheel. It gave me a way to get into business more quickly and with fewer hiccups.”

Regional growth plans

Now based in Escalon, Engle has rebranded the business as Fresh Coat of Central Valley, a name chosen to reflect his ambitious plans for regional growth. “Our goal is to expand and eventually cover the entire Central Valley,” he said. “Our aim is to grow from east to west and then move south, reaching as much of the San Joaquin Valley as possible.”

At the core of it all is a focus on experience — not just with the paint job, but with the people. “We want to provide the highest level of customer service possible — that’s really at the heart of what we’re doing,” Engle said. “We want to deliver not just a quality paint job, but a ‘wow’ customer experience. That’s how we want to be remembered — for how we cared for people, how we addressed their concerns, and how we made them feel throughout the process.”

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What do you want us to know?

Jeremy Engle: I've been in the Central Valley for more than 30 years. I live in Escalon with my wife and three daughters — they’re 26, 11 and 9 — so we’ve definitely got all phases of parenting going on at once. It’s a lot of fun.

I’ve been in construction since 2000 and have been a general contractor in California since 2005. I also manage a company called Enviroplex — I’m the plant manager for a modular building manufacturer, and we build modular schools. I’ve been in that industry for the last nine years.

Outside of work, I’m a city councilman for the city of Escalon. I sit on the San Joaquin Council of Governments for our county, as well as the San Joaquin Water Authority. I’m also the president of our local Lions Club and I lead a men’s group in the community once or twice a week. Giving back to the community is something I really enjoy.

Franchising journey

1851: What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Engle: I’ve been in construction and modular building for years, but we were looking for some additional opportunities — something that would allow us to expand beyond our day-to-day. I came across a listing for a business for sale, and after doing some digging, I found out it was a Fresh Coat franchise. I reached out to the owner directly within a day of seeing the ad.

That started a three- or four-month process of negotiations. We finally got the deal worked out, and I went out to Ohio last month for training.

What made franchising appealing — as opposed to starting a business from scratch — was that the systems and processes were already in place. I didn’t have to reinvent the wheel. It gave me a way to get into business more quickly and with fewer hiccups. I’m sure there will still be some, but it just felt like a smoother path.

1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?

Engle: Before I got into franchising, I mostly thought of it in terms of fast-food restaurants. That was really my only frame of reference. I didn’t realize how many other types of businesses were franchise-based until I started looking into it more.

Now that I’m in it, I’d say franchising is a great way to enter into business with a proven track record. You’re not doing it alone — you’ve got partners with experience who are willing to help and guide you through the process.

1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?

Engle: The biggest factor was the opportunity itself. Cliff Hudson had been running the Fresh Coat in Tracy for 17 years. He was really well respected in the community, had a large customer base and had won multiple “Best Of” awards in local publications.

That, combined with the backing of the franchise — the systems, the training, the support — made it feel like something with real potential. I saw it as an opportunity to hit the ground running and build on what Cliff had already created. I’m hoping to take that foundation and grow the business beyond where it’s been.

Business goals and growth

1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?

Engle: We decided to rebrand the business as Fresh Coat of Central Valley instead of naming it after a single town. That was intentional. Our goal is to expand and eventually cover the entire Central Valley.

Right now, we’ve got a good footprint — we’re in a valley between the coastal range and the foothills of the Sierras. Our aim is to grow from east to west and then move south, reaching as much of the San Joaquin Valley as possible.

We felt like calling it Fresh Coat of Central Valley would resonate more with potential customers across multiple towns, as opposed to something like Fresh Coat of Tracy, which might make us seem less local to people in surrounding communities.

1851: Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?

Engle: We want to provide the highest level of customer service possible — that’s really at the heart of what we’re doing. We feel like customer service has gone by the wayside in a lot of businesses today.

My team and I all share a similar vision. We want to deliver not just a quality paint job, but a “wow” customer experience. That’s how we want to be remembered — for how we cared for people, how we addressed their concerns and how we made them feel throughout the process.

That’s what our mission statement will be built around — delivering that elevated level of customer care.

1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?

Engle: Step out of your comfort zone. Take a chance on yourself. If someone has the ambition to start something of their own — whether it’s to escape the 9-to-5 grind or just to build something for themselves — I’d encourage them to make the move. Be courageous. Bet on yourself.

Fresh Coat Painters, the residential and commercial painting franchise under the Strategic Franchising Systems umbrella, offers a low-cost, high-margin business model that gives entrepreneurs from all walks of life the chance to become successful business owners in the communities they serve. Since starting in 2004, Fresh Coat has expanded to over 190 franchise locations nationwide. Thanks to its unparalleled professionalism and affordable business model, it has become one of the leading concepts in the booming residential and commercial painting segment.

With continued year-over-year growth, Fresh Coat is well on its way to achieving its overall goal of becoming a truly iconic painting brand.