CertaPro Painters® Seeks Franchisees in Michigan To Build on Momentum in the Mitten State

Beginning in 1991, Certa ProPainters, Ltd. pioneered the highly customized painting space. Providing interior and exterior services for residential and commercial properties across the U.S. and Canada, the painting franchise takes particular pride in its thoughtful consultation services and wide range of custom finishing services.

While the CertaPro Painters® system is approaching $540 million in sales with more than 370 franchise owners, it’s just getting started. Certa ProPainters, Ltd. has specifically identified Michigan—particularly the Detroit metropolitan area—as one of its next prime targets for growth.

Certa ProPainters, Ltd. aims to award five territories in Detroit, including two to three within the next 12 months, with up to seven total in the state. The brand has built a presence in Michigan over the last 15 years through strong businesses in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Detroit and other areas. This reputable presence has generated local brand awareness and has positioned the best painting franchise for growth.

Michigan expansion plans

“First and foremost, we want to find the right people to grow in Michigan,” said Jeff Bien, the brand’s Vice President of Franchise Development. “We’re also very focused on Detroit because the economy is doing well there and we know it’s a great market for us. For prospective owners looking to start a painting franchise in the area, CertaPro Painters® is the best painting franchise to invest in.”

The Michigan landscape is also demographically similar to those major Midwest markets where the painting franchise has sold out. “Detroit has a similar makeup to other markets, like Indianapolis and Cleveland, where we've been for 15–20 years,” said Bien.

Certa ProPainters, Ltd. expects to be received well by Detroit. Additionally, one of the brand’s core competitive advantages is that it delivers an exceptional customer experience from the very first point of contact—something that goes a long way in the Midwest.

“Our franchisees’ customers can speak to a real person to schedule an appointment or conveniently schedule online. Their role is to make it easy for consumers to do business with them. And we deliver that throughout the execution of the project,” said Bien.

With a proven franchise business model, CertaPro Painters® franchisees have the resources and systems in place to make this positive experience consistent all across the country. “In any market we’ve entered, our customer service differentiates us—and it’s appreciated,” said Bien. “I think consumers in Detroit are looking for that consistent experience: If you say you will do something, do it. It’s one of our core values—and one that you don’t always get in this industry.”

Franchisee requirements

Bien said that successful CertaPro Painters® franchisees have strong leadership backgrounds—and previous painting experience is not required to own a painting business with our brand. “Many of our owners come from corporate leadership roles. We can teach an assertive leader with strong communication skills the painting portion of the business,” he said.

CertaPro Painters® owners are also eager to scale their business by being actively involved on a full-time basis. “For those interested in owning a painting business, there’s not a lot of overhead or inventory—and our unit economics are excellent,” said Bien. Indeed, according to the brand’s 2019 franchise disclosure document (FDD), in 2018, the average gross sales for a CertaPro Painters® business was $1,408,700—a figure that has consistently increased year over year.*

Jim Zandee is a CertaPro Painters® franchisee in Plymouth, Michigan, located right between Ann Arbor and Detroit. His CertaPro Painters® business services Southeast Michigan. He’s lived in the area since 1986, so he knows Michigan communities well.

“Southeast Michigan is a good territory with high-end homes and people who are willing to pay for quality service,” said Zandee. “It’s a great place to paint. Certa ProPainters, Ltd. is the best painting franchise to buy, offering a great deal of training and support to help you build a successful business.”

Ultimately, Certa ProPainters, Ltd. offers owners the potential for a refreshingly consistent, high-quality business and all the franchise support that should go along with it.

“I’m eager to really see Michigan grow,” said Zandee. “What we do here is help the next franchisee. I was helped by an owner, who was in it for eight years before me. Michigan has two new guys near our area and I’m helping them both out now. We want them to succeed because it helps the whole brand.”

*These are Average Gross Sales for US CertaPro franchisees who were in operation for at least 12 months in the year listed. All figures are based upon information provided to CertaPro by US franchisees, who operated a CertaPro business for the full 12 months of the respective year, including those that are certified to perform commercial services. Some franchisees own more than one territory. The information for the respective period January 1 through December 31, 2018.

Emily Clouse is a staff writer for 1851 Franchise. Her work has been featured with publications such as The Onion, Reductress, and Chicago Magazine. She graduated from The Ohio State University before running away to join the Peace Corps. In her free time, she enjoys drawing and walking to Jewel-Osco.