The SEALS Franchise Keeps Commercial Kitchens Safe

If you’ve ever eaten food that was stored in a commercial refrigerator maintained by The SEALS Refrigeration Gaskets, you should thank the brand for its service. The franchise ensures that properly functioning gaskets keep food safe and fresh at restaurants, schools, hospitals, hotels, eldercare facilities, convenience stores, sports venues and supermarkets.

Installation and repair of refrigeration gaskets (rubber seals on commercial refrigerator and freezer doors) is the bread and butter of this low-cost business-to-business brand. The SEALS franchise’s other services include oven and steamer gasket installation and repair, installation and resurfacing of cutting boards, hinge and handle repair and replacement, installation of door closers and door sweeps, and strip curtain installation, among other handyman services for commercial kitchens.

“We do all of that with precision and first-class service,” says B. Quick Chadwick, senior director of marketing at The SEALS’ parent, EverSmith Brands. “The SEALS secures food by keeping it fresh, cool and tasting amazing.

Its services save kitchen operators time and money and keep them one step ahead of the health inspector. All restaurants and commercial kitchen operators are subject to frequent health inspections, and gaskets — among other things — are evaluated for any violations or risk to public health. When these gaskets are worn, cracked, moldy or torn, the consequences go far beyond a simple maintenance issue; they affect food safety, energy efficiency and compliance.”

The SEALS Refrigeration Gaskets may be a little-known brand, but it’s well established. Andy Dinkin launched the company in 2010 in Charlotte, N.C., and began franchising in 2021. Backed by private equity partner The Riverside Co., EverSmith Brands bought The SEALS in January 2025. “Since EverSmith Brands took ownership, the brand has grown exponentially, launched a new website (TheSealsGaskets.com), rebranded and expanded its support systems to help franchisees ramp up quicker,” Chadwick says.

After startup, SEALS owners are hands-on managers who build a winning culture and generate business development through networking and association events, Chadwick says. “The owner also is often in the field calling on customers and installing gaskets as well as handling complimentary inspections.”

Free inspections are a stepping stone to repeat business, he explains. “Our model is simple. We provide a complimentary kitchen inspection, offering to replace the first gasket for free, order the replacement products needed and come back to install them. Then we put customers on our free quarterly service inspection agreement. Rinse and repeat.”

Ideal SEALS franchisees are “corporate refugees or veterans who are tired of ‘working for the man’ or working for someone else with little to show for it. They want to control their own destiny, kindle their entrepreneurial flame and provide for their families. They have strong sales experience, commit to continuous relationship-building, and are servant leaders who will follow a proven process. Owners who are handy are perfect fits.”

He adds that The SEALS complements Kitchen Guard, an EverSmith sister franchise that cleans commercial kitchen exhausts and hoods. “It’s the same customer type and makes for a compelling go-to-market power punch when you can offer both — keeping customers close and sticky to your company.” Other EverSmith Brands are Clintar commercial landscaping services; MilliCare commercial floor care; Prism Specialty Restoration, which restores furnishings and documents after disasters; and U.S. Lawns, a commercial landscaping franchise.

Food safety is a serious issue for every commercial kitchen operator. The CDC estimates that 48 million people get sick from foodborne illness each year in the U.S.

; 128,000 are hospitalized and 3,000 die. That puts added pressure on restaurants, schools, hospitals, hotels and other food-service businesses to stay inspection-ready and maintain equipment that helps keep food at safe temperatures. For The SEALS, that need creates steady demand for services that support food safety, compliance and day-to-day kitchen operations.

“There are a lot of commercial kitchens out there, and all are governed by health inspections. That means there’s consistent demand,” Chadwick says.

• Weak and fragmented competition. There are few, if any, national brands.

• Repeat revenue.

• Low cost to start, with an initial investment of $101,200 to $147,300.

• Home-based for low overhead.

• Resistant to recessions and artificial intelligence.

EverSmith Brands focuses on B2B franchise services that commercial customers need again and again. Its portfolio includes brands such as 1-Tom-Plumber, which provides plumbing and drain-cleaning services; U.S.

Lawns, which serves commercial landscaping customers; The SEALS, which handles refrigeration gaskets and kitchen compliance; Kitchen Guard, MilliCare, Prism Specialties Restoration and Clintar. Together, these brands serve businesses that need reliable help staying clean, safe, compliant and operational. EverSmith Brands now includes more than 330 owners and 750 territories, showing the growing demand for essential B2B services in franchising.