Kitchen Solvers Franchise Eyes Twin Cities as Next Market

Kitchen Solvers, a franchise specializing in custom and pre-built cabinetry, custom countertops, solid surfaces and kitchen accessories, looks to increase their presence in the Midwest as they are in the infancy stages of expanding into the Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota markets. Zach Nolte, director of operations for Kitchen Solvers, said the La Crosse, Wisconsin-based kitchen remodeling brand is targeting the Twin Cities area for new franchisees because it presents the perfect conditions for remodelers.

“What’s really pleasing about it (the expansion to Minneapolis and St. Paul) is that those areas are pretty much there to stay,” Nolte said. “People are staying in their homes longer and not moving as frequently so it’s ideal for remodeling.”

Nolte went on to say the Minneapolis and St. Paul housing markets are complementary to what Kitchen Solvers is looking for in a market. Pending sales of homes in the Minneapolis market in September 2015 were up 12.3 percent since last September and the median sales price is at $220,000, an 8 percent jump from the same time the previous year, according to Market Watch.

The remodeling industry has been bustling the past few years. According to a report from the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University found homeowner improvement spending in 2013 was responsible for just under 65 percent of the $300 billion remodeling market. The metric is still a bit down from the peak mark of 70 percent in 2007, but is up from 2011, showing the industry has been making head weigh over the last few years.

Another reason why the market looks so appealing is because it’s so close to Kitchen Solvers home base, so new franchisees will have increased support. The closest the brand is to this area are the franchises in Rochester, Minnesota and Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

Nolte said the goal is to have three franchises per one metro area, with plenty of open territory as Kitchen Solvers is still in the early stages of expansion in the area.

“We are definitely in the infancy stages of planning, but we’re very excited and confident in this market,” Nolte said. “Probably the best option is to get them up and running as soon as possible, we’re targeting the first quarter of 2016.”

With all these facts at their disposal, Kitchen Solvers believes the Twin Cities area is a booming market and it is showing no signs of slowing down.