Renew Crew Posts Strong Numbers in 2020, Prepares for More Growth in 2021

For most businesses, 2020 was a year defined by setbacks and loss mitigation. Not so for Renew Crew, the 17-unit power-washing franchise out of Charlottesville, Virginia.

With consumers stuck at home for months on end throughout the year, 2020 saw a renewed appreciation for private outdoor spaces, and homeowners were quick to call on help to spruce up their decks and patios.

In the spring, as stay-at-home orders were issued throughout the country, Renew Crew franchise owners quickly saw an increase in demand that kept up through the end of the year.

Franchise growth numbers

Dean Ritchey, a Renew Crew owner in Lincoln, Nebraska, recorded a 55% percent jump in sales compared to 2019, dramatically outpacing his already-impressive average yearly increase of 15%.

Ritchey attributes that growth to the support he received from Renew Crew’s franchisor, Premium Service Brands, which provided him with the resources to meet the surge in demand.

“Through all of this craziness, support from the corporate team has been great,” Ritchey said. “They have been doing all they can to get us through this unprecedented situation, and they’ve been easygoing and readily available as we try to navigate even the littlest of struggles. Corporate is stepping up operations support because business has seen such a significant boom, and their biweekly communication with us at the field level has really made a difference.”

Support from franchisor

Even before the COVID-19 crisis, Premium Service Brands had made a name for itself in the franchise industry by providing heightened support for franchisees, so the pandemic didn’t provide many obstacles to the team when it came to providing for their franchisees.

“We’ve always prioritized our franchisees and the health of their businesses, so working closely with them throughout the pandemic was a natural extension of what we’ve always done — it wasn’t even really a decision that was made,” explained Paul Flick, CEO of Premium Service Brands.

For Jerry Lesh, a Renew Crew owner in Springfield, Missouri whose business saw a 33% jump in sales compared to last year, Premium Service Brand’s corporate coaches — in-house consultants who work closely with franchisees on every aspect of their business, from marketing to profit-and-loss sheets and everything in between — proved an invaluable resource.

“The support from the corporate coaches and team has been amazing as far as helping us stay focused on goals,” said Lesh. “The biweekly meetings and constant communication with the leadership team helps us achieve success by staying on task.”

Perhaps the most important support Premium Service Brands offered franchisees throughout 2020 was the franchise network itself, a vibrant community of franchisees from seven home-service brands who work together to share tips, best practices and most importantly, referrals.

“All of our brands complement and elevate each other, which is a benefit few other multi-brand franchisor systems have, let alone independent businesses,” Flick said. “We’ve created a system that allows all of our businesses to work together closely so they can maximize their resources and provide the best possible services for their clients.”

Future expansion plans

Now, Flick says Renew Crew and Premium Service Brands are gearing up to build on the momentum they achieved in 2020 for an even stronger 2021.

“We had an incredibly strong year at a time when most businesses were struggling, and we don’t take that for granted,” he said. “We are well-positioned for even more success in 2021, and we’re doing everything we can to make the most of that position. The growth our franchisees saw this year was just the start.”

The brand has big plans for 2021 with a goal of 25 new franchise locations. They’re targeting areas like Houston, Boston, Chicago, Phoenix and Milwaukee.