Express Employment Professionals: A Legacy of Staffing Success & Franchise Growth

In 1983, as the U.S. economy emerged from a recession, three former colleagues came together to form what would become one of the most recognizable names in the staffing industry.

Bob Funk , Bill Stoller and Jim Gray had all worked for Acme Personnel Services, a once-thriving staffing company that had recently declared bankruptcy. Rather than retreat, they seized the opportunity to build something new. With eight offices between them in Oklahoma, Oregon and Colorado, they founded Express Employment Professionals — an entrepreneurial leap that would redefine franchising in the staffing industry.

The origin of Express can be traced back to 1951, when accountant David Reiff purchased a struggling employment agency in Spokane, Washington, and renamed it Acme Personnel Services. His son, Bill Reiff, later took the reins and expanded the company across the Western United States. During this period, Funk and Stoller joined the company and rose through the ranks. But when Acme collapsed in 1983, they acted quickly to preserve their offices and their livelihoods — and to build something better.

Early success factors

With Funk’s leadership, Stoller’s operational expertise and Gray’s payroll systems knowledge, the trio formed Express (originally named Express Temporary Services). Backed by a small loan from a local bank and a determination to keep their teams employed, the group launched a new staffing company built on franchise ownership, trust and service.

From day one, Express focused on systems, training and support . Express University was created as a central hub for training franchisees and staff. A Developer Program was established to ensure new offices never felt alone, with experienced franchisees serving as mentors and coaches. And Gray’s custom-built payroll software enabled franchisees to scale without the burden of back-office administration.

The Express team knew that in order to thrive, they had to serve their franchisees just as well as they served job seekers and client companies.

“Express not only benefits entrepreneurs looking to make their mark in the staffing industry but also strengthens local economies through job creation and enhanced business services,” said Melissa Davis , Managing Director of Franchising at Express Employment Professionals. “With a proven track record, a structured support system, and a focus on community and growth, Express stands out as a prime choice for those looking to invest in a franchise with lasting impact and value.”

Resilience and growth

Over the decades, Express demonstrated extraordinary resilience. From the 1990s recession to the financial crisis of 2008, the company never stopped investing in its people and its franchisees. When competitors laid off sales teams, Express doubled down on sales, launching its “Sell, Sell, Sell” culture and refining its five sales plays to help franchisees grow.

The results speak volumes. By 1999, the brand had surpassed $1 billion in sales. By 2011, sales had grown 30% in a single year. In 2024, the brand had grown to over 860 locations worldwide with an average unit volume of $6.4 million — and it’s showing no signs of slowing down.

Express’s franchisees are more than business owners — they’re community leaders, job creators and advocates. The company has helped over 10 million people find jobs since its inception and continues to set annual goals to place 1 million more.

“At Express, we don’t just talk about culture — we live it,” said Davis. “We care deeply about every job seeker who walks into our offices and every client who needs to find the right fit. That’s why our model works.”

Franchisees receive extensive support, from marketing and a U.S. based customer support to payroll funding and training. Offices benefit from the collective power of a global brand, but maintain the personal touch of local ownership. This hybrid model allows franchisees to focus on what matters most: building relationships, serving businesses, and changing lives.

Future expansion plans

As Express looks ahead to the future, their goal is clear: put a million people to work annually.. Expansion is targeted in key markets across North America, including Ontario, California, North Carolina, Texas and Pennsylvania.

With more than 100 territories still available, Express is actively seeking driven entrepreneurs with a passion for helping others and a talent for leadership.

“Our ideal owner is someone who’s in the business full time, engaged in sales, and focused on building something meaningful in their community,” Davis said. “We’ve built a system that works. We just need the right people to bring it to life.”

Today, Express Employment Professionals is not only one of the top staffing franchises in the world — it's a company that has stayed true to its mission for over four decades: to help as many people as possible find good jobs by helping as many clients as possible find good people.

And according to Davis, that mission has never been more relevant.

“As long as folks need jobs and companies need good people, Express will be around,” she said. “We're here to help communities thrive, support our franchise owners, and make the working world better.”

At Express Employment Professionals, we’re in the business of people. From job seekers to client companies, Express helps people thrive and businesses grow. Our international network of franchises offers localized staffing solutions to the communities they serve across the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, employing 586,000 people globally in 2021 and more than 10 million since its inception. For more information, visit ExpressPros.com .

For prospective franchise owners, the initial investment to launch an Express traditional model ranges between $144,000 to $220,000, inclusive of a $40,000 franchise fee. More details regarding franchise costs can be found at .