Batteries Plus Bulbs Franchisee Finds Career Freedom After 25 Years with Lowes

“The only career I’ve ever had was with Lowes,” said new Batteries Plus Bulbs franchisee Rich Epps. As of July 2019, Epps is a proud owner of seven Batteries Plus Bulbs stores throughout Manatee County, Florida. He started out at Lowes as a part-time clerk while finishing up his college degree. What began as a way to make some extra cash turned into a career for Epps, as he eventually found himself in a District Manager position in Columbia, South Carolina.

When Lowes asked Epps to relocate to southwest Florida, he took over managing territory from Tampa to Naples. While Epps loved his time with Lowes, he always wanted to go out and do something on his own. Epps left his position at Lowes and began to search for what was next in his career.

Epps wasn’t necessarily looking to franchise, but franchising found him. “When I left Lowes, I was looking at opportunities when I ran into Steve Cooper, a former Batteries Plus Bulbs owner,” said Epps. “I wanted to talk to him and learn the franchise business and he ended up offering me his stores to purchase.”

Franchise acquisition

Epps jumped at the opportunity and in April 2019 gradually began to acquire Cooper’s stores.

Epps immediately felt comfortable with Batteries Plus Bulbs because the corporate business model was very similar to what he had experienced with Lowes. “As I went into researching the company I found that Batteries Plus Bulbs had a great support structure and I feel like that is important with any franchise,” Epps said.

Another factor in Epps decision-making process was being able to stay in the Brandon, Florida area, a place that he and his family have called home for many years. As fate would have it, the Sunshine State is ideal for a business like Batteries Plus Bulbs.

Market demand and growth

“I can’t think of an area in the country that has a greater need for the products that we sell,” said Epps. “You see golf carts everywhere down here, and the heat means a lot of battery-powered electronics are very sensitive and need professional services close by.”

Epps added that there is a real need for the Batteries Plus Bulbs brand—which offers device repair services, key fob programming and an extensive line of premium battery and bulb products with both commercial and retail applications— in the Florida market and he hopes to grow the flourishing business. After taking over ownership of all seven of Cooper’s stores in July 2019, Epps is in the process of relocating one store to Lakewood Ranch, and is actively looking to open another store in Bradenton.

Epps felt his experience in the home improvement industry and support from the corporate team at Batteries Plus Bulbs is equipping him for success in the booming Florida market. “This brand has withstood the test of time, surviving economic recessions and competition from Amazon. It really seems to have a business model that is sustainable,” said Epps.

Batteries Plus Bulbs Chief Strategy Officer and VP of Franchise Development Jon Sica is excited to have Epps join the national community of franchise owners. "Rich brings tremendous retail, customer service and multi-unit management expertise to our system. Combined with his local knowledge as a longtime Floridian, he's ideally positioned to continue growing in that market."

Batteries Plus Bulbs continues to welcome owners to its franchise across the country, and focuses a large part of corporate staff of direct franchisee support. "During the 30-odd years we've been a national brand, we have developed the tools and the business model needed to make owners successful," Sica said. "When we can get a customer-focused operator like Rich in the system, the Sky's the limit."