If you’re looking at franchise ownership opportunities, you’ve probably realized that there’s a lot more to owning a business than just putting up a sign and opening your doors. It requires lots of time and energy, from finding the right location to establishing a strong client base to hiring your staff. On top of all that, your ideal territory may not even be available.
Exploring franchises for resale is a path to ownership that is often overlooked. We sat down with Express staffing franchise resale owner Ridge Overholt, who purchased an existing Express office in June 2020. Keep reading to learn why Ridge chose a resale location, and how he feels about his decision five years later.
Why did you choose a staffing franchise?
Like many Express Franchise Owners, Ridge had a background in sales but was looking for a change. He was drawn to staffing for several reasons, one being the opportunity to learn about all different types of businesses. “Staffing gives you a holistic view of organizations and lets you learn about operations, accounting practices … it’s a blend of high-level knowledge and entry-level role knowledge,” says Ridge. He also enjoys the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others by helping them find meaningful work. “It’s a blessing to give people opportunities,” Ridge says.
How did you first hear about Express?
“My mom was with Express corporate for 15 years,” says Ridge. “She said, ‘Express is where the good people hang out.’” Having a family with deep ties to the company gave him the insight he needed to choose Express, despite having several other franchise ownership opportunities available to him.
Did you look at both new offices and franchises for resale?
Born and raised in Fort Collins, Colorado, Ridge wanted to stay in the area. He briefly looked at new locations but ultimately wanted to open an office in his hometown. The resale opportunity made this possible because there was no opportunity to start a new Express office in his desired market. “It’s great to have an established business,” says Ridge. “When you’re starting a business, finding a location, getting technology up and running and building your client list are all difficult,” Ridge says. “With a resale location, this is not as heavy of a lift because these things are in place.”
Do franchise resale owners still get corporate support?
Owners that choose a resale location for their Express staffing franchise still get access to the outstanding support that the company offers, a fact that made a big difference for Ridge in 2020. Despite the challenges that came with starting a business during COVID, Ridge felt the training he received was “phenomenal” and that he was not alone in the process. “Opening in the pandemic was stressful,” says Ridge. “The first new franchisee class was remote. It was a unique experience, but the team did a good job.” Ridge also discovered that the existing Express system paired with extra backing from the corporate team was just what his office needed to make it through. “The stable foundation built by corporate was a good support,” says Ridge. “We received new resources on top of that, which gave us a competitive edge during COVID.”
Now that the pandemic is past, Ridge continues to receive ongoing support from the corporate team at Express. “I can get answers to urgent questions right away,” says Ridge. “There’s also lots of interaction with other regional franchisees so you can learn best practices.”
What does a typical day look like for you as an Express Franchise Owner?
“No day is ever the same,” Ridge says. “I’m always learning something new.” Ridge is currently focusing on growing his business and meeting the needs of his clients. “I like every day being different — it keeps it interesting.”
With an ever-changing schedule, Ridge is busy, but the Express model still allows him to make time for the people and things that are most important to him. “My team works 8 to 5,” says Ridge. “I try to stick to that while still being available serve my clients.”
How has owning an Express office changed your life?
Like many Express Franchise Owners, Ridge appreciates the opportunity to build relationships and make a difference in the Fort Collins community. “You get the business involvement in the community, but you also need to be involved in the people part of the community,” says Ridge. “It’s very impactful. You don’t get that from a day-to-day sales job.” Ridge adds that his proudest moment since becoming an Express staffing Franchise Owner has been seeing someone that he helped place in an entry-level role grow into a higher-level position with that company. “It’s rewarding to see the impact you made on someone’s life just by giving them the opportunity they deserved.”
Ready to explore Express staffing franchise ownership?
If you’re ready to put your business experience to work and build the future you’ve dreamed about, it’s time to consider Express. A staffing franchise is a hands-on business and is not a concept for absentee owners. But if you’d like a jumpstart, a resale location is a great option. Express has franchises for resale across the U.S. and Canada. Review the list of locations available and then fill out the online form to get the process started.
Unsure if you want a new location or a resale location? One of our Franchise Development Directors can help you decide which choice is best for you. Simply fill out the form below to connect with us and start your ownership journey today.