Derek Illich was riding high on life: He and his wife had recently welcomed a child, and he had a job he loved with a corporate staffing firm. Then came the news that no one wants to hear: Derek’s position as a branch manager was being eliminated. The shock was palpable — Derek loved the company and had planned on staying in that role long term. He and his wife were suddenly faced with providing for a new baby and paying the bills on a single income. “My knee-jerk reaction was to get on Indeed and start applying for similar jobs,” says Derek. “I probably put up a hundred applications and maybe spoke to 10% of those hiring companies.”
Going back to his entrepreneurial roots
The son of immigrant parents from Macedonia, Derek grew up in an entrepreneurial household and worked in the family’s restaurants all through college. When his search for a new job stalled out, he decided to try a new approach. “I felt this was a sign,” says Derek. “I’ve always wanted to work for myself, and I’ve always explored trying to buy a business.” Derek had looked at businesses like pizzerias and bars in the past, but he’d also encountered another type of business in his corporate recruiting work: Express Employment Professionals. “They were always listed in the rankings of our competitors,” Derek remembers. “It always stuck out to me that they were the only name on there that was independently owned.”
As a staffing agency franchise opportunity, Express offices partner with local businesses to help them fill open positions. They also assist job seekers by matching them with work that fits their skill set. In addition to permanent positions, the Express model offers temporary or contract placements, which can help businesses adjust staffing levels during challenging times. This gives both clients and Franchise Owners the flexibility needed to respond to the current economy. Becoming an Express Franchise Owner would not only offer Derek personal stability in a constantly changing economic landscape, but it would also allow him to help people that needed to find work.
A life-changing investment
As Derek explored the Express opportunity further, he liked what he saw. “After speaking with a lot of their VPs and doing my due diligence, I really aligned with not just what they did as an organization but their culture,” says Derek. “It was just a perfect fit.”
Derek opened the doors to his Express franchise in 2014 with just two employees: a recruiter and a receptionist. Ten years later, he’s grown his office and has a staff of nine. “It’s been the best decision I ever made, not just for myself but for my family,” Derek says. “It’s created so many opportunities and so much freedom that I would never think twice: I would do it again in a heartbeat.”
Unlike retail or QSR opportunities, Express offices are open during traditional business hours. This gives Express franchisees the ability to truly own their schedule and spend more time doing what’s most important to them, creating work-life balance.
The opportunity to make an impact on the lives of others is also a big reason why Derek and many other Express Franchise Owners chose to invest in this staffing agency franchise opportunity. “Their whole culture starts with servant leadership,” says Derek. “We are here to provide hope and opportunities to people. We take that very, very seriously.”
What does it take to own an Express?
“Anybody with a sales background is going to do very, very well in this business,” says Derek. “You have to be comfortable getting out and meeting with people.” Express is not for absentee owners. Franchise Owners are required to work hands on in their office, much as they would any other small business venture. “I always tell my clients and prospects, ‘Listen, you have a problem at 3 in the morning, you can call me and I’ll answer,’” Derek says. “What corporate recruiter is going to do that for you?”
How much does a staffing agency franchise cost?
Express offers two different ownership opportunities: new territories and resale locations. The initial investment range for a new territory is $132,000 to $213,000. That includes a $40,000 franchise fee and the estimated costs of opening and operating your business during its first nine months. The cost of an Express resale location varies. Both options come with access to the award-winning support that Express is known for, which includes assistance with day-to-day tasks like invoicing and paperwork, ongoing training for you and your team, and marketing support to help you build your business.
Financially, you should have a net worth of $250K and access to liquid capital of at least $200K to be considered for Express franchise ownership.
How can I learn more?
If this staffing agency franchise sounds like the opportunity you’ve been looking for, fill out the form below to get started. An Express Franchise Development Director will contact you to take the next step.