Zak and Nicole Kraehmer noticed that their good friend always seemed to have a flexible work week and schedule. They knew he owned his own business and seemed to thoroughly enjoy it. Zak was working as a broker in the insurance industry and had previously managed a children’s fitness franchise. Nicole was a stay-at-home mom to their children with a background in banking and food service. Both were intrigued by the Express franchise staffing company business model and wanted to learn more about how ownership could impact their lives for the better.
The change they were seeking
Zak had always wanted to own his own business. “After researching Express and knowing more about the mission and what Express does, we started to take the steps toward becoming Franchise Owners,” says Zak. Like many others, Zak and Nicole were drawn to the opportunity to own their schedule and break free from the corporate grind through franchising. “My goals were to give my wife and kids more time with their father and husband,” says Zak. “We value hard work, but we also value our faith and family more. We saw this as a long-term opportunity to capitalize on all those values.”
A community of support
Express is a top staffing franchise that’s known for providing outstanding support, and that was exactly the Kraehmer’s experience as new Franchise Owners. “Express was extremely appealing from Day 1,” says Zak. “We continually saw the support that was offered, and it reassured us that we were buying into something more than a franchise. We were buying into a larger family that would be there with us along the way.”
Express provides many different types of Franchise Owner support ranging from initial opening to day-to-day operations, including:
- Marketing support, with access to new owner sales coaching and digital and social media marketing assistance.
- Ongoing training opportunities like monthly regional meetings, annual conferences and the Express Leadership Academy.
- Day-to-day assistance with payroll funding, back-office support and access to a 24/7 help desk.
“The way we were treated by our franchise headquarters all the way down to franchisees across the country was positive and welcoming,” says Zak. “To this day, we have incredible friends across the country who own Express offices.”
Reaping the rewards of ownership
Express Franchise Ownership provides endless benefits for those that are highly motivated to work hands on in their business. “Owning an Express has been extremely rewarding for our family in many ways. We’ve been able to achieve things we didn’t think we would be able to,” says Zak. “The financial impact that Express has had on our family has also been extremely rewarding. Not only has our family been financially impacted for the better, but we are also able to help others.”
For Express franchisees, the benefits are more than just financial:
- Express helps others find meaningful work
Express offices match job seekers with businesses in the community that have open positions, with the average Express office placing 600 candidates every year. The result is a win-win situation that drives the local economy and helps people find jobs that use their unique skills. “We’ve developed solid local relationships with businesses and local organizations,” says Zak. “Not only are we providing employment to the team members in our office, but we are also providing top service in the staffing industry in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.”
- Express supports better work-life balance
With traditional Monday through Friday business hours, Express Franchise Owners have more time for the people and things that matter most. “We’ve been blessed with the ability to structure our schedule and our year the way we want it,” says Zak. “The flexibility allows us to travel throughout the year, essentially whenever we would like to. My wife can homeschool our two kids.”
Advice for those considering franchise ownership
Zak and Nicole often look back and ask themselves what they wish someone would have shared with them prior to becoming Express Franchise Owners. “We have boiled it down to a few simple ideas,” Zak says. “One of those ideas is that the benefits of owning an Express office might not come right away, but by following the Express system and working hard, you’ll be shocked with what you can achieve.”
Like the Kraehmers, you don’t need any prior experience in the staffing industry to own an Express office, but a business background is helpful. People who are high-energy, natural leaders tend to thrive. A willingness to be hands on in your business is crucial. “We both had to work extremely hard to build our business and grow our office,” says Zak. “We have been blessed to see the fruit of our labor and we are now able to enjoy the financial benefits as well as the freedom to make our own schedules.”
Getting started with Express
Express is a top staffing franchise that’s been ranked the #1 staffing franchise by Entrepreneur magazine for 13 years in a row. The company also boasts an industry-leading $6.4M AUV* for offices open over five years. There’s never been a better time to explore Express franchise ownership, because new Express Franchise Owners can earn back up to 100% of their franchise fee by successfully completing the Express Fast Track program. That’s a potential savings of up to $40K.
Financially-qualified candidates will have a net worth of $250K and access to liquid capital of at least $200K. If you meet these requirements and are ready to explore the Express opportunity, fill out the form below to connect with a Franchise Development Director today.
*For territories open more than 24 months, average sales in 2023 were $5,979,665. For territories open more than 60 months, average sales in 2023 were $6,421,874. First-year offices averaged $1,346,028 annual sales according to Item 19 in the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD).