Meet the Multi-unit Franchisors on a Mission to Grow Service-Based Brands

Horse Power Brands, a trio of “blue-collar millionaires”, have teamed up on a mission to responsibly grow servicebased franchise brands.

Beards, flannel shirts and baseball caps are a common look for this lively downto-earth trio of Josh Skolnick, Zachery Beutler and Erik Van Horn. They not only have the business smarts and experience to grow and sell multi-million-dollar companies, but know their way around a farm and aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty. A rare mix today, they’re a breath of fresh air to the usual button-down shirt business executives.

Their first acquisition after forming Horse Power Brands is Mighty Dog Roofing specializing in commercial and residential roofing, gutters, siding, windows, skylights and storm damage. Just six months into the investment, the company has awarded 40+ locations to its first 13 Mighty Dog Roofing franchisees across 10 states and is on track to sign a total of 80+ franchise locations by the end of the second quarter 2021

The Partners teamed up last year with a goal to improve the franchisor-franchisee experience and ROI in the service-based franchise sector.

The trio, who crossed paths over their years in franchising together, plan to become the industry’s next major service-based conglomerate with a clear differentiator – active involvement in the operations and franchisee support of its portfolio brands.

Horse Power is laser-focused on ROI by delivering systems, service and support, so franchisees can focus on sales and production to maximize monetization.

“The standard practice in our industry has become a race to 100 units sold, often without sensible offerings nor a clear vision to actually open all 100 locations. That’s not success. We are focused on providing atypical efforts and services to ensure we not only sell franchises responsibly, but open them with the tools to ensure the franchisees’ growth and longevity,” Skolnick said. “This is what sets us apart

“The Partners teamed up last year with a goal to improve the franchisor-franchisee experience and ROI in the service-based franchise sector.”

and why we’ll become a portfolio of service brands with $1 billion+ in annual revenue.”

Sharing a goal to see franchisees open and grow successful businesses, Skolnick, Beutler and Van Horn said the formation of Horse Power Brands is the high point of their respective franchising careers.

“After awarding franchises, we have the means and experience to actually get the locations open quickly,” Van Horn said. “Seeing the franchisees open successful is extremely gratifying. Each of us have had years of experience as franchisees, franchisors, developers and consultants. We are where private equity meets operational excellence.”