Press Release

Discipline, integrity and adaptability - skills many develop through in the military - help veterans build successful local franchises, serving their communities and entrepreneurial passions alike.

For many veterans, the transition out of the military and to civilian life can present challenges. The structure, discipline and fulfillment of service can be hard to replicate beyond the military, but Fresh Coat Painters, the 190-plus-unit painting franchise, provides a prime vehicle for veterans to build something of their own while being backed by a system that draws on and rewards their military service.

For Marine Corps veteran Jeff Berry and Air Force veterans Phil Adkins and Jason Zuccarelli, the franchise opportunity has provided structure and a pathway to entrepreneurial success.

Berry’s path started in the Marine Corps when he was “a young guy.”

“It made me grow up fast,” he said. “I became stronger — stronger-minded, stronger-willed and a better person than I was before.”

After retiring from the military, Berry painted cars, but that began to take a toll on his health. When he knew it was time to make a change, he looked into franchising, knowing that the coaching, support and systems provided by a franchisor would set him up for success. Having gained valuable experience absorbing and executing plans in the military, Berry would be prepared to do the same in his business. After discovering that his own territory was available, he knew Fresh Coat “fit like a glove,” and he made the choice to invest.

Like Berry, Adkins saw franchising as the next chapter in his journey. After serving over two decades in the Air Force, he successfully managed large distribution centers, but he had always dreamed of something bigger.

“I always wanted to own my own business and started looking at what franchises were out there,” he said. “I felt I needed the support of a franchise company instead of me just sitting there with a legal pad trying to develop my own company. I looked at various industries and companies and landed on Fresh Coat.”

While Adkins celebrates the support offered by the franchisor, he also recognizes the power that Fresh Coat ownership provides individual entrepreneurs.

“You’re your own boss. There are a lot of military people out there who have the skills and discipline in place … service before self. A lot of those military skills are very applicable to make you stand out as a franchise owner above just your average, everyday painting company,” he said. “I’m really, really happy with buying a franchise and knowing that my success is ultimately up to me and how hard I want to work.”

For Zuccarelli, who served 11 years as part of a rapid-deployment unit, the military taught him a diverse set of skills and equipped him well to take on new challenges.

“We had our hands on everything,” he said. “I never turned away any opportunity to learn, and painting was one of the last things I really started grabbing a hold of. During our last deployment in Afghanistan, we had to spray an entire hangar, and I got curious about that. After getting home from my deployment, I did civil service, and another service member actually ended up mentioning Fresh Coat to me.”

Like many, Zuccarelli had long considered starting a business, but it was a big leap. About seven months after learning of Fresh Coat from another veteran, he took the leap. For other veterans, he recommends taking a similar “leap of faith” approach.

“The only thing I can say is to come in with a positive attitude,” he said. “It’s going to be scary. Anything can be scary, but have confidence in yourself. Believe in what you’ve been taught all these years in the military. Discipline, accountability and integrity — as long as you keep those values in line, you should not have a problem running your company.”

As Fresh Coat continues growing, it remains committed to supporting veterans’ success, from a thorough due diligence and onboarding process to long-term support. With coaching, software and a veteran-friendly network, Fresh Coat offers the same teamwork veterans value most. For veterans, Fresh Coat doesn’t just offer a business opportunity — it offers a new mission driven by pride and purpose.