Own a ScreenMobile Franchise
Updated: Mar 17, 2020
Q&A with Lana Mazin, Director of Brand Development
This month’s franchise education is Q&A with Lana Mazin. Take some time to learn more about this business opportunity.
For over 35 years, Screenmobile has been the nation's largest mobile screening company. They specialize in residential and commercial screen manufacturing, repair, and solar shading products for windows, doors, porches, and patios. With over 100 successful franchise locations and a 99% renewal rate year after year, they provide the perfect franchise opportunity for family-focused individuals or couples who are looking for the perfect work/life balance.
With a low investment starting at $91,000, Average Gross Sales of $271,278, and 39% net margins, a Screenmobile Owner with one truck and trailer is taking home a significant income per year! This ROI blows the majority of other franchise industries out of the water!
Questions and Answers
1. How did the franchise get started and what is the background of your executives?
Screenmobile was founded in 1980 by Monty M. Walker, (known lovingly as “Pops”) and his two sons, Scott and Monty L Walker. Pops and his sons started repairing and installing screens for their Glendora, California community using a large wooden tent trailer. Based initially out of the Walker family garage, Pops and his two sons would be on the road, repairing, customizing and installing a variety of screens. Pops' wife Sharleen was their first employee, managing the Screenmobile office out of the Walker family's spare bedroom, answering the phones, booking jobs, managing her boys' schedule and handling the finances.
Quickly building a reputation for quality, professionalism, and mobility, the Walkers expanded their Screenmobile operations to Palm Springs in 1981. The Walkers discovered that they were the only business to screen on-site, allowing for an efficient and timely service that was not replicated elsewhere, a vital element to Screenmobile's expansion. The Walker family understood how vital the trailer was to their ability to be truly mobile and upgraded to a larger, all-metal purpose-built trailer that allowed them to repair any size screen and hold all their required tools and equipment. It also served another vital purpose, as a mobile marketing tool. Due to the setup and branding of the modernized trailer, it encouraged a level of approachability from ‘walk-up’ clients. The Walkers saw a significant increase in job requests from people that would approach the trailer while the family was screening. Screenmobile's early success was based on Pops' simple formula, offering a quality product and service backed by a reputable family brand. They quickly realized that there was a tremendous opportunity for an industry-leading mobile screen repair and installation business. The Walkers envisioned that it would become a national leading franchisor, based upon values of integrity, professionalism, faith, and most importantly a family business, where each Franchise Owner is considered a member of the larger Screenmobile family.
2. What sets you apart from your competitor
The beautiful things about the Screenmobile model is we have virtually no competition. No other reputable company is doing mobile screen repair and we offer an invaluable convenience to our customers by not requiring that they disassemble and drag large screens to their nearest Home Depot or Lowe’s.
3. What is the best thing about being a part of Screenmobile?
The best part of Screenmobile is being involved in a family owned and operated business. Screenmobile boasts 100% Owner satisfaction (across over 95 Owners) and a 99% renewal rate once the franchise license expires. These are numbers that are typically unheard of in franchising and speaks to the corporate support team and how the company is run as a large family.
4. Can you describe a typical day of a franchise owner?
Screenmobile offers two different tracks depending on the candidates background and how they want to be involved in the business.
Business-Owners own the license to one territory and take care of all the screening jobs themselves. Tasks can include:
Takes care of all screening jobs
Schedules appointments
Interacts with customers
Checks calls and emails
Networks
Executive Managers begin with a single territory but then quickly scale the business by purchasing additional licenses. They typically hire staff to complete the screening jobs and oversee the entire business. Tasks can include:
Builds and leads a team
Oversees daily operations
Manages payroll
Networks
Scales the business
5. Can you describe an ideal owner for Screenmobile.
At Screenmobile, we are looking for individuals who share our vision for providing industry-leading service. They are driven by success and want to grow into multiple territories while bringing customers in their markets a convenient, mobile screening business.
Franchise Owners do not need screening experience, but they must be mechanically inclined. In the beginning, most Owners will be out in their communities doing the screening jobs themselves and as the business scales, they will start to devote more of their time to running and managing the business. They must love people and be able to provide excellent customer service. We are also looking for the following characteristics:
Business Savvy Mechanically Inclined Community & Family Focused Enjoys Working Outdoors Organized, Punctual & Accountable Decision Maker Motivated & Outgoing
6. Tell us a little about Screenmobile support and training program.
We provide a comprehensive 10-day training program at our Screen School just minutes away from Palm Springs, California. This program includes 40 hours in a classroom and 40 hours of on-the-job training. Classroom training focuses on administration, marketing, sales, and we simulate on-the-job training with our “Screen House.” Screen School allows our experienced instructors to teach our new Franchise Owners both the fundamental and technical aspects of screening.
Franchise Owners participate in the “Fast Start Program” which was designed as a continuous training and support tool to help Owners meet their goals more quickly. This program lasts up to 13 weeks following the opening of the business and involves weekly calls which each last 30-60 minutes. The “Fast Start Program” also includes an interactive workbook wherein the Owner works with up to two support coaches. We provide system-wide refresher and training courses and 24/7 access to our online modules. We also foster a support network among our 90+ Franchise Owners. Like any family, our Owners constantly look out for each other offering a unique support system rarely found in the franchise industry.
7. What is the total investment for Screenmobile?
The initial investment ranges from $91,975 - $183,770.
8. Do I have to own a brick and mortar location? If so, can you tell us a little about that?
No, our Franchise Owners are all home-based keeping their overhead to a minimum.
9. How much can I make owning a Screenmobile?
With a low investment starting at $91,000, Average Gross Sales of $271,278, and 39% net margins, a Screenmobile Owner with one truck and trailer is taking home a significant income per year! This ROI blows the majority of other franchise industries out of the water!
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