Buddy's Franchise Owners Reflect on 2022 Growth

Buddy’s Home Furnishings, a retailer specializing in the sales and rental ownership of furniture, electronics, appliances and home accessories, welcomed new franchise owners into the system and saw existing multi-unit operators continue to grow in 2022.

Buddy’s established multi-operating groups bebe stores, inc., MTM Ventures and Kappa Investments, LLC, collectively signed several new franchise agreements and opened new stores. Click here to hear from Jerry Marshall, owner of Kappa Investments, LLC, and here to listen to a conversation with Martin Fontela, Chief Operating Officer of bebe stores, inc., BHF Stores, LLC.

Franchise owners Robert Smith and Ernie Thompson of WRE, LLC signed an agreement to convert six of their Hometown Sales & Leasing locations to Buddy's storefronts. Although new to Buddy's, WRE has operated in Virginia since 2002.  

“In the past, balancing backend and operational issues along with merchandising has been a challenge,” said Thompson. “Thanks to the support of the team behind Buddy’s, we’ll now be freed up to focus more on our valued customers and supplying the community with everyday necessities.”

TryBudCo, LLC opened its second Buddy's franchise in Warner Robins, Georgia. The new store marks two of eight locations expected to open across the state in the next few years. 

Ray Muncy, operating partner at TryBudCo said, “Franchising with Buddy’s is better because the company is constantly evolving to do better by its franchise owners. As a growing operating group, we feel valued and heard by our support system at Buddy’s which ultimately makes us confident in our investment—and we see eight locations as only the beginning." Click here to hear Ray Muncy discuss the “Buddy’s Difference” in more detail.

Patrick Ruland was a previous supplier for Buddy’s and joined the company as a franchise owner by signing for two units in Alabama.

“I left my W-2 job and joined Buddy’s for the financial freedom it affords my family and me,” said Ruland. “Heavily investing my time and energy into growing my Buddy’s footprint over the remainder of my career will set me up well for retirement. Through my relationship with Buddy’s on the supplier side of the business, I was able to establish relationships with their team and trust that they will help me achieve my goals with the company.”

Click here to learn more about why Patrick Ruland joined Buddy’s.

“We’re proud to witness and support the growth of our franchise owners,” said Michael Bennett, CEO of Buddy’s Home Furnishings. “A majority of our franchisees are multi-unit owners, which is a testament to the strength and profitability of our program—they come back for more! It’s an honor to continue our partnership with our franchise owners and to welcome new operating groups into the Buddy’s family.”

Since adopting the franchising model in early 2009, Buddy’s has established a strong history of multi-unit success, which is why 88% of Buddy’s franchisees own multiple units.

For more information or to inquire about franchising, visit BuddysFranchising.com.

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