If you haven’t heard of Two Men and a Truck by now, it is about time you do. Originally started as a way for two brothers in high school to earn some spare cash, it has grown into a franchise operation that spans across the US and beyond.
This family-owned business has come far since they began 20 years ago and, with the help of their franchisees, this is a business that has the potential to go even farther.
Tell us about TWO MEN AND A TRUCK.
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK is the nation’s first and largest franchised moving company. We offer moving, packing and unpacking services for homes and businesses in more than 200 national and international locations. A family-owned business, our company follows its trademarked policy, THE GRANDMA RULE, treating everyone the way they would want their Grandma to be treated.
When was the company founded?
The company started in the early 1980s as a way for two brothers to make extra money while they were in high school. Brothers Brig and Jon Sorber started moving people in the Lansing area in an old pickup truck. They had their mom, Mary Ellen Sheets, develop a logo to put in a weekly community newspaper. That stick-men logo still rests on every truck, sign and advertisement. Now, 20 years later, the company has grown to more than 200 locations worldwide.
When did TWO MEN AND A TRUCK begin franchising?
In 1988, Sheets sat on a panel at Michigan State University. When a fellow panelist suggested she franchise her little company, she decided to consult with an attorney on the matter. In 1989, Sheets awarded the first location outside of Michigan to her daughter, Melanie Bergeron. The office was in Atlanta, Ga.
In what states/countries is it currently located?
The company has more than 200 locations operating in 31 states, Canada, the United Kingdom and Ireland.
What separates you from the competition?
In an industry that is often focused only on the service — moving items from one place to the other — we focus on customer service — placing customer satisfaction in the center of everything we do. Customers can rely on our employees; every one of them is an employee of the company and is fully bonded and insured. We are prompt, dependable, and courteous and guarantee all that we do. We treat their belongings as if they were our own.
In what ways does your company go above and beyond for a customer?
The company has a team of full-time customer service representatives trained to answer common questions and alleviate any concerns. This commitment has brought recognition from our customers — 90 percent of our customers would refer us — and from the community. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® received the highest numerical score among full-service moving companies in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Full-Service Moving Company Satisfaction StudySM.
The study is based on responses from 2,981 consumers measuring nine moving companies and measures opinions of consumers who used a full-service moving company in the time frame April 2007 to July 2008. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed April 2007 to July 2008. Experiences may vary. Visit www.jdpower.com for more information.
What are your franchisee requirements?
Initial franchise fee is $45,000
Total capital investment: $158,000 – $430,910
Franchise candidates on average will need $150,000 in liquid assets.
Additionally, we look for individuals with the following characteristics:
- Self-motivated to be successful and seek economic opportunity
- A desire to deliver outstanding customer service
- Possess a strong sense of integrity and are excited by the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® core purpose and values
- Accessibility to capital
- An ability to manage people and help them achieve their best
- A leader
- A desire to grow the business
If someone meets those requirements, how do they apply?
Candidates can submit their request online to be contacted by someone from our Franchise Development Department or can contact our office directly. The initial phone call is designed to answer any questions about the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® opportunity. After the first set of questions is answered, candidates will receive further information about the franchise system including key features, benefits and experiences from current franchisees. When the candidate feels comfortable with the information given, they can fill out a Request for Consideration (RFC) form. After the RFC has been submitted and approved, candidates receive a copy of our disclosure documents, the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and will schedule a visit to the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®/INTERNATIONAL, Inc. corporate office in Lansing, Mich. for a Discovery Day.
Do you have any advice for someone who might be interested in applying for your franchise opportunity?
Before applying for a franchise, we advise candidates to know their credit score, have secured required capital, and determine that they meet the pre-qualifications outlined in our documents. Beyond that, we want our franchisee to be passionate about the possibilities that lie ahead of them. Our franchisees aren’t just looking for a job, they are making a commitment to start and grow their own business — a commitment we hope they are excited to begin.