In 2021, three brothers opened up two Kitchen Tune-Up locations in Fredericksburg & Stafford, VA. Zach, Matt and Jake Lethbridge grew up in Georgia before going to college and ultimately serving in the US military. After attending Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA, Zach joined the United States Marine Corps. A few years later, Matt and Jake (who are twins) both attended the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD and subsequently served in the United States Marine Corps (Matt) and United States Navy (Jake).
After serving in the military across the country and working in the private sector for several years, the brothers reunited in Fredericksburg, VA which is now home for them and their families. When they aren’t working, the brothers enjoy getting their families together for outdoor activities, sports and the many activities the area has to offer. Their parents joined them in nearby Lake Anna to fulfill their dream of retiring to a lake house and being close to their sons and grandchildren.
What made you decide to look into purchasing a franchise?
The brothers spent years talking about building a business together and explored a variety of different avenues before settling on a Kitchen Tune-Up Franchise. In Kitchen Tune-Up they saw a reputable and growing brand that offers a solution for every person who owns a home. Equally important, they found a business model that would capitalize on their unique strengths and experiences from their time in school, the military, and the subsequent years working in the private sector.
When researching franchises, what criteria mattered to you most? How did your franchise meet that criteria?
Key factors/criteria that were considered and contributed to selecting Kitchen Tune-Up included the brand history, longevity of operations, the demand for the franchises’ products and services, the operating cost and capital requirements for start-up, as well as the economic outlook for the industry. Another contributing factor was that the brothers wanted a business that they believed would thrive in their specific market/territory. The brothers got to know the Stafford and Fredericksburg areas quite well over the years and were very excited about the economic opportunities of the region and felt that Kitchen Tune-Up would be a perfect fit.
Financing can be an obstacle and/or intimidating factor for aspiring entrepreneurs. How did you find financing options to purchase your franchise?
The brothers financed through a combination of personal savings in conjunction with an SBA loan. As veterans, the brothers found several resources that specifically help veterans with attaining SBA financing.
Which of your prior skills and experiences do you use in operating your business today?
In short, everything. The brothers grew up in a loving household that emphasized respect, integrity and hard work. Their father also served in the military. They further committed to those values through years of activities and involvement with family, friends and various sporting, spiritual, and volunteer organizations. Their time in the military shaped them with tough training, the development of tangible skillsets, and challenging overseas deployments. While many often overlook lessons from people’s early years, the brothers feel that these early years taught them resilience and grit.
Additionally, from their time in the private sector each of the brothers was able to develop skill sets critical to any business and from which they frequently draw upon. In the Marine Corps and at Rollins Inc. Matt gained valuable skills in operational planning, forecasting, ordering/receiving, inventory management, as well as leadership and management of personnel. In the Navy and while with Otis Worldwide, Jake learned process development, administrative and organizational skills, as well as sales, sales management and account management. Finally, in the Marine Corps and at EY Zach was heavily involved in accounting, finance, process improvement, project management, as well as the development and implementation of strategic initiatives.
During your research, did you use FBR’s website to compare franchise opportunities? What other resources did you use?
Yes, the brothers used Franchise Business Review to compare other businesses / home service franchises. Additionally, they did research online through search engines and company websites.
How does Kitchen Tune-Up support and encourage your success?
The culture and coaching set Kitchen Tune-Up apart. The accessibility of support from the home office is amazing and they are eager for feedback for the betterment of the system.
What are you most proud of and why?
The brothers are most proud of their growth, resilience and reputation. Any new business will face countless unforeseeable challenges. Smart growth and resilience while building / maintaining a strong reputation is extremely difficult yet rewarding.
What advice would you give to potential franchise owners?
Learn what your system offers, identify what your system does not offer and prepare from day 1 to fill in any gaps. Become an expert of your craft, be resilient, learn every day and adapt accordingly; there will be good days and bad days on the horizon but never lose sight of the value of a good reputation.
More about the Kitchen Tune-Up Franchise
Kitchen Tune-Up appears on a few of Franchise Business Reviews lists. We use data from franchisee surveys to rank the best franchise brands to own. Only the brands that exceed FBR’s franchisee satisfaction benchmark are displayed on our website. Here’s how Kitchen Tune-Up franchise owners rated their franchise.
Highlights include:
- 89% of franchisee agree that their fellow franchisees are supportive of the brand.
- 90% of franchisees agree that their fellow franchisees are supportive of each other.
- 89% of franchisees agree that their fellow franchisees actively participate in company programs and events.
Kitchen Tune-Up cares a great deal about transparency so they actually share their full franchisee satisfaction report. Download that here.
