Five Star Bath Solutions continues its expansion across the Southeast with a new territory awarded in the Winston-Salem market. Steve and Jennifer Chmielewski are joining the system with a strong background in building products, operations, and business leadership. Steve brings more than 25 years of experience across nationally recognized brands including Baldwin Hardware, Armstrong Floors, Aqua Glass, Liberty Hardware, and Delta Faucet. Throughout his career, he has developed expertise in global sourcing, product marketing, channel management, sales, project management, and business analytics. Together, Steve and Jennifer were drawn to Five Star Bath Solutions because of its strong operational infrastructure, scalable model, and long-term opportunity within the growing home improvement sector. Outside of business, Steve and Jennifer have been married for 22 years and are raising their 14-year-old son, who competes in go-kart racing. Steve is also an avid motorsports enthusiast who restored a 1967 Mustang, actively works on his drag racing car, and has completed three ultramarathons. Five Star Bath Solutions continues to attract strong operators because of its unique combination of sales and marketing support, operational systems, and scalable growth opportunities. As part of the Five Star Franchising platform, franchisees benefit from extensive training, technology, lead generation support through PRONEXIS, and direct access to experienced leadership. With more than 300 units across North America and over 30 years of industry experience, Five Star Bath Solutions continues to build momentum across the United States. Five Star Bath Solutions is expanding as a forward-thinking technology company in the home remodeling industry. As part of the Five Star Franchising family, the brand offers comprehensive resources such as training, technological support, and marketing, greatly benefiting our franchisees.

Divyesh and Himali were drawn to Sourdough & Co. because of its strong foundation, simple and scalable model, and focus on quality food. They saw an opportunity to invest in a concept that not only performs well but also aligns with what today’s customers are looking for — fresh, healthier options in a fast-casual environment. For both of them, this is about more than opening a business; it’s about building something meaningful in a growing community. They will launch the first of two Sourdough & Co. locations in the Raleigh, NC area. Divyesh and Himali are experienced operators with strong backgrounds in hospitality, retail, and franchising. Divyesh brings over 10 years of experience balancing technical leadership with hands-on operational management, demonstrating his ability to lead teams and deliver consistent results. Himali has managed multiple franchise-style businesses across hotel, restaurant, and fuel retail industries, with a proven ability to drive revenue, maintain margins, and create standout customer experiences. Together, they bring a powerful combination of leadership, execution, and a true owner-operator mindset. Sourdough & Co. stands out in the QSR space by offering high-quality, all-natural products in a clean, fast-casual environment. With no steroids or preservatives and a focus on lower-gluten options, the brand delivers a better-for-you dining experience that customers can trust. The model is designed to be efficient, scalable, and profitable, with strong unit-level economics and growing multi-unit validation across the system. The Sourdough & Co. franchise is a strong fit for both owner-operators and executive-level candidates looking to build a scalable business. With streamlined operations, strong brand positioning, and growing demand, there is significant opportunity in markets across the United States. Congratulations to Divyesh and Himali and the Franchise FastLane team on this exciting placement.

BIG NEWS! Two new units are launching in West Palm Beach, FL! We’re excited to expand our top-tier cleaning and restoration services across this thriving coastal community! The demand for Voda is skyrocketing every day, and there are still fantastic opportunities for prime markets/territories all over the country!

Puddle Pools is excited to welcome Martina Kitts and Chelsea Kephart to the franchise family! Puddle Pools is a technology-driven franchise bringing sophistication to the underdeveloped, highly fragmented pool and spa cleaning and maintenance industry as a full-service provider and positioning itself to be the premier choice for residential and commercial pool, spa, and water features customers. Martina is a Senior Workers’ Compensation Consultant who brings deep expertise and a client-focused approach to helping businesses manage risk and navigate complex workers’ compensation programs. Known for her strategic insight and dedication, she partners closely with clients to deliver tailored solutions that support long-term success. Martina also brings a decade of experience as a franchise owner and operator, along with nearly ten years of experience at a legal defense firm where she served as a paralegal and office manager. Outside of work, she enjoys spending traveling and quality time with her husband, Mike, her sister Belinda, and their dog, Mia (miniature Australian Shepherd. Chelsea is a results-oriented leader who thrives in fast-paced environments, with over a decade of experience managing multiple retail locations. She has led large-scale operations generating more than $95 million in annual sales while effectively controlling expenses through the development and empowerment of teams of 500+ employees across the Southeast. Chelsea also drove both tactical and strategic sales initiatives as a District Sales Leader for an electrical distribution company, leading leaders across the state of Oklahoma. She enjoys playing adult soccer and spending time with her family and pets—Lucy, Tully, and Charlie. Martina and Chelsea love Puddle Pool’s simple, 100% mobile business model which can be operated entirely from a phone using their proprietary technology, the recurring revenue in both B2B and B2C spaces, and the minimal staff and equipment requirements. Puddle Pools offers a professional, credible, communicative, and quality-focused approach for pool, spa, and water feature customers in an industry crawling with local mom and pop owner-operators. Upon meeting the leadership team throughout their discovery process, it was clear Puddle was a perfect fit for them!

Everything’s bigger in Texas… including this announcement. We’re excited to welcome Mike Jarman as the newest Gorilla Property Services franchisee, launching three territories across Austin, TX! Mike is no stranger to building, scaling, and leading high-performing businesses. With an incredible 38-year career in automotive finance and technology, he’s held leadership roles with industry giants like Regions Bank Dealer Services, Capital One Auto Finance, and Santander Consumer USA. Today, he’s the Co-Founder and CEO of TurboPass, a SaaS platform serving both the retail automotive and property management sectors—making him uniquely positioned to understand the needs of Gorilla’s B2B clients. But what really makes Mike a perfect fit? He understands systems, scalability, and solving real-world problems—which is exactly what Gorilla Property Services delivers. In an industry filled with fragmented vendors, Gorilla stands apart as the true one-call solution for exterior cleaning and maintenance across commercial, industrial, multifamily, and residential properties. From dryer vent cleaning and graffiti removal to seasonal services like snow clearing, these are essential, recurring services that property owners rely on to protect their assets and stay compliant. Mike saw the opportunity immediately: a business model built for recurring revenue, operational efficiency, and long-term growth.