Building a Family Franchise After Retirement
“Just follow the process, because it's proven to work.”
— Craig Smith, Owner, Kitchen Tune-Up and Bath Tune-Up of Williamsburg, VA
Starting Fresh: Craig’s Path to Building a Family Franchise
On this episode of The Heart of Franchising podcast, we’re talking with Craig Smith, owner of Kitchen Tune-Up and Bath Tune-Up of Williamsburg, Virginia, who shares how franchise ownership has been the perfect next chapter after retiring, not once, but twice.
After years working in corporate leadership, Craig researched dozens of franchise options before purchasing a Kitchen Tune-Up franchise in 2020 and expanding into Bath Tune-Up in 2023. With the help of his wife, son, daughter, and son-in-law, Craig has successfully built a family franchise within the Home Franchise Concepts portfolio of brands.
What Helped Craig Grow His Business
Throughout the episode, Craig highlights several key franchising advantages that helped him build momentum quickly and keep his team performing at a high level:
- Proven operational systems
- Responsive home office support
- Comprehensive, ongoing training
He’s candid about one of the biggest lessons he learned early on—when you buy into a franchise, the fastest path forward is committing to the systems that have already been tested, refined, and proven across the network.
Craig’s franchise story also provides insight into at what life really looks like after launch. From marketing guidance and supplier updates to sales training and operational coaching, he explains how both of the “Tune-iverse” brands support owners as they stay focused, solve challenges, and continue improving their operations.
A favorite franchise advantage, Craig loves the peer-to-peer collaboration across the system. Called “mastermind groups,” franchisees share real-world insights about numbers, marketing, and what’s actually working in their markets.
For those exploring business ownership, Craig’s franchise success story serves as a reminder that progress isn’t about doing everything alone. Instead, it’s about leveraging the training, tools, and community available through the system. And Craig’s experience is just one example of the many success stories within our network.
Don’t miss out on this engaging conversation. Listen to our latest podcast episode today!
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