Who are we?
How Universal Franchise Systems, Inc. was Born
Realizing the massive opportunity in the $400 Billion Kitchen & Bath Cabinet remodeling and $100 Billion Hot Tub industries and knowing the incredible success Kevin Slover has had, Joe Grushkin, a serial entrepreneur with a long history of success in business development, marketing and sales, approached his long-time friend (Kevin) with the idea of creating a national franchise business, based on his proven model.
In early 2023, they partnered and created Universal Franchise Systems, Inc. to provide local entrepreneurs with a low-investment, easy way to get into the business, superior comprehensive training to minimize the learning curve, generate rapid high profits, and continue to offer deep discounts to benefit local consumers.
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Our Model has passed the test of time and over the years we have mastered the advertising and sales processes needed to acquire customers and close sales. That said, a new business takes time to develop. How quickly a Franchisee learns the steps of the sales process and their comfort with closing a sale will vary. Suffice it to say, it is learned quickly and becomes second nature with anyone who applies themselves to the process. Our team is here to train and support our Franchisees through that short learning curve.
We have tried and tested dozens of manufacturers over the years, and developed relationships with 5 of the Top Manufactures in the USA. We also work with the best importers, who stock extremely high levels of inventory to expedite the delivery process. No supply chain issues here!
All the cabinets are assembled, in the USA, by the factory and are delivered directly to the customer’s home (or job site) by the manufacturer.
Our home office team places the orders for our Franchisees, reducing their overhead and assuring that the vendors processes and systems are followed, we track the deliveries and ensures that there is total customer satisfaction, in an imperfect world (giving the Franchisee one less thing to do).
Quality Kitchen Cabinets
Quality Countertops
Offering 3 Superior Material Suppliers, from Granite to Quartz… all at incredibly discounted prices
How can we do it… like everything else, we lower our overhead and provide great service!
Our franchisees don’t need trucks (and all the associated expenses), expensive insurance, delivery staff or equipment to ensure their customers receive their products in a timely manner. All Cabinets are set up for “residential” delivery. This means our franchisees can focus on sales, customer service and still have a “quality of life”.
This is a “life-style” business! Our customers meet with our Franchisees ONLY BY APPOINTMENT.
Our franchisee can block their schedule as they need or want to, for personal appointments, family needs or vacations. All appointments are booked online (or through our national call center – coming soon). The last thing a Franchisee needs to worry about is schedule conflicts to see a possible walk in customer and family time.
When a customer books an appointment, all their information is automatically imported into our customized software that integrates with their calendar and email, for the franchisee to access on their computer and/or phone.
The customer receives several reminders, via both email and text messages, from the system to ensure a high “show rate” to the appointments. When a customer arrives for their appointment, all their information is in one user friendly system and stored online, along with any future notes, images, and orders.
The Universal Franchise Systems marketing team knows what works online and how to implement online advertising to get results. This allows franchisees to focus on selling, developing relationships in the community through networking, attending local events, creating local promotions and other targeted “grass roots” campaigns, leaving the online advertising to the experts.
Our Digital Partner team is certified and qualified in SEO (Search Engine Optimization), PPC (Pay per Click) advertising, Social Media Management, Marketing and Ads, Review management and much more. Since 2010, their industry experience has benefitted countless clients in multiple industries, including Universal Factory Direct since 2013, and retain clients for many years because of their knowledge, superior service and the results they provide.
Don’t know how to design a kitchen or a bathroom (or don’t want to)? NO PROBLEM! The franchisee can use our internal DESIGN CENTER, the franchisee simply takes the customer information required and sends it to our design team, and then in less than 72 hours (usually the next day) all the designs, renderings, and floorplans will be available to present to the customer.
Our design team has collectively 100’s of years of experience using state of the art software, to bring the customer’s “dream room” to life… and that (along with huge discounts) helps our Franchisees close more deals, resulting in over a 55% closing ratio, based on our experience.
Using a totally customized CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system, our franchisees enjoy 360 degrees of communication, via phone (click to call), email, text messaging along with the ability to make notations, upload files and images.
In addition, we have built a powerful quoting calculator for pricing projects, determining margins and base costs, along with reporting and sales management (for absentee owners).
Not only does the CRM store and record information for future use, but also to communicate with the Design Team, Franchise home office, Location management and staff communications. Another benefit is marketing to “no sale” customers (tire-kickers) or past customers to foster referrals, to stay front of mind.
Our Franchise Disclosure Document shares the substantial income opportunity we offer, in item #19, based on the 2022 Sales, margins and net income for our pilot location in Portsmouth NH. Regardless of the size of the operation, we found that over 40% gross margins yield an average net income between 15% & 20%*.
*Individual results will vary. With proper fiscal & business management, we anticipate Franchisees will enjoy similar results. This is not a guarantee of net income.
This page covers just some of the many benefits of being a Franchisee with Universal Factory Direct.
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*Grand Opening – Approximately 90 days, from signing a Franchise Agreement to grand opening
Your Franchise Roadmap
Joe Grushkin
CEO, President & Co-Founder
Joe Grushkin has been a serial entrepreneur, with over 40 years of business experience, in Direct Sales, Franchising, Business Development, Digital advertising and consulting. As the National Sales Manager of Cutco Cutlery in Canada, opening 55 sales offices, Franchise ownership of multiple units, Business Coaching, Digital Advertising Sales and was the Founder of MaxExposure Social Media, which is now owned by his Daughter and Son-in-Law. Joe has the skills and experience to assist our Franchises in all aspects of their business.
Joe has tried to “retire” (four times), which he finds boring, and is now building the premier Cabinet and Hot Tub, Factory Direct to Consumer, franchise business in the country.
His drive, passion, creativity, and vision set him apart from others, along with his charismatic style of leadership, energy and truly caring for the success of those who are awarded franchises as business partners. Joe now lives in Jupiter FL, after raising his 3 grown daughters in Westport CT, and he has one granddaughter. Joe loves beach time, boating, baseball (as a suffering Mets Fan), fun in the sun, entertaining friends & family, social golf, pickleball and travel to new places.
Kevin Slover
Co-Founder – Investor
Kevin Slover, the consummate entrepreneur and founder of Universal Factory Direct, developed a sales process that has been duplicated many times. Over the years, focusing only on internal development and growth, he now operates a thriving business with over $8 million in sales annually and is the #1 distributor in New England, with all the manufacturers he works with. Kevin has an organization and team that are “unparalleled” running his business and is now “semi” retired and enjoying his incredible success.
Kevin has assisted many people to engage in the industry, over many years, and has seen them achieve a high level of personal success and financial freedom. To continue that legacy, his long-time friend, Joe Grushkin, approached him in 2023 with the idea of “Franchising” his concept, which was the perfect platform to bring his proven model to every community across the county.
Kevin has 3 “twenty something” children, and has homes in his hometown of Portsmouth NH, on Lake Winnipesaukee NH, and in Palm Beach County FL, where he splits his time. Kevin loves to play basketball & Golf, travel, exotic cars, entertaining friends and family, and is a HUGE fan of all Boston sports teams.
Director of Franchise Sales
John Hancherick
John is a lifelong entrepreneur and corporate executive with successful accomplishments in Franchising, Direct Sales, the Marine Industry and Financial Technology sector, just to name a few. He is warm, friendly and engaging personal style gives people confidence and reassurance when working with him.
John sees the huge opportunity for Franchisees to earn a substantial income, and maintain a quality of life, unlike any other franchise opportunity, and he is excited to share this with entrepreneurs to join us and supporting them in building their franchises, by tapping into his wealth of experience and knowledge.
Originally from Pittsburgh PA, John was a snowbird for decades and now has permanently relocated and settled into Palm Beach County to begin the next chapter in his life.
John has 3 grown children and enjoys supporting his Pittsburgh Steelers, Pirates and Penguins.
In his leisure time, you can find him playing golf, tennis and pickleball, riding his bike as well as soaking up the Florida sunshine at the beach.
