HorsePower Brands is proving that intentional franchise ownership builds better businesses.
That starts with finding “all-in owner operators,” CEO Tony Hulbert told Entrepreneur Magazine in an interview.
“We are selecting business owners who want to be all-in,” Hulbert said. “We talk about the all-in mindset of being a business owner. If we just consistently speak to what the successful attributes are, people will self-select themselves out.”
That focus on the right owners is translating directly into performance. Three brands that were unranked in 2025’s Franchise 500 jumped half the list this year, including Gatsby Glass at No. 255, Bumble Bee Blinds at No. 266, and Stand Strong Fencing at No. 267.
Mighty Dog Roofing and Varsity Zone HVAC ranked No. 283 and 421, respectively. Additionally, Entrepreneur recognized Blingle! Premier Lighting, Groovy Hues Painting, Heroes Lawn Care, and iFOAM, were recognized as Verified Franchises.
Hulbert said the leap in rankings were the result of a strategic shift that began in 2023, when HorsePower took a hard look at what separates its top performers from the rest.
The answer was clear.
The most successful franchisees weren’t passive investors—they were all-in owner-operators focused entirely on growing their business.
Read the full article here.
