Press Release

Fibrenew has been featured in a fantastic article emphasizing one of our key philosophies: having true value go hand-in-hand with sustainability.

Jill Abrahamson, Editorial Director at IFPG. reports:

President Jesse Johnstone Shares How the Eco-Friendly Franchise Has Stood the Test of Time

Jesse Johnstone is a man who loves his job. As the President of the Fibrenewfranchise, he has the best of all worlds. He believes in Fibrenew and the value it provides. He loves the fact that Fibrenew offers a service that is both in demand and helps the planet. Most importantly, he feels great that the Fibrenew team gets to help aspiringfranchise owners create a new path for themselves through Fibrenew’s low-cost franchise opportunity. “The Fibrenew culture and this business is like no other,” he says. “Our franchise owners make a difference every day, giving furniture and other unwanted leather, plastic and vinyl products new life and keeping them out of landfills. Our franchisees constantly share best practices and call on each other for tips and tricks. We are like a large extended family. This collaborative, family-like culture thrives no matter how large the company grows.”

The one-of-a-kind eco-friendly franchisespecializes in the repair, restoration, and renewal of leather, plastic, vinyl, fabric, and upholstery. In business since 1985 and franchising since 1987, Fibrenew has stood the test of time and has been able to scale in a way most other brands could only dream of. According to FRANdata research, only 16% of U.S. franchises have more than 100 units, and only 4% have 500-plus locations. Fibrenew has more than 300 individual locations in North America and worldwide and continues to grow.

Johnstone attributes the company’s success to its strong values, commitment to continual improvement, and dedication to environmental responsibility. The Canadian-based franchisor has played its part in reducing the 140 million tons of trashthat go into landfills annually.

Below, Johnstone shares the finer points of the Fibrenew franchise opportunity and the many reasons the unique franchise has staying power.

What Makes Fibrenew a Trailblazer in Franchising?

We like to think that we don’t just fill a niche — we actually created one. When you look around, leather, plastic and vinyl products are absolutely everywhere. So at first, one might assume our service is everywhere as well. But the thing is, many people think of products made from these materials as disposable rather than restorable. So it’s our mission to make the world know what we can do — and turn our niche service into something that everyone considers a necessity. Fibrenew franchisees are comprehensively trained and equipped with our range of proprietary tools, products and technologies to deliver that outstandingly unique and trailblazing service every time.

With Such a Unique Model, How Do You Identify the Right Franchisees?

The word “franchising” typically brings to mind a fairly standard list of opportunities, such as fast-food, fitness, landscaping and so on. But Fibrenew, being inherently more specialized and unique, is often something prospective franchisees must discover. And they need to be willing to learn everything about the trade and market we operate in. That characteristic alone — the fact that they’re keen to dive into uncharted territory — makes our franchisees trailblazers by definition. They attach themselves to our brand, acquire the necessary technical skills to a tee, and by that point, they believe in Fibrenew’s innovative message and service. Our successful franchisees aren’t only open-minded, ambitious and willing to go for something unique. They want to be a part of something bigger: working toward a singular goal of long-term success.

What has been the Secret to Fibrenew’s Success?

Our belief in our brand, confidence in our products and services, and commitment to our philosophies. At Fibrenew, we’re not tunnel-visioned on profitability. Every individual who joins the team — as support staff, marketing, franchise development, a franchise partner, or anything else – is considered a part of the Fibrenew family. That means we sincerely want the best possible outcome for everyone involved, and that level of dedication and support translates to greater motivation to succeed from all sides. We also take the impact that our business has on the world at large seriously. We are proud to be one of the first green franchises on the map, and that consistent environmental responsibility has carried us to today, where sustainability is top-of-mind with our customers.

How Do you Stay Relevant as a Mature Brand?

The magic behind what we do doesn’t just happen by accident. We’ve spent years developing and assembling the perfect arsenal of technology to keep our franchisees on the cutting edge. And, of course, make their lives easier and their work more effective. As the materials that we work on evolve, so must our processes and capabilities. We’re endlessly refining our existing products and techniques, while also developing new ones to stay ahead of any external developments that impact leather, vinyl and plastic restoration — our bread and butter at the end of the day.

And while technology plays an enormous part in the practical side of our business, we’re also constantly building out our team with the brightest and most talented people to make sure we never fall behind — regardless of our age as a brand. Improving our presence through modern marketing channels, social media platforms, and perpetually presenting our personality in a relatable, approachable and current way is always a priority. You won’t find any “dinosaurs” or outdated perspectives at Fibrenew. In short, we haven’t let our decades as a company date our approach to always being a modern business.