In this interview, Vice President of Franchise Development John Dobelbower explains how the brand attracts entrepreneurs from all backgrounds and not just mechanics, as well as what’s fueling its record-breaking growth heading into 2026.

Franchise Chatter (FC): Many people assume you have to be a mechanic or engineer to own a PIRTEK franchise. Why do you think that misconception exists, and what’s the reality behind it?

John Dobelbower (JD): It’s an understandable assumption. Our vans, technicians, and hydraulic and industrial hoses make PIRTEK appear to be a company built for tradespeople. In reality, PIRTEK is a leadership-driven business model, not a technical one. Our franchise owners run teams that perform the service work; they don’t do the wrench-turning themselves.

The most successful owners treat PIRTEK like any other B2B service business that is focused on people, process, and profitability. Their value stems from how they build relationships, lead teams, and deliver uptime to customers, rather than whether they can replace a hose themselves.

FC: What qualities or skill sets tend to make someone a successful PIRTEK owner – especially if they don’t come from a technical or industrial background?

JD: We’ve found that business acumen and leadership ability far outweigh technical experience. Great owners are strong operators. They know how to set expectations, manage performance, and keep teams accountable to KPIs.

They’re also sales-oriented and customer-focused, because the PIRTEK model thrives on long-term relationships with industrial clients who depend on fast service. If you surround already successful people with world-class coaching, marketing, training, and operational support, they don’t become less successful – they simply scale faster. That’s the essence of what we do at PIRTEK: we take capable leaders and plug them into a proven system designed to accelerate their success.

FC: Can you share a few examples of franchisees who’ve come from unexpected backgrounds and found success with PIRTEK? What do their stories say about the model?

JD: Some of our top operators had never touched a hydraulic or industrial hose before joining the PIRTEK system. One of our franchisees is a Navy veteran who transitioned directly from active service; his leadership discipline, process mindset, and team focus have translated perfectly into the franchise environment.

Another example is a former corporate executive who left the Fortune 500 world in search of something tangible he could build and scale. He leveraged his management and customer relations background to grow a multi-territory operation in just a few years. We also have several serial entrepreneurs who had previously owned businesses in unrelated industries. They saw PIRTEK as a durable, scalable way to reinvest in a proven system.

All these stories reinforce the same point: our system rewards leadership, not lineage. The skill sets that drive success are transferable: structure, accountability, and a bias toward action.

FC: PIRTEK operates in a highly specialized B2B space. How does the brand make the learning curve manageable for new owners without industry experience?

JD: We’ve built the entire franchise infrastructure to ensure a smooth transition. Training begins with a comprehensive onboarding program that covers operations, safety, sales, marketing, and financial management. Once in business, franchisees receive continuous support from franchise consultants, the national accounts team, and a dedicated technical help line to assist with complex jobs.

Importantly, we continually train the technicians of our franchisees for the life of their business – not just during the startup phase. Every time a new technician is hired, PIRTEK steps in with technical and safety training, ensuring the owner doesn’t have to become a technical expert or even a technical trainer. We fill that gap as the franchisor.

We also have a strong commitment to in-field support. Our team physically visits each location upon opening and at least twice per year, every year a franchisee is in business, all at our expense. And that’s just the baseline. Because PIRTEK operates a 24/7/365 service model for our end users, we mirror that commitment internally by being available around the clock for our franchisees. Whether they need help with a technical issue or a business decision, there’s always someone on our team ready to assist.

That level of hands-on, year-round support is what allows people from non-technical backgrounds to thrive in a highly technical industry.

FC: What do you think attracts entrepreneurs – especially those from white-collar or service backgrounds – to a brand like PIRTEK?

JD: There’s a growing number of people leaving corporate life who want to own something material. A business with trucks, customers, and a physical footprint that drives consistent results, PIRTEK provides exactly that. It’s a recession-resistant, essential-service model with recurring demand and high customer stickiness.

For white-collar entrepreneurs, PIRTEK represents a return to tangible value creation. They can use their leadership and relationship skills to grow something scalable and durable, without the volatility of consumer trends or digital fads. In many ways, it’s a perfect fit for the “corporate refugee,” someone who’s ready to trade the boardroom for business ownership while keeping the discipline and professionalism that made them successful in the first place.

FC: The franchise industry overall is seeing more diversification among owners. How is PIRTEK tapping into this shift and appealing to a wider range of entrepreneurs?

JD: Our candidate pool today looks very different than it did ten years ago. We’ve seen tremendous momentum among military veterans, corporate professionals seeking independence, and serial entrepreneurs who’ve built and exited other ventures.

PIRTEK appeals to these groups because the model rewards leadership and grit. Veterans bring operational discipline and team leadership; corporate professionals bring management and customer-service skills; serial entrepreneurs bring a growth mindset and capital control. The mix has helped our network grow stronger and more sophisticated each year.

FC: For someone considering franchise ownership but hesitant about entering a technical field, what advice would you give them?

JD: Don’t let the equipment fool you – PIRTEK isn’t about replacing hoses; it’s about keeping our customers operating. That’s not just our mission, it’s our tagline: “WE’LL KEEP YOU OPERATING.”

Your job as an owner is to lead people, build relationships, and run a profitable operation. You’ll have technical experts on staff and a full support system behind you. I always encourage candidates to speak directly with current franchisees from non-technical backgrounds. Once they hear how those owners ramped up and built strong teams, the hesitation usually disappears. The key is curiosity and commitment, not technical expertise.

FC: Finally, what’s next for PIRTEK’s growth? Are there specific markets or goals you’re prioritizing heading into 2026?

JD: We have recently surpassed 200 locations awarded, marking a major milestone for the brand and a testament to the strength of our model. But we’re far from finished. We continue to see a tremendous number of people entering our Mutual Evaluation Process, where they evaluate PIRTEK for investment, and we evaluate them for cultural and operational fit. It’s a thoughtful, two-way process that ensures our next generation of franchisees is aligned with our values and growth vision.