originally published by Citybiz
As President and Chief Executive Officer at PIRTEK, Kim is responsible for the company’s operations. Bringing more than 20 years of franchising experience and leadership to her current role at PIRTEK, Kim is focused on developing the franchise network, ensuring outstanding franchise support, and driving profitable growth within the franchise system by keeping corporate employees and franchise owners working together fervently to achieve shared goals. Strengthening and expanding the Brand within the U.S. is the primary value strategy as brand strength is beneficial to both the franchisor and franchisee. Under her leadership, the brand has increased the number of units by 92.3% in five years.
Prior to joining PIRTEK, Kim began her career in accounting, earned an MBA, became a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), and worked her way up to Director of Finance at U.S. Lawns, another U.S. franchise brand. Kim joined PIRTEK in 2016, as the organization’s Corporate Controller. She was promoted to CFO and Vice President in 2018 and assumed her current role in January of 2019. Kim also holds the Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) designation from the International Franchise Association.
As we move through 2026, how would you describe the state of the franchise industry overall? What trends are standing out to you?
The franchise industry continues to show remarkable resilience. Even with ongoing economic uncertainty, we’re seeing strong investment interest from both new entrepreneurs and experienced operators looking for proven, stable models. What stands out most is the continued demand for essential, service-based concepts that support infrastructure and industrial sectors. These businesses keep things running regardless of economic conditions. Franchises that deliver real-world value, reliability, and support to other businesses are continuing to outperform.
PIRTEK operates in a highly specialized B2B space — what’s driving demand right now for essential service franchises like yours?
There’s a national focus on infrastructure, manufacturing, and logistics, which are all industries that depend on uptime and reliability. PIRTEK fills a critical need by helping companies minimize downtime through rapid, on-site hydraulic and industrial hose replacement. As industries modernize and supply chain efficiency becomes more vital, our services have never been more relevant. It’s a true example of how being essential translates into sustained growth.
You’ve talked about the rise of mobile-first franchising models. Why are those models gaining traction, especially in today’s economy?
Mobile-first models offer flexibility, lower overhead, and a faster path to market, all of which appeal to modern franchise owners. For PIRTEK, our mobile service vehicles allow franchisees to build strong B2B relationships right where customers operate, creating immediate trust and recurring business. This approach also provides a scalable entry point for new owners, who grow from mobile-only operations to full Service & Supply Centers as their customer base expands.
What makes multi-unit, multi-brand franchisees (MUMBOs) such a powerful force in franchising right now?
MUMBOs bring a high level of operational sophistication and business acumen to the table. They understand the value of diversification and recognize that essential service brands like PIRTEK add balance and stability to their portfolios. We’ve seen established franchise investors look to PIRTEK because of its predictable revenue, B2B customer base, and recession-resilient model.
How is PIRTEK supporting franchisees who are looking to expand into additional territories or brands?
We take a very hands-on, partnership-driven approach. Our team works closely with franchisees to identify expansion opportunities that align with their resources and long-term goals. PIRTEK also provides extensive operational, marketing, and technical support to make multi-unit growth achievable. Whether it’s scaling within their existing footprint or adding new locations, our goal is to ensure franchisees have the tools and guidance to succeed sustainably.
With inflation, labor challenges, and global supply chain pressures, what should prospective franchisees be thinking about before they invest?
Investors should be looking for business models that are resilient and in demand regardless of economic fluctuations. PIRTEK’s success has proven that essential services built around reliability and quick response can weather virtually any condition. Prospective franchisees should also consider the strength of the brand’s support system. From supply chain partnerships to training and field operations, the right kind of support can jumpstart an entrepreneurial venture. A well-supported, essential service concept will always have a competitive edge.
Looking ahead, what are your goals for PIRTEK and where do you see the greatest opportunity for growth?
Our focus remains on expanding strategically into markets while continuing to support the success of our existing franchisees. After surpassing 200 U.S. locations early in 2026, we’re building on that momentum with a strong development pipeline and increasing interest from both new and experienced operators. The greatest opportunity lies in continuing to grow our footprint with the right owners in the right markets, while strengthening our position as a leader in essential B2B service franchising.