COLLEGE H.U.N.K.S HAULING JUNK INVADE TAMPA BAY
National Company Headquartered In Tampa Expands Locally, Making Major Impact
TAMPA, Fla. (May 16, 2016) – National moving and junk removal company, College H.U.N.K.S Hauling Junk, is taking over Tampa Bay with three newly opened franchises. H.U.N.K.S. (Honest, Uniformed, Nice, Knowledgeable, Service), will now have five different offices and be available for service in multiple sectors of the greater Tampa Bay area. These areas include Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties, with offices opening in New Port Richey, South Tampa, Ybor City, St. Petersburg, and Plant City.
After moving the national headquarters to Tampa from Washington D.C. in 2008, Nick Friedman and Omar Soliman spent the following eight years focusing on national expansion. However, this year brought the focus back to Tampa, where the company opened multiple franchises throughout the area.
The Gleghorn family was the first to launch a franchise in the company’s corporate headquarters city. Bob Gleghorn, along with wife Cherryl and son Shannen, opened their franchise in late 2015. Gleghorn left his job as a general manager for Sam’s Club, a position he held for over 20 years, to go into business with his family and be part of the College H.U.N.K.S. team. The Gleghorn’s franchise services the North Tampa and New Port Richey areas.
“Leaving the corporate sector after 35 years to start our own business was a big transition, but College H.U.N.K.S made it easy,” said Bob Gleghorn. “What really cemented my decision to open a franchise was the opportunity to work with my son. It had always been in the plan for me, so when we saw the opportunity, we capitalized on it.”
Trent Lott, son of Plant City Mayor Rick Lott, worked part-time for H.U.N.K.S while he was a student at the University of Tampa, where he played on the university’s soccer team and studied entrepreneurship. Upon graduating, Lott decided to launch his own franchise and grossed $30,000 in April 2016 – his first month of business. Lott’s franchise services the areas of Brandon, Plant City, Lakeland and Apollo Beach.
Similarly, Brandan Underwood and Acey Ignacio – Plant High School Alumni – worked at the company as frontline employees, driving trucks and moving boxes. The two young men transitioned into management roles for two years before becoming franchise owners, and now service all of Pinellas County.
“Promoting from within the company, and having those same team members become franchise owners is so gratifying, and a living testament to our core value of building leaders,” said Nick Friedman, co-founder of College H.U.N.K.S Hauling Junk. “We want to be that company that parents read about, are inspired by our story, and then tell their kids about. We want to help our community grow.”
Friedman and Omar Soliman moved to Tampa eight years ago from Washington D.C., with the dream of becoming a national franchise powerhouse. Currently, the duo operate a 10,000 square-foot call center in Ybor City, and operate a moving and hauling location themselves on North Howard Avenue in South Tampa.
“After living together as bachelor roommates and fighting to stay afloat during the recession, it is amazing to see how much the company has grown to become a staple of the Tampa Bay area,” said Soliman, co-founder of College H.U.N.K.S Hauling Junk. “We can’t wait to see our new franchise locations thrive and service the area residents and business owners who need junk removed or moving help.”
Friedman and Soliman are very active in the community, and have participated in charity events such as Heart Walk, On Bikes, Paint Your Heart Out, Lung Association, and more. They are also active in business and entrepreneurial organizations, such as Young Presidents Organization of Florida and Entrepreneurs Organization of Tampa.
Since moving to Tampa in 2008, the two men have truly solidified themselves in the Tampa Bay community both personally and professionally. Soliman recently purchased a waterfront home off of Westshore, and Friedman is in the process of restoring a historic home on Bayshore Boulevard.
“The H.U.N.K.S. have both shores of Tampa covered, Westshore and Bayshore, to keep watch and ward off any pirate invasions,” joked Friedman.
College H.U.N.K.S Hauling Junk: Headquartered in Ybor City, College H.U.N.K.S Hauling Junk was launched in 2005 by Nick Friedman and Omar Soliman, and began franchising in 2008. The moving and junk removal company is now the fastest growing in the country, with more than 100 franchises and 1,000 employees nationwide. College H.U.N.K.S Hauling Junk has been featured in The New York Times, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, as well as on reality TV shows such as Shark Tank, The Millionaire Matchmaker, HGTV’s House Hunters, and more. For more information, visit www.collegehunkshaulingjunk.com, or call 1-888-689-5999.
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