Storage Authority, which operates self-storage facilities in Connecticut and Florida, has launched a franchise opportunity that offers existing self-storage owners and those looking to enter the industry the chance to build a business under the brand’s operational framework. The company also offers consulting services and facility-manager training.
Storage Authority will provide franchisees with pre-opening training and ongoing support. Its “Dynamic Ease” system is manager-driven and based on practices used by self-storage real estate investment trusts, company officials said in a press release. Franchisees receive the company’s proprietary operations manual, placement in its national reservation system and a listing on the Storage Authority website. They are also provided with an individual facility website, including search engine optimization; Storage Pro management software; a customer-loyalty program; a customer-satisfaction guarantee; and national and local marketing support, according to the release.
“We believe [franchising] is the future of the self-storage industry,” company officials said in the release, citing similarities to the hotel and restaurant industries in which small operators leveraged franchising to cut costs and improve operating systems, as well as to increase reservations and brand recognition. “Now in 2015, the majority of successful hotels and restaurants in the U.S. are franchised, and we believe the self-storage industry is on the same path.”
Storage Authority was co-founded by Marc Goodin and Scott House. Goodin will serve as president and has extensive self-storage development experience. He designed his first storage facility more than 25 years ago and currently owns three locations. He’s a civil engineer and self-storage consultant who has written several books on development and facility operation.
House has more than 20 years of experience in franchise development and marketing. He has specialized in hotel franchising for most of his career and held several executive positions, including president of a national brand, according to the release.
