FRANCHISE NEWSLETTER APRIL 2025
In This Issue:
P1. South Atlanta Grand Opening
P1. Portable Financing
P2. Out in the Field
P3/4. Featured Franchise – Tampa Bay
P5. Austin Nascar Event
P6. Summerfest 2025 Information
P6. Welcome Mike Llanez
A grand day in south atlanta
On March 27th, we celebrated the Grand Opening of Generator Supercenter of South Atlanta with our incredible new Franchisees, Fred and Jody McClellan! Located in the heart of Peachtree City, GA, this milestone event was nothing short of spectacular!
The energy was electric as community members, local leaders, and representatives from the Chambers of Commerce gathered to witness the official ribbon-cutting ceremony. Adding to the excitement, members of our corporate team were on-site to cheer on Fred and Jody as they launched their journey.
With an already outstanding team in place, the McClellans are set to make a powerful impact, and we cannot wait to see their success unfold! Congratulations to GSC of South Atlanta this is just the beginning.
Exciting update
In case you missed the email blast: Synchrony Financing Is Now Available For Generac Open Frame Portables With Install!
GSC is excited to announce that Synchrony Financing is now offering solutions exclusively featuring Generac open frame portable generators that are hard wired into a consumer’s home Over the last quarter we’ve been working with Generac and Synchrony to help make this happen. This will allow more consumers to have a back up solution if they cannot go with a home standby due to finances or other reasons while still taking advantage of the flexible financing options we are already familiar with on the Synchrony rate card.
Qualifying Terms:
• Can only be used with Generac open frame portables (Open frame are those units generally with wheels, no cover or enclosure around the unit, and generally used today for storm business with wattage 6000 watt and higher)
• Must be incorporated with a hard wire installation using a transfer switch
• Same Synchrony process and rate card as today when utilizing for a home standby generator
• No cash and carry allowed
This is a great opportunity to provide customers with more options while ensuring safe and reliable backup power solutions. If you have any questions, please reach out to your GSC Territory Manager.
Field Team: Your Partners in Growth, Support, and Success
As theGeneratorSupercenter Franchisenetwork continuestoexpand, so do our efforts to provide direct support and guidance. Our Field Team is actively traveling across their respective regions, working alongside your teams to drive ongoing success.
Jeremy Blank and Mike Grosz visited Generator Supercenter of Denver in our Mid-West Region where they took part in an installation and provided guidance on best practices while out in the field. Jeremy also accompanied Sales Representative, Mark Slizowski, to an InHome Consultation (IHC) Additionally, Mike and Jeremy met with Franchise Owner, Derrick Stevens to review daily operations and discuss opportunities for optimization.
Jeremy also traveled to GSC of Indianapolis to meet with owner, Brad Bennett. On the first day, he worked closely with Brad to review staffing models and financial strategies. The following day, he attended a home show alongside team members, Jared Surber and Scott Arehart, reinforcing GSC of Indianapolis’s community presence and outreach efforts.
Mike Grosz and Nate Fern stopped by GSC of Midland, in our MidSouth Region, for a visit with Brad and Jeanette Swift. In true GSC family fashion, they were greeted with a home-made welcome sign.
Additionally, Nate attended a builders luncheon with J Utley, owner of Generator Supercenter of Weatherford. The luncheon was hosted by Victor Rios, Generac’s Account Manager for the Builder Division. This event was attended by numerous Hood County builders and provided a valuable opportunity to strengthen GSC of Weatherford’s presence in their builder market
IntheNortheast,EricColamarinoconductedasitevisitwithGenerator Supercenter of Northern Virginia. He had an in depth meeting with theirVP,SteveMonaghan, toaddressoperationalchallengesandalso joined the service team on field visits, offering hands-on support to technicians.
We remain committed to supporting our franchise network and ensuring every location has the tools and expertise needed for continued success.
Featured Franchise: Generator supercenter of tampa bay
Generator Supercenter of Tampa Bay is proudly owned by Greg Whitworth. Given his impressive background, which includes executive corporate leadership, a law degree, and service to our country as a Military Policeman in the Army, we knew Greg would be a great Franchisee from the start. He operates GSC of Tampa Bay alongside his General Manager, Gabe Dunlap. Over the past five years, Greg and Gabe have built a thriving and highly successful business. This month, for the first time, we take a closer look at the life of a GSC General Manager. Gabe, a Seattle native (about as far from Tampa as you can get in the U.S.), had never heard of Generac or the concept of whole-home generators beforemeetingGreg.ReadontolearnmoreaboutGabe’s journey and how he became an integral part of GSC Tampa Bay.
Q. Tell us a about your Generator Supercenter Journey. I found out about Generator Supercenter at Lunch with Greg one day while on vacation in Florida and chose to move across the country for the opportunity to start/ run a business under his leadership. I started out as GM and have been involved from the very beginning. Here is the email that started it all:
“Hi Greg,
Thanks again for taking the time to show me around town. I fully expected lunch with you to be the highlight of my trip but as it turns out gator hunting in the back rivers of Florida’s suburbs takes the cake.
I’m looking to bridge the gap between being a productive employee and being a respectable owner. I’m seeking mentorship from you because a positive business role model is something I don’t have yet. A strong work ethic and common sense has served as a great foundation and I’m eager to build off it.
I would like to come down and watch how you run a business and I’m willing to work in partial trade for some of your time. I’m not exactly sure how it would work but if you are interested I would like to discuss possible opportunities with you.
I'm attaching a picture of my current progress at AAA Fire Protection. My initials are GD
Hopefully your McLaren sells soon! It’s Facebook famous in Washington.
I will call you later this afternoon.
Gabe”
We planned on being open in mid 2019 but due to contractor delays and COVID we did not officially open our doors until May 2020. We started with one vehicle and a sales office in Greg’s condo I was living in. Commuting to work was as easy as walking downstairs. Today, the operation has grown to 46 FTE’s and over 20 trucks.
Q. How often do you recommend a GM should sit down and touch base on what is going on and the statuses of the departments with an Owner? That is hard to say and may vary business to business, but for us, we make sure to touch base everyday.
Q. What is one important thing you make sure is done every day to make sure GSC of Tampa is on top of the game?
We make sure our customers are always responded to. A core value here is “The customer is not always right but they are always served.” It can be challenging to respond the same day to a late in the afternoon escalation voicemail or a lengthy email however it is critical to maintaining a high review score. Most of our negative reviews could have been solved with communication. From my experience, customers use Google Reviews as a last means of communication when they feel they have not been properly responded to.
(continued)
Q. What are the 3 most important leadership skills necessary to be a successful General Manager of a Generator Supercenter? I would like to choose just one and expand. Problem solving! It is needed everywhere in our business. Customer concerns, employee conflicts, damaged freight, etc... It is a full-time job. I believe a good problem-solving GM can insulate the Owner from a major portion of the stress that comes with a B2C business. We have all heard this one a time or two… “I want to talk to the Owner… ”
Q. What advice would you give to an employee who aspires to become a GM someday, for any company, not only Generator Supercenter. Study a few people who are GMs. Figure out what skills are need and self-evaluate. Understand The Peter Principle and the importance of continuing education.
Q. Do you have any “words of wisdom,” tips, or lessons learned you would like to share with other franchises?
Eliminate as many single points of failure in your business as possible and think ahead. We knew we were going to be growing so we made sure to add two electrical license holders and two gas license holders to our payroll so we would not fall behind.
Q. What is your favorite memory from your times spent with fellow GSC family members?
A favorite memory without a doubt is the day Hurricane Milton made landfall in Tampa. Mark Perry and Mark Compass from the San Antonio Store drove to Tampa Bay a day before to help us get throughthestorm.Theyhunkerddownwithus as Milton slammed into our city. We used their Starlink, fuel, parts, and supplies to help to get by.
Leaving your own business to help another is unbleavable! Driving into the direct path of a major hurricane to help another is who Mark Perry is. I am forever greatful.
A day later Mike Grosz and his team (Cayden, Cameron, Lane) came to help us. Mike Grosz drove solo straight from Houston to Tampa (1000 miles) getting in around 11pm and met us at a service call to help us do a stator swap in the middle of the night.
This was a brilliant testament to GSC’s unwavering commitment to its mission. When a Franchise was in need, a fellow Franchisee and the Franchisor came together seamlessly— proving that GSC is more than just a business, it’s a family. You simply don’t see this level of unity and support in other franchise systems. It was an incredible experience that deepened my trust and belief in the GSC brand.
GSC of Austin, TX Participates in a local NASCAR Event
Generator Supercenter of Austin recently had the exciting opportunity to participate in a community meet-and-greet event featuring NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Alex Labbé. Hosted by our neighboring business, the event brought together racing fans, local families, and industry professionals for a day of fun, food, and networking.
Guests enjoyed delicious burgers and hot dogs, playedgames, andenjoyedgreatmusic all while getting a firsthand look at Alex Labbé’s NASCAR ride. Our team set up a booth to engage with the crowd, offering prizes, exclusive event coupons, and expert advice on home standby generators.
Beyond the fun and excitement, our main goal was to strengthen our presence in the Austin community. We connected with homeowners and forged valuable relationships with homebuilders, designers, and architects—key partners in helping more people protect their homes with reliable backup power.
This event was a fantastic way to introduce Generator Supercenter of Austin to new customers and industry leaders alike, and we look forward to building on these connections in the future!
THERE’S AN APP FOR THAT
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CompanyCodeisneededtodownload: generatorsupercenter
Summerfest 2025
It's almost Summertime and Summerfest with Generac is just around the corner!
Generator Supercenter Corporate would like to invite your location to join us in Wisconsin for Summerfest the week of June 18. This is a great chance to continue building relationships with your GSC Family and Generac, tour a Generac factory, and listen to a wide range of musicians at Summerfest.
Timeline of Events:
• June 18 - Fly in and dinner with the team
• June 19 - Golf or Generac factory tour followed by Lunch and the Summerfest Concert.**Notegolfislimitedandfirst come/firstserve.**
• June 20 - Fly out
We have a limited number of spots available this year and need to know who will be able to attend as soon as possible. The registration deadline is May 2; please let us know by then if you are abletojoin. Theentertainmentwillbeprovidedby Generac, you will need to cover your own travel and hotel expenses. We will be setting up a room block and will get the details to you as soon as possible. For more information, please click the link below:
https://www.summerfest.com/
GSC Field Team Expands: Mike Llanez Joins as New Mid-South Field Representative
The GSC Field Team remains dedicated to supporting, guiding, and fostering growth for Franchisees every step of the way. In line with this commitment, we are excited to welcome Mike Llanez as the newest Field Representative for the Mid-South Region.
Mike has been an integral part of the team in Tomball for many years, bringing with him a wealth of experience and industry knowledge. His expertise will be a valuable asset to franchisees in the region as they continue to build and strengthen their businesses.
With this addition, GSC reaffirms its mission to provide hands-on support and leadership, ensuring every franchisee has the tools and guidance needed for success.
Q-1 Call posted in library
In case you missed the teams calls, or would like to look at the presentation again: The recording and the deck from the Q1 Update Meeting are in the Franconnect Library.
Access ➡ library ➡ gsc meeting presentations
