Press Releases / March 1, 2022
BLUE ASH, Ohio (March 1, 2022) — Home repair and improvement company Handyman Connection is pleased to announce that the International Franchise Association (IFA) today named Nate Bruen-O’Brien of Handyman Connection of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, as Franchisee of the Year. Bruen-O’Brien was honored at IFA’s 62nd Annual Convention in San Diego, California, for being an outstanding franchise establishment owner-operator.
“Nate launched his Handyman Connection business in 2016 and has become one of the top franchisees in our system, as well as a respected leader in his community,” said Jeff Wall, President and CEO of Handyman Connection. “While he celebrated 33% sales growth in 2021, the numbers that meant the most to him were doubling his staff and retaining more team members than ever before. Outstanding recruitment and retention are no small feat in this current climate, and we are thrilled to see Nate honored for his commitment to his workforce.”
The Franchisee of the Year Award, sponsored by IFA’s partner Paychex, recognizes leading franchisees who exemplify at least one of IFA’s “Open for Opportunity” core pillars: Community, Workforce, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and Veterans.
“Franchisee of the Year Awards are the highest honors presented to individual franchisees,” said Matthew Haller, President and CEO of the International Franchise Association. “Local business owners like Nate represent some of the best entrepreneurs in the country, and we are proud to recognize his contributions to his community, employees and all those he serves.”
A large part of Bruen-O’Brien’s ongoing success is the positive culture he has built within his team of 20, which includes craftsmen, sales managers and office staff. Weekly meetings focus on career growth and training, helping employees hone the skills essential to success in today’s workforce. The results have propelled Handyman Connection of Eden Prairie to the top of the system, with Bruen-O’Brien winning Handyman Connection Franchisee of the Year in 2019 and the brand’s coveted Navigator Award for leadership in 2021.
Ranked as the #1 Handyman Company by Qualified Remodeler for the past 11 years, Handyman Connection operates more than 60 locations throughout 25 states and Canada. For more than three decades, the brand has offered homeowners across North America a complete resource for professional craftsmanship and exemplary customer service. Handyman Connection provides a variety of services ranging from traditional home repairs to painting, remodeling and more. Each local office is supported by a team of qualified craftspeople and is always seeking talented professionals to join them in helping customers improve their homes.
Since 1991, homeowners across North America have been calling on Handyman Connection for our professional craftsmanship and exemplary customer service. Each Handyman Connection franchise is locally owned and operated, backed by the company that helped launch the industry. Our values are steeped in a long-standing dedication to the people we serve, and truly differentiate Handyman Connection as a home repair company. For more information, call 1-800-88-HANDY or visit handymanconnection.com.
800-88-HANDY (42639) 
