Kitchen Tune-Up

Kitchen Tune Up serves homeowners who want to improve an outdated or inefficient kitchen without the cost and disruption of a full replacement. David and Cindy Haglund founded the company in April 1988 in Aberdeen, South Dakota, after David’s cabinet store had operated since 1977. During the mid 1980s recession, David created a checklist of services intended to make kitchens “look and run like new” without replacing every cabinet, naming the concept a “Kitchen Tune Up.” The company began franchising in 1988. As of 2024, the brand had 274 franchised locations across the USA, with operations throughout North America, including the United States and Canada, and no company owned units. Its services center on kitchen remodeling and cabinet refacing. The residential remodeling market was estimated at $527.36 billion in 2023. Kitchen Tune Up has appeared on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 list for 34 consecutive years.

The U.S. residential remodeling market was valued at $527.36 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 4.6% from 2024 through 2030. Broader home improvement spending is expected to reach $600 billion by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.5%. Total home spending has risen 51% since 2019, and the average homeowner spent $13,667 on projects last year. The combined kitchen and bath market is expected to reach $235 billion in 2025. Kitchens account for $116 billion, including $66 billion in kitchen remodeling. That figure compares with $11 billion spent on kitchen remodeling in 1995. More than half of American homes are over 20 years old, and the average home is 40 years old. Sixty one percent of American homeowners choose to remodel rather than buy another home, influenced by higher home prices, limited inventory and existing home equity. Remote work has increased demand for comfort, functionality and home office areas. California’s per capita personal income rose from $64,174 in 2019 to $77,036 in 2022. Lumber and many building materials reached their lowest costs since before 2020 in 2025. In 2023, 43% of kitchen remodeling projects were do it yourself projects, while 34% of homeowners hired professionals.

The initial franchise fee is $19,950, and the initial territory fee is $60,000. Together, some sources report an upfront fee of $79,950. Qualified veterans receive a 15% discount on the initial franchise fee. Total initial investment is estimated at $129,930 to $188,850. Listed expenses include $1,750 to $3,000 for travel and living during training, $500 to $3,000 for office or workspace costs, $7,000 to $30,000 for a vehicle, and $30 to $500 for credit card processing technology. Tools and office supplies cost $1,000 to $3,000, while other opening costs are $2,000 to $3,500. Lead Safe Certification costs $300 to $500, and contractor licenses and bonds cost $150 to $1,500. Auto insurance is $1,000 to $3,000, commercial general liability insurance is $500 to $2,400, and professional fees are $750 to $3,500. Initial marketing for the first three months is estimated at $15,000 to $25,000. Additional funds for preopening expenses and the first three months are $20,000 to $30,000. Liquid capital requirements range from $81,930 to $100,000, with other sources citing a minimum of $50,000. The minimum net worth requirement is $150,000 to $200,000. Ongoing royalties range from 4% to 7% of gross revenue. Some sources describe the royalty as a fixed 7.0%. Kitchen Tune Up offers up to $48,000 in financing for qualified candidates through its own financing option. Home Franchise Concepts, a subsidiary of JM Family Enterprises, Inc., provides the corporate ownership structure.

Franchisees typically manage sales consultations, oversee kitchen remodeling and cabinet refacing projects, and maintain customer relationships. Services are positioned as solutions for any budget, from the “One Day Tune Up” to full kitchen remodels. Owners can operate from a home based, low overhead setup or choose a retail location. Franchisee Phillip Morrison has emphasized hiring people with a customer service mindset because the technical work can be taught, while a positive attitude is essential. Training begins with a 4 week online pretraining course. It continues with 14 day Kitchen Tune Up Certification Training that combines virtual instruction and hands on work at the Home Franchise Concepts Experience Center in Dallas, Texas. The center includes a one bedroom home for practicing sales calls and measuring, as well as classrooms. A 12 week post training Action Plan with Accountability follows. Each new franchisee receives support from a Launch Team for the first 3 to 7 months. Continuing assistance includes business coaching, two private podcast channels, weekly and monthly live webinars, and support from a Regional Operations Manager. An assigned Operations Manager helps owners scale and grow. The Home Office supplies national and local marketing guidance, along with flyers, advertisements, letters, presentations and social media images. Franchisees receive proprietary software, business operations manuals, hiring and onboarding assistance, and national group buying access for products and tools. Territory rights are based on ZIP codes and initial territories. Multi unit requirements are not explicitly stated, although the network’s expansion may create opportunities for multi unit ownership. The model can suit an owner operator, particularly during the launch period.

The brand grew from more than 170 franchise locations in 2015, after 30% growth in the preceding year, to more than 210 franchised locations by 2020, before its acquisition by Home Franchise Concepts. The network operates across North America, including the United States and Canada. Recognition includes 34 consecutive years on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 list, plus Franchise Business Review awards for Top 200 Franchise in 2026, Top Culture in 2025 and Most Innovative in 2023. Corporate reports cite over 50% year over year revenue growth for four consecutive years and expected record systemwide growth in 2023. The kitchen remodeling market is projected to reach $66 billion in 2025, compared with $11 billion in 1995. The company is also exploring tools and technologies intended to improve franchise owner processes and individual growth.

Kitchen Tune Up grew from more than 170 franchise locations in 2015, following 30% growth in the prior year, to more than 210 franchised locations in 2020. Heidi Morrissey remained Brand President and leads the “Tuniverse” for Kitchen Tune Up and sister brand Bath Tune Up. In January 2023, the brand introduced a new logo and the tagline “Update. Upgrade. Uplift.” The company is developing more retail locations across North America and added eight team members and new roles at the Home Office during the past three years. It has ranked on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 list for 34 consecutive years and received Franchise Business Review awards for Top 200 Franchise in 2026, Top Culture in 2025 and Most Innovative in 2023. Differentiators include the reconditioning service for wood restoration and the “One Day Tune Up,” which offer alternatives to full kitchen replacement. The company’s history, national recognition, training, proprietary software, group buying access and corporate support add to the operating platform. The company is exploring tools and technologies to improve franchise owner processes as the home improvement market is projected to reach $600 billion by 2028.

A suitable franchisee should bring strong customer service skills, an interest in client satisfaction and an entrepreneurial mindset. The training system includes a 4 week online pretraining course, 14 day virtual and hands on certification training at the HFC Experience Center, and a 12 week post training Action Plan. Prior contracting or remodeling experience is not expressly required, while coachability and commitment to the operating model are useful qualities. Candidates should have liquid capital of $81,930 to $100,000, or at least $50,000 according to other sources, and net worth of $150,000 to $200,000. The brand’s growth to 274 franchised locations and expansion into new markets may provide opportunities for multi unit ownership, although multi unit expectations are not stated. Available territories continue to expand, with emphasis on new markets. The South is currently the largest U.S. region, with 122 locations across 40 states. Territory protection is based on ZIP codes and initial territories. The opening process includes the training program and support from a Launch Team for the first 3 to 7 months. The franchise agreement term and renewal terms are not specified. Transfer and resale provisions would generally be addressed in the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Kitchen Tune Up operates in a residential remodeling market valued at $527.36 billion in 2023 and projected to grow at a 4.6% compound annual growth rate through 2030. Demand is supported by an aging housing stock with an average age of 40 years, the preference of 61% of homeowners for remodeling rather than relocating, and continued interest in home functionality related to remote work. Founded in 1988, the brand had 274 franchised locations across North America as of 2024. The “One Day Tune Up” and reconditioning services give customers alternatives to full replacement. The home based option, training, ongoing support and national group buying access are part of the franchise model. Buyers should review the investment requirements, territory terms, operating model and available financial information as part of their due diligence. PeerSense provides franchise research, including SBA lending history, Loan Activity Score, location maps with Google ratings, FDD financial data and comparison tools. PeerSense is a commercial capital advisory firm that introduces franchise buyers to SBA and conventional lenders and is not a lender.