Overview:
This case study examines the growth and success of a GoliathTech franchise in Indianapolis. The franchise specializes in helical pile (helical pier) installations for residential and commercial applications. By providing a fast, reliable, and turnkey foundation solution, the business has flourished, addressing challenges such as soil conditions and foundation stability that traditional concrete often struggles to handle.
Initial Attraction and Expectations:
The franchise owners were initially drawn to GoliathTech due to the burdensome logistics of concrete foundation installations. Before becoming a GoliathTech Franchise, they were heavily involved in the manufactured housing industry, which required extensive concrete work. The time-consuming nature of finding local suppliers, dealing with inspections, and managing site logistics was becoming unmanageable.
The allure of buying a construction franchise with GoliathTech lay in its ability to offer a portable, quick-to-install foundation solution using helical piles / helical piers.
These piles could be installed on the same day, cutting down project times and reducing logistical headaches. The owners initially had modest expectations but were eager to explore GoliathTech’s innovative business strategies and technology.
Business Growth:
Since joining GoliathTech, the Indianapolis franchise has nearly doubled in size. This has shifted their business focus towards foundation and helical pile installations, a niche market with high demand.
Today, about 65-70% of their work is centered around manufactured home foundations, while the remaining 30-35% involves residential and commercial applications. The commercial side of the business has seen significant growth, with structural engineers designing helical piles into larger construction projects. Repeat customers and engineers are a testament to the franchise’s growing reputation.
Residential and Commercial Balance:
The business serves both residential and commercial markets, with about 60% of the work coming from commercial projects and 40% from residential. The commercial demand is largely driven by larger construction projects where foundation stability is crucial. On the residential side, they handle many types of installations like docks and new deck foundations or deck repairs, where foundation issues or soft soil are common.
The franchise’s reputation as the only local company specializing in helical piles gives them a competitive edge, particularly in commercial projects. Residential customers often find them through Google (Ads and SEO), seeking solutions for foundation issues where traditional concrete methods might fail.
Challenges and GoliathTech Support:
One notable challenge was a project involving a tieback for a large basement wall. The franchise was uncertain how to tie the piles back to the wall, but GoliathTech’s engineering team provided solutions based on their prior experience. This allowed the franchise to adapt an existing solution to their specific project, ensuring success.
In terms of training and support, the franchise received fast and informative assistance from GoliathTech whenever they had questions. Direct communication with GoliathTech’s support team has been a key factor in the franchise’s success, allowing them to quickly resolve challenges and maintain project timelines.
Marketing and Competition:
The franchise’s marketing efforts, particularly through Google Ads and SEO, have been highly successful. GoliathTech's approach of having a national marketing fund ensures a continuous advertising budget, helping the franchise maintain visibility without having to make difficult budgetary decisions between equipment and marketing.
In their local market, the franchise faces little direct competition in the helical pile industry. The biggest competitor remains traditional concrete foundations, but GoliathTech’s helical piles offer a faster, turnkey solution that appeals to time-sensitive customers.
Work-Life Balance:
For the franchise owners, transitioning to GoliathTech has had both personal and professional impacts. One owner, who left a Fortune 500 company to join the franchise, enjoys the hands-on nature of the work, though it comes with more time away from home. He says he would never go back and loves the freedom and the outdoors. The other owner, a small business operator for over 20 years, finds the work manageable, with a flexible schedule that allows for both family time and business success.
Advice for Prospective Franchise Owners:
The owners recommend that anyone considering a GoliathTech franchise should visit several existing franchise locations to understand the equipment, manpower, and operational needs. Meeting other franchise owners has been invaluable in learning new strategies and seeing different approaches to running a GoliathTech franchise. (View some of GoliathTech’s success stories)
They emphasize that success requires perseverance, especially as growth in certain sectors can be slow but steady. However, they believe the rewards are worth the effort, particularly in a niche market with strong demand for helical pile installations.
Conclusion:
The Indianapolis GoliathTech franchise has experienced significant growth by focusing on niche foundation solutions for residential and commercial projects. Their ability to provide a fast, turnkey solution sets them apart from competitors, while GoliathTech’s support and innovative product offerings have helped them overcome challenges. With strong demand the future looks bright for this franchise, which continues to expand its reach in the local market.
About GoliathTech
GoliathTech is the most important manufacturer and installer in the helical (screw) pile industry and a top-ranking franchisor. Always at the forefront of our industry, we constantly innovate to realize our mission and vision of offering the highest quality products and services to customers around the globe.
If you have an entrepreneurial spirit and want to take control of your own growth potential, GoliathTech may be the perfect fit for you. With available markets all over the world, opportunity for growth and expansion knows no bounds.
Our successful franchise model comes with many benefits—the process of becoming a franchisee is simple and low-cost with all the training and support needed. There is no profit limit nor royalty fees, and you’ll benefit from a proven business model that’s guided by experts who want to see you succeed. Join us and together, we’ll break new ground! Ready to get started?