College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving, a home‑grown Tampa franchise network that began in 2003, announced this week that Brad Cowan will serve as its chief executive officer. The move comes as founders Nick Friedman and Omar Soliman transition from day‑to‑day operations to board‑level oversight while the company sets its sights on a $1 billion annual sales goal.
Founders’ vision and new leadership
Friedman and Soliman started the business with a borrowed van, offering college students a way to earn money by hauling unwanted items for neighbors in the Washington, D.C., area. After expanding to a full‑time operation in 2005 and launching a franchise program two years later, the duo moved headquarters to Tampa in 2008, citing the city’s welcoming environment for young entrepreneurs.
“Omar and I are great visionaries, but we’re not necessarily great managers of process and execution at this scale,” Friedman said. “Brad brings experience running multi‑billion‑dollar service companies, and we believe his background will help us accelerate growth.”
Why Brad Cowan?
Cowan’s résumé includes senior roles at Enterprise Rent‑A‑Car and Paul Davis Restoration, a national disaster‑recovery firm. Both moving and restoration involve mobile crews, unpredictable job sites, and customers under stress—experience Friedman says aligns well with College HUNKS’ service model.
“We felt like somebody who’s seen what $2 billion looks like, someone who understands this complex service model, could be a valuable addition,” Friedman explained.
Challenges and strategic adjustments
The moving industry has faced headwinds in recent years. High mortgage rates and a slowdown in home sales reduced demand for relocations, leading College HUNKS to report a roughly 4 percent decline in total franchise sales—about $10 million—between 2024 and 2025.
In response, the company deliberately slowed new franchise openings. The 2026 franchise disclosure document shows 159 franchised locations at the end of 2025, down from 202 at the close of 2023. Some larger operators have absorbed smaller neighboring franchises, allowing the brand to focus on strengthening existing sites.
“We have now fewer locations but healthier locations,” Friedman noted, emphasizing quality over quantity.
Growth ambitions
Despite the recent dip, the network still generates close to $300 million in annual sales. Friedman believes that with Cowan’s leadership, the company can expand to roughly 300 locations and increase average revenue per unit, reaching the $1 billion target within three years.
To diversify revenue, College HUNKS is exploring longer‑distance moves, military relocations, and contracts with large corporations that need multi‑city hauling services.
Local impact and future outlook
The company remains committed to the Tampa area. It has returned to a hybrid office schedule and is prioritizing local hires or candidates willing to relocate. Cowan recently purchased a home in Tampa for use during the workweek, underscoring his personal investment in the community.
Friedman and Soliman will stay on as co‑chairmen of the board, guiding strategic direction while delegating daily decisions to Cowan and his team. Friedman described the transition as both a relief and an opportunity to recapture the excitement they felt when the business first launched.
“There’s a tendency sometimes to get bored or complacent,” Friedman said. “Now I feel we’re as energetic as ever because of what we see as possible for this brand to achieve.”
Original reporting: St. Pete Catalyst — read the source article.
