THE SEALS Franchise

The Seals Franchising, LLC was formed in North Carolina in August 2019 and began offering franchises that year. The company joined EverSmith Brands in February 2025 and is headquartered in Orlando, Florida. Its business-to-business service model centers on the sale and installation of gaskets for refrigeration, freezer and oven doors, along with approved hardware and cutting-board products.

Customers include restaurants, supermarkets, convenience stores, hotels, colleges, schools, hospitals and other facilities that use commercial refrigeration. The service offering includes hot-side gaskets, door sweeps and closers, strip curtains and hardware repairs. Mechanical refrigeration repair is outside the franchise’s service scope. Owners develop relationships with the people responsible for kitchens and facilities while coordinating product ordering and installation.

Office, vehicle and ownership

The initial franchise fee for one territory is $49,000. The operation requires at least one suitable service vehicle and space for business administration and supplies. A home office is possible where permitted and consistent with the brand’s standards, with a commercial mailing address required. Most service products are ordered after a customer order is confirmed, while an owner may keep selected hinges and door closers in stock for immediate needs.

Initial training combines online modules with in-person instruction and practical field work. Owners learn installation safety, product identification, troubleshooting, equipment use, sales, customer relationships, accounting, logistics and business systems. Separate training paths address sales professionals and field staff. The owner and one additional person receive initial instruction without extra tuition, while travel, lodging, meals and employee expenses remain the franchisee’s responsibility.

Before opening, The Seals defines the territory, provides location guidance and office layout recommendations, identifies approved equipment and suppliers, and supplies its operations manual. Launch guidance covers inventory, service delivery, advertising and staffing. The required business software supports customer relationship management, financial reporting and general operations and carries a separate technology fee.

A company representative visits within 90 days after opening to assist with operations. Continuing training can address job costing, scheduling, employee management, equipment, sales and marketing. Owners also receive updated supplier information and access to additional courses and franchise meetings, some of which may be mandatory and carry charges. Day-to-day operations require full-time oversight by the owner or principal operator, or by a trained designated manager approved in writing.

The Seals offers a specialized commercial-service business with a defined customer need and product range. Selling and installing gaskets, door hardware and cutting boards gives an owner a focused way to work with restaurants and other facilities. Ordering most products after a confirmed customer order limits the need to carry every possible service component in stock.

The opportunity may suit someone who enjoys business-to-business sales, hands-on service coordination and developing ongoing account relationships. Training connects installation knowledge with sales and operating procedures, and the home-office option allows flexibility in the business’s administrative setup. The owner’s role remains active: building the local customer base, supervising personnel and maintaining consistent service standards.

Explore this model further in THE SEALS Franchise: Commercial Gasket Services and Owner Responsibilities.