WOW Windowboxes: A Unique Franchise Opportunity
Jill Abrahamsen February 5, 2025 6:00 am • Franchise Wire
This Turnkey Container Gardening Franchise Offers Eye-Catching, Seasonal Displays
Boosting curb appeal doesn’t just make a home look great — it’s a savvy investment. A 2023 survey by Zillow finds that 70% of homebuyers prioritize a home’s exterior, and homes with high curb appeal sell for up to 7% more. For homeowners looking to stand out, WOW Windowboxes offers an easy solution. This unique franchise opportunity brings charm and value to homes with beautiful, year-round custom windowboxes and no maintenance required.
Bret Schneider, CEO/President
The idea behind WOW Windowboxes sprouted from a simple need. “My mom wanted beautiful window boxes for our house,” says CEO/President Bret Schneider. “She went to a flower market in Cincinnati but found the boxes too expensive. To cover the cost, she started planting windowboxes for our neighbors.”
“Customers loved the windowboxes but found it hard to keep them watered, installed and looking good year-round,” Schneider explains. “That’s when we decided to create a full-service solution.” By offering custom-built, irrigated boxes with seasonal plantings, WOW Windowboxes solved these challenges and created a unique business opportunity in the process.
Schneider officially joined the business in 2009 and over the years, through trial and error, perfected the model. Franchising was the obvious next step. “Our branding was cohesive down to the letterhead, everything matched and our systems were well put together. People kept asking us if WOW Windowboxes was a franchise,” he says.
A Unique Franchise Opportunity
WOW Windowboxes delivers a truly hassle-free customer experience. Here’s what sets it apart:
Custom Design and Installation: The boxes are built from durable materials like AAC or Vipon, which don’t rot or warp. They’re painted to match the home’s trim and professionally installed.
Irrigation System: No more daily watering. The built-in irrigation system takes care of that.
Seasonal Plantings: Boxes are replanted four times a year, ensuring they’re never empty.
Proprietary Recipe Book: “We’ve developed a recipe book of 62 plant combinations tailored to different light and water conditions,” Schneider says. “Think of it like a McDonald’s value meal — plug-and-play perfection.”
The Business Model: Simple and Scalable
The WOW Windowboxes franchise model is built for simplicity and scalability. The business has low startup requirements, enabling franchisees to launch the business without hiring employees, renting space or investing in a large inventory right away. “When we started, it was just me and my mom working out of her garage,” he recalls.
Flexibility is another key feature of the model. Franchisees can choose to be hands-on owner-operators or hire a small team to manage daily tasks. Schneider credits community-driven marketing to growing the business. “We proudly support local events such as galas and auctions to give back to the community while also connecting with new people. Our branded trucks are an added bonus, helping us stay top of mind whenever they’re on the road.”
What truly sets WOW Windowboxes apart is its year-round business model. “People often think of landscaping as seasonal work,” Schneider points out. “But with our four-season approach, there’s never a time when the boxes are empty. It’s steady, predictable income for franchisees.”
A Typical Day
On any given day, franchisees (or team members) may visit local greenhouses to pick up fresh flowers for installations. “Then, you load them into your truck and get ready to bring window boxes to life,” Schneider says. Each custom-built, professionally painted box is designed to complement the customer’s home and comes equipped with an irrigation system for easy maintenance.
The installations focus on creating lush, eye-catching displays. “We want every windowbox to stand out from the moment it’s installed,” Schneider says. Franchisees also spend time meeting potential clients to provide estimates and discuss design ideas. “Building strong relationships is essential,” he adds. “We’re not just enhancing curb appeal; we’re creating a memorable customer experience.”
Community involvement plays a big role, too. Franchisees often attend local events to connect with residents and boost brand visibility. “Grassroots marketing has been incredibly effective for us,” Schneider notes. “Our trucks and installations catch the eye of people who didn’t even realize this service was available.”
Working with REP’M Group
From left to right: Jen Rieck, VP of Franchise Development at REP’M Group, Aaron Sawyer, Director of Franchise Development at REP’M Group, Bret Schneider, and Nick Sheehan, Founder/Managing partner of REP’M Group.
When WOW Windowboxes launched its franchise model in July 2024, Schneider sought expert guidance to ensure its success. They teamed up with REP’M Group, a franchise development firm that specializes in helping both emerging and established brands grow sustainably with services like strategic marketing support, operational guidance, real estate and construction project management and comprehensive franchise development solutions. “It was a natural fit,” says Schneider. “In fact, REP’M’s CEO and founder, Rob Cambruzzi, already knew the value of our concept — his mom has been a client of ours for over 10 years.”
Who Makes an Ideal Franchisee?
Schneider describes the ideal franchisee as hands-on and community-oriented. “You don’t need a background in flowers,” he says. “We can teach you everything about plants and installation. What’s important is having the drive, a willingness to learn and an interest in building relationships within your community.”
Schneider also says it’s important to get involved in the day-to-day operations. “Whether you’re an owner-operator or a manager, knowing the process inside and out is key to success. It’s not just about selling a product; it’s about delivering an experience that makes people say, ‘Wow!’
Visit the WOW Windowboxes website, for more information.
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Cincinnati home services company launches nationwide franchising
Bret Schneider is the president and CEO of Wow Windowboxes.
CORRIE SCHAFFELD | CBC8
By Lara Schwartz – Staff reporter, Cincinnati Business Courier
Jan 21, 2025
Bret Schneider is the president and CEO of WOW Windowboxes.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Wow Windowboxes plans to franchise nationwide through Wow Franchise Co.
Franchisees need about $150,000 to start, including territory costs.
Wow aims for 30 franchises in a year, 300 in five.
A Cincinnati-based home services company has announced plans to franchise across the country. Wow Windowboxes, a custom window box company, is launching Wow Franchise Co. to expand its services beyond the Ohio-Kentucky region.
Wow has been working with franchise development company Rep’M, which has been helping it develop its brand, ensure compliance in different territories and find candidates in the right markets for expansion.
Wow President Bret Schneider told me the company had considered growing organically by opening a branch in Louisville or Columbus, but ultimately decided to take the franchising route.
“I wanted somebody that would have vested interest in it,” Schneider said. “If they have some skin in the game, like an owner would, it feels like they might take it a little bit more seriously.”
Schneider said interested franchisees could get started with an investment of about $150,000, which includes the cost of the territory, a truck and technology fees.
Rep’M is screening qualified candidates and presenting them to Schneider and Wow, who will then make decisions based on whether the candidate is a fit for the company culture.
Schneider said he always thought Wow could be a national brand. Wow Windowboxes’ goal is to get 30 franchises up and running within the year, with each making about $1 million in sales. In five years, Wow hopes to have more than 300 territories.
Wow’s 2024 revenue in Cincinnati was about $4.5 million. Schneider said Wow’s revenue has consistently grown about 17% to 20% each year.
Schneider recently pitched Wow Franchise Co. to FranChoice, a Houston-based franchise consulting service for those considering franchise ownership, which could help connect Wow to potential franchisees. FranChoice solicits interest from potential franchisees. Schneider likened the franchising relationship to homebuying, where FranChoise would act akin to a buyer's agent and Rep'M a seller's agent.
So far, Wow has received interest from potential franchisees in Florida, Connecticut and Colorado, as well as 17 territory requests across the country.
With the creation of Wow Franchise Co., Wow is adding five new employees to its current team of 30 in Cincinnati. Wow will continue to add employees to support its franchising venture as franchises launch.
For the Person Who Has Everything But Time: WOW Windowboxes™ Debuts Holiday Gift Collection
For the Person Who Has Everything But Time: WOW Windowboxes™ Debuts Holiday Gift Collection
This holiday season, WOW Windowboxes is offering more than beautiful windowboxes – they're giving the gift of time and year-round beauty with their 2024 holiday gift collection.
"We're transforming gift-giving into something truly special – a year of stunning curb appeal without any work from the recipient," says Bret Schneider, President and CEO of WOW Windowboxes. "In today's busy world, giving someone professional designs, maintenance-free beauty, and guaranteed blooms all year long is the perfect way to show you care."
For holiday shoppers looking to make a lasting impression, WOW Windowboxes offers two signature transformation packages. The Be WOWed! Package features 6 feet of custom windowboxes, while the WOW Envy Package doubles the impact with 12 feet of custom windowboxes. Both packages include professional design consultation, installation, custom color matching, and four seasons of guaranteed blooms with maintenance-free care throughout 2025.
“We’re transforming gift-giving into something truly special – a year of stunning curb appeal without any work from the recipient.”
For homes with existing windowboxes or planters, gift cards starting at $250 provide access to WOW's award-winning designs and professional seasonal plantings. Each option includes the company's signature four-season bloom guarantee, ensuring professionally designed and maintained displays through Spring (March-April), Summer (May-August), Fall (September-October), and Winter (November-December).
The company's commitment to quality extends to their plant sourcing, partnering with local growers to ensure the highest quality blooms while supporting the local economy.
About WOW Windowboxes: Founded in 2007, WOW Windowboxes specializes in creating head-turning curb appeal through custom windowbox design, installation, and maintenance for residential and commercial properties throughout Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. The company's signature automatic irrigation system and four-season planting service have made them the go-to choice for homeowners who want their properties to stand out and be the envy of the neighborhood.
Orders must be placed by December 15th to ensure holiday delivery. For more information about WOW Windowboxes' holiday gift options, visit www.wowwindowboxes.com/gift-cards or call 513.402.2137.
Gift Card - $250
Professional seasonal planting
Award winning, expert designs
Valid for 2025 planting seasons
Includes expert WOW design and professional planting for your existing planters or windowboxes.
***Order by December 15th to ensure Holiday Delivery of WOW Gift Cards***