Tint World’s founder and CEO on crossing $100 million in store revenue, earning national recognition, strengthening leadership, and why the franchise opportunity has never been stronger


I didn’t start out as a franchisor. I started as a franchisee, building my own stores from the ground up and learning the hard way what it takes to survive without a blueprint. That perspective shaped Tint World® from the first shop I opened in South Florida in 1982 through our launch into franchising in 2007, and it still does. Looking back on the past year, I’m proud that our growth has come with a stronger foundation underneath it, not just more pins on the map.

A Milestone Year by the Numbers

2025 was the most significant year in our company’s history. Our system crossed $100 million in store revenue for the first time. We signed 39 franchise agreements, opened 10 new stores, including our first in New Mexico, and entered 2026 with 56 stores in active development. Today, we have roughly 150 locations open and more than 250 open or in development across the United States, Canada, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, with a long-term target of 600 locations in North America.

That momentum has carried into this year, with new territories sold in Portland, Oregon; Boston; Woodbury, New Jersey; Indiana; and Florida. Our 2026 goal is to award 85 new franchises and open more than 50 locations, with a focus on markets including Los Angeles, Phoenix, Denver, Chicago, New York, and Atlanta.

Recognition That Reflects the Whole System

This year, Tint World was named to the 2026 Inc. 5000, the ranking of America’s fastest-growing private companies, with 40% three-year revenue growth, earning No. 18 in the Automotive category. Entrepreneur ranked us No. 1 in the Window Tinting category of its 2026 Franchise 500®, our 13th consecutive year on the list, as we climbed 24 spots to No. 206 overall. We also earned a place among Entrepreneur’s Top Global Franchises of 2026 at No. 197, a list of only 200 brands that gives extra weight to international growth.

Some of the recognition that means the most to me has gone to our franchisees. This year, Alex and Myriam Guerrero of Tint World El Paso were named a Franchisee of the Year by the International Franchise Association. Alex is a 28-year U.S. Army veteran who came to us with no automotive background, and together they’ve built a business that’s become a trusted part of their community.

Building the Backbone Before We Need It

Rankings reward results, but results come from decisions made a year or two earlier. The time to build out support is before growth outpaces it.

In 2025, we secured a strategic investment from Susquehanna Growth Equity, the first institutional capital in our history. SGE shares our long-term mindset and brings deep experience in automotive and franchise services, and its investment is going directly into operational support and franchise development.

We’ve put the same discipline into our leadership team. Jonathan Norman, a former multi-unit franchisee and our Chief Investment Officer, was promoted to President. We added Christy Johnson, a Papa John’s and Yum! Brands veteran, as Chief Marketing Officer; Eric Taylor as Chief Development Officer; Craig Martin as Vice President of Finance; Kevin Murray as VP of Real Estate & Construction; and Victoria Coia as Director of Business Development. Each role answers a question that every growing system has to get right, from where to open to how to keep the numbers clean.

Technology and training follow the same logic. Our online booking platform helps owners capture leads without relying on phone calls, and expanded financing, from in-store programs to buy now, pay later, makes it easier for customers to say yes. Partnerships with XPEL and Oracle Lighting give owners premium products, and new owners complete a three-week training program, now in partnership with XPEL in San Antonio.

Why This Is the Right Moment

The industry tailwinds are real. Drivers are keeping their vehicles longer, turning window tint, paint protection film, ceramic coatings, and electronics from splurges into practical ways to protect one of their biggest purchases. The global automotive accessories market is projected to grow from $443.5 billion in 2026 to $530 billion in 2035.

A single Tint World location can serve car enthusiasts, commuters, homeowners, businesses, and boat owners, creating repeat business and reducing reliance on any one specific service. And there’s more than one way in: single-unit and multi-unit ownership, an International Master License for qualified investors outside the U.S., and a store conversion program that gives independent automotive shop owners a brand-backed path to scale. No automotive experience is required, and our team supports owners from site selection and construction through grand opening and beyond.

What I Look For

People often ask what makes a great Tint World franchisee. My answer hasn’t changed: heart, hustle, and a desire to build leaders, not just run a shop. My job is to help them get to success faster than it took me.

We’ve earned a lot of recognition this year, and I’m grateful for it. But I’ll measure 2026 the same way I measure every year: by whether our owners are better positioned to succeed than they were 12 months ago. By that standard, we’re just getting started.