First Franchisee in Brand History Recognized for Leadership, Business Performance, and Role in Shaping the System’s Future

RICHARDSON, Texas, Sept. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Service Experts, one of the nation’s leading residential HVAC service companies, announced today that Trey Thomas-Piazza, the company’s first-ever franchisee, has been named a 2026 Franchisee of the Year by the International Franchise Association (IFA). The prestigious recognition comes as Thomas-Piazza continues to lead the Tulsa market while playing a broader role in helping shape the future of Service Experts’ franchise system.

Thomas-Piazza’s path to franchise ownership is closely tied to the evolution of Service Experts itself. After spending years with the company in leadership roles spanning maintenance, installation, and operations, Thomas-Piazza ultimately became General Manager of the Tulsa market. When Service Experts launched its franchise program in 2025 after more than three decades as a primarily corporate-owned business, he saw an opportunity to take a market he knew inside and out and invest in its future as a franchise owner.

As the company’s first franchisee, Thomas-Piazza became the first to put the Service Experts franchise model into practice. His transition from corporate leader to franchise owner provided Service Experts with an early opportunity to test, refine, and strengthen its franchise infrastructure while maintaining continuity for employees, customers, and vendor partners.

“Trey helped show us what this model could look like in action,” said Nick Ridgway, Vice President of Franchise Development for Service Experts. “He understood the business, the people, and the systems better than almost anyone, and he took a tremendous amount of personal and professional trust in making that transition. What he has done since then has helped set the standard for the franchisees who have followed.”

The IFA’s Franchisee of the Year awards recognize franchise owners who demonstrate excellence in business, contribute to their communities, create opportunities for others and support their fellow franchisees. Nominated by their franchise brands, recipients represent IFA member companies across industries and communities throughout the country. Thomas-Piazza will be recognized at the IFA26 Advocacy Summit in Washington, D.C., Sept. 14-16.

“Franchisees of the Year demonstrate what franchising is all about – individuals who have committed their lives and careers to the betterment of those around them, building something bigger than themselves,” said Matt Haller, President and CEO of the International Franchise Association. “Through their leadership, they create jobs and build careers, give back to their communities, and support other franchisees, all while exemplifying the entrepreneurial spirit at the heart of franchising. We are proud to recognize Trey with IFA’s highest honor for individual franchisees and celebrate his commitment to making a difference both within his business and beyond.”

Thomas-Piazza’s recognition comes at an important point in Service Experts’ franchise expansion. Within its first year of franchising, the company has expanded to five franchisees with 16 territories across the network, bringing its decades of operational experience, established brand infrastructure, and national resources to entrepreneurs looking to build businesses in the essential residential HVAC industry.

Service Experts continues to seek qualified entrepreneurs interested in building businesses within the residential HVAC industry with the support of an established national platform. To learn more about franchising opportunities with Service Experts, visit www.serviceexperts.com/franchising.

ABOUT SERVICE EXPERTS:
Founded in 1996 and headquartered in Richardson, Texas, Service Experts is one of the largest residential HVAC service providers in the United States. The company operates a nationwide network of locally operated service centers delivering heating, cooling, plumbing and electrical solutions. For nearly three decades, Service Experts has combined deep local expertise with the scale and resources of a national organization to provide proactive, reliable home system care proven by its average rating of 4.9 out of five stars on Google across hundreds of thousands of reviews. Learn more at ServiceExperts.com or follow Service Experts on Facebook and LinkedIn.

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SOURCE Service Experts LLC