Interview with a Kitchen Tune-Up Tunie - Andy & Laura Leigh Mathis

Marty Ceranec, long-time Kitchen Tune-Up franchise owner, kindly contributes to our national newsletter and our blog. He calls these an “Interview with a Tunie, By a Tunie.”

This interview is with Andy & Laura Leigh Mathis.

Andy & Laura Leigh Mathis are located in Gatesville, TX.  They jumped on board last July and have owned their Sears Hometown Store since November 2011.  They bring a lot of business experience to their franchise. We welcome them to the Kitchen Tune-Up family!

Q. You already have a business.  What prompted you to acquire another one?

A. After running the Sears store for a couple of years, I swore I’d never buy another business, but I was intrigued. Heidi had put together a video for the Sears system explaining Kitchen Tune-Up.  I thought this would be a good fit and in a couple months we were in Training School and opened our business on August 1, 2014.

Q. Had you talked to other Sears / Kitchen Tune-Up franchise owners?

A. We chatted with maybe four or five owners, but Laura Leigh had a long conversation with Judy Fowler in Idaho and that really got us going.  We never really contacted any Kitchen Tune-Up owners because I was pretty familiar with franchise systems in general.

Q. How has it been integrating the two businesses?

A. It has not been too difficult.  I have a somewhat lean but experienced crew at the store and have had them for a while, so it’s freed me up to spend most of my time doing Kitchen Tune-Up.  Laura Leigh does the marketing and paperwork, which allows me to do the sales calls and project management.

Q. Has there been much serendipity between the two businesses?

A. We’ve actually had business go both ways.  Some customers bought appliances and we have then ended up doing KTU work at their house, and others who had work done have then purchased appliances from us.

Q. How did you enjoy Aberdeen, South Dakota, and Training School?

A. I have been in many training sessions over the years and Kitchen Tune-Up was definitely one of the best. Plus they have been so very friendly and helpful over this past year.

Q. Are you long-time Texans?

A. Yes, as a matter of fact. Laura Leigh and I attended the same small high school together (class of a long time ago).  We ended up running into each other several years back and just got married last June.

Q. How do you prefer your barbecue brisket, pulled pork, or ribs?

A. You forgot about barbecue chicken and sausage.  Those are our five food groups and don’t forget Shiner beer.