EverLine Coatings and Services is the first franchise company to bring sophistication to the underdeveloped, highly fragmented line striping and pavement maintenance industry as a full-service provider, positioning itself as the premier choice for parking lot maintenance.
Since its founding in 2012, the company has seen significant growth with 44 territories in Canada and 235 open and operating in the U.S., with 115 territories currently in development. EverLine provides a much-needed solution for property owners and managers across North America looking for a professional, credible, communicative, and quality-focused line striping and pavement maintenance service provider.
Logan Ossenfort, owner-operator of EverLine Coatings Fort Collins, was born and raised in Rapid City, South Dakota. The desire to own and operate his own business started young. It was that desire that put him on the path to study finance and accounting at Montana State University (MSU). After graduating from MSU, Logan spent two years working at a corporate business in his hometown in South Dakota. In late 2022, Logan decided to move to Fort Collins, Colorado, where he opened his EverLine Coatings business in June 2023.
Franchise Chatter (FC): At just 26, you’re a young entrepreneur in an industry that many might not immediately associate with Gen Z. What drew you to pavement maintenance, and what has your experience been like so far?
Logan Ossenfort (LO): I chose to pursue the pavement maintenance industry because it was unique. Not many people would think of line striping and pavement maintenance as a profitable business opportunity, so I knew this would limit competition in the industry.
Thankfully, the mechanical skills I acquired while growing up have really benefited me during the learning process and accelerated the learning curve for me. I grew up racing motocross, riding snowmobiles, mowing lawns for extra money, cutting and selling firewood, running skid steers and working construction and landscaping jobs during college summer breaks, so the mechanical and industrious nature of the business came naturally to me.
I knew if I could bring certain “new school” techniques and technology to an “old school” business model, it would give me an edge on the competition and EverLine has a great platform to do just that.
FC: Many people don’t immediately think about parking lot maintenance as a crucial business investment. Why do you believe it’s so important for local businesses?
LO: Ultimately, every parking lot has a finite lifespan before it erodes, crumbles and needs to be replaced, whether that’s in 10 years or 30 years. Replacing a parking lot can be a massive expenditure for the property owner but with proper pavement maintenance techniques and product knowledge, the overall lifespan of a parking lot can be doubled or even tripled.
Owners can realize extensive cost savings over the lifetime of their parking lot by prolonging the inevitable replacement of the asphalt through proper maintenance. Proper maintenance and upkeep also keep the lot looking fresh, clean and more inviting, which contributes to a better experience for anyone walking into that business.
FC: How do services like line striping, asphalt repair and pavement maintenance contribute to a business’s curb appeal, safety and overall customer experience?
LO: The condition of a business’s parking lot can have a significant impact on its customers’ experience or even an employee’s work environment. A “well kept” facility with a smooth, clean, jet-black parking lot, with no cracks or tripping hazards, and properly marked parking stalls, will positively contribute to the overall experience of any business.
On the other end of the spectrum, a lot with cracked and oxidized pavement, full of dirt and debris, potholes everywhere and invisible parking stall lines is going to be an inconvenience to the client and not leave a great impression. To me, if a business is neglecting their parking lot, there is a stronger possibility that the business is neglecting other things as well. I’m a big believer in the saying “how you do anything is how you do everything”.
FC: As a Gen Z entrepreneur, what unique perspectives or approaches do you bring to running a business?
LO: When you’re working with a business model that leverages human capital to perform its services, your employees need great leadership. I try to lead by example every day from the bottom up, whether that’s shoveling asphalt or painting lines with my guys. This inspires my employees rather than just telling them what to do. A level of respect is established between my employees and I when hard work, knowledge and relatability are demonstrated between us. I like to lead employees through inspiration rather than demands from the top down.
FC: What advice would you give to other young professionals considering franchise ownership?
LO: Get a few years of work experience at any legitimate business. Pay attention to how the business is run, the leadership dynamic and put yourself in the owner’s shoes from time to time. Learn how to operate the business’s computer systems, CRMs, sales pipelines, marketing pipelines, etc. Pay attention to the bottlenecks and how these issues are resolved through the chain of command.
I personally spent two years as an insurance agent. The insurance industry is completely different from the pavement maintenance industry, but the professional habits and mentorship I received in just two short years have really played an important role in my success so far as an entrepreneur. Take a legitimate day job before you take the entrepreneurial leap of faith. You have to start somewhere!
FC: Where do you see your EverLine Coatings franchise in the next five years? Any plans for expansion?
LO: In the next five years, I would like to see EverLine Fort Collins dominating our local market through great relationships with clients and by delivering the best quality of work in Northern Colorado. I would like to expand our services into epoxy flooring, athletic court surfacing and possibly even tackling select commercial paving jobs in-house. Most importantly, I’d like to put together a group of 3-4 like-minded, key employees to build a great culture within our franchise location.
FC: How do you plan to continue making an impact in the Fort Collins community?
LO: Currently, I enjoy mentoring younger employees that work with us seasonally. I enjoy sharing perspectives and offering advice based on my experiences at their age. In the future, I would like to keep searching for ways to be more involved in the Fort Collins community.
