Eversmith Brands provides a big boost to quick franchise growth.
By Andrew Carlo
Kitchen Guard, the commercial kitchen exhaust cleaning franchise, revealed that it has grown to more than 100 franchise territories.
Since launching its franchise program about 14 months ago, Kitchen Guard has now awarded its 100th and 101st franchise territories to Ilyas Ahmed. The franchisee plans to operate in the Sacramento and Roseville, California markets. Kitchen Guard was founded in San Diego in 2009.
“It’s an incredible honor to be part of Kitchen Guard’s milestone,” said Ahmed. “I’m excited to serve the Sacramento and Roseville communities, helping local businesses enhance safety, compliance, and peace of mind.”
Kitchen Guard offers a comprehensive, full-service, professional business services model that addresses the regulated needs of restaurant owners and commercial kitchen operators. The brand said its rapid rise is fueled by a “proactive, compliance-first approach,” which offers complimentary fire safety inspections and thorough cleanings performed at standards established by the National Fire Protection Association.
“One of the most effective ways we build trust is by showing commercial kitchen operators what they don’t see—or didn’t know they needed to be seeing,” said David Wells, senior vice president of franchise development at Kitchen Guard. “Our 101st awarded territory is more than a number. It’s a celebration of our franchisees, team, and customers who made this possible through the shared vision of protecting their local restaurants and commercial kitchens from the devastating effects of kitchen fires.”
The brand also said customer-centric services like its fan maintenance program, are attracting new customers while ensuring long-term safety. A filter management program removes and replaces grease-laden filters on a regular schedule. By eliminating this messy, time-consuming task for internal staff, the company said it is alleviating common pain points while ensuring that systems are clean and compliant with NFPA 96 standards.
Tech upgrades introduced by Kitchen Guard allow customers to view service schedules, inspection reports, and before-and-after documentation through an online portal. The moves have boosted customer satisfaction, Kitchen Guard said.
“Our clients aren’t just buying a service, they’re investing in peace of mind from trained professionals who are committed to excellence and quality,” added Wells. “When you can show a kitchen manager the exact condition of their system, before and after, and then consistently execute without the pain or hassle, it builds an entirely different level of trust.”
More than 40 owners make up the Kitchen Guard’s 101 territories. The brand’s recent momentum was given a lift after it was purchased in 2013 by EverSmith Brands, a holding company owned by The Riverside Company. The latter is a global investment fund, which provides infrastructure, onboarding, marketing, and operational support needed to help grow the franchise.
“We are thrilled with the exponential growth and success of Kitchen Guard,” said Ken Hutcheson, CEO of EverSmith Brands. “Our investment has been a strategic move to support a company that is not only innovative but also deeply committed to safety, compliance, and customer experience. Kitchen Guard’s success reflects our shared values and the high-quality services we aim to deliver across all our brands.”
EverSmith Brands’ portfolio also includes U.S. Lawns, Prism Specialties, Millicare, Clintar, and THE SEALS.
For information about franchise opportunities with Kitchen Guard, visit kitchenguardfranchise.com.
