A Commitment to Batteries Plus So Deep, This Franchisee Made It Permanent

For Mike Marques, franchising was never a foreign concept. His parents built a conglomerate owning multiple Auntie Anne’s locations, but ownership wasn’t initially a part of his plan. 

Mike spent the beginning of his career in Texas working for a large general contractor, climbing the ranks to Senior Project Manager. He enjoyed his work and was comfortable there, but his parents always encouraged him to look into franchising. 

Eventually, he did. After looking outside the food industry, his interest sharpened. When he spoke with the Batteries Plus leadership team, his confidence grew. 

Matching Ink, Matching Commitment 

Like his parents before him, Mike didn’t go into ownership alone. He and his wife, Arianna, built their businesses together. Arianna runs the majority of the back office, while Mike is, in his own words, head delivery boy. 

The two have found their rhythm as a team, and Mike is quick to point out how much he admires his wife in their new professional setting. “It’s cool to see her grow in this role, especially since it’s a predominantly male industry,” he said. 

Four years into their franchising journey, the Marques’ store surpassed $1 million in sales, and they were honored at the annual Sales Achievement Conference in 2026. They’re grateful for the ongoing support of the entire Batteries Plus team, as it’s the kind of franchisor relationship that feels less transactional and more like an extension of the family business model Mike grew up around.

To seal the deal on how proud they are to be in this business, the couple got matching Batteries Plus logo tattoos!

Multi-Unit Ownership Pays Off 

As multi-unit Batteries Plus franchisees, they’ve found that operating more than one location does more than grow revenue; it doubles how they can show up for customers. 

“We had one sales associate who was able to sell a golf cart lithium battery, even though they didn’t have it on hand in that store, because our other store did have it,” Mike said. 

That kind of cross-store inventory flexibility is one of the quieter advantages of multi-unit ownership. A customer’s needs can be met no matter the on-hand inventory. 

Mike has also been leaning into the commercial side of the business, an area he’ll readily admit isn’t his natural strength. But with Austin, TX, booming in the tech sector and companies moving into the region, he saw the opportunity and made a point to close the gap.

“Luckily our Franchise Sales Trainer taught me more of the back-end stuff, so we can really capitalize on the growth that Austin is seeing with all the tech companies coming in,” he said.

Lessons Learned From the Franchise Floor

Mike is candid about the effort franchising takes. His advice to prospective franchisees: “You have to go in with all the tools you have and give it your all.”

In other words, you don’t need decades of battery expertise, and you don’t need to have grown up in a franchising family the way he did. You do need to bring the skills you already have and commit fully to using them.

He credits the brand’s resources for making the ramp-up smoother, but says mindset matters just as much as materials. “You have to see the value for yourself,” he said, in addition to the training and support available from day one.

The biggest surprise for Mike was the strength of the commercial side of the business. He now encourages prospective franchisees to dig into the Commercial First program early, calling it a major differentiator and a real boost for getting a new business off the ground.

Are you ready to take the next step? Reach out to our franchise development team today!

FAQ

Q: What are the benefits of owning multiple Batteries Plus locations? 

A: Multi-unit owners can share inventory across stores to meet customer needs even when a specific product isn’t on-hand at the nearest location. They’re also better positioned to capture commercial growth across broader territories. 

Q: Does Batteries Plus support franchisees before their store opens?

A: Yes. Through its Commercial First program, new franchise owners can begin building commercial relationships with hospitals, schools, municipalities, and local businesses before their retail location officially opens. 

Q: How can I get started with Batteries Plus? 

A: The franchise development team will guide you through the discovery process, including training, territory planning, and store launch support.