The Franchisee Excellence Award 2026 honors outstanding franchise owners across the country who demonstrate exceptional leadership, operational excellence, brand alignment, and meaningful community impact.
This year, we are proud to celebrate Jeri Lucco and her daughter, Sarah Lucco, owners of ohDEER Northwest Columbus, as recipients of the Franchisee Excellence Award 2026 from Franchise Business Review.
Their recognition is more than an award. It is a powerful franchise success story, a milestone for a growing woman-owned franchise, and a defining moment for ohDEER’s expanding Ohio franchise opportunity. In less than one full operating season, Jeri and Sarah have built a business that exemplifies what this prestigious pest control franchise award represents.
The Franchisee Excellence Award 2026, presented by Franchise Business Review, highlights franchise owners who rise above performance benchmarks to demonstrate:
Unlike revenue-based recognitions alone, this pest control franchise award reflects a well-rounded evaluation of franchisee performance and alignment. For Jeri and Sarah to earn the Franchisee Excellence Award 2026 in their first season is a testament to their preparation, adaptability, and leadership in a brand-new market.
In early 2025, Jeri and Sarah launched ohDEER Northwest Columbus, introducing the brand’s first Ohio franchise opportunity.
They were not stepping into an established region with brand awareness or existing customers. They were building from scratch by educating homeowners about all-natural deer, tick, and mosquito control while establishing operational systems and local credibility.
Launching the first location in a new state requires:
As the first ohDEER location in Ohio and the first woman-owned franchise in the system, they understood they were setting the tone for future expansion in the state. Their rapid traction and thoughtful growth strategy positioned them as standouts, ultimately earning them the Franchisee Excellence Award 2026.
Jeri and Sarah are proud to lead the first woman-owned franchise within the ohDEER system.
When asked what set ohDEER apart during their research process, Jeri shared:
“The kindness, warmth, and heart of the franchise team and the passion of the founder. We appreciated their sense of humor, openness, and authenticity.”
That emotional connection mattered. At one point in the Discovery process, Sarah made a comment that sealed the decision:
“I feel sad when I think of not talking about ohDEER or to ohDEER people.”
For Jeri, who has a background in franchise consulting, that moment confirmed alignment. She had evaluated many franchise systems. ohDEER stood out not just for its business model, but for its culture. This alignment between personal values and operational structure often defines strong franchise success stories.
Launching a successful Ohio franchise opportunity requires preparation.
Jeri and Sarah embraced every phase of onboarding:
They entered their first season prepared, but realistic. As Jeri explains:
“No matter how prepared you are or how amazing the training is, you will always be learning. You MUST be open to hearing how others have done it, absorb it, and not be afraid to fine-tune it to have it be authentic for YOU.”
That mindset of being flexible, coachable and collaborative, is exactly what the Franchisee Excellence Award 2026 is designed to recognize.
One of the defining elements of their early success was community integration. Without a large existing customer base, Jeri and Sarah focused on relationship-building.
During ohDEER’s annual Coat Drive, they expanded the initiative beyond customers by:
Their creative approach dramatically increased participation and brand visibility. Rather than relying solely on paid advertising, they built awareness through generosity and local involvement. Community members encountered the ohDEER name in meaningful, positive contexts.
They also:
This scrappy, relationship-driven strategy helped establish their brand quickly and contributed to earning this national pest control franchise award.
Jeri and Sarah’s success is also rooted in complementary leadership.
Jeri brings:
Sarah brings:
As a mother-daughter ownership team, communication is central. They intentionally divide responsibilities while maintaining alignment. Their ability to balance strategy and service excellence is a defining element of this franchise success story and a key reason they were selected for the Franchisee Excellence Award 2026.
For those exploring an Ohio franchise opportunity, Jeri offers practical insight:
“Be flexible with your plans. The weather can redirect everything on your calendar very quickly.”
Seasonal pest control businesses require adaptability. She also emphasizes leveraging the franchise system:
“Don’t be shy about reaching out for help from the founder, the corporate franchise team, or the other franchisees. Having people around you in the company as a resource is SO helpful.”
Collaboration is essential. The strongest franchise systems thrive when owners communicate openly and support one another. Perhaps most importantly:
“You MUST maintain a sense of humor and recognize that each challenge will get resolved. And do not be afraid to ask for help.”
While the Franchisee Excellence Award 2026 celebrates Jeri and Sarah individually, it also reflects the strength of the ohDEER franchise model.
Founded by Kurt and Colleen Upham, ohDEER has redefined pest control by offering:
Operating within the growing pest control industry, ohDEER combines environmental responsibility with operational scalability. In 2025, ohDEER ranked highly in Franchise Business Review’s franchisee satisfaction surveys and national award lists. Recognition like the Franchisee Excellence Award 2026 reinforces that when aligned owners join a supportive system, meaningful growth follows.
Receiving the Franchisee Excellence Award 2026 in their first operating year makes Jeri and Sarah’s story especially powerful.
Launching a new brand in a new state. Leading as a woman-owned franchise. Building credibility through community engagement. Scaling thoughtfully and collaboratively. That is what defines a modern franchise success story.
Their journey demonstrates what is possible within the ohDEER system and within the broader pest control industry.
If you are interested in a purpose-driven business in the growing pest control sector, ohDEER offers a compelling Ohio franchise opportunity and expansion opportunities in other markets.
Franchise owners receive:
The Franchisee Excellence Award 2026 earned by Jeri and Sarah Lucco is proof that strong leadership, system support, and community commitment can accelerate success, even in a brand-new market.
We are proud to celebrate them as recipients of the Franchisee Excellence Award 2026 and even prouder to have them as part of the ohDEER herd! If you are interesting in joining the ohDEER herd and open a location in your area, please reach out!
