2025 was a landmark year for ohDEER. This year, ohDEER reached meaningful milestones from welcoming new franchisees and expanding into new states, to strengthening the corporate leadership team and amplifying the brand’s voice nationwide.
This year was not just a year of momentum, it was a year of intentional progress. Here’s a look back at the successes that defined ohDEER in 2025.
One of the most impactful moments of the year was ohDEER’s Annual Event, held in Boston. Franchise owners from across the system gathered with the corporate team for a few days of connection, collaboration, and forward-looking conversations.
More than a traditional conference, the event reinforced what makes ohDEER different: a culture built on trust, transparency, and shared success. Franchisees exchanged insights from the field, celebrated wins together, and aligned on the brand’s vision for the future.
In 2025, ohDEER proudly welcomed five new franchise locations, led by seven new franchisees, into the system.
Each new owner joined with a shared belief in ohDEER’s mission and a desire to build a business that prioritizes family safety, environmental responsibility, and community connection. These franchisees brought diverse professional backgrounds and strong local market knowledge, strengthening the overall network and reinforcing the scalability of the ohDEER model.
Growth in 2025 wasn’t limited to new states, it also included continued investment within established markets. In Massachusetts, ohDEER welcomed Stephen Casello as the franchise owner of ohDEER Westford-Nashua, expanding the brand’s presence in a region where the model has already proven successful. After more than 21 years in the corporate business world, Steve made the decision to apply his experience to business ownership with a brand he already knew and trusted, having been a loyal ohDEER customer for over five years. As a lifelong New England resident and dog owner with a family that prioritizes time outdoors, Steve understands firsthand the importance of safe, effective, all-natural pest control.
This combination of new-market expansion and intentional growth within existing markets reflects strong validation from current franchise owners, a compelling and proven franchise offering, and a development strategy focused on finding the right partners, not just rapid expansion.
One of the most significant milestones of 2025 was ohDEER’s expansion into three new states: Ohio, Missouri, and Texas, marking a major step forward in the brand’s national growth.
ohDEER’s expansion into Ohio was a landmark moment for the brand, not just geographically, but culturally. The launch of ohDEER Northwest Columbus marked the company’s official entry into the Midwest, a key strategic region with strong demand for All-Natural Deer, Tick, and Mosquito Control. What made this milestone even more significant was the introduction of Jeri and Sarah Lucco as ohDEER’s first female franchisees, bringing fresh energy, perspective, and leadership to the growing franchise system.
This expansion goes beyond opening a new territory, it represents growth in diversity and leadership within the ohDEER franchise community. As co-founder and president Colleen Upham noted, empowering female entrepreneurs strengthens the brand and underscores the company’s commitment to fostering inclusive ownership opportunities in an industry traditionally dominated by male ownership.
In Missouri, ohDEER strategically expanded its footprint with the launch of ohDEER West County St. Louis, owned by Rob and Rachel Jenkins. This expansion is part of ohDEER’s broader growth into the Midwest, a region where homeowners have long struggled with persistent deer damage and increasingly seek effective, chemical-free alternatives.
The success of the Missouri location also paved the way for further expansion within the state. Less than a year after launching ohDEER West County St. Louis, the franchise owners were able to grow into an additional territory with the opening of ohDEER St. Charles, illustrating the scalability and strong local demand for ohDEER’s All-Natural services.
ohDEER also entered the Lone Star State in 2025, launching its first Texas franchise and introducing the brand to an entirely new market. This expansion demonstrated ohDEER’s confidence in its systems, training, and support infrastructure to succeed well beyond its original Northeastern footprint.
The Texas territory is owned and operated by Jef Fair, whose background and values made him a natural fit for the ohDEER brand. After spending 17 years building a successful career at The Orvis Co., Jef pursued franchise ownership as a way to apply his customer-first mindset while delivering an in-demand service to his local community. His professional experience shaped an approach rooted in quality, trust, and long-term customer relationships.
As a homeowner with a passion for landscaping, Jef understands firsthand the frustration of seeing carefully nurtured plants damaged by deer. He also knows how quickly mosquitoes can disrupt time spent outdoors, and the health risks ticks and mosquitoes pose to families. As a parent of two, Jef and his wife, Whitney, are committed to avoiding harsh chemicals at home, choosing natural solutions whenever possible. That personal commitment strongly aligned with ohDEER’s all-natural philosophy.
In 2025, ohDEER expanded into another new state with the launch of ohDEER Northern Idaho, welcoming franchise owners Karen and Austin.
Based in Moscow, Idaho, Austin and Karen share a strong connection to outdoor living and were drawn to ohDEER’s All-Natural approach to managing deer, tick, and mosquito challenges. As owners, they’re excited to help families across Northern Idaho safely enjoy their yards and outdoor spaces, protecting kids, pets, and the environment.
ohDEER welcomed Sarah West to the Franchise Development team in a part-time role. Sarah brings extensive franchising experience and a genuine passion for ohDEER’s All-Natural mission. She works closely with our Senior Director of Operations, Todd, to support system growth and operational alignment, adding another thoughtful layer of support for both franchisees and the development team. A proud dog mom to two pups, Sarah is a natural fit for ohDEER’s pet-loving, purpose-driven culture.
Together, this leadership team reflects ohDEER’s continued commitment to growing responsibly, sustainably, and with franchisee success at the forefront.
Throughout 2025, ohDEER maintained a strong presence within both the franchising and pest control industries.
Our franchise development team of Todd Lamson, Jereme Shelton, Bryan Vohsing and Leah Pinkes attended multiple franchise development events throughout the year, engaging with prospective owners and industry peers.
Notably, both Todd and Jereme spoke at the Let’s Grow! Franchise event, positioning ohDEER as a brand actively contributing to thought leadership in the franchising space.
Additionally, ohDEER Founder Kurt Upham and Director of Marketing Bryan Vohsing attended PestWorld, staying closely connected to trends, innovations, and regulatory conversations within the pest control industry. Their involvement ensures that ohDEER continues to evolve while staying true to its All-Natural approach.
In 2025, ohDEER reached a new level of digital visibility when a single educational Instagram reel, sharing a simple tick prevention tip, surpassed 7 million views on the corporate account.
This milestone reinforced the power of leading with education rather than promotion. By providing homeowners with practical, easy-to-understand information, ohDEER continues to position itself as a trusted authority in tick awareness and outdoor safety. The success of this reel also demonstrated how authentic, value-driven content can significantly amplify brand reach and awareness nationwide.
Another strong indicator of ohDEER’s long-term stability and franchisee satisfaction is the renewal of existing franchise agreements, a powerful signal that owners continue to believe in the brand, the model, and the support system that underpins success.
In 2025, ohDEER celebrated multi-year renewals with Jay and Derek Lodi, owners of ohDEER Southeastern Massachusetts and ohDEER Northern Rhode Island, and Jeff Plant, owner of ohDEER Central Massachusetts. These renewals reinforce not only individual owner confidence but also the strength of the overall ohDEER franchise system and the scalability of the ohDEER franchise opportunity.
These renewals are more than contractual milestones, they are proof that the ohDEER franchise experience delivers sustainable success and long-lasting satisfaction for owners who invest in the brand and its mission.
Community involvement remained a cornerstone of ohDEER’s identity in 2025. Year two of the ohDEER Coat Drive was a resounding success, with franchisees across the system collecting winter coats for families in need.
The initiative showcased how local franchise owners can make a tangible difference in their communities while strengthening relationships and brand trust. The coat drive continues to exemplify ohDEER’s belief that being a local business means showing up beyond service calls.
To support thoughtful growth, ohDEER invested in professionally filmed franchise development videos with Carli Showmaker in 2025.
These videos capture authentic franchisee stories, leadership insights, and the culture that defines the ohDEER experience. By focusing on real people and real journeys, the videos help prospective franchisees better understand what it truly means to be part of the ohDEER network.
The successes of 2025 were not isolated moments, they were the result of years of intention, collaboration, and commitment to doing business the right way. With expanded leadership, new franchise partners, entry into new states, and a growing national voice, ohDEER is well-positioned for continued growth in the years ahead.
Most importantly, the brand remains rooted in its mission: helping families, pets, and communities enjoy more time outside, safely and naturally.
