Aaron Thompson Opens Up Kitchen Guard Brand He Sold
This story was first reported by Kitchen Guard’s PR team and featured in multiple industry outlets.
Aaron Thompson, a longtime Director of Franchise Development at EverSmith Brands, has taken the leap from sales executive to business owner. This month, he officially opened Kitchen Guard of Central Texas, the commercial kitchen exhaust cleaning franchise he helped expand from the ground up since 2024. His territory includes Waco, College Station, Georgetown, and Round Rock, Texas.
The move signals a unique evolution: Thompson helped bring Kitchen Guard to market and grew it into a nationwide brand with more than 110 territories awarded. Now he’s stepping directly into the ownership role—with firsthand confidence in the system he helped design and scale.
A Personal Turning Point
Thompson’s decision to become a franchisee wasn’t just a business calculation. It was rooted in something far more personal. In November 2024, a serious health scare forced him to confront questions of legacy and stability for his family—especially for his teenage daughter.
Coming out of that experience, he made a clear decision: to build something that could support his family even if he couldn’t be there to do it himself. Kitchen Guard offered both the right model and the right mission.
“The ultimate form of flattery is emulation,” he said. “I believe in Kitchen Guard that much.”
Early Momentum, Backed by Experience
In his first week of operations, Thompson’s Central Texas franchise closed more than $50,000 in new commercial contracts. While impressive, that result isn’t entirely surprising given his track record. In his role at EverSmith Brands, Thompson helped drive franchise development for both Kitchen Guard and MilliCare, collectively growing the brands to dozens of awarded territories.
He also knows the business from the inside. His work included collaborating on everything from launch strategy and operations to sales support and training. Now, those skills are being put to work on the ground.
A Model Built for Scale
Kitchen Guard is a commercial kitchen exhaust cleaning company focused on NFPA 96 compliance, recurring service programs, and digital customer transparency. It provides essential services to facilities like hospitals, restaurants, hotels, universities, and foodservice venues—anywhere kitchen hoods, ducts, and filters must be maintained for safety and regulation.
The Central Texas operation offers:
– Hood, duct, fan, and filter cleaning
– Fan Maintenance and equipment repair
– Fire safety inspections
– Documentation and digital reporting
It’s a business with recurring revenue potential and high compliance needs—a combination that makes it attractive to operationally minded leaders.
Trusted Brand, Proven System
Ken Hutcheson, CEO of EverSmith Brands, described Thompson as someone with a “servant heart and operational brain,” noting that his leadership and integrity made him a standout even before this transition.
“Aaron believes in the work, the systems, and the mission,” Hutcheson said. “He’s stepping into ownership not just because it’s a good business—but because he believes it matters.”
