Tampa moving franchise firm with $1B sales goal names new CEO

College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving has hired a veteran of the disaster restoration business to lead its push toward $1 billion in sales across its franchise network.

Brad Cowan, former chief revenue officer at Paul Davis Restoration, officially took over as CEO of the Tampa-based junk removal, moving and general labor franchise on Monday, the company announced,

He’ll report to co-founders and co-chairs of College Hunks Nick Friedman and Omar Soliman, the release says. While Cowan will lead the company’s day-to-day business operations and growth strategy, the founders will continue to set the company’s long-term direction, serve as brand ambassadors and look for growth opportunities. 

College Hunks first announced its $1 billion systemwide sales goal in 2021, when the company brought in Susquehanna Private Capital and two former chairs of the International Franchise Association as minority investors. The two founders kept majority ownership and control, that announcement says. In June, College Hunks reported more than $290 million in annual sales across its network. 

Cowan brings more than 30 years of experience in building and leading large-scale service operations, the announcement says, holding multiple leadership positions at both Paul Davis Restoration and vehicle rental giant Enterprise Holdings. 

"Building College HUNKS into a billion-dollar brand has always been about more than just growing the business. It's about creating opportunities for people, helping our franchise partners build successful businesses and making an impact in the communities we serve," co-founder Friedman says in the release. "As we've grown, we've recognized the importance of bringing in experienced leadership to help us take the company to its next level.”

The new hire also expands some job titles for existing leadership at College Hunks, the release says. Company president Roman Cowan, not related to the new CEO, will now add CFO role to his title, the release says. Senior Vice President of Operations Dan Whalen will step into the COO role, the release says, while George Spowart will remain chief marketing officer. 

College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving got its start in the summer of 2003, when Friedman and Soliman started hauling junk in a cargo van the two borrowed from Soliman’s mother. They launched the business in Washington, D.C., in 2005, began franchising in 2007 and moved its headquarters to Tampa in 2008, the company’s website says. Now, College Hunks has a network of nearly 200 franchises across the U.S. and Canada, offering residential and commercial moves, junk removal, donation pickups and labor services. 

According to its 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document, College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving reported about $31.7 million in revenue for fiscal year 2025. That’s down from $35.2 million the previous year. That's a drop of 9.9%.