Franchise of the Year: Sears Garage Doors & Openers

The beauty of franchising is the combination of a well-known brand with the personal connection of local ownership. Sears has been a trusted name in retail and service for over 100 years, and for over 16 years Barry Brownstone has been the face of Sears Garage Doors in the northern suburbs. His commitment to quality service has laid the foundation for a family business now moving into its second generation. 

Like many entrepreneurs, Barry’s path to becoming a franchise owner took a number of twists and turns. His career has included stints in education, sales, warehouse management, and restaurant ownership. Looking for a new opportunity in 2008, he was researching franchises when an advertisement for Sears Garage Doors caught his attention.  

“I liked the Sears franchise model and have always enjoyed working with people,” recalls Barry. He initially negotiated a territory extending from Chicago’s Fullerton Avenue north through the Cook and Lake County suburbs. Over time, he expanded his service area to cover all of Chicagoland and beyond. He employs technicians living throughout his territory to help make service prompt and accessible. 

Barry’s company provides a variety of services: repairing garage doors, replacing garage doors and openers, resurfacing garage floors, and replacing and installing new entry doors, storm doors, patio doors, and garage door screens. In 2024, he added a second Sears franchise for professional cleaning of air ducts and dryer vents. His businesses have made over 100,000 service calls over the years. 

Innovation and technology play a major role in supporting customer service. Clients are sent confirmation messages with a photo of the team member before an appointment, billing is entirely paperless, and customers have one-touch access to a feedback platform. Services like these have helped drive over 3,900 Google reviews with a 4.9 Rating.  

At the same time, the personal relationships of the Brownstone family contribute to the business’s solid growth. Barry is a great believer in the power of networking, noting that “Not a day goes by when I don’t get a business call” from a networking connection. A Glenview native, Barry and his wife Joan have lived in the community for 43 years. Their son Michael is now a partner in the family Sears business and also participates in Northbrook Chamber events. (Their other son, Steve, is a fellow entrepreneur and Chamber member with his label printing company M&R Label.) 

A longtime NCCI member with an outlook toward the future, Sears Garage Doors & Openers is a model for franchise success and a deserving recipient of the Franchise of the Year Award.