Justin DePasquale and Pete Huber, seasoned leaders with proven track records, have taken the reins at Maaco Longwood in Florida from former owner Elimu Kajunju, who still owns Maaco stores in Orlando and Ocala.
DePasquale, who also owns Maaco Fort Myers, is recognized for his community-driven initiatives and robust business acumen, which recently led to a 25% increase in sales at his Fort Myers location. That store also won the Southeast Regional Cup Award at Maaco's 2023 convention.
His commitment extends beyond business, with charitable efforts such as supporting local technical schools, providing relief in the wake of Hurricane Ian, and raising money for the Pace Center for Girls, a nonprofit providing academic classes, counseling and social services to middle and high school girls.
Pete Huber, transitioning from Maaco's regional director of operations to franchisee, brings more than two decades of franchising expertise. His focus on profit/loss management and team development has been instrumental in shaping successful multi-unit operations within the Maaco network.
“It fills me with great joy to see such camaraderie within our close-knit network of owners,” said Daryl Hurst, president of Maaco. “For over a decade, Pete has provided his franchising expertise to the Driven Brands family and this pivot further cements our belief in the brand and business model.”
