When Lori Morgan purchased a Kitchen Tune-Up franchise in 1994, she and her husband were ready for a change. After her husband was laid off for the second time, they decided they were done letting others control their future. With no safety net — and three young children at home — they invested in themselves, choosing a franchise that blended their shared accounting backgrounds with their love for woodworking.
“It was do or die,” Lori recalls. “We didn’t have a second income, so the business had to work.” She handled bookkeeping while raising the children, and her husband managed both sales and the hands-on work. In that first year, through long days and relentless determination, they turned a profit — a milestone that confirmed they were on the right path.
Over the years, the business evolved alongside the franchise. Kitchen Tune-Up grew from a wood care company into a full-service kitchen remodeling brand, offering everything from cabinet refacing to custom cabinetry, painting, and “redooring.” The Morgans embraced these changes, always focused on meeting each customer’s needs rather than pushing a single product. Their flexibility and customer-first mindset became the hallmark of their reputation.
In 2018, their son Chad joined the business as Operations Manager. Having spent years in hotel management, Chad brought leadership, marketing skills, and a fresh vision. “Hospitality taught me how to run a business and take care of people,” he says. With his influence, the business expanded its offerings, took on more ambitious projects, and experienced significant growth — earning the title of Kitchen Tune-Up Franchise of the Year in 2020.
Working together wasn’t without challenges, but both Lori and Chad say it’s strengthened their relationship. At work, Chad calls her “Lori” instead of “Mom” to keep boundaries clear. They credit their success to mutual respect, honest communication, and a clear division of roles — Lori managing operations and finances, Chad leading marketing and project vision. “Whoever has the most passion or conviction about an idea usually wins the debate,” Chad says with a smile.
Their shared purpose is simple but powerful: serve people well. It’s a philosophy that extends beyond clients to their employees and community. Lori says she often thinks, “What would I want my child’s employer to do?” and then applies that same care to her team. This service mindset is why so many client stories stick with them — like the elderly couple upgrading their kitchen as a final gift from husband to wife, or the woman who wanted her kitchen redone before her terminally ill husband passed away. For the Morgans, these moments are reminders that they’re not just remodeling kitchens — they’re impacting lives.
Design trends come and go, but in Colorado Springs, the Morgans see a consistent love for neutral tones, natural woods, and styles that bring the outdoors in. White kitchens remain popular but are often warmed with wood accents, while gray tones have softened. Their ability to balance trend-awareness with timeless design keeps their work fresh and appealing.
Looking back, Lori says her biggest lesson was to invest in people sooner. “We wore too many hats for too long,” she admits. “Hiring earlier would have helped us grow faster.” Chad’s advice to his younger self? Be willing to say yes more often — and don’t be afraid to take calculated risks.
Now, as Lori looks toward retirement and Chad plans for the future, their goals are aligned: keep building a thriving business they can be proud of, one that will continue to serve their community with excellence for years to come.
🎧 Hear the full conversation, including more personal stories, lessons learned, and insights on running a successful family franchise, in this episode of The Franchise Woman Podcast.