Local Husband-and-Wife Team Brings Leadership Experience and a Commitment to Serving Their Community

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Building on a year of consistent franchise development growth, Closets by Design continues its expansion into key markets with a new territory agreement in Knoxville, Tennessee. This latest deal marks another milestone for North America’s leading custom storage and organization franchise, strengthening its Southeast presence following agreements in Tallahassee, Florida, and Virginia Beach, Virginia.

The territory will be owned and operated by husband-and-wife team Wes and Christy Hancock. The longtime Knoxville residents bring decades of combined leadership experience and a shared vision of helping local homeowners maximize the functionality and beauty of their living spaces.

Wes has more than 25 years of experience in manufacturing, operations and human resources, with leadership roles across the automotive, optical, and food industries. Christy is a registered nurse with over three decades of healthcare experience, including more than six years specializing in oncology care. Together, they were drawn to entrepreneurship as an opportunity to build a business of their own while creating a lasting impact in the community they have called home for more than 50 years.

“We’re thrilled to become business owners and introduce Closets by Design to the Knoxville community,” said Wes Hancock. “When we were building our own home, we saw firsthand the importance of professionally designed storage solutions and the impact a well-designed space can have on everyday life. That perspective made Closets by Design the right opportunity for us to bring the same level of service and expertise to other homeowners throughout the area.”

As they open their new franchise, the Hancocks also hope to create a lasting family legacy by building a business that can be passed down to future generations. They plan to hire a team that shares their commitment to integrity, strong communication, and exceptional customer service.

“When we looked to expand into Knoxville, Wes and Christy stood out as the type of franchise owners we wanted to bring onto our team,” said Jerry Egner, President of Closets by Design. “Their deep roots in the community, strong professional backgrounds and commitment to serving others make them a natural fit for our brand. We’re excited to work with them and provide the support they need as they launch their business and help homeowners throughout the Knoxville area create more organized, functional spaces.”

The Knoxville expansion aligns with broader franchise trends across the region. According to the International Franchise Association’s 2026 outlook, the Southeast is the top region for franchise growth, highlighting the strong opportunity for franchise development in markets like Knoxville.

Rated as the #1 franchise in its category by Entrepreneur Magazine, Closets by Design ranked No. 252 on this year’s 2026 Franchise 500® list — the world’s most comprehensive ranking of franchise opportunities. Looking ahead, the brand plans to expand its footprint further with strategic openings in key growth markets, supported by a robust pipeline of qualified franchise candidates and ongoing innovations in design and customer experience.

To learn more about the franchising opportunities with Closets by Design, visit closetsbydesign.com/franchise.

About Closets by Design

Closets by Design has been creating attractive and functional closets, garage organizers, in-home offices, and more since it was founded in 1982. Rated #1 Franchise in our category and one of America’s Top 50 New Franchises by Entrepreneur magazine, Closets by Design has also been listed as one of the Top 100 Up & Comers by Franchise Times and one of the Top 550 Remodeling Companies by Remodeling magazine. Closets by Design is a leader in the home improvement industry, and it has set the standard for customer satisfaction through dedication, quality, and service.

To find a Closets by Design location near you, visit www.closetsbydesign.com or call 1-800-By-Design.