GoJoe Patrol Franchising LLC has inked new franchise operating agreements in South Carolina and Georgia, which are expected to bring the private-security company’s total locations to five by the end of 2023.

On Nov. 1, franchisee operators Jamey and Malia Jameson will open a branch in Lowcountry, South Carolina, with three staff and one vehicle, followed by a second location opening in Savannah, Georgia, by the end of the year, says Harry Sladich, co-owner and chief development officer at the Spokane Valley-based company.

“This industry of private security is only going to grow and grow quickly,” he says.

 GoJoe Patrol has received over 1,700 inquiries in the two years since it began offering franchise opportunities, he says. New branch openings, however, have been limited due to affordability issues, he adds.

“What I’m finding is that there’s a small percentage that can afford to do it. I’m facing some headwinds as it relates to how expensive money is to borrow for these folks,” says Sladich. 

As previously reported in the Journal, franchise opportunities cost $70,000 to $135,000 for the right to use the GoJoe Patrol branding and systems and for exclusive market territory rights for 10 years.

To meet the company’s goal of opening up to eight locations a year, Sladich says GoJoe Patrol will consider opening corporate-owned stores next year to break into additional markets in the Pacific Northwest.

“Until interest rates come down a little bit, I think that capital to start a new business is going to be challenged for the rest of this year,” he says.

GoJoe Patrol is considering corporate locations in Seattle, Portland, and Boise.

“We’re looking at how to put a footprint in some of these cities that we want, and the answer may be that we’re just going to have to go do it ourselves,” Sladich says.

GoJoe Patrol provides onsite security guards, mobile patrols, alarm responses, armed guards, commercial security, and off-duty police for clients in a range of industries.

The company employs about 120 staff and operates a 20-vehicle fleet in Spokane and Coeur d’Alene. GoJoe’s headquarters are located at 7011 E. Trent, in Spokane Valley.