Jonathan Barnett
President and CEO, MBA, CFE
"Oxi Fresh is what customers were waiting for. They were sick of long dry times, spots coming back, and the harsh chemicals of many steam cleaners. Oxi Fresh has changed all that, and now customers can look forward to a carpet cleaning instead of dreading it."
Our carpet cleaning company is unlike the competition. Our cleanings dry fast, our methods are green, we offer true online scheduling – not just quotes – and we donate to Water.org with every job booked online.
But how did we become what we are today? What choices made us stand out from traditional steam cleaners? Why did we take a different path that’s led us to having hundreds of locations across the United States and Canada? That’s all thanks to Jonathan Barnett, MBA & CFE, the founder and president of our carpet cleaning company.
Mr. Barnett believes that carpet cleaning doesn’t have to be an inconvenience. Where cleaners in the past left carpets soaked all day, charged hidden fees, and relied on old-fashioned business practices, Oxi Fresh embraces a modern, customer focused approach. This has led Oxi Fresh to rapidly becoming the number one carpet cleaner in the world.
As a result, we’ve been featured as one of Forbes Top Franchises to Buy, were ranked in the Inc. 500|5000, have been in the Franchise 500 for a decade, was placed in the FBR Hall of Fame thanks to ten years of excellent franchisee satisfaction scores, and has been recognized again and again by Franchise Update Magazine, the Franchise Times, Franchise Gator, and many other publications. Mr. Barnett himself has been featured on Fox News, the Thrive Time Podcast, and was named a top 20 keynote speaker by Global Franchise Magazine.
From a Fireworks Stand to a Fast-Growing Carpet Cleaning Company
But how did Mr. Barnett get to where he is today? How did he create a carpet cleaning company that’s been recognized again and again by industry experts?
It started with the dual inspiration of his grandfather and mother. The former was an entrepreneur and inventor who took joy in innovation. The latter worked extremely hard while raising him, earning both her masters and her doctorate. This inspired a similar work ethic in Mr. Barnett.
He studied at Oral Roberts University, earning his BS in Business Administration in just three years. Naturally, school work alone wasn’t enough to keep him occupied. During his summer break, Mr. Barnett founded Johnny B’s Fireworks, which helped pay his way through school. In fact, he built the business up to four locations during his college career before selling it upon graduation.
Mr. Barnett also played in the Division 1 basketball team at Oral Roberts, and he served as the team chaplain for two years. His love of basketball also led him to also found Crossover International. This non-profit basketball ministry took Christian athletes overseas in order to share the Gospel and build relationships with the kids who attended their basketball camps. While no longer active, Mr. Barnett cherishes the memories of Crossover International.
In 2003, Mr. Barnett began graduate courses at Colorado Christian University, earning his degree in 2005. That same year, he also purchased a professional basketball franchise in the IBL, which he owned for two seasons before moving on. The experience increased his interest in franchising. From that interest and passion for competition and success, Oxi Fresh was born.
In mid 2006, Jonathan Barnett founded his carpet cleaning company and ended the year with over seventeen territories across five states. The brand continued that rapid growth, hitting over 300 locations in ten years, a remarkable feat in the franchising world. Now Oxi Fresh has 375+ locations!
The company’s growth, strong business platform, and excellent franchisees have garnered the brand numerous accolades. Entrepreneur Magazine ranked us in the Franchise 500 ten times. We were also ranked many times as a Top New Franchise, a Fastest Growing Franchise, a top Low Cost Franchise, and a Top Home Based Franchise.
Inc. Magazine twice included us in their Inc. 500|5000 list, a ranking of the fastest growing privately held companies in the United States. Forbes Magazine ranked us as the #3 Top Franchise to Buy in the United States as well. The Franchise Business Review has included us ten times in their Franchisee Satisfaction Awards – one of the only industry listings that’s based on franchisee feedback and surveys – earning us a spot in their esteemed Hall of Fame.
Mr. Barnett is proud of the recognition his carpet cleaning company has received, because he knows it’s all proof of the power of both the brand and the franchisees. He’s certain that his carpet cleaning company that will one day become the number one carpet cleaner in the world.
Busy at Work, Busy at Home
When not in the office, Mr. Barnett loves spending his time with his wife Vanessa, their five children (Janessa, Jazelle, Jayden, Justice, and Jonathan), and their dog Roman. He enjoys watching his kids at all of their various sporting and school activities. Mr. Barnett loves watching basketball, football, and attending a variety of concerts.
