Batteries Plus is expanding its Central Florida presence with a four-store development agreement in Lake County, giving franchisees Clint and Jolene Coates a long-term path into the market. The couple plans to open its first store in The Villages within the next year, followed by three additional locations across communities north of Orlando over the next six years. The agreement also marks the beginning of a multigenerational family business for the Coateses.
For Clint Coates, the move into franchising follows years of firsthand experience with the brand. During his work with the U.S. Geological Survey, he relied on battery-powered equipment and solar chargers supplied by Batteries Plus while working in the field. That experience gave him an early understanding of the company's products and commercial value. Jolene brings a different entrepreneurial background, having spent the past 26 years building independent dance studios in Central Florida and developing an emphasis on customer service.
The family structure will extend into daily operations. Their son, Cayden Coates, and son-in-law, Paul Clement, will oversee retail and commercial management, while Clint and Jolene concentrate on sales and development as the additional stores come online. The franchisees have also begun developing a commercial services program ahead of the first retail opening, allowing them to establish relationships with local businesses before the new location opens.
The expansion targets a market where batteries, lighting products and repair services serve practical needs for both consumers and businesses. The Villages and surrounding retirement communities have significant demand for products supporting golf carts, mobility devices, key fobs and personal electronics. Batteries Plus also provides vehicle, marine and specialty batteries, lighting, key fob replacement and cellphone repair, while supporting commercial customers through its broader network.
As the Coates family prepares to manage multiple locations, maintaining consistent operational information can become increasingly important. Gorilla Dash offers a Knowledge Base feature that can help franchise organizations centralize procedures, reference materials and business information for teams working across different locations.
The Lake County agreement gives Batteries Plus another opportunity to extend its network while giving the Coates family a defined six-year development plan. With more than 800 locations open and in development across the United States and Puerto Rico, the company is adding another Central Florida growth corridor while the new franchisees prepare for their first store opening in The Villages.
