It all started with an idea concocted by two friends while attending the University of Miami. Nick Friedman and Omar Soliman envisioned a company that made transitions in life easier by helping people move and hauling junk away. Soliman decided to write a business plan based on the concept and submit it to a competition in college. It won, validating the idea as a viable entrepreneurial venture.
In the twenty years since that original idea was conceived, College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving has grown into a nationwide franchise.
A Summer of HUNKS
Friedman and Soliman decided to take their idea and make an actual business out of it the following summer, in 2005. They understood the needs of their community and believed they were offering a service that would draw in clients.
Soliman’s mother had an old, beat-up cargo van that she was willing to let them use for their business idea. The young men spray-painted the words “College Hunks Hauling Junk” on the side of it and soon had their first customer. She would later admit to them that the company’s name made her laugh, and she booked them because she liked the brand’s energy.
“What we learned in that moment is that branding isn’t just a logo, it’s how people feel when they see you show up at their door. We wanted our clients to trust us and know we cared about making moving easier,” Friedman says.
College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving was so successful that the two founders expanded it into a franchise two years later.
HUNKS: Honest, Uniformed, Nice, Knowledgeable Service
College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving recently celebrated its 20th anniversary in the summer of 2025. The company defines itself as a purpose-driven moving and junk removal franchise committed to not only expanding its reach but also its commitments to the community.
The co-founders of College HUNKS have grown their company from one spray-painted cargo van to more than 200 franchise locations across the United States. It has become one of the most recognized brand names in the American $23.5 billion moving industry, with franchises in Canada and the United States.
At its annual franchise conference in Tampa, Florida, the company revealed plans to invest in digital booking tools and franchisee support systems as part of its expansion.
A Stellar Reputation
The College HUNKS’ stellar reviews across sites like Google, Yelp, and the Better Business Bureau make it one of the highest-reviewed brands in the moving industry. There are thousands of positive reviews across the platforms praising the professionalism, friendliness, and care of the College HUNKS team.
“We know families are making decisions during stressful life transitions. Our job is to earn their trust every single time,” Friedman says.
Junk removal is a tedious part of moving, and the College HUNKS Hauling Junk reviews describe the stress-free services provided, such as decluttering. The company’s dedication to recycling and encouraging donations when possible is also noted.
A Harvard Business Review analysis stresses that a good reputation is a cornerstone of a franchise’s growth. College HUNKS is committed to making its customers’ moving experience as stress-free and smooth as possible.
Making A Difference, Not Just a Profit
While at the annual franchise conference, the mayor of Tampa, Jane Castor, gave the founders of College HUNKS, Friedman and Soliman, the Key to the City in honor of their hurricane relief efforts. This recognition of their commitment to the community underscores the company culture that the co-founders have established over the last two decades.
The College HUNKS have a 2-for-1 program with the organization U.S. Hunger. It tackles hunger in the United States, and so far, the College HUNKS have donated more than 5 million meals to families in need.
College HUNKS also helps survivors of domestic violence by offering free moves. This particular initiative was acknowledged by Forbes, declaring it a model for socially conscious franchising.
“Our brand promise is simple. We move the world, one home, one leader, and one community at a time,” Soliman says.
The Future of the Bright Orange Trucks
The bright orange trucks of College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving are very distinctive and easy to spot. The company has plans to continue to expand its reach and attract more customers as it invests in technology that simplifies booking and supports franchisee profitability while also continuing its community outreach programs.
“We don’t want to lose what makes us different. It’s about scaling smart while keeping our culture of fun, trust, and care intact,” Friedman says.
