Jim Lager and the Birth of the FAIRchise Model
 |
Jim Lager’s story is one of transformation, from military service to successful entrepreneur and innovator in the mobile hydraulic hose industry. After serving in the U.S. military, Jim entered the world of franchising, where he quickly became a top performer. Yet, despite his success, he began to see the flaws in the traditional franchise system. Too many aspiring owners found themselves locked into rigid structures that limited creativity, autonomy, and long-term financial freedom.
Determined to create a better path, Jim developed what he calls the FAIRchise model, an approach that gives entrepreneurs real ownership, not just management under another brand. His model balances the support and systems of a franchise with the independence and upside of owning a business outright.
This philosophy inspired the foundation of American Hose Pro, a company that not only supplies hydraulic hoses and training but also empowers others to build thriving service businesses of their own. One example is Texas Hose Pro in the Dallas–Fort Worth area, owned by Jim himself. Seeing Texas Hose Pro’s success in the competitive mobile hydraulic hose repair market, Jim launched the Hose Pro to CEO program, a pathway that helps skilled technicians become business owners under the FAIRchise framework.
Through this model, Jim Lager is redefining what it means to be an entrepreneur, proving that with the right guidance and opportunity, technicians can evolve into true entrepreneurs and lead their own success stories.
This article originally appeared in the November/December 2025 issue of Industrial Supply magazine. Copyright 2025, Direct Business Media.
INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY MAGAZINE
The November/December issue of Industrial Supply magazine features an in-depth cover story about Applied Industrial Technologies. Plus, we're featuring articles by contributing writers Dr. Bharani Nagarathnam and Frank Hurtte, as well as interviews with numerous product and distribution industry experts.
