Hartland, Wis. – September 29, 2026 -- Batteries Plus has signed a four-store development agreement with franchise owners Clint and Jolene Coates to expand into Lake County, Florida, with the first location opening in The Villages within the next year.
Franchisees plan four stores across Central Florida within six years
The agreement calls for four Batteries Plus locations to open across The Villages and surrounding communities north of Orlando over the next six years, according to the company. The Coates family is structuring the venture as a multi-generational business, with son Cayden Coates and son-in-law Paul Clement taking on day-to-day retail and commercial management while Clint and Jolene Coates focus on sales and development as additional stores launch.
Franchisee brings 40-year-old brand experience from prior role as commercial customer
Clint Coates was introduced to Batteries Plus during his tenure with the U.S. Geological Survey, where he used battery-powered equipment with solar chargers supplied by the company for research on rivers, lakes and waterways. Jolene Coates has spent 26 years operating independent dance studios in Central Florida. The pair is already rolling out a commercial services program to supply power solutions to local businesses ahead of their first store opening.
Company targets underserved retirement-community market with 800-plus U.S. locations
Batteries Plus said The Villages and nearby retirement communities are among the fastest-growing population centers in the country, where golf carts, mobility devices, key fobs and personal electronics require frequent servicing with limited local options. The company operates a network of more than 800 locations open and in development across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, offering vehicle, marine and specialty batteries alongside lighting, key fob replacement and cellphone repair services for both retail and commercial customers.
Victor Daher, Vice President of Franchise Development for Batteries Plus, said Central Florida ranks among the company's most promising markets for expansion.