In what year was the original Bumper Man business founded?

According to the 2025 Bumper Man Franchise Disclosure Document, the original Bumper Man business was founded in 1993 by the late Jeff Bramblett. It was initially operated as a sole proprietorship. In 1997, Bumper Man, Inc. (BMI) was formed to offer business opportunities to operate Bumper Man bumper repair businesses. BMI continued to operate a company-owned Bumper Business until 2010.

This history indicates that Bumper Man has been in operation for over two decades, initially as a single business and later expanding into franchising. For prospective franchisees, this longevity can be a positive sign, suggesting that the business model has been tested and refined over time. The transition from a sole proprietorship to a franchise system also indicates a strategic decision to grow the brand through independent operators.

It's important to note the evolution of the company structure, with the initial business becoming BMI and later involving Bumper Man Franchising, Inc. These changes reflect the growth and formalization of the Bumper Man franchise system. The FDD also mentions that BMI and Bumper Man Franchising, Inc. merged on April 1, 2008, with BMI as the surviving company, which has been granting franchises since then. This corporate history is relevant for franchisees to understand the legal entity they are partnering with.