For the last six years in a row, the owners of Window World dealerships around the country have gathered for a three-day annual meeting. On the surface, the gatherings are similar to annual meetings held by other franchise organizations. There are educational sessions during the day. In the evening, there is networking and entertainment. But Window World gatherings typically feel different than the obligatory annual business meeting.

For starters, many of the dealers have seen their lives change dramatically for the better since buying a Window World dealership. As a group, they have experienced 40 percent compounded annual growth over the past four years. Many have become wealthy. As a result, these annual gatherings (the most recent meeting was held in August in Cape Canaveral, Fla.) have taken on a true celebratory feel — they are always held at a resort with all expenses paid; spouses are encouraged to attend (and most do whether they are involved in the business or not); and perhaps most telling of all, the dealers themselves have taken to calling the event a “family reunion,” says Todd Whitworth, president of Window World Inc. and son of company founder Leon Whitworth.

“I think this feeling among our dealers is a testament to the value-driven way we approach the business,” says Todd. “We sell a great product at a price people can afford and our dealers have seen the response. It works.”

Leon Whitworth, the founder of Window World Inc., has deep roots in the home improvement industry. Beginning in the early ’70s Leon sold aluminum siding in a bygone era of the siding business. From there he went on to establish a successful building supply distribution firm and a window manufacturing firm.

According to Todd, all of Leon’s business experience in home improvement, (the good and the bad aspects of the industry) laid the groundwork for establishing a new kind of replacement window firm in 1995. And the beginnings of the company were very humble.