— Interview with Nathan Willard —
R&R: Where are you based and how long has the company been in business?
Nathan Willard: HOODZ is based out of Ann Arbor, Michigan. We have been in business since 1972 and have provided franchising opportunities since 2009.
R&R: What is your name and title, and how long have you been with the company?
Willard: My name is Nathan Willard, and I have acted as president of HOODZ International since 2015.
R&R: What trades/services do you offer retailers and restaurants?
Willard: As the leading authority in commercial kitchen exhaust services, we are committed to helping keep your exhaust system fully compliant with local regulations and fire safety codes. We offer comprehensive exhaust system inspections, cleanings and maintenance — tailored to your specific needs with professional, reliable service. In addition, we offer conveyor oven cleaning, grease containment solutions and, of course, identify system deficiencies and provide maintenance and/or restoration service you might need from either lack of service or poor service from a previous vendor.
R&R: In what regions of the country do you conduct most of your business, or are you nationwide?
Willard: We have locations throughout the U.S. and Canada. But still have several major markets available with many opportunities to grow.
R&R: What makes your company’s “signature service” stand out in the industry?
Willard: Our highly trained and certified professionals perform each job to the highest standards, utilizing advanced techniques, tools, and equipment, so you can rest assured that the task is done thoroughly and in compliance with fire safety code.
HOODZ offers proactive scheduling through our state-of-the-art software that allows you to focus on your business, and we provide photos of our work with in-depth before-and-after reports, so you can see how effective our services are firsthand.
R&R: What kind of feedback do you receive from clients?
Willard: We pride ourselves on positive reviews. For example, this review was from the Orlando, Florida, area:
Excellence From Start to Finish
“There were multiple staff members that I dealt with to get the kitchen hood cleaned. Their communication was great, and they helped make completing the job effortless. They will always be my first choice for any kitchen hood or grease trap work in the Orlando area.” — Kevin N.
R&R: Why should owner/operators choose your company to be their next vendor partner?
Willard: Our training and certification program is industry-leading. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA 96) requires a certification for kitchen exhaust cleaning services, and our program along with the quality of work proven by our reporting software is the best I have ever seen.
R&R: How many retail/restaurant clients do you have, and is that sector growing for you? Would you like to name any of your clients?
Willard: We have a large number of clients throughout the U.S. and take pride in our long term relationships. The clientele among all of our HOODZ locations is very diverse and can differ by each location. We service a wide variety of restaurants and commercial properties, including anything from large national fast food chains, to high-end restaurants, hotel properties and large entertainment establishments. We are seeing growth in many cities due to the rise of overall cooking and food delivery platforms.
R&R: Tell me about 2-3 recent projects you are most proud of.
Willard: We set several goals for the year, although a few that stand out are:
• We have done a great deal of educating restaurants and fire marshals through written and video content.
• HOODZ has enhanced our online platform (HOODZ University) and in-person training at our state-of-the-art training facility for aspiring HOODZ franchise owners.
• HOODZ has completely updated our website with added educational content and ease of use.
R&R: What are some of the latest trends you see in the FM industry now?
Willard: Due to social media, restaurants are now aware of potential restaurant fires and safety concerns. We are starting to see restaurant managers and owners become more knowledgeable about kitchen exhaust services, which is fantastic. Fly-by-night hood companies are now required to provide items like a before-and-after report, as mandated by code.
R&R: What predictions do you have — for your company, your industry or both — in 2025-26?
Willard: Overall growth in the kitchen exhaust industry. We are seeing an increase in demand for overall commercial cooking, driven by the rise of eating out and food delivery platforms. With the increased use of third-party compliance software systems, authorities with jurisdiction and fire marshals are pushing code compliance, making it more crucial than ever for owners and operators to remain vigilant by scheduling proactive kitchen exhaust cleaning and maintenance services.
— Nathan Willard is the president of HOODZ International. This Q&A originally was published in the August 2025 issue of Retail & Restaurant Facility Business magazine. For more information in having your company profiled in a future Signature Vendor Spotlight, please contact Scott Royal at [email protected]m.