The Local Services Ownership Ladder
Every service business is classified into exactly one tier based on public secretary of state records, franchise filings, and PE portfolio disclosures.
Single location, owner lives and works in the metro. Maximum local economic recirculation.
2+ locations, all within one metro, privately owned by regional residents.
Local operator, national franchise brand. Royalties and tech fees leave the state.
Headquarters in-state or adjacent state, not publicly traded, not private equity owned.
National footprint, privately or family held. Corporate profit leaves the region.
Publicly traded, or acquired by private equity—including rollups operating under legacy family names.
Disguised Rollup Detection in Action
Private equity firms buy local HVAC, plumbing, and auto repair businesses and keep the old founder's name to disguise the acquisition. We surface the receipts.
Wedge Community Co-op (Lyndale)
Category: Food Coop
Verification Evidence: State cooperative registration & National Co+op Grocers verified member
Seward Community Co-op (Franklin)
Category: Food Coop
Verification Evidence: Consumer cooperative incorporation filings
Mill City Farmers Market
Category: Farmers Market
Verification Evidence: Direct vendor verification, 100% grower-operated policy
Tangletown Farm Stand & CSA
Category: Csa
Verification Evidence: Direct farm ownership in Plato, MN
Affinity Plus Credit Union (St. Paul Branch)
Category: Credit Union
Verification Evidence: NCUA Charter verification
Example Rollup Plumbing (Illustrative Demo Listing)
Category: Plumber
Verification Evidence: Illustrative demo showing how a private-equity rollup listing is displayed. Not a real business.
Twin Cities Solar & Electrical Co-op
Category: Electrician
Verification Evidence: Worker cooperative business filings with Minnesota Secretary of State
Charleston Tea Garden
Category: Farm Stand
Verification Evidence: Owned by R.C. Bigelow Inc since 2003 auction; verified U.S. grown Charleston leaf
Table Rock Tea Company
Category: Farm Stand
Verification Evidence: Family owner-operated independent tea farm. U.S. League of Tea Growers member.
Camellia Forest Tea Gardens
Category: Farm Stand
Verification Evidence: Small grower-processor verified by North Carolina Department of Agriculture