ATTN: ARKANSAS HOMEOWNERS
They Shut Us Down to Take Over Arkansas.
Here’s the Truth.
From Main Street to Wall Street. We built a business serving Arkansans after the storms. But after private equity took control of Best Choice Roofing, everything will change.
What Happened to
BCR Contractors of Arkansas?
In September 2022, BCR Contractors of Arkansas became a franchisee of Best Choice Roofing. Over the next few years, we built a trusted brand across Arkansas — helping hundreds of families recover after hailstorms, tornadoes, and natural disasters.
But in mid-2024, everything changed.
Best Choice Roofing was acquired by a New York-based private equity firm. Soon after, corporate leadership began secretively working to take back our territory without honoring the purchase deal we negotiated in good faith.
We were:
- Told to stop hiring and shut down our offices in Jonesboro and Fayetteville.
- Promised a buyout under a signed Letter of Intent and Negotiated Asset Purchase Agreement.
- Instructed to cooperate with corporate transition teams. At one point a corporate representative told our Little Rock staff members they would be "getting a big raise soon!"
- Assured the franchise fees would be netted out of the purchase price from the very beginning of our negotiations. This was the case for another franchise territory that had been purchased (the only one).
Then, without warning, they flipped the script — accused us of default, cancelled the deal, and are now attempting to enforce a non-compete to take the Arkansas market for free.
This is not just a business dispute. It’s a coordinated effort to:
- Potentially exploit Arkansas homeowners through their new “ReAssurance Program.”
- Possibly turn insurance-covered roof claims into inflated retail contracts
- Potentially lock families into high-interest loans under terms they may not understand
- Directly strip local owners and employees from the business they built
Now, we’re speaking out. In the process, hundreds of Arkansas homeowners who trusted the Best Choice Roofing name were left without their roofs completed, without clear answers about their deposits, or without clear direction to who would warranty their roof installation.
We’re exposing the facts, the emails, and the names — not for revenge, but to protect homeowners and future small business owners from what happened to us.
They said it behind closed doors.
Now you can hear it for yourself.
This audio was recorded during a call between myself, Bryce, and Don — two executives representing Best Choice Roofing Corporate. In it, you’ll hear Bryce openly acknowledge Corporate’s intent to take over the Arkansas territory without completing the agreed-upon purchase deal.
We had a signed Letter of Intent. We were deep in due diligence. They told us to shut down offices, stop hiring, and cooperate fully with their transition team. We followed every step in good faith.
Then, without warning, they reversed course and began using our unpaid franchise fees — which had already been negotiated to be netted out of the purchase price — as justification for a hostile takeover.
This recording confirms what we’ve been saying all along: this wasn’t a breakdown in talks. It was a calculated move to extract the business without paying for it.
We’re sharing this so Arkansas homeowners, business owners, and the public can hear the truth straight from the source. This is how private equity operates — quietly, strategically, and without accountability.
Until now. We will bring out ALL of the receipts.
We Exposed the Truth — Now They're Trying to Bury It.
Corporate removed this video featuring their own executive, Bryce, from public view.
Why? Because what was said on video contradicted their current narrative and backed our claims.
They’re doing everything they can to hide the truth from Arkansas homeowners — but we saved the receipts and have more to come!
Don Helphrey served as Vice President of Franchising at Best Choice Roofing and personally led the buyout negotiations with the Arkansas franchisee — making repeated written commitments about deal terms that were later abandoned. After the deal collapsed, he sent certified letters to Arkansas homeowners distancing BCR from any responsibility for their deposits or unfinished roofs. He also signed the verification supporting BCR's arbitration claim — a verification formally challenged in proceedings as lacking personal knowledge and based on hearsay. Don Helphrey was terminated by BCR corporate shortly after these events.
Bryce Barnett is the current CEO of Best Choice Roofing. He personally participated in the buyout negotiations with the Arkansas franchisee — and is recorded in a conversation discussing taking over the Arkansas territory without completing the purchase. When the deal collapsed and the franchise was terminated, Barnett was promoted to lead the company he helped strip of its Arkansas operation. The recording exists. The promotion happened
Robert Lowe served as CEO of Best Choice Roofing during the acquisition of Arkansas franchise territories and the events documented on this site. Shortly after a viral appearance on the Roofing Insights podcast — viewed by 20,000+ industry professionals — Lowe was terminated by BCR corporate. The full story of what happened to Arkansas franchisees and homeowners during his tenure is documented here.
WHAT HAPPENED IN ARKANSAS
Best Choice Roofing Corporate vs. Arkansas Homeowners & the Arkansas franchisee
A Complete Timeline of Events | September 2022 – March 2026
This document exists for one reason: so you know the truth. If you are an Arkansas homeowner who hired Best Choice Roofing, paid a deposit, and never got your roof completed, this is what happened to you and why.
PHASE 1: BUILDING SOMETHING IN ARKANSAS (2022 – 2024)
September 2022
The Arkansas franchisee becomes the Second Best Choice Roofing Franchisee in the Country
The Arkansas franchisee signs the franchise agreement with Best Choice Roofing Franchising, LLC (based in Hendersonville, TN) and launches BCR Contractors of Arkansas, LLC. He quickly expands across three territories: Little Rock, Northwest Arkansas, and Jonesboro — covering over 70 zip codes and 320,000+ single-family homes.
2022 – 2024
Arkansas Becomes One of BCR's Top-Performing Franchises
The Arkansas franchisee and his team build a roofing operation generating record-breaking revenue growth month over month. Arkansas plays a major role in BCR's national franchise growth. Customers across the state trust the Best Choice Roofing brand.
August 2024
A New York Private Equity Firm Buys Best Choice Roofing Corporate
Brightstar Capital Partners of New York acquires Best Choice Roofing. New leadership takes over in Hendersonville, TN. The priorities of the company begin to shift. Within weeks, informal conversations start about corporate "buying back" franchise territories from franchisees.
PHASE 2: CORPORATE PROMISES A DEAL (LATE 2024 – MAY 2025)
September – December 2024
Corporate Begins Informal Buyout Conversations
BCR corporate initiates unofficial discussions with the Arkansas franchisee about purchasing his Arkansas territories. No formal offer yet, but the direction is clear: corporate wants the territories back.
January 17, 2025
Formal Buyout Talks Begin in Nashville
The Arkansas franchisee travels to Nashville to meet with Don Helphrey (VP of Franchising) and Wayne Holloway. They formally discuss a buyout at 3x EBITDA — meaning 3 times the annual profit of the Arkansas business. An operating partner role for the Arkansas franchisee is also discussed.
January 27, 2025
Corporate Confirms Franchise Fees Will Be Netted Into the Deal
Don Helphrey emails the Arkansas franchisee confirming that any outstanding franchise fees would be deducted from the purchase price — not collected separately. This becomes a foundational promise of the deal.
February 25, 2025
Corporate Begins Reviewing Arkansas Financials
BCR corporate begins a formal financial review of the Arkansas operation. Don again confirms in writing that franchise fees will be netted out of the purchase price.
April 4, 2025
Corporate Outlines LOI Terms: Deal Value Estimated at $2.2M –$4.2M
Don Helphrey sends a formal Letter of Intent terms: 3x adjusted EBITDA purchase price, royalties netted from purchase price. The estimated deal value ranges from $2.2 million to $4.2 million before final due diligence.
April 16, 2025
BCR Announces at Dallas Summit They Are Done Franchising
At a national franchise owners summit in Dallas, BCR corporate confirms they are stopping all new franchising. They do not renew their Franchise Disclosure Document. The buyback of existing territories becomes the company's clear direction.
May 1, 2025
Deal is Officially Put in Writing — LOI Signed
The Arkansas franchisee and BCR corporate sign a fully executed Letter of Intent. The deal is documented: 3x EBITDA purchase price, franchise fees to be netted out. The LOI expires July 30, 2025. Formal due diligence begins immediately.
At this point, the Arkansas franchisee has a signed agreement, a
documented deal structure, and corporate telling him the deal will close by the
end of June 2025.
PHASE 3: CORPORATE TAKES OVER OPERATIONS — BEFORE THE DEAL CLOSES (MAY – JUNE 2025)
May 23, 2025
Corporate Sends Voice Memo Directing the Franchise Owner's Business Operations
Drew Heath from BCR corporate sends the Arkansas franchisee a detailed voice memo outlining plans for the 'integration' of Arkansas into corporate. The memo discusses evaluating the Arkansas franchisee's staff, planning training, and preparing for a smooth transition. Corporate is already acting as if they own the territory.
May 27, 2025
Corporate Begins Registering for Arkansas Roofing Licenses
Don Helphrey emails the Arkansas franchisee confirming he has already started the registration process for BCR corporate to obtain Arkansas roofing licenses and bonding. Corporate is preparing to operate in Arkansas under their own name.
June 2–5, 2025
Corporate Sends a Three-Person Transition Team to Arkansas
For the first time in the history of the franchise relationship, BCR corporate sends three people to Arkansas for four days. One of them — Sam — was hired by corporate specifically for this takeover. Over four days they visit all three offices:
June 2 — Dinner in Fayetteville with Drew, Sam, and Brandon
June 3 — NWA office: The Arkansas franchisee is told not to renew the lease and not to backfill open roles
June 4 — Little Rock office: staff are told corporate takeover is imminent
June 5 — Jonesboro: corporate tours six potential new offices, confirms existing location will not be used
June 11, 2025
Full Asset Purchase Agreement Drafted and Sent
Lawyers for both sides exchange a formal Asset Purchase Agreement. The deal terms remain consistent: 3x EBITDA, franchise fees netted from purchase price.
June 16, 2025
Corporate Says They Are on 'Turbo Mode' to Close by End of Month
Bryce Barnett (BCR executive) calls the Arkansas franchisee and says they are on 'turbo mode' to close the deal by June 30. The Arkansas franchisee, acting on these assurances, continues to not hire staff and does not renew his office leases per their request.
June 18, 2025
Corporate Confirms in Writing: Franchise Fees Will Be Deducted from Purchase Price
BCR corporate sends an updated draft of the Asset Purchase Agreement explicitly stating that franchise fees will be deducted from the purchase price. This is the third or fourth time this commitment has been made in writing.
June 23, 2025
Bryce Calls Again: 'We Should Be Good to Close by End of Month'
Another call from Bryce. He says after the upcoming accounting call, they should be on track to close. Worst case, he says, they push it back 10 to 15 days.
The Arkansas franchisee has now been told multiple times — in
writing and on recorded calls — that the deal is closing imminently. His
offices have been gutted at corporate's direction. His staff has been told a
takeover is coming. His leases are not being renewed. He is fully committed to
this deal.
PHASE 4: CORPORATE PULLS THE RUG (JULY 2025)
July 9, 2025
The Deal Falls Apart — Corporate Refuses to Show Their Numbers
On a call with Don and Bryce, corporate suddenly cites franchise fees as reason not to proceed, but refuses to allow the Arkansas franchisee's accountant to review their financial analysis. The accounting firm BCR hired to evaluate the deal was paid by BCR, not a neutral party. On this same call, Bryce Barnett says, "Why haven't we just taken this territory already?"
That recorded statement — "Why haven't we just taken this
territory already?" — reveals the true intent. This was never a good-faith
negotiation. It was a strategy to extract operational control and financial
information, then walk away without paying.
July 11, 2025
Corporate Sends a Default Letter — While Still in Active Negotiations
Just two days after the July 9 call, BCR corporate sends the Arkansas franchisee a formal Notice of Default — citing unpaid franchise fees. These are the same fees they agreed in writing, multiple times, to net out of the purchase price. This default letter is sent while lawyers for both sides are still in active
communication about the deal.
July 18, 2025
Certified Default Letter Arrives — Fee Amount Has Mysteriously Grown 37%
A certified default letter arrives. The franchise fee amount has jumped from approximately $262,000 (the amount listed in the April Dallas summit booklet) to $353,142 — a 37% increase. No explanation is provided for the increase.
July 21, 2025
The Arkansas Franchisee's Attorney Responds: This Is Promissory Estoppel and Bad Faith
The Arkansas franchisee's legal counsel fires back, citing promissory estoppel, detrimental reliance, and bad-faith negotiations. The letter notes that corporate induced the Arkansas franchisee to dismantle his own business in reliance on their promises, then manufactured a default using fees they had agreed to waive.
July 28, 2025
Corporate Issues 'Last, Best, and Final Offer' — With a 2-Hour Deadline
BCR Holdings sends an email to the Arkansas franchisee's attorney with what they call their last, best, and final offer': take the territory and enforce the noncompete against the Arkansas franchisee. The email gives the Arkansas franchisee two hours to accept. This is not a negotiation. This is a demand for surrender.
July 30, 2025
BCR Terminates the Franchise — Same Day as LOI Expiration
BCR formally terminates the franchise agreement effective immediately. The termination comes on the exact day the LOI was set to expire. The Arkansas franchisee launches ArkansasTakeover.com the same day to warn the public.
PHASE 5: THE IMPACT ON ARKANSAS HOMEOWNERS (JULY – AUGUST 2025)
July 30, 2025 and After
Hundreds of Arkansas Homeowners Are Left Without Their Roofs
When BCR terminates the franchise overnight, all access to corporate systems is cut off — customer records, contracts, payment histories, job schedules. Hundreds of thousands in customer receivables become uncollectable. Homeowners who paid deposits and signed contracts are left with no contractor and no clear path to a refund.
August 5, 2025
Corporate Files for Arbitration — Secretly, Behind Closed Doors
Rather than filing a public lawsuit, BCR corporate files a claim through private arbitration with the American Arbitration Association. The arbitration clause
in the franchise agreement keeps all proceedings — and all discovery — out of public view. This means the evidence of what corporate did stays hidden from
Arkansas homeowners, regulators, and the press.
August 15, 2025
Corporate Sends Letters to Homeowners — Blaming the Franchise Owner, Denying Responsibility
Don Helphrey, signing as Vice President of Franchising for Best Choice Roofing Franchising LLC, sends certified letters to Arkansas homeowners. The letter states that BCR Corporate was not a party to any agreement you may have entered into with BCR Contractors of AR LLC even with their logo, branding, website, and 866-BESTCHOICE phone number on the agreement.
This is a direct contradiction. In arbitration, BCR corporate
claims they had full control over the franchise territory, the brand, and
operations — and that the Arkansas franchisee violated their agreement. They
cannot claim total control for legal purposes while simultaneously telling your
customers they had nothing to do with it.
August 2025 and Ongoing
Homeowners Begin Filing Complaints with the Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board
Arkansas homeowners who paid deposits and never received their roofs begin filing formal complaints with the Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board. At least 20+ complaints are filed. The Board opens investigations. Homeowners also file complaints with the Arkansas Attorney General.
PHASE 6: LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AND WHAT HAPPENS NEXT (AUGUST 2025 – PRESENT)
August 18 – 21, 2025
Arbitrator Issues Emergency Order Blocking the Arkansas franchisee from Working in Roofing
After an emergency hearing via Zoom, an arbitrator issues a temporary order prohibiting the Arkansas franchisee and anyone associated with him from doing any roofing work across all three Arkansas territories — over 70 zip codes. This order is issued based primarily on BCR's allegations. The Arkansas franchisee's attorneys challenge the order and the jurisdiction.
September 17, 2025
Corporate Files a Federal Lawsuit in Tennessee to Enforce the Order
BCR files a federal lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee to enforce the arbitration order against the Arkansas franchisee. The case is filed in Tennessee — not Arkansas — despite all of the underlying business occurring in Arkansas.
October 15, 2025
Process Server Trespasses at the Franchise Owner's Home to Serve Papers
A process server retained by BCR climbs over the fence at the Arkansas franchisee's Arkansas home — past posted No Trespassing signs — and leaves federal court papers with a person who does not live there, while the Arkansas franchisee is not home. The Arkansas franchisee's attorney files a formal declaration contesting improper service.
November 25, 2025
The Arkansas Franchisee Files a $9,975,000 Counterclaim Against BCR Corporate
The Arkansas franchisee files a formal counterclaim in arbitration seeking nearly $10 million in damages for promissory estoppel, fraudulent inducement, bad-faith dealing, business destruction, and related claims. The counterclaim documents the full pattern of conduct from the LOI through the termination.
2025 – 2026
Litigation Continues on Multiple Fronts
The dispute is now active across several proceedings simultaneously: the AAA arbitration in Tennessee, the federal enforcement case in the Middle District of Tennessee, Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board investigations, Arkansas Attorney General complaints, and vendor lawsuits filed against the Arkansas franchisee in Arkansas courts.
March 2026
The Case Remains Active and Ongoing
The Arkansas franchisee continues to fight. The $9,975,000 counterclaim is pending. Key executives who participated in the scheme — including Don Helphrey and former CEO Rob Lowe — have since been terminated by BCR. The man who said 'Why haven't we just taken this territory already?' on a recorded call is now the CEO of the company.
IF YOU ARE AN ARKANSAS HOMEOWNER AFFECTED BY THIS SITUATION
You have rights. You can file a complaint with:
Arkansas Attorney General | (800) 482-8982 | ArkansasAG.gov
Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board | (501) 372-4661 | contractors.licensing.board@arkansas.gov
Arkansas Insurance Department | (800) 852-5494 | ArkansasInsurance.gov
One of the key tactics used by Best Choice Roofing Corporate to justify their hostile takeover was spinning a false narrative — that BCR Contractors of Arkansas was “in debt” and financially unstable.
That couldn’t be further from the truth.
We were a healthy, thriving roofing company with over $5 million+ in annual revenue. Our financials, which we submitted during due diligence, clearly showed strong performance, consistent cash flow, and a business built on storm restoration — one of the most resilient and profitable sectors in the industry.
But after Corporate’s acquisition by private equity, the tone changed.
They directed us to:
- Shut down two of our offices
- Freeze hiring and backfilling key roles
- Slow down installs and production
- Comply with transition plans that disrupted revenue operations
We did what they asked — in good faith — assuming the deal was moving forward.
The result? Slowed cash flow, strained operations, and a manufactured appearance of instability. Then they used that very disruption, which they caused, as an excuse to walk away from the buyout and claim the business was too risky to purchase.
And let’s talk about the supply house balance — something Corporate tried to weaponize. No roofing company of our scale operates without a material balance. That’s the nature of the storm restoration business. You install roofs, get paid through insurance, and carry an A/R balance that fluctuates constantly based on insurance timelines and supplement approvals.
To suggest that we were in trouble because of a material balance is either wildly uninformed — or intentionally misleading.
This isn’t about unpaid bills. It’s about Corporate positioning themselves to take over a profitable territory without paying for it.
We have the financials. We have the emails. We have the recordings.
What we don’t have is a voice in Corporate’s boardroom — so we’re telling the truth here.
In Closing...
We are actively pursuing litigation against Best Choice Roofing Holdings and its representatives for bad-faith negotiations, promissory estoppel, and a coordinated attempt to take over our Arkansas territory without honoring the agreed-upon purchase terms.
In addition to our legal counsel, we have formally reached out to the Arkansas Attorney General’s Office and are pursuing every available channel — legal, regulatory, and public — to seek resolution and hold this private equity firm accountable.
Despite the circumstances, we have acted with integrity and transparency. We made the difficult decision to turn over all contracted homeowners to Best Choice Roofing Corporate. This decision was made not out of confidence in their conduct, but because any attempt to continue fulfilling contracts under the Best Choice Roofing trade name would have been used against us.
If you are a homeowner who signed a contract with Best Choice Roofing of Arkansas, you must now direct all service, refund, or warranty questions to Best Choice Roofing Corporate.
Corporate Direct Contacts:
Bryce Barnett — 801-360-4080
Drew Heath — 615-829-3798
Don Helphrey — 626-271-5340 (terminated)
Corporate Address:
515 Rivergate Parkway
Goodlettsville, TN 37072
Main Line: 866-BESTCHOICE
We will continue to update this site with evidence, documents, and developments as our legal response unfolds.
We stood by Arkansas homeowners after every storm.
Now we’re standing up to one more — and fighting to ensure this doesn’t happen to another local business or another family in our state.
__________________________________________
LEGAL DISCLAIMER
- This website is intended for informational and documentary purposes only. The information shared herein reflects the experiences, communications, and perspectives of the former franchisee of Best Choice Roofing of Arkansas (BCR Contractors of Arkansas LLC), as part of an ongoing legal dispute.
- We do not claim ownership of, nor are we affiliated with, the name “Best Choice Roofing,” any associated logos, trademarks, or intellectual property belonging to Best Choice Roofing Holdings, LLC or its affiliates. All references to “Best Choice Roofing” or “BCR” on this site are made solely for factual and historical reporting purposes.
- We have made reasonable efforts to ensure all information presented is accurate and based on documented communication, emails, contracts, and verbal and recorded agreements. Any corporate materials, names, or recordings used are included solely for purposes of public accountability and truthful reporting.
- This site is not intended to defame or damage reputations, but to truthfully document a series of events that directly impacted employees, customers, and the community. All statements made are based on documented facts and direct communication with Best Choice Roofing representatives.
- All actions taken or statements made herein are in connection with the business operations of BCR Contractors of Arkansas LLC. Any references to “we” or “our” refer to the former franchise entity, not to any individual in their personal capacity.
- This website is not affiliated with Best Choice Roofing Corporate or its affiliates. All content is independently published by a former franchisee of BCR Contractors of Arkansas LLC for the purpose of transparency and consumer protection.
This website exists during the pendency of active legal and arbitration proceedings. Nothing herein constitutes legal advice or a complete account of all claims and defenses of any party.
We reserve the right to update, remove, or clarify content as additional facts or legal guidance emerge.
"Best Choice Roofing®, the BCR logo, and all associated marks are registered trademarks of Best Choice Roofing Holdings, LLC and/or its affiliates. All trademarks, service marks, and trade names referenced on this site are the property of their respective owners. Use of these marks on this site is solely for identification and referential purposes in connection with factual reporting and does not imply any affiliation with, endorsement by, or sponsorship by the trademark owners. This site is independently operated by the former franchisee of BCR Contractors of Arkansas, LLC and is not affiliated with Best Choice Roofing Holdings, LLC, Best Choice Roofing Franchising, LLC, or Brightstar Capital Partners."