MIDDLETOWN, DE — A new Kitchen Guard franchise is entering the Delmarva market with a mission centered on fire prevention, regulatory compliance, and protecting the region’s restaurant industry.
Arsean and Trish Hooman have launched Kitchen Guard of Delmarva, a locally owned franchise providing professional exhaust system cleaning, grease management, and fire prevention services to commercial kitchens across the Delmarva Peninsula. The company will serve communities including Wilmington, Newark, Middletown, Rehoboth, Lewes, and Ocean City, Maryland.
The Hoomans said the business is designed to address a critical but often overlooked risk facing restaurants: kitchen fires caused by grease buildup and inadequate system maintenance. Beyond the technical services, they framed the launch as a long-term investment in the safety and stability of the local hospitality economy.
“Delmarva has given our family so much,” said Trish Hooman, co-owner of Kitchen Guard of Delmarva. “Our restaurants, our people, our first responders — everyone works hard to make this region special. We wanted to build something that gives back in a meaningful way.”
Trish Hooman brings more than a decade of experience leading large-scale technology initiatives at a Fortune 500 financial services company. A University of Pittsburgh graduate with a JD/MBA, she said her background shapes how the franchise approaches compliance, operations, and client relationships. “Whether the news is good or bad, honest communication always comes first,” she said.
Arsean Hooman adds more than 15 years of engineering and technology experience. He holds a master’s degree in electrical engineering from Johns Hopkins University and said his career has emphasized precision, risk mitigation, and accountability. His approach now guides the company’s service standards and technical execution.
The franchise is already operational, offering exhaust hood and duct cleaning, fire suppression inspection support, and education on full-system maintenance. The services are designed to help restaurant owners reduce fire risk, meet insurance and code requirements, and avoid costly shutdowns or damage.
Kitchen Guard corporate leadership said the Hoomans’ professional background and community ties made them a strong fit for the brand.
“They embody everything our brand stands for — service, safety, and community,” said Aaron Thompson, director of franchise development for Kitchen Guard. “Their professional background, combined with their passion for people, makes them an incredible asset to the Delmarva region.”
The Hoomans live on Kent Island, Maryland, with their young child and are expecting their second later this year. They said spending time at local restaurants and waterfront communities reinforces the importance of protecting the businesses that anchor Delmarva’s economy.
“This is about more than cleaning kitchen hoods,” Trish Hooman said. “It’s about protecting the people who feed our community.”
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