Big Frog Custom T-Shirts & More Brings Custom Apparel to Knoxville, Tennessee

December 05, 2025 // FranchisePR.com // KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Big Frog Custom T-Shirts & More is proud to announce its newest independently owned and operated store in Knoxville, Tennessee. The shop is owned by husband-and-wife team Ken Medley and Kierceton Kepes, who bring decades of experience in fashion, fitness and community engagement to East Tennessee’s newest destination for custom apparel. The shop will officially open its doors on December 15.

“Ken and Kierceton are exactly the kind of passionate, community-driven entrepreneurs that embody Big Frog’s culture,” said Tina Bacon-DeFrece, president and co-founder of Big Frog. “Their energy and connection to Knoxville make them the perfect partners to bring our fun, creative brand to this market.”

For Medley, a University of Tennessee graduate and 30-year veteran of the global fashion and apparel industry, the move represents both a homecoming and a new chapter.

“Getting to this stage in my career, I’ve had a long, good run that I’ve really enjoyed,” Medley said. “But I wanted to protect myself and my family while continuing to work and contribute. Once I started exploring franchising and met the Big Frog team, it just felt like the right fit. With my background in apparel, this felt comfortable — and fun. We didn’t want something that felt like another job.”

Kepes, who spent nearly 30 years in the fitness and wellness industry while raising their two sons, says she and Medley had both been thinking independently about entrepreneurship before realizing it was a shared dream.

“We didn’t know that each of us was thinking about opening our own business,” Kepes said. “Then one day Ken mentioned it, and I was like, ‘Get out of here!’ It’s our time now. Our kids are grown, and this is something exciting we can build together. We work really well as a team, and Big Frog is something we can enjoy while also giving back to the community.”

After extensive research with a franchise consultant, the couple was introduced to Big Frog and immediately gravitated toward the brand’s creative, community-oriented culture.

“We met with a few different companies, but Big Frog stood out,” Medley said. “They’re organized, supportive, and you can tell they genuinely care about their franchisees’ success. We really felt like we were being set up for success from day one.”

“When we went to Tampa and met everyone at corporate, there was just something that pulled us in,” Kepes said. “We could feel the sense of community and support. It was clear that this wasn’t just about printing shirts — it’s about celebrating people’s lives and milestones, which really spoke to us.”

Knoxville’s vibrant, tight-knit atmosphere made it the ideal place to launch their business.

“This is home to me,” Medley said. “There’s no better place to live in the country. Knoxville has everything — outdoor activities, great people, and of course, incredible college sports. We’re thrilled to be here.”

The duo plans to immerse themselves in the local community through partnerships with schools, nonprofits, and small businesses.

“We want to be involved,” Medley said. “Whether it’s working with kids’ schools or supporting under-resourced groups, we’re looking for ways to pour love back into Knoxville.”

Big Frog Custom T-Shirts & More offers a range of apparel-decoration services, including Direct-to-Garment (DTG) printing, Direct-to-Film (DTF) printing, embroidery, screen printing, vinyl and Ultra Print (heat press). The store provides free design assistance, no art or setup fees, and fast turnaround times for orders of any size.

“We’re excited to get established in the community and provide a service that helps people celebrate what’s important to them,” Kepes said. “Every order tells a story, and we’re honored to be part of those moments.”

SOURCE Big Frog Custom T-Shirts and More