United Comfort Group’s Comfort First to lay off 67 employees

North Carolina-based Comfort First Heating & Cooling last week filed a notice stating it will conduct a “mass layoff” of 67 employees at its Sanford headquarters near Raleigh. 39 of the layoffs will impact service technicians, plumbers, and apprentices.

The backdrop: Comfort First is part of private equity-backed HVAC, plumbing, and electrical platform United Comfort Group, whose brands also include Virginia-based United Air Temp.

• Earlier this month, United Air Temp — which serves five markets — filed notices indicating it will lay off 96 employees at its Lorton, Virginia location and 39 employees in Maryland.
• The “expected separation date” for Comfort First employees is November 16 — and November 10 for United Air Temp employees.

Between the lines: It remains unclear why the platform plans to shed 202 total employees across two of its brands; however, a source familiar with Comfort First told Homepros on Tuesday that the company had heavy exposure to home-warranty work and is now winding down those partnerships, including with American Home Shield. 

• Representatives for United Comfort Group and its private equity sponsor, Littlejohn & Co., have not responded to multiple requests for comment. American Home Shield didn’t return a request for comment.

Of note: United Air Temp acquired Comfort First in 2021. At the time, it was backed by Charlotte-based investment firm Summit Park.

• In 2024, Littlejohn & Co. acquired the company for an undisclosed sum and subsequently branded the roll-up as United Comfort Group. 
• Since 2024, United Comfort Group has had three CEOs, with current chief executive Deepak Chandrasekaran appointed in February.
• The company currently owns eight brands. 

Comfort First was established in North Carolina in 2010.