Mr. Art Bartlett

Art Bartlett was a good salesman, but when he started a real estate franchise business with a partner in 1971, he had no idea he would eventually see Century 21 real estate signs on properties nationwide and in more than 50 countries, including Japan, England and Brazil.

Franchising already existed when he co-founded Century 21 in Santa Ana nearly 40 years ago, but Mr. Bartlett is credited with helping transform the real estate industry. Colleagues said he created the concept of regional franchising and the practice of converting existing small businesses into franchises. Century 21 Real Estate LLC is now the world’s largest residential real estate franchise company with more than 7,500 independently owned offices.

Mr. Bartlett died Thursday at his home in Coronado after a long illness. He was 76.

Mr. Bartlett is recognized as a legend in the industry. He was destined for a career in sales.

“He’s always been a salesman,” said his brother, Ray. “He started out in junior high. He made potholders and had a group of kids selling them. He always had a lot of ideas.”

One of Mr. Bartlett’s ideas was to start Comps Inc., one of the first companies to sell comparable residential listings services.

Real estate franchising was a new concept when Mr. Bartlett and Marsh Fisher opened Century 21.

“Art had an uncanny ability to take a new idea and develop it beyond anyone’s wildest dreams,” Jim Cummings, former Century 21 International president and chief executive officer, said in a statement.

Mr. Bartlett and his partner convinced successful local real estate people that they would have more success by marketing, advertising, training and selling together under one Century 21 umbrella, Cummings said.

Bud Cashen, a former Century 21 board member, said Mr. Bartlett was a man of integrity.

“We all respected him,” Cashen said. “He was very outgoing but he was no glad-hander. He cared a lot about people and he had a good heart.”

Mr. Bartlett had a home in the San Diego area since 1979 but moved here permanently in 1988. He was involved with the Honorary Deputy Sheriff’s Association and helped raise money for education, training and equipment.

In the 1990s, he heard that Camp Able, a program for disabled youth, would close because of a funding shortage. Mr. Bartlett organized a fundraising gala, said his daughter, Stacy Bartlett Renshaw of Coronado.

“He thought it was important to provide laughter and fun for kids who might not otherwise get the chance to attend camp,” Renshaw said.

Art Bartlett was born Nov. 26, 1933, in Glens Falls, N.Y., to Raymond and Thelma Bartlett. The family later moved to Long Beach. Mr. Bartlett worked at a clothing store while attending community college. He later worked in sales for the Campbell Soup Co. He returned to school in 1960 to study real estate. He started as an agent in the San Fernando Valley with Forest Olson, then the state’s largest residential real estate company.

He and his first wife, Collette, were married in 1955. Collette Bartlett died in 2002. Mr. Bartlett married the former Nancy Sanders in 2005.

Mr. Bartlett is survived by his wife, Nancy; daughter, Stacy Bartlett Renshaw; a brother, Ray; a sister, Millie; a stepson, Larry Wells; a grandson; and three step-grandchildren.

A memorial will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Jan. 23 at Coronado Cays Yacht Club.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Mr. Bartlett’s name to Camp Able in Coronado, (619) 594-4044.