Benjamin Franklin Plumbing
| Franchise | |
| ISIN | 🆔 |
| Industry | Plumbing |
| Founded 📆 | 2000 |
| Founder 👔 | |
Area served 🗺️ | United States |
| Members | |
Number of employees | |
| Parent | Authority Brands, LLC |
| 🌐 Website | benjaminfranklinplumbing |
| 📇 Address | |
| 📞 telephone | |
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing is a plumbing services franchise operating in the United States and Canada. The company operates as part of Authority Brands, LLC, a home services franchisor.
History
Founding and early years
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing was founded in 2000 by Clockwork Home Services as a franchise concept targeting members of Plumbers' Success International (PSI).[1] The name was selected based on a market survey of 1,600 residential service customers, which found that customers associated plumbers with qualities of honesty, frugality, and hard work—traits associated with Benjamin Franklin.[1]
Ellen Rohr, founder of business education company Bare Bones Biz, was named the company's first president in January 2001.[1] The company began franchising in 2001 with approximately 88 initial franchise owners, referred to as "Revolutionaries."[1] Rohr stated the mission was to create "America's No. 1 home service plumbing company" measured by top-of-mind awareness, growth and profits, and status as the leading employer in the industry.[1]
Ownership changes
Clockwork Home Services, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing's parent company founded in 1998, was acquired by Direct Energy in 2010 for $183 million.[2] By 2014, the Direct Energy family of brands, which included Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning, and Mister Sparky Electric, had revenues of approximately $1 billion.[3]
In February 2019, Direct Energy sold Clockwork, including Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning, and Mister Sparky Electric, to Authority Brands for $300 million. At the time of sale, the brands operated over 725 franchise territories and 10 company-owned locations.[2]
Business model
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing operates through independently owned and operated franchises. The company markets itself with the slogan "the punctual plumber" and offers a guarantee that refunds customers $5 per minute for late arrivals, up to $300.[4] The company adopted GPS vehicle tracking systems and scheduling software to support this punctuality promise.[4]
Services include plumbing repairs, installations, water heater services, drain cleaning, and emergency plumbing.[5] As of 2024, the company reported operating more than 260 locations across North America.[6]
According to Lance Sinclair, president of Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning, and Mister Sparky Electric, franchise conversion is often driven by enhanced buying power, allowing better pricing on equipment, materials, and administrative costs such as office supplies and health insurance.[7]
Franchise startup costs are estimated to range from $33,000 to over $100,000, with franchisees required to pay ongoing royalties.[8]
Workforce development and skilled trades promotion
In April 2015, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, along with sister brands One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning and Mister Sparky Electric, announced a partnership with television personality Mike Rowe, creator and host of Discovery Channel's "Dirty Jobs" and CNN's "Somebody's Gotta Do It."[9][3] The partnership aimed to promote careers in the skilled trades and address labor shortages in the plumbing, electrical, and HVAC industries.[10]
As part of the agreement, the brands committed to donating $100,000 in scholarships to Rowe's mikeroweWORKS Foundation over 12 months.[9] Rowe appeared in television commercials, radio advertisements, and print materials alongside actual technicians from the brands, emphasizing authenticity in the campaign.[10] Mark Baker, then franchise president for the brands, stated the partnership would "elevate the conversation to a national level" about the skilled trades labor shortage.[10]
In 2016, the brands launched a webisode series called "Hot Under the Blue Collar" with Rowe to highlight career opportunities in the skilled trades.[11]
Industry rankings
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing has been included in industry franchise rankings, including Entrepreneur Magazine's Franchise 500 and the Franchise Times Top 400.[12]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Leavitt, Wendy (May 2001). "Newsmaker Profiles: Ellen Rohr, President Benjamin Franklin Plumbing". Plumbing & Mechanical. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Direct Energy Sells Clockwork to Authority Brands". Contractor Magazine. February 21, 2019. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Get down and dirty with trades". Business Observer. April 17, 2015. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Leavitt, Wendy (December 1, 2003). "Benjamin Franklin Plumbing". FleetOwner. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
- ↑ "Benjamin Franklin Plumbing". Authority Brands. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
- ↑ "Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Franchise". Entrepreneur. Retrieved 26 September 2025.
- ↑ Zilberman, Clarissa Buch (December 5, 2023). "Franchise vs. Independent Business? 12 Experts Weigh the Options". Entrepreneur. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
- ↑ "Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Franchise Cost (FDD Item 7)". 1851 Franchise. Retrieved 26 September 2025.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Benjamin Franklin Plumbing partners with Mike Rowe". Plumbing & Mechanical. May 21, 2015. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 "Mike Rowe joins home services companies to promote skilled trades". Contractor Magazine. May 2015. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
- ↑ "Direct Energy, Mike Rowe Launch Webisode Series on Benefits of Working in the Trades". ACHR News. April 15, 2016. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
- ↑ "Franchise Times Top 400". Franchise Times. 2024. Retrieved 26 September 2025.
External links
Category:Plumbing companies of the United States Category:Franchises Category:Companies based in Maryland Category:American companies established in 2000
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