Benjamin Franklin Plumbing

When&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-evenhouse-5ba0b041/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=bob-evenhouse-plumbing-franchise-story-2730561" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Bob Evenhouse</a> walked away from a 17-year corporate career to open a&nbsp;<a href="https://benjaminfranklinplumbingfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=bob-evenhouse-plumbing-franchise-story-2730561" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Benjamin Franklin Plumbing</a> franchise in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benjaminfranklinplumbing.com/grand-rapids/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=bob-evenhouse-plumbing-franchise-story-2730561" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Grand Rapids, Michigan</a>, the decision wasn’t about titles or paychecks. It was about family.“I have five kids, so the flexibility of the schedule was something I was looking for,” Evenhouse said. “During COVID, I had some work-from-home opportunities and realized how family-centric that was. Work still got done. I logged in rather than driving into work, so they got more out of me and paid me the same.”The realization hit hardest when he thought about his five children’s various activities. “My daughter’s games are at 4:00. Choosing a job where I would need to leave every day at 3:00, wasn’t going to work for most employers,” he said. That was the moment he knew corporate life could no longer offer the balance he needed.<h2>A New Path in Plumbing</h2>Evenhouse had no plumbing background when he invested in&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/benjamin-franklin-plumbing/info">Benjamin Franklin Plumbing</a>, a full-service residential plumbing franchise that is part of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.authoritybrands.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=bob-evenhouse-plumbing-franchise-story-2730561" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Authority Brands</a>, but the company’s systems and training gave him a foundation to build on.“They had a great program to launch,” he said. “They provided a plan and showed us how to do it, but also allowed for local impact — like which marketing companies you choose or which tools you need. Although it’s a business in a box, they provide flexibility. For example, water lines are deeper in Michigan than they are in Texas, so different equipment may be needed.”Support didn’t stop at the training manual. Evenhouse leaned on his franchise business consultant and other owners in the network. “They also provide coaching through the franchise business consultant, making sure you’re working on your financials and bouncing ideas around. You feel like you’re part of the network and a team,” he said. “Other franchisees have also been helpful, sharing ideas and reminding me of tools and programs available.”The combination of structured systems and peer support allowed him to sidestep mistakes many independent operators face. “Having a plumbing business in a box doesn’t guarantee success, but it gives you a game plan you can grow and mold,” Evenhouse said. “We were able to start as fast as we did because of that. If I had started on my own, it would have been much slower and I would have made many more mistakes.”<h2>Betting on Growth</h2>Like many entrepreneurs, financial considerations played heavily into his decision. The Franchise Disclosure Document outlined startup costs and revenue potential, but Evenhouse believed moving quickly would pay off.“Starting faster requires more capital. You can start out with what they list, but I think the return on investment comes faster if you put in more,” he said. “My philosophy was to start with three territories, three trucks and three guys, rather than stepping into it slowly with one or two.”It was a risk, but early results validated the strategy. “The investment is fair, but you may need to put in a little more than listed,” he said. “On the flip side, the reward can be greater. We’ve seen some very strong early success, which is encouraging.”<h2>The Right Kind of Owner</h2>Evenhouse is clear about what it takes to thrive in a Benjamin Franklin Plumbing franchise — or any business.“Direct involvement, sales experience and community connections have served me well,” he said. “The best fit is someone who is hands-on. Any business you launch requires building a culture and investing in people.”Over time, Evenhouse has seen that the systems and support a franchise provides only go so far. What ultimately determines success is the way an owner shows up each day.“People work as hard as the person at the top,” he said. “If you’re a hands-on, hard worker with a sales background, and you’ve been in the community with relationships and connections, that gives you a leg up. If you want to be passive, have just moved to a new area and expect the business to grow on its own, I haven’t seen that work.”<h2>Expanding Services in Michigan</h2>Evenhouse’s ambitions don’t necessarily revolve around new territories. For now, he’s focused on strengthening and diversifying the services his franchise can offer.“Right now, we’re expanding services. We want to be excellent in an area before moving into something new,” he said. “For example, we’re pushing drain and sewer. We have a jetter now, so we can do jetting. We do a lot of residential work. There’s a demand in the commercial space, specifically working with property managers who appreciate our fast, dependable service. We’re diversifying our services and becoming excellent at them.”He doesn’t rule out more offices or territories, but he insists the focus must stay on quality. “Maybe in the future there will be expansion, but we already own a big chunk of West Michigan. We can be healthy here, too. I’d love to offer new services and more offices, but we want to be excellent before we move in that direction.”<h2>Building Culture, Building Value</h2>Evenhouse credits his team with much of the franchise’s success. “If you have a team that’s bought in, they’ll share ideas and help each other out,” he said. “When you want to train them on sales opportunities, they’ll be willing to try new things and ask for reviews. The team aspect is probably number one. That includes the office team, who asks for reviews, does inside sales, follows up on estimates—not just the plumbers. Cultivating the team and culture is the main thing to focus on once you begin.”<h2>The Reward of Ownership</h2>For Evenhouse, the leap into franchising has been demanding, but deeply rewarding.“Owning a plumbing business is not something to take lightly, but this is the most fun I’ve had at work in a long time,” he said. “That doesn’t mean it’s without stress or challenges, but I’d rather have it like this than working for someone else, wondering when the next raise is coming or what I need to push for.”At the end of the day, seeing his growing operation reminds him why he left corporate life behind. “I enjoy building the team and seeing seven vehicles parked out front now. It’s satisfying.”About Benjamin Franklin Plumbing:Founded in 2001, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing currently operates in more than 300 locations across North America. With an emphasis on customer satisfaction, the company's highly trained and licensed plumbers offer a full range of plumbing services that meet the highest industry standards including installation, repair and replacement. The Punctual Plumber is part of Authority Brands, the parent company to leading home service brands across the plumbing, electrical services, residential cleaning, at-home care, swimming pool repair and maintenance, tree care, restoration and pest control services sector. For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.benjaminfranklinplumbing.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=bob-evenhouse-plumbing-franchise-story-2730561" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.benjaminfranklinplumbing.com</a> and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.authoritybrands.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=bob-evenhouse-plumbing-franchise-story-2730561" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.authoritybrands.com</a>.

Bob Evenhouse's Story From Corporate Life to Plumbing Franchise Owner

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After years in corporate roles, Evenhouse chose Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Grand Rapids, Michigan, seeking flexibility, reliable systems and a chance to build lasting community impact.

This brand page has been paid for by BENJAMIN FRANKLIN PLUMBING. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

Why Bob Evenhouse Left Corporate Life to Build a Plumbing Franchise

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The skilled trades have long been considered male-dominated industries, but that reality has gradually begun to shift as more women step into leadership roles and technical careers.&nbsp;<a href="http://linkedin.com/in/michelle-glasson-8a6bb585">Michelle Glasson</a>, a franchise owner with&nbsp;<a href="https://benjaminfranklinplumbingfranchise.com/">Benjamin Franklin Plumbing</a> in Levittown, Pennsylvania, entered the home services industry through a family business and developed a passion for leading a strong team.“My journey into the home services industry really started when I started dating my now-husband, who owned a small plumbing company, and I felt a passion for family business and entrepreneurship,” she said. “I’ve always been drawn to businesses that serve the community and provide real value to people’s everyday lives.”As Glasson became more involved in the day-to-day operations of the company, she learned every part of the business, from customer service to leadership and operations. She soon discovered that home services is an industry where the work you do genuinely matters, and over time, Glasson became focused on building a strong team and creating a workplace culture where employees could grow professionally.<h2>Leading in a Male-Dominated Industry</h2>When Glasson first entered the trades, the experience came with its share of challenges. The plumbing industry has historically had fewer women in leadership positions, and early perceptions were not always encouraging.“In the very beginning, it was both challenging and, for the most part, laughed at. However, through the years it has proven to be incredibly rewarding,” she said. “The skilled trades have traditionally been male-dominated, but I believe that strong leadership, clear communication and respect for the people around you matter more than anything else.”<h2>Encouraging More Women to Enter the Trades</h2>Glasson believes that women bring valuable leadership qualities to skilled trade businesses, such as a strong sense of communication, organization and emotional intelligence. She found that these qualities are incredibly valuable when managing teams and building relationships with customers.She also encourages women who may be considering careers in the trades or franchise ownership not to be intimidated by outdated perceptions.“My biggest advice would be to believe in yourself and don’t hold back,” Glasson said. “And don’t allow the perception that a female could never effectively have a career in the skilled trades. That is just false.”As Glasson’s<a href="https://1851franchise.com/benjamin-franklin-plumbing/info"> Benjamin Franklin Plumbing franchise</a> continues to expand, she stays focused on leading her team well and making sure customers receive dependable service while continuing to support the employees who help the business succeed.“What started as an opportunity for my husband and I to grow the business that he already had quickly turned into a passion for creating a strong team, building a positive culture and providing reliable service to the community we serve,” Glasson said.To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/benjamin-franklin-plumbing.">https://1851franchise.com/benjamin-franklin-plumbing.</a>&nbsp;

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing franchise owner Michelle Glasson reflects on building a team, breaking barriers and creating opportunities in the plumbing industry.

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COLUMBIA, Md. —&nbsp;<a href="https://benjaminfranklinplumbingfranchise.com/">Benjamin Franklin Plumbing</a>, the nationally recognized residential plumbing franchise, has been named to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.entrepreneur.com/franchise500">Entrepreneur’s 2026 Franchise 500</a>, ranking No. 194 overall, up significantly from No. 288 in 2025.Entrepreneur’s annual Franchise 500 ranking is widely regarded as one of the most comprehensive evaluations of franchise opportunities, assessing brands on factors including unit growth, financial strength and stability, brand power, franchisee support, and more.“Moving up nearly 100 spots on the Franchise 500 is a huge reflection of the collective success of our franchise owners and the strength of our system,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-clemente-b4244539/">Steve Clemente</a>, President and Chief Operating Officer of Trades Brands at Authority Brands. “This achievement is a direct testament to their hard work, supported by our robust operating model and long-term focus on building a strong, sustainable brand.”Now in its 47th year, the Franchise 500 evaluates franchise systems using a cumulative score based on more than 150 data points.&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/benjamin-franklin-plumbing/info">Benjamin Franklin Plumbing’s</a> continued rise in the rankings is a testament to its established presence in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/private-capital/our-insights/value-plays-in-us-home-services-where-opportunity-meets-reliability">rapidly growing</a> home services sector. As part of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.authoritybrands.com/">Authority Brands</a>, the brand benefits from an impressive suite of shared services and strategic support designed to help franchise owners operate efficiently in local markets.“Our success is driven by the dedication of our franchise owners in their local communities,” Clemente said. “Our focus remains on providing them with the systems and tools to succeed, and recognition like this really reinforces that approach and the exciting direction of the brand.”To view Benjamin Franklin Plumbing’s full profile on Entrepreneur’s 2026 Franchise 500®, visit:<a href="https://www.entrepreneur.com/franchises/directory/benjamin-franklin-plumbing/305237">&nbsp;https://www.entrepreneur.com/franchises/directory/benjamin-franklin-plumbing/305237</a>. Results are also featured in the January/February 2026 issue of Entrepreneur.ABOUT BENJAMIN FRANKLIN PLUMBING Founded in 2001, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing currently operates in more than 300 locations across North America. With an emphasis on customer satisfaction, the company's highly trained and licensed plumbers offer a full range of plumbing services that meet the highest industry standards, including installation, repair, and replacement. Benjamin Franklin Plumbing is part of Authority Brands, the parent company to leading home service brands across the plumbing, electrical services, residential cleaning, at-home care, swimming pool repair and maintenance, tree care, restoration, and pest control services sector. For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.benjaminfranklinplumbing.com">www.benjaminfranklinplumbing.com</a> and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.authoritybrands.com">www.authoritybrands.com</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The plumbing franchise moved up 94 spots from its place on last year’s list as it continues system growth and in-depth franchisee support.

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Ranks No. 194 on Entrepreneur’s 2026 Franchise 500®

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Why Bob Evenhouse Left Corporate Life to Build a Plumbing Franchise

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