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

benjamin-franklin-plumbing-ranks-no-194-on-entrepreneurs-2026-franchise-500

FRANCHISE INFORMATION

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing

Learn more about Benjamin Franklin Plumbing

A Veteran’s Pivot from Government Service to Franchise Ownership

What Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Looks for in Franchise Owners Today

Learn

Download Brochure

Visit Website

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN PLUMBING

Facebook

Instagram

LinkedIn

TikTok

YouTube

SOCIAL MEDIA

This Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Franchisee Built a Family Business that is Opening Doors for Women Across the Trades

Eli and Abby Power Turned a Rural Plumbing Shop Into a Multi-Generational Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Franchise

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN PLUMBING MOST READ STORIES

1851 LOGIN

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

ABOUT BENJAMIN FRANKLIN PLUMBING

CONTACT BENJAMIN FRANKLIN PLUMBING

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

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.

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.

franchisee-women-plumbing-trade

With&nbsp;<a href="https://benjaminfranklinplumbingfranchise.com/">Benjamin Franklin Plumbing</a>, the residential plumbing franchise owned by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.authoritybrands.com/">Authority Brands</a>, new franchisees aren’t stepping into the market alone. Right away, they get access to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.authoritybrands.com/enterprise-platforms/buymax/">BuyMax</a> — the purchasing arm within Authority Brands. It’s a level of support that puts them in a stronger position than a typical independent shop."The great thing about being a franchisee in a big system is that you have a tremendous amount of support,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-willard-34852635/">Richard Willard</a>, vice president of customer success at Authority Brands. “All 15 Authority Brands concepts, combined, do about $2.2 billion a year in annual sales. BuyMax leverages the buying power of the Authority Brands network to secure better deals on products and services for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.authoritybrands.com/enterprise-platforms/buymax/">Benjamin Franklin Plumbing</a> franchisees.”<h2>Protection When the Supply Chain Tightens</h2>In recent years, the plumbing industry has experienced significant price swings driven by supply chain issues, tariffs and global disruptions. Willard says the impact on independent businesses has been severe, but BuyMax helps stabilize the experience for franchisees.&nbsp;“We have contracts with vendors where they can't raise our prices or they can't raise them by a certain amount,” Willard said. These agreements are designed to help Benjamin Franklin Plumbing franchisees manage pricing more effectively than many independent operators by leveraging the buying power of the broader system.<h2>Why Private-Label Products Only Work at Scale</h2>BuyMax also secures private-labeled products for Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, giving franchisees access to branded items backed by manufacturer alignment. While independents may pursue private labeling on their own, doing so at a comparable level can be complex and costly without the scale of a larger system.“Nobody's going to private label a product without a huge commitment from buying," Willard said.In addition, major manufacturers want national partners with a reliable reputation and footprint, which Benjamin Franklin Plumbing offers as one of the “highest rated plumbing organizations with coverage across almost every state in the country.” This scale allows BuyMax to establish private-label partnerships that deepen customer trust, strengthen warranties and reinforce brand loyalty.<h2>Fleet Support That Simplifies Launch and Growth</h2>Buying the first service truck is often one of the biggest financial challenges for new franchisees. BuyMax Fleet makes this easier by guiding owners through the process.&nbsp;"If you have not worked in the plumbing industry, you have no idea what to do,” Willard said. “Well, that’s where you have this great team from Benjamin Franklin Plumbing that leads in.” The BuyMax team helps franchisees understand what they need, provide a schedule and ensure everything is set up correctly.On the fleet side specifically, Willard notes that it goes far beyond just locating a truck. “It’s upfitting the vehicle,” he said. “It’s wrapping the vehicle. It’s financing that vehicle, whether that’s through a traditional loan or a corporate lease.”&nbsp;This approach can save franchisees time, money and effort while giving them flexibility as their business grows.<h2>Pricing and Rebates That Add Up Quickly</h2>Thanks to BuyMax’s national relationships with preferred manufacturers, franchisees are not paying off-the-shelf prices for their equipment. They can buy at a lower cost and still receive a rebate directly from the manufacturer. “If they're buying a preferred vendor price with a rebate from a distributor that also has a rebate, they're now doubling up on rebates,” Willard said.&nbsp;For contractors buying high-volume items, Willard points out that a 2% to 5% rebate can become “a huge win over time” and potentially accelerate profitability.<h2>Training That Strengthens Technicians in the Field</h2>BuyMax also invests heavily in training to ensure technicians know how to sell, install and service products correctly. Willard describes this as a critical part of franchise success.“It really doesn't matter how good a product is if your people don't know how to sell it correctly or how to install it correctly or how to service it correctly,” he said. BuyMax addresses this through regional account managers who conduct on-site training, vendor-led sessions and live demos at conferences and conventions.&nbsp;Willard also highlights the selling advantage of private-label products. If a technician offers a standard brand-name sink, homeowners can immediately search online for the price. “But if it’s a private branded product, they do not have the ability to do that,” he said. “You can’t shop against a private-label product and that empowers the tech in the home.”<h2>Financial Impact With No Added Cost</h2>One significant benefit of BuyMax is that franchisees don’t pay an additional fee to access the program itself. As a division of Authority Brands, BuyMax’s services and purchasing agreements are built into the system, with franchisees paying only for the products and services they choose to purchase.“Working with BuyMax gives Benjamin Franklin Plumbing franchisees the opportunity to save money while supporting long-term growth,” Willard said. These kinds of savings make it difficult to put a single number on the program’s overall financial impact.<h2>A Differentiator That Most Franchises Can’t Offer</h2>With BuyMax behind them, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing owners start with built-in advantages most independents can’t match: protected pricing, private-label products, fleet support, stacked rebates and hands-on training — all at no extra cost. That scale can turn everyday purchases and decisions into meaningful savings and faster ramp-up.As BuyMax grows, Authority Brands is sharpening its focus on what matters most — franchisee profitability. Starting in 2026, BuyMax is adding more upfront discounts and purchasing incentives so Benjamin Franklin Plumbing owners can lock in stronger margins right out of the gate. Those changes are meant to boost revenue faster and keep the full weight of the network working in each owner’s favor.For candidates weighing their options, that Fortune 500-level buying power isn’t just a perk; it’s a durable edge that can shape profitability from day one.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;

How Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Gives Franchisees Fortune 500 Buying Power

BuyMax transforms small plumbing businesses into procurement powerhouses with the potential to outbid, outstock and outprice independent competitors.

how-benjamin-franklin-plumbing-gives-franchisees-fortune-500-buying-power