When people think about America's infrastructure challenges, they often picture crumbling bridges, aging highways or outdated public water systems. But one of the country's biggest infrastructure issues exists much closer to home.

Millions of U.S. homeowners are dealing with plumbing systems that have been in place for decades. The American Society of Civil Engineers’ 2025 Infrastructure Report Card gave drinking water infrastructure a C-, wastewater systems a D+ and stormwater infrastructure a D, pointing to years of underinvestment and aging assets. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that roughly $625 billion will be needed for drinking water infrastructure over the next 20 years, and about 4 million lead service lines are still in use nationwide.

For Benjamin Franklin Plumbing franchise owners, these trends represent more than industry statistics. "This is the kind of business that people need no matter what's going on in the world," said David Montanez, vice president of franchise development for Authority Brands. "If your water line breaks, you're not waiting around to deal with it next week."

America's Aging Housing Stock Is Creating Long-Term Demand

The infrastructure conversation doesn't stop at city water mains. It continues inside the walls of millions of homes built throughout the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. With the average American home now roughly 40 years old, many homeowners are confronting aging supply lines, deteriorating sewer systems, corroded plumbing components and outdated water heaters that were never designed to last forever.

"Plumbing is an essential service," Montanez said. “When something goes wrong, you need a professional and you need them fast. Benjamin Franklin Plumbing was deemed essential during the pandemic because these are not services that can wait. That level of demand creates a resilient, recession-resistant business for our franchise owners.”

While many homeowners only think about plumbing when something breaks, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing franchisees increasingly help customers proactively replace aging systems before small issues become expensive emergencies, whether it's replacing deteriorating water lines, upgrading aging water heaters or identifying hidden leaks.

Modernizing Homes One Service Call at a Time

Unlike contractors focused exclusively on emergency repairs, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing emphasizes professionalism, education and long-term customer relationships. "We have a signature on-time guarantee that reflects how much we value our customers' time," Montanez said. “If a technician is late, we pay the customer $5 for every minute they wait, up to $300.”

That commitment to professionalism extends throughout every service appointment. Benjamin Franklin Plumbing technicians arrive with fully stocked vehicles, allowing many repairs and replacements to be completed during a single visit rather than requiring multiple trips.

"It's about reliability," Montanez said. “Homeowners want to know that when they make time in their day for a service call, we'll be there. And not just on time, but ready to work.”

Authority Brands also supports franchisees through its proprietary purchasing platform, providing access to preferred vendor relationships and competitive pricing that help owners present multiple repair and replacement options.

"It works extremely well, and it's something homeowners have said is really comforting to them," Montanez said. "They don't feel like someone's trying to upsell them to the Cadillac of all products. They feel like they're being worked with and treated fairly."

A Mission That Extends Beyond Repairs

But for many Benjamin Franklin Plumbing franchisees, the work is about more than fixing leaks. "My journey into the home services industry really started when I started dating my now-husband, who owned a small plumbing company," said Michelle Glasson, a franchisee in Pennsylvania. “I've always been drawn to businesses that serve the community and provide real value to people's everyday lives.”

As Glasson built her business, she discovered that every repair, installation and replacement directly improved customers' quality of life.

"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," she said.

Veteran franchise owner Scott Wood, who operates a Benjamin Franklin Plumbing business alongside One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning in Nebraska, describes his motivation simply. "I have a passion for teaching, developing people and serving others," Wood said. "That's really why I do what I do — to serve and give back."

Infrastructure Trends Create Long-Term Franchise Opportunity

As America's housing stock continues to age, the demand for skilled plumbing professionals is expected to remain strong. Perhaps most importantly, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing does not require franchise owners to have plumbing experience themselves.

"Success in this system is not about having trade skills," Montanez said. “It is about creating the right culture. We look for individuals with strong business instincts, leadership experience and the discipline to follow an established system. Everything else can be taught.”

Supported by Authority Brands' training, purchasing power, marketing resources and operational coaching, franchisees are positioned to build businesses around one of the country's most durable service categories.

As America continues investing in infrastructure, much of that work will happen inside individual homes. Every replaced water line, upgraded plumbing system and modernized fixture represents another homeowner protecting their investment and another Benjamin Franklin Plumbing franchisee helping solve the hidden infrastructure challenges that exist behind the walls of homes across the country, one service call at a time.

To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit https://1851franchise.com/benjamin-franklin-plumbing.

When people think about America's infrastructure challenges, they often picture crumbling bridges, aging highways or outdated public water systems. But one of the country's biggest infrastructure issues exists much closer to home.

Millions of U.S. homeowners are dealing with plumbing systems that have been in place for decades. The American Society of Civil Engineers’ 2025 Infrastructure Report Card gave drinking water infrastructure a C-, wastewater systems a D+ and stormwater infrastructure a D, pointing to years of underinvestment and aging assets. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that roughly $625 billion will be needed for drinking water infrastructure over the next 20 years, and about 4 million lead service lines are still in use nationwide.

For Benjamin Franklin Plumbing franchise owners, these trends represent more than industry statistics. "This is the kind of business that people need no matter what's going on in the world," said David Montanez, vice president of franchise development for Authority Brands. "If your water line breaks, you're not waiting around to deal with it next week."

America's Aging Housing Stock Is Creating Long-Term Demand

The infrastructure conversation doesn't stop at city water mains. It continues inside the walls of millions of homes built throughout the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. With the average American home now roughly 40 years old, many homeowners are confronting aging supply lines, deteriorating sewer systems, corroded plumbing components and outdated water heaters that were never designed to last forever.

"Plumbing is an essential service," Montanez said. “When something goes wrong, you need a professional and you need them fast. Benjamin Franklin Plumbing was deemed essential during the pandemic because these are not services that can wait. That level of demand creates a resilient, recession-resistant business for our franchise owners.”

While many homeowners only think about plumbing when something breaks, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing franchisees increasingly help customers proactively replace aging systems before small issues become expensive emergencies, whether it's replacing deteriorating water lines, upgrading aging water heaters or identifying hidden leaks.

Modernizing Homes One Service Call at a Time

Unlike contractors focused exclusively on emergency repairs, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing emphasizes professionalism, education and long-term customer relationships. "We have a signature on-time guarantee that reflects how much we value our customers' time," Montanez said. “If a technician is late, we pay the customer $5 for every minute they wait, up to $300.”

That commitment to professionalism extends throughout every service appointment. Benjamin Franklin Plumbing technicians arrive with fully stocked vehicles, allowing many repairs and replacements to be completed during a single visit rather than requiring multiple trips.

"It's about reliability," Montanez said. “Homeowners want to know that when they make time in their day for a service call, we'll be there. And not just on time, but ready to work.”

Authority Brands also supports franchisees through its proprietary purchasing platform, providing access to preferred vendor relationships and competitive pricing that help owners present multiple repair and replacement options.

"It works extremely well, and it's something homeowners have said is really comforting to them," Montanez said. "They don't feel like someone's trying to upsell them to the Cadillac of all products. They feel like they're being worked with and treated fairly."

A Mission That Extends Beyond Repairs

But for many Benjamin Franklin Plumbing franchisees, the work is about more than fixing leaks. "My journey into the home services industry really started when I started dating my now-husband, who owned a small plumbing company," said Michelle Glasson, a franchisee in Pennsylvania. “I've always been drawn to businesses that serve the community and provide real value to people's everyday lives.”

As Glasson built her business, she discovered that every repair, installation and replacement directly improved customers' quality of life.

"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," she said.

Veteran franchise owner Scott Wood, who operates a Benjamin Franklin Plumbing business alongside One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning in Nebraska, describes his motivation simply. "I have a passion for teaching, developing people and serving others," Wood said. "That's really why I do what I do — to serve and give back."

Infrastructure Trends Create Long-Term Franchise Opportunity

As America's housing stock continues to age, the demand for skilled plumbing professionals is expected to remain strong. Perhaps most importantly, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing does not require franchise owners to have plumbing experience themselves.

"Success in this system is not about having trade skills," Montanez said. “It is about creating the right culture. We look for individuals with strong business instincts, leadership experience and the discipline to follow an established system. Everything else can be taught.”

Supported by Authority Brands' training, purchasing power, marketing resources and operational coaching, franchisees are positioned to build businesses around one of the country's most durable service categories.

As America continues investing in infrastructure, much of that work will happen inside individual homes. Every replaced water line, upgraded plumbing system and modernized fixture represents another homeowner protecting their investment and another Benjamin Franklin Plumbing franchisee helping solve the hidden infrastructure challenges that exist behind the walls of homes across the country, one service call at a time.

To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit https://1851franchise.com/benjamin-franklin-plumbing.

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Luca Piacentini

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Luca Piacentini

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1851 Managing Editor

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