bluefrog Plumbing + Drain Plumbing Franchise Review: Q&A with Thomas Dougherty
President of rising plumbing franchise offers insight into the unique philosophy behind bluefrog Plumbing + Drain’s success
The decision to franchise with bluefrog Plumbing + Drain plumbing franchise is the decision to not be in business by yourself. Whether you’re an entrepreneur with zero experience in the plumbing industry, or are converting your existing plumbing business into a bluefrog Plumbing + Drain franchise, we have the resources, the expertise and the proven business to help you thrive over the long term.
We provide business support at all levels.
At bluefrog Plumbing + Drain, the key to how we support franchisees is by being proactive vs. reactive. The ability to get out in front of obstacles is an essential part of owning a business, and it is often what keeps an entrepreneur from being able to focus on growing their businesses. Our support platform includes ongoing coaching and training to ensure that your business continues to grow.
In this in-depth interview, President of bluefrog Plumbing + Drain, Thomas Dougherty, opens up about what makes us stand out and how we help support our franchisees in every aspect of their business efforts.
How does bluefrog Plumbing + Drain help franchisees successfully operate their businesses in a demand-type service industry?
Dougherty: People are very responsive, meaning that when something breaks, they call and we fix it — that’s demand-type service. The challenge with a demand-type service is that it really relies on the effectiveness of your marketing to ensure that a customer will call your business instead of the other two or three hundred plumbing companies they could have called. The problem with getting business solely from getting calls is that there is very little control, which is why we focus very heavily on scheduled service. We convert customers who call us when something breaks into a long-term client by treating them like family and demonstrating the value of what we do through education.
Unlike other plumbing companies, we offer a membership service. By becoming a member, a homeowner knows that we’re proactively coming out and checking their system to prevent that catastrophic issue and the high costs associated with fixing catastrophic issues. This creates a relationship between us and the homeowner that is unlike anything else in the plumbing industry.
What makes bluefrog Plumbing + Drain plumbing franchise stand out in the plumbing industry?
Dougherty: Our core philosophy is it’s not about plumbing — it’s about people. From the time we answer the phone, to the time we knock on a door, to the time we’re writing up an invoice and leaving the home, it’s about the person we’re serving. It’s about that husband, wife, family, and their home. When you make it more about the people, that gets across to the consumer. They know it’s more about us helping them then it is for us trying to drive an average ticket higher. We never want to be perceived that way. We want to be perceived as a company that is there to serve and there to help. When we do it the right way, the average ticket takes care of itself.
Does a potential franchisee need an understanding of plumbing to be successful?
Dougherty: Two things. Number one is that you have nothing to fear; you may not know plumbing, but we do. We’ve got the systems, the processes, the technical training, and the communications training to get you up and running in a very profitable business. Why bluefrog Plumbing + Drain? Because we’re not just another company that’s got “rooter” attached to it.
We’re a very unique brand that will stand out in any market because we focus on people first, not plumbing.
Why is plumbing a better investment than other home services?
Dougherty: The reality is that when you think about the home services industry, pest control or carpet cleaning might come to the top of mind before plumbing. In reality, plumbing is one of the best businesses you can invest in.
Number one: it’s a necessity for the homeowner. Number two: it is a very profitable business. The people who get into plumbing tend to think it’s a low-income type of an opportunity — it’s not. There are individual plumbers out there who are making six figures with a high school education and a plumbing license. Imagine what the income level of that owner’s business looks like if there are owners out there that have more than one guy doing six figures a year. It’s a very profitable and lucrative business.
Why is now a good time to invest in the bluefrog Plumbing + Drain Franchise?
Dougherty: Right now the sky’s the limit, if there even is a limit. I truly believe in the next 18 months, we’ll double in size — potentially triple in size. As we continue to grow these locations like Dallas, Texas and Charlotte, North Carolina, where we have a new location launching this month, we will start to grow this brand across the country quickly. This will happen because of who we are and what we stand for — people, not plumbing.
We’re bluefrog Plumbing + Drain and we have Freddie (the mascot). Freddie is all about helping people and family. We’ll stand out in the crowd because of our brand, because of Freddie, and because of the level of service we provide. The future for bluefrog Plumbing + Drain is bright.
Start making a difference for families in your community today
A bluefrog Plumbing + Drain franchise is a low-cost investment opportunity offering extremely high growth potential. Join this brand as it expands across the nation in the coming year. Costs range from $109,730 to $361,015 or $37,230 to $203,515 for a conversion franchise — much less than the usual plumbing franchise brands due to the lack of brick and mortar expenses.
For in-depth details about the bluefrog Plumbing + Drain franchise opportunity, fill out our free franchise information request form. You also can learn more by calling 877-699-2637.