Risk Score
Pending analysis
Investment Range
$515,719 - $2,796,495
Franchise Fee
$50,000
Total US Locations
43
Business Summary
1-Tom-Plumber operates a plumbing business specializing in emergency plumbing services and repairs for both commercial and residential properties. The 1-Tom-Plumber business model updates traditional plumbing approaches with modern marketing and pricing, using overstocked service trucks to respond to emergencies quickly. The business also promotes routine and preventive maintenance for commercial and industrial drainage systems. 1-Tom-Plumber businesses operate from a central office in a light industrial space for administrative functions and vehicle storage, without a customer showroom. A call forwarding system helps route customers to the nearest franchisee based on zip code.
Corporate History
The 1-Tom-Plumber brand began in Cincinnati, Ohio, under 1 Tom Plumber LLC, which was formed on September 14, 2017. The initial 1-Tom-Plumber business opened on June 1, 2018. 1 Tom Plumber Global Inc., the franchisor, was formed as an Ohio corporation on January 27, 2020, and began offering franchises in the United States in October 2020. The franchisor is a wholly-owned subsidiary of 1 Tom Plumber Brand Inc., which owns the intellectual property assets. An affiliate, 1 Tom Plumber Supply Inc., was formed on January 27, 2020, to supply products but is expected to be dissolved in 2025.
Financial Overview
Investment Range
$515,719 - $2,796,495
Franchise Fee (Low)
$50,000
Franchise Fee (High)
$50,000
Royalty %
6%
Marketing %
2%
Equipment Costs (Low)
$4,459
Equipment Costs (High)
$36,742
Working Capital
$450,000
Audited Financials
Yes
Offers Financing
No
Audit Opinion
Unqualified opinion
Financial Health Notes
1-Tom-Plumber's financial statements show an unqualified audit opinion, indicating a fair presentation of its financial position. In 2024, the company achieved a net income of $515,986, a significant improvement from a loss in 2023. While 1-Tom-Plumber has a negative retained earnings balance of ($777,427) at the end of 2024, this represents a substantial reduction of the deficit from the prior year. The company maintains positive working capital, indicating sufficient liquid assets to cover short-term liabilities. Additionally, 1-Tom-Plumber significantly reduced its outstanding debt in 2024, including related party notes payable and a line of credit, which stood at $0 by year-end.
Financing Details
1-Tom-Plumber does not offer any direct or indirect financing to its franchisees. The franchisor also does not guarantee any notes, leases, or other obligations for franchisees.
Performance Metrics
Total US Locations
43
Franchised Units
37
Corporate Units
6
Avg Square Footage
2,375
Franchising Since
2020
Legal & Compliance Analysis
Recent Litigation
No
Bankruptcy
No
Litigation Summary
1-Tom-Plumber has no litigation history to report. The franchise disclosure document states that no litigation is required to be disclosed in this item.
Bankruptcy History
1-Tom-Plumber has no bankruptcy history to report. The franchise disclosure document states that no bankruptcies are required to be disclosed in this item.
Agreement Terms
Initial Term
10 years
Renewal Term
5 years
Renewal Conditions
To renew their 1-Tom-Plumber franchise agreement, franchisees must notify the franchisor in writing at least six months before the current term ends. They must be in full compliance with their agreements and have no outstanding monetary obligations to the franchisor or its affiliates. The franchised unit must not be in the bottom quartile of gross sales compared to other franchised units, considering population differences. Franchisees cannot have had more than one material default during the first year of their agreement or more than one material default (cured or uncured) within any 24-month period. Additionally, they must sign the franchisor's then-current franchise agreement and a general release of claims, and complete any retraining the franchisor requires. At the end of the initial term and the first renewal term, franchisees must also upgrade their unit and vehicles to meet current brand standards and design elements, and install current equipment and operating software.
Training & Support Program
Franchisor Assistance
Before a 1-Tom-Plumber franchisee opens, the franchisor provides advice on selecting the central office site and reviews the proposed location. It also reviews the lease or purchase agreement for the site and provides standard plans and layouts for vehicle design and wrapping. The franchisor loans the franchisee access to its Operations Manual and provides an initial training program for the owner-operator, general manager, and initial staff. This initial training is conducted at the corporate headquarters, the franchisee's central office, or another pre-approved location, and includes on-site assistance. After opening, 1-Tom-Plumber provides an approved list of suppliers and materials, along with product, marketing, and advertising research data. The franchisor offers staffing standards and conducts periodic field evaluations and quality assurance inspections. It also provides ongoing advice and communications through personal visits, phone calls, electronic communications, newsletters, and bulletins. 1-Tom-Plumber maintains and updates its call routing system, website, and social media, and assists with developing and approving local annual marketing plans. It also offers successor franchise agreements and reviews proposed transfers.
Initial Training Hours
114
Training Location
Corporate headquarters in Milford, Ohio, and/or franchisee's Central Office location, and/or other pre-approved operating locations.
Ongoing Support
After a 1-Tom-Plumber business opens, the franchisor provides a list of approved suppliers and materials, along with product, marketing, and advertising research data and advice. They offer staffing standards and conduct periodic field evaluations and quality assurance inspections to ensure compliance with brand standards. Franchisees receive individual or group advice, consultation, and assistance through personal visits, telephone, electronic communication, newsletters, or bulletins. The franchisor maintains and updates the 1-Tom-Plumber call routing system, website (including dispatch functionality), and social media. They also provide directives for local advertising, messaging, and suggestions for pricing and limited-time offers, as well as reviewing and approving the franchisee's annual marketing plan. The franchisor may establish an automated central dispatch system for customer contacts.
Franchise Requirements
Industry Experience Required
Yes
Management Experience Required
Yes
Sales Experience Required
No
Technical Skills Required
Yes
Operational Details
Location Type
Commercial
Owner Participation
Full-Time
Territory Type
Exclusive
Staff Count
13
Territory Size Requirements
1 Tom Plumber Operating Areas are generally defined by zip codes. In larger metropolitan areas, Operating Areas are determined by travel time and access to customers. The exact size of a 1 Tom Plumber Operating Area is negotiated with each franchisee based on their experience and ability to service customers. Each 1 Tom Plumber Operating Area is exclusive, meaning the franchisor will not locate another central office within that specific territory.
Staffing Notes
1-Tom-Plumber provides staffing standards for the required dress and appearance of employees and offers suggestions for staffing models and job descriptions. Franchisees must always have a Certified Trainer on staff for each job position, including managers, salespeople, plumbers, and dispatchers. If a Certified Trainer is lost, they must be replaced within 30 days and complete the next available training program. All other employees hired after the opening date must receive training from the applicable Certified Trainer and complete virtual training sessions on brand standards, values, and the ServiceTitan software. The franchisor does not control hiring, scheduling, supervision, discipline, or termination decisions, as franchisees are independent business owners.