Benjamin Franklin Plumbing offers residential and light commercial plumbing services including maintenance, repair, and replacement. Known for reliability and customer service, it operates in the plumbing services industry.
The total initial investment necessary to begin operation of a BENJAMIN FRANKLIN PLUMBING franchise ranges from $143,273 to $286,702. This includes a mandatory payment of $43,000 to the franchisor or its affiliates. [p.1]
The initial franchise fee is $43,000 plus an Additional Population Fee of $0.43 for each person above 100,000 in the franchise territory [p.15]. This fee is non-refundable and due upon signing the agreement [p.98].
The ongoing royalty fee begins once the franchised business opens, either at the Opening Deadline or when it starts operations. This fee is paid on a schedule specified in the Brand Appendix [p.98]. Advertising fees, including those for the National Advertising Fund (NAF), are based on a percentage of franchisee sales and are recognized as revenue by the company when billable, typically monthly [p.202].
The initial franchise agreement does not specify a duration. According to [p.119], you have the option to renew the franchise relationship for one additional term of ten years upon expiration, subject to meeting certain conditions as outlined in that section.
According to the FDD, you can sell or transfer your franchise, but it requires signing a general release as part of the renewal, transfer, modification of territory, or licensing an additional territory. However, this requirement may not be enforceable under California law due to state regulations [p.260]. Additionally, the franchisor has the right to assign its obligations without affecting your responsibilities [p.113].
The franchisor can terminate the franchise agreement if there is good cause, which includes the failure of the franchisee to comply with any lawful provision of the franchise agreement and to cure such failure after being given written notice and a reasonable opportunity (no more than 30 days) to do so [p.271]. This isn't specified in the excerpts for other grounds.
This isn't specified in the excerpts.
You do not receive an exclusive territory and your territory is not guaranteed to be contiguous. However, you will have a protected territory during compliance with certain conditions, meaning the franchisor cannot operate a business under the Marks and System in your Territory, except for specific purposes like recruiting employees. [p.52, p.54]
The franchisor provides an initial training program consisting of two phases: online Initial Training followed by a classroom-based Branded Operations Orientation Training (BOOT). This training is provided at no cost to you, but travel, accommodations, meals, and salaries for attendees are your responsibility. Ongoing support includes services managed through AB Inc., which acts as the franchisor's sales agent and provides required support and services under a management agreement. [p.7, p.265]
There were 373 territories representing 86 operating franchisees during the entire 2025 fiscal year. Additionally, 11 franchisees (representing 25 territories) ceased operations during that same period [p.71].
Yes, the franchisor can provide financial performance information if there is a reasonable basis for it and if the information is included in the disclosure document. This may include actual records of existing outlets you are considering buying [p.71]. However, the franchisor does not make any representations about future financial performance or past financial performance of company-owned or franchised outlets beyond what is provided in Item 19 [p.75].
You may have to buy or lease items from the franchisor or a limited group of suppliers designated by them, which might be more expensive than other options [p.3]. The franchise agreement may also prohibit you from operating a similar business during the term of the franchise and restrict what you sell, how you market, and your hours of operation [p.3]. However, the specific products you are restricted to selling are not detailed in these excerpts.