Top 7 Plumbing Franchise Opportunities in the U.S. Right Now (2026 Guide)

What is a plumbing franchise?

A plumbing franchise is a business model where an individual owner (a franchisee) operates a local plumbing company under an existing brand name, using the company’s name, systems, and processes in a defined territory.

Many plumbing franchises focus on residential services, usually providing routine service calls, emergency repairs, installations, and ongoing maintenance work. Some brands also offer related services like HVAC, depending on the business.

Why should you buy a plumbing franchise?

Instead of starting a plumbing business from the ground up, buying a plumbing franchise helps you become successful faster by following a proven business framework. 

There are several reasons why this is a good idea for a potential franchisee:

• Reduced risk because you’re buying into an established, successful business
• Brand recognition with an existing name, making it easier to earn trust and win jobs
• Proven business systems that reduce trial and error for quoting, managing, and invoicing work
• Training and support to help you get the business up and running faster
• Existing marketing from the franchisor that sends leads to your location

READ MORE: Grow your brand with a franchise marketing strategy

What to look for in a plumbing franchise opportunity

The right plumbing franchise can set you up for a stable, scalable business. The strongest opportunities combine a trusted brand with solid training and systems that support your daily operations and long-term growth.

Keep these factors in mind when you’re comparing franchise options:

• Brand reputation: Look for a brand with strong reviews, a recognizable name, and a consistent reputation for quality service across multiple locations.
• Training and onboarding: A good franchise should offer structured training for franchisees and plumbing technicians, covering all levels of your business operations.
• Licensing: Some states require you to be a licensed plumber, so ensure your potential  franchisor understands the regulations in each territory and keeps franchisees compliant.
• Ongoing support: See how the franchisor supports franchisees after launch. Look for tools like business coaching and performance tracking to help your business grow.
• Startup costs: Find out the cost of your initial investment, as well as franchise fees, royalties, marketing fees, vehicles, plumbing tools, insurance, and working capital.
• Marketing: Make sure the franchisor runs regional or national campaigns to help support each franchise’s local advertising.
• Territory size: Check how many franchise locations are nearby and confirm there’s enough demand to start a franchise in your community.
• Technology: The franchise you choose should use plumbing software to manage quoting, scheduling, invoicing, and payments—not pen and paper.

READ MORE: Plumbing industry trends and statistics

7 top plumbing franchise opportunities in the USA

We’ve identified some of the top plumber franchising opportunities available in the United States. Keep reading to get information about each one, including initial investment and royalties.

How to choose the right plumbing franchise

You have a list of plumbing opportunities to choose from, but which franchise is right for you? Narrow down your options by following these steps:

1. Define your role. Will you be a technician, a team leader, an office manager, or the company president? Some franchises are best suited to owner-operators out in the field, while others are a better fit for managers who work out of an office.
2. Compare total investment. Confirm startup costs and ongoing fees for each option, including franchise fees, vehicles, equipment, insurance, working capital, royalty fees, marketing fees, and any software or service costs. Make sure the cost fits your budget.
3. Ask about marketing. Find out how the franchisor advertises at a regional or national level, as well as how each franchisee is expected to advertise locally. There should be a good balance of both corporate and location-specific marketing to attract customers.
4. Look at the local market. If a franchisor already has multiple locations in your area, it may not be a good idea to start your own franchise under the same brand. You should also see who’s operating in the area and which brand would be the most competitive.
5. Talk to current and past franchise owners. Ask about their experience running the franchise and working with the franchisor. That way you know what to expect before you commit to buying a franchise.
6. Review the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD). Every franchise has its own FDD with its own terms, conditions, disclosures, and costs. Share this document with a franchise lawyer and an accountant so you understand what you’re committing to.
7. Consider growth and exit options. You may not want to operate one location forever. See whether the franchise will let you own multiple locations or offer different services to create new revenue streams. You should also learn about resale options if you ever want to exit the franchise.
8. Compare overall fit. Look at how well each franchise aligns with your skills, experience, management style, and goals. The best plumbing franchise is often the one that fits your operational needs, not just your budget. (Resources like the Franchise Business Review can help you compare different franchise brands, too.)