1-Tom-Plumber franchise unit economics
1-Tom-Plumber franchisees run plumbing businesses that sell emergency and scheduled plumbing and drain jobs to commercial and residential customers from a Central Office and service trucks, in an Operating Area priced by population.
1-Tom-Plumber franchise at a glance
The 2026 FDD reports 2025 gross sales, jobs completed and price per job for 35 franchised territories: average gross sales were $1,509,432 on an average of 2,045 jobs.
1-Tom-Plumber franchisees averaged $1,509,432 of gross sales in 2025, with a median of $1,334,236, according to Item 19 of 1-Tom-Plumber’s 2026 FDD, issued 1 April 2026. The 35 in that group are 62%* of 1-Tom-Plumber’s 56 franchised territories. Fees paid to 1-Tom-Plumber come to about 8.28%* of sales. A 1-Tom-Plumber franchise costs $238,307 to $454,248 to open.
- A 1-Tom-Plumber franchise costs $238,307 to $454,248 to open, including a $49,000 initial franchise fee, according to the brand’s 2026 FDD.
- 1-Tom-Plumber charges a 6% royalty, a 2% Brand Fund contribution and a population fee of $295 to $995 a month, and requires local marketing spend of at least 2% of gross sales.
- 1-Tom-Plumber franchisees pay a technology vendor $1,000 to $8,000 a month.
- 1-Tom-Plumber territories open three or more full years averaged $2,409,619 in 2025, against $911,668 for those open one to two years.
- 1-Tom-Plumber territories completed an average of 2,045 jobs in 2025, at an average price of $689 a job.
- On Averan’s reading, 1-Tom-Plumber’s recurring charges paid to the brand come to 8.28% to 8.84% of sales at the 2025 average.
- 1-Tom-Plumber had 56 franchised territories and no company-owned or affiliate-owned territories at the end of 2025.
These figures come from 1-Tom-Plumber's 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document, as the brand reported them, and were read by Averan Advisors. The 8.28% to 8.84% fee share is an Averan calculation.
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Talk to Averan → Averan 1-Tom-Plumber Conversion Package →- Territories open three or more years averaged 2.64 times the sales of those open one to two years. $2,409,619 against $911,668*. Average jobs rose 2.51 times, from 1,308 to 3,277*, and sales per job moved from $697 to $735*.
- Jobs completed varied 9.00 times across the 35 territories, and price per job varied 2.39 times. Jobs ran from 621 to 5,591 and price per job from $405 to $967*. Gross sales ran from $378,039 to $4,234,976.
- Recurring charges paid to the brand come to 8.28% to 8.84% of sales at the 2025 average. That is $125,045 to $133,445 a year at $1,509,432*. The population fee of $295 to $995 a month accounts for the range. The technology charge of $1,000 to $8,000 a month is paid to a vendor and is not included.
- From 18 months after signing, the royalty is at least $3,000 every four weeks. That is $39,000 a year, which is more than 6% of gross sales below $650,000*. At the lowest 2025 territory, $378,039, the minimum equals 10.32% of sales*.
- The system grew from 9 to 56 franchised territories between the start of 2023 and the end of 2025. Nine territories were terminated over the three years*, and 25 agreements were signed but not opened at the end of 2025.
Gross sales and jobs
How much does a 1-Tom-Plumber franchise make?
| Measure | Average | Median | High | Low | At or above average | High ÷ low * |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gross sales | $1,509,432 | $1,334,236 | $4,234,976 | $378,039 | 15 of 35 (43%) | 11.20 |
| Jobs completed | 2,045 | 1,876 | 5,591 | 621 | 12 of 35 (34%) | 9.00 |
| Average price per job | $689 | $675 | $967 | $405 | 13 of 35 (37%) | 2.39 |
Figures as the brand reported them in Tables B, D and F, from unaudited franchisee reports. The last column is marked *.
The 35 franchised territories open all of 2025 averaged $1,509,432 of gross sales, and the median was $1,334,236. The group leaves out 19 territories that opened during 2025, four that closed, and four founder-run territories that were company-operated until 28 November 2025 and are reported separately.
Item 19 reports gross sales, jobs completed and price per job, and nothing below the sales line. It gives no costs, wages or profit. The figures are unaudited franchisee reports, and franchisees are not required to use generally accepted accounting principles.
15 of the 35 territories reached the average and 20 sat below it. The median was 88.4% of the average*. On jobs, 12 territories reached the average of 2,045 and 23 sat below it.
Average gross sales divided by average jobs gives $738 a job*, not the printed $689. The FDD says the price per job is gross sales divided by jobs completed. It does not show how the $689 was averaged across territories.
The Item 19 counts add to 58 territories, two more than the 56 open at the end of 2025. 35 reported, 4 founder-run and 19 left out as new make 58*. The FDD does not explain the difference.
Founder-run territories
The four founder-run territories, 2025
| Measure | Four territories |
|---|---|
| Total completed jobs | 16,559 |
| Total gross sales | $12,040,332 |
| Gross sales per territory (calculated by the franchisor) | $3,010,083 |
| Average price per job | $704 |
| Highest price per job | $29,938 |
| Median price per job | $299 |
| Lowest price per job | $49 |
| Share of jobs above the average price | 26% |
As the brand reported it. These four territories are not part of the 35-territory figures.
Four territories in Cincinnati, Dayton, Springfield and Northern Kentucky reported $12,040,332 of gross sales in 2025. The franchisor divides that by four to give $3,010,083 a territory, 1.99 times the 35-territory average*. The business has operated since 2018, was company-owned until 28 November 2025, and is now a franchise run by the brand’s founder.
The FDD keeps these four apart from the averages. It states that a business operating since 2018 may not be representative of newer territories. The four were run as a single business during 2025.
The median job was $299 and the average job was $704. 26% of jobs were above the average price. Single jobs ranged from $49 to $29,938.
Total gross sales divided by total jobs gives $727 a job*, above the printed $704. The FDD does not explain the difference.
The four territories completed 16,559 jobs, or 4,140 a territory*. The 35 franchised territories averaged 2,045.
Results by years open
Gross sales and jobs by years open, 2025
| Full calendar years open | Territories | Average gross sales | Median | High | Low | Average jobs | Average sales ÷ average jobs * |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | 17 | $911,668 | $791,727 | $1,911,906 | $378,039 | 1,308 | $697 |
| 2–3 | 11 | $1,860,403 | $1,922,698 | $3,980,839 | $973,167 | 2,401 | $775 |
| 3+ | 7 | $2,409,619 | $1,944,853 | $4,234,976 | $778,200 | 3,277 | $735 |
| All 35 | 35 | $1,509,432 | $1,334,236 | $4,234,976 | $378,039 | 2,045 | $738 |
Year bands and figures as the brand reported them. The last column divides average sales by average jobs and is marked *; the brand’s own average price per job for all 35 is $689.
Item 19 splits the 35 territories into three groups by full calendar years open. Each group is one year’s results for a different set of territories, not one territory followed over time. The band labels 1–2, 2–3 and 3+ are as printed.
Territories open three or more years averaged $2,409,619, 2.64 times the $911,668 of those open one to two years*. Average jobs rose 2.51 times, from 1,308 to 3,277*. Sales per job moved from $697 to $735*.
The middle group has the highest sales per job, at $775*. Its median of $1,922,698 is above its own average of $1,860,403. In the other two groups the median is below the average.
The ranges overlap. The lowest territory open three or more years reported $778,200, below the $911,668 average of the newest group. The highest territory of all 35, at $4,234,976, is in the three-plus group, and the lowest, at $378,039, is in the newest group.
Average jobs work out to about 25 a week in the newest group and 63 a week in the three-plus group*. Those are annual averages divided by 52 weeks.
Brand charges
Brand charges
| Charge | Rate in the FDD | Paid to | A year at $1,509,432 * | Share of sales * |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royalty | 6% of gross sales, weekly; from 18 months after signing, the greater of 6% or $3,000 every four weeks | Franchisor | $90,566 | 6.00% |
| Brand Fund | 2% of gross sales, weekly | Franchisor | $30,189 | 2.00% |
| Local marketing | At least 2% of gross sales, spent on a plan the franchisor approves | Local suppliers, or the franchisor if it collects it | $30,189 | 2.00% |
| Technology | $1,000 to $8,000 a month | Vendor | $12,000–$96,000 | 0.80%–6.36% |
| Population fee | $295 to $995 a month by Operating Area population, from the seventh month after opening | Franchisor | $3,540–$11,940 | 0.23%–0.79% |
| Required plungers | $750 a quarter plus shipping for 600 plungers | Franchisor or designated supplier | $3,000 | 0.20% |
| Convention | $750 per attendee plus travel (one attendee assumed) | Franchisor | $750 | 0.05% |
| Paid to the brand | Royalty, Brand Fund, population fee and convention | Franchisor | $125,045–$133,445 | 8.28%–8.84% |
Rates as the brand reported them. The dollar and share columns are marked *, applying each rate to the printed 2025 average. Rows are rounded, so they do not add exactly to the total. The $1,000 monthly first-year local marketing spend is not included.
At the 2025 average of $1,509,432, the charges paid to the brand (royalty, Brand Fund, population fee and convention) come to $125,045 to $133,445 a year, or 8.28% to 8.84% of gross sales. That is an Averan calculation*. Local marketing, the technology vendor charge and the plunger purchases are not included.
The technology charge is paid to a vendor and runs $1,000 to $8,000 a month. At the average that is 0.80% to 6.36% of sales*. The FDD reserves the franchisor’s right to add its own technology fee on 30 days’ notice.
The $3,000 royalty minimum applies below $650,000 of annual gross sales. Thirteen four-week periods at $3,000 make $39,000 a year, which equals 6% of $650,000*. The lowest 2025 territory, at $378,039, would pay 10.32% of sales at the minimum*.
Local marketing has two parts. From 60 days before opening until 12 months after, the franchisee must spend at least $1,000 a month. Separately, it must spend at least 2% of gross sales on local marketing; any shortfall is paid into the Brand Fund.
Other fees apply in specific cases. A transfer costs $15,000, or $5,000 to an existing franchisee, and renewal costs $5,000. A Regional Account management fee of 1%–10% is deducted from Regional Account work, and the franchisor may charge a management fee of 15% of gross sales if it steps in to run the business. The royalty can rise by 1% while a franchisee is in default.
Cost to open
Cost to open
| Item | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Additional funds, first three months | $100,000 | $150,000 |
| Equipment package (three months of vehicle loan or lease payments, tools and equipment) | $35,148 | $75,288 |
| Opening supplies | $11,000 | $55,000 |
| Initial franchise fee | $49,000 | $49,000 |
| Pre-opening labor and travel | $4,450 | $20,000 |
| Market introduction and local marketing | $10,000 | $20,000 |
| Miscellaneous expenses | $10,000 | $20,000 |
| Construction and leasehold improvements | $500 | $15,000 |
| Furniture and fixtures | $0 | $13,000 |
| Computers, software, telecommunications and networking | $2,217 | $10,218 |
| Insurance | $4,000 | $9,000 |
| Training and pre-opening expenses | $2,500 | $5,500 |
| Interior and exterior signs | $4,500 | $4,500 |
| Other professional fees | $2,250 | $2,250 |
| Lease deposit | $0 | $2,000 |
| Opening inventory | $1,000 | $1,000 |
| Deposits and permits | $1,000 | $1,000 |
| Security system | $742 | $742 |
| Less landlord contributions | $0 | $500 |
| Utility deposits | $0 | $250 |
| Real estate | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $238,307 | $454,248 |
As the brand reported it, reordered here by size. The printed high total includes the $500 landlord contribution as an amount added.
The FDD estimates $238,307 to $454,248 to open one territory, including the $49,000 initial franchise fee. The cover page gives the fee paid to the franchisor as $49,000–$54,000; Items 5 and 7 give $49,000.
The largest line is $100,000 to $150,000 of additional funds for the first three months. That is 42.0% of the low total and 33.0% of the high total*. The FDD states this estimate is net of revenue received in those three months.
The equipment package covers three months of loan or lease payments, not the purchase price of the vehicles. The low estimate assumes two vehicles and the high estimate five. The FDD gives a full purchase price of $71,604 for a plumbing van and $93,000 for a van with a hydrojetter. Item 1 states that franchisees must buy at least one hydrojetter and stock at least three service trucks.
The high column adds to $454,248 when the $500 landlord contribution is counted as a cost. Subtracted, as its label reads, the high total would be $453,248*.
The FDD estimates 90 to 120 days from signing to opening. The business must open by the earlier of 120 days after signing or 30 days after initial training. A Central Office is 500 to 1,000 square feet of office space with access to a 750 to 2,500 square foot warehouse.
The initial fee has several discounts. Each additional unit bought with the first is $9,000 less, and an owner approved for another franchise after two years of operating may receive 50% off the then-current fee. Veterans and first responders may receive $10,000 off the first franchise. Fees paid in the last fiscal year ranged from $25,000 to $50,000.
Locations
Locations, 2023 to 2025
| Year | Start | Opened | Terminated | Non-renewed | Reacquired | Ceased, other reasons | End | Transfers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 9 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 23 | 0 |
| 2024 | 23 | 19 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 37 | 0 |
| 2025 | 37 | 23 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 56 | 0 |
| 2023–2025 * | 9 | 57 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 56 | 0 |
Counts as the brand reported them; the total row sums the three years and is marked *. Affiliate-owned territories are shown separately in Item 20 and went from 4 at the start of 2023 to 0 at the end of 2025.
1-Tom-Plumber had 56 franchised territories at the end of 2025, up from 9 at the start of 2023. Including affiliate-owned territories, the system went from 43 to 56 during 2025.
All six affiliate-owned territories were sold to a franchisee in 2025. The state rows show 2025 franchised openings in Kentucky (2), North Carolina (1) and Ohio (3), the same states as the six affiliate territories. Item 19 describes four founder-run territories, so the FDD’s counts of that transfer differ.
Five territories were terminated in 2024 and four in 2025. There were no non-renewals, no territories that ceased for other reasons, and no transfers between franchisees in the three years.
25 franchise agreements were signed but not opened at the end of 2025. The franchisor projects 20 new franchised openings in the next fiscal year, with the largest numbers in Florida and Virginia.
Questions we get asked
Questions owners ask
How much does it cost to open a 1-Tom-Plumber franchise?
The 2026 FDD estimates $238,307 to $454,248, including a $49,000 initial franchise fee. The largest line is $100,000 to $150,000 of additional funds for the first three months. The equipment line covers three months of vehicle loan or lease payments, not the purchase price of the vans.
What fees does 1-Tom-Plumber charge?
The royalty is 6% of gross sales, and from 18 months after signing it is at least $3,000 every four weeks. There is a 2% Brand Fund contribution and a population fee of $295 to $995 a month, and franchisees must spend at least 2% of gross sales on local marketing. Technology costs $1,000 to $8,000 a month, paid to a vendor. On Averan’s reading the charges paid to the brand come to 8.28% to 8.84% of sales at the 2025 average.
How much does a 1-Tom-Plumber franchise make?
In 2025 the 35 franchised territories open the full year averaged $1,509,432 of gross sales, with a median of $1,334,236. The highest reported $4,234,976 and the lowest $378,039. The FDD reports gross sales, jobs and price per job, and publishes no profit figure.
How do newer territories compare with older ones?
Territories open one to two full years averaged $911,668 on 1,308 jobs. Those open three or more years averaged $2,409,619 on 3,277 jobs. These are different territories in the same year, not one territory tracked over time.
What did the founder-run territories report?
Four territories in Ohio and Northern Kentucky, run as one business and company-owned until 28 November 2025, reported $12,040,332 of gross sales on 16,559 jobs. The franchisor gives $3,010,083 a territory. They are reported separately from the 35-territory averages.
How many 1-Tom-Plumber locations are there?
There were 56 franchised territories at the end of 2025 and no affiliate-owned territories. 23 franchised territories opened in 2025, including six formerly affiliate-owned, and 4 were terminated. 25 agreements were signed but not opened at year end.
Questions worth putting to 1-Tom-Plumber
These are questions the filing leaves open. An owner or a buyer can put them to the franchisor directly.
- Is the revenue in Item 19 gross sales or collected revenue, and how many locations sit below the average?
- Which factors does 1-Tom-Plumber see in its highest-selling locations, such as territory, years open and staffing?
- How long does a new location take to reach the average you publish, and what does the build-up look like month by month?
- At what level of sales do the minimum charges stop applying and the percentage take over?
- How many 1-Tom-Plumber locations closed, were sold, or changed hands last year, and why?
Run your own numbers.
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Questions owners ask next
The figures above raise these, and each one is answered on its own page.
- At what level of sales does a minimum fee stop costing me more than the percentage?It works out the sales level where a minimum fee stops applying.
- How much cash do I fund before a new location covers its own costs?It builds a 13-week forecast for the months before break-even.
- What does this location earn on the money I put into it?It works out the payback period and cash-on-cash return for one unit.
- How much of Item 19 can I rely on?It explains what an Item 19 financial performance representation tells you and what it leaves out.
Where these figures come from
Every figure here comes from 1 Tom Plumber Global LLC’s 2026 FDD and is unaudited by us. We are unaffiliated with the brand. Calculations of our own are labeled where they appear. The figures describe past performance at other businesses and are not a projection of yours. This page is an educational summary. It is not an offer to sell a franchise, and it is not financial, legal or tax advice. 1-Tom-Plumber is a trademark of its owner. How Averan reads a Franchise Disclosure Document.
These figures come from the brand's disclosure. They are not a forecast, an offer to sell a franchise or advice. Source: 1 Tom Plumber Global LLC, 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document, issued 1 April 2026.