"Our mission has always been to provide exceptional plumbing and HVAC services to as many people as possible. It is exciting to be in the midst of such a robust time of growth,” said Mark Collins, CEO of 1-800-Plumber +Air.  “Our focus remains on delivering high-quality support and innovative training to ensure our franchise owners succeed in meeting the essential needs of their communities. We are excited to unveil our new franchise partners and can’t see what they do this year.”

In addition to the continued growth, 1-800-Plumber +Air was recognized for the second year in a row as one of the top 500 franchises in Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500®, the world’s first and most comprehensive franchise ranking. The 2024 Franchise 500® ranked the brand as number 355 for its outstanding performance in areas including unit growth, financial strength and stability, and brand power. For 45 years, the annual Entrepreneur Franchise 500® has been a highly sought-after honor in the franchise industry and recognized as an invaluable resource for potential franchisees. 

1-800-Plumber +Air increased the caliber of their franchise development plans with the hiring of Ralph Bratton as the director of franchise support. Bratton brings over 18 years of experience in leadership, customer service, and technical operations to his new role.

In his most recent position as Service Manager at Malin, Bratton successfully doubled the size of the Houston branch, demonstrating his ability to build and lead high-performing teams. His extensive background in managing complex service operations and a deep commitment to customer satisfaction make him an invaluable asset to the 1-800-Plumber + Air team.

“I am thrilled to join the 1-800-Plumber + Air team and contribute to the company’s continued growth and success,” said Bratton. “I look forward to leveraging my experience to support our franchisees and enhance the overall customer experience.”

Additionally, the brand brought master plumber Nick Bouza on board as the director of training. Bouza started his plumbing career in 2005 and quickly rose through the ranks, previously acting as the training manager for a Plumbing & air company in Houston. What started as doing odd jobs as a way to make ends meet quickly became his passion and life’s purpose. Bouza will oversee and streamline all internal training processes in his new role, a valuable resource for new and established franchisees alike.

“I started at the bottom. I began as an apprentice and worked up to being a licensed plumber. Then, I became a supervisor and finally a manager. I truly enjoy helping others excel. Never did I imagine that I would be in a position to help so many people,” Bouza said. “Helping others improve the way they communicate with the clients and other people is one of the things I’m looking forward to most with this new position. I have seen so many people grow professionally and personally. This growth impacted every facet of their lives. It’s been truly wonderful and rewarding for me to help them. The gift is in the giving.”

The brand is searching for motivated individuals with a strong desire to serve their community by delivering high-quality plumbing and HVAC services. The estimated investment to open a 1-800-Plumber +Air franchise ranges from $127,780 to $284,270.