Z PLUMBERZ Franchise Review: Q&A with Joe and Beth Sparks
How a Husband-and-Wife Duo Took Their Plumbing Business to the Next Level with Z PLUMBERZ
Prior to becoming a Z PLUMBERZ franchise owner, Joe Sparks had worked as a plumber for 24 years, and he also owned and operated his own plumbing company for 11 of those years. After growing his business as far as he could, he sought a franchise opportunity that would help him take his plumbing business to the next level.
Enter Z PLUMBERZ. We believe that a plumbing business should be lucrative and continue to grow over the years. This is why we offer hands-on training to our franchisees in high-margin specialty plumbing jobs like pipe lining, pipe bursting and pipe coating. As a result, our franchise owners can offer more to their customers than the basic plumbing and drain cleaning services that many of the industry’s independent and other franchise operators are limited to.
Joe and his wife, Beth, appreciated the expanded service offerings of Z PLUMBERZ, which is why they decided to convert their existing plumbing business in Muncie, Indiana, a suburb about 50 miles northeast of Indianapolis, Indiana. With their new Z PLUMBERZ of Muncie business, the Sparks will now provide emergency plumbing services and drain cleaning, along with pipe and sewer repair services, to communities in Muncie, Noblesville, and North Indianapolis.
Although their business has only been open about two months, the Sparks are enjoying their new business and all of the benefits that come with being part of a franchise system.
“I met Matt O’Rourke, Z PLUMBERZ’ Brand President, at a trade show in Indianapolis during the winter,” Joe Sparks recalls. “Their table had a sign mentioning BELFOR, and I had seen the episode of Undercover Boss that featured their CEO, Sheldon Yellen. I really enjoyed watching it, so I went over and started a conversation. I really needed some guidance with management and growing my business. As I learned more about their business model, I was very impressed with their level of support and their connection with BELFOR because it could help me tap into business I hadn’t been able to as an independent business owner.”
One of the biggest advantages of franchising with Z PLUMBERZ is that we are a part of BELFOR Franchise Group. With more than 40 successful years of helping entrepreneurs thrive in business, our plumbing franchise is fully supported by one of America’s leading franchisors in the home services and restoration industries.
Even better, entrepreneurs who franchise with us not only have access to our other franchise brands, but also our parent company, BELFOR, the world’s largest property restoration company. This will allow you to develop relationships with BELFOR Franchise Group franchisees, as well as local BELFOR offices, which can help when it comes to large losses and commercial jobs. By working together, Z PLUMBERZ franchise owners have access to and are capable of handling jobs that independent business owners often struggle getting.
“Although the pandemic slowed things down a little bit, Z PLUMBERZ has been key in helping us navigate the changes, and we are happy with the way things are going,” Sparks says. “Matt has been very beneficial to us, as he’s spent a few days with us teaching us how to do accounting and more on the operations side of the business. The support Z PLUMBERZ provides is truly phenomenal.”
The Sparks have three children: Erik, Evan, and Casey, who will be working as a dispatcher for Z PLUMBERZ of Muncie. “We’re so excited to have this opportunity, which also allows us to work with our family,” Beth Sparks says. “We’re extremely happy with our team and the way they have adapted to the changes. Change is scary for anyone, and I’m proud of the way our team has faced it head on. They have been willing to learn new policies and procedures and how to operate new equipment and computer software. They just really embraced the change, which made it easier for us to convert our business to Z PLUMBERZ.”
As the husband-and-wife duo look toward the future, they are excited to have the opportunity to work with a new brand supported by the resources of BELFOR.
“We want to own two franchise locations in Indiana and eventually open another location in some place warm, like Phoenix, Arizona,” Joe Sparks says. “One of the things that attracted me to Z PLUMBERZ is that it is new, so we are very excited to grow alongside the franchise.”
Interested in becoming a Z PLUMBERZ franchise owner?
For in-depth details about the Z PLUMBERZ franchise opportunity, download our Free Franchise Opportunity Report. You can also learn more by visiting our research pages.