Why the Next Generation Is Betting on the Trades: Alvaro Leal on Franchising
About this episode
Alvaro Leal discusses the appeal of franchising in the home services industry for a new generation of entrepreneurs.
On this episode of the FranchiseU! Podcast , host Dr. Kathy Gosser sits down with Alvaro Leal , Director of Business Development at 1-TOM-PLUMBER , to explore why franchising and the home services industry are attracting a new generation of entrepreneurs. Leal shares his journey from marketing work with Chick-fil-A to the fast-growing plumbing franchise sector, drawn by the power of scalable systems, operational consistency, and recession-resistant demand. He explains how 1-TOM-PLUMBER built a nationally recognized brand around 24/7 emergency plumbing services, while intentionally creating a customer-first identity shaped by the fact that more than 80% of plumbing service calls come from women. The conversation also dives into what separates successful franchise owners from the rest, including the importance of hands-on leadership, following proven SOPs, understanding the FDD, and developing strong sales and customer service skills. Leal discusses the company’s rapid expansion to more than 113 awarded territories across 28 states, the support franchisees receive through in-house marketing, technology, training, and operational systems, and how the brand’s growth within Eversmith…
People in this episode
Host: Dr. Kathy Gosser
Guest: Alvaro Leal
Topics covered
- franchising
- home services
- entrepreneurship
- business development
- customer service
- leadership
Keywords
- franchising
- home services
- plumbing
- entrepreneurship
- customer-first
- business systems
- leadership
- SOPs
- FDD
- sales skills
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: 1-TOM-PLUMBER, Chick-fil-A, Eversmith Brands
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