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Posts Tagged ‘Mr. Rooter’
Monday, October 3rd, 2011
By Laura Shaheen
Recently, I had the opportunity to interview Mary Thompson, the president of Mr. Rooter and the chair for VetFran, about the VetFran program. It was an eye opening chat, and one that I believe deserves to be advertised as much as possible.
VetFran was founded after Desert Storm in 1991, by Don Dwyer, the founder of the international franchise company, The Dwyer Group. After 9/11, Don Dwyer’s daughter, Dina Dwyer-Owens, the current CEO of the Dwyer Group took it upon herself to revitalize the VetFran program. There are over 400 members of VetFran, all franchisors looking to give discounted franchises to veterans. The current chair of the program is Mary Thompson, the president of Mr. Rooter. So far there have been over 2100 deals given to veterans throughout the years. And Mr. Rooter, Thompson’s own company, has been named by USA Today as one of the Top 50 Companies in American to work with veterans.
“I was a franchise owner before, and I’ve done every job since. I’ve been on every side and seen it from all levels,” Thompson said. “That’s why I’m so passionate. I know I would not have had the success I’ve had without the marine corp. and the franchising business teaching me how. Veterans make the best franchisees: they are disciplined, but follow a system. We are looking for leaders who want to lead toward a common goal.”
Indeed, a marine sword flashes from the walls of Thompson’s office, a flash of deadly silver and ivory handle polished until it glows in the late afternoon sun. Thompson herself speaks on the subject with true passion, as evident by her recent travels to Washington DC to support the new Help Veterans Own Franchises Act.
“The bill is a win/win situation,” Thompson said. “It gives veterans tax credits up to $25,000 of the franchise fee. This money is cash that veterans can then invest back in the company. It pays taxes back into the community. The veteran now has a job, and also has created jobs, and the franchisors end up with a great franchisee.”
As the chair for VetFran, Thompson has spent her time trying to expand the program to its limits. Through her leadership, the website has been redone and a portal is being created to marry veterans with different job opportunities. Their goal is to increase the number of franchisors on VetFran 15%, and they’re already part of the way there to next year’s goal.
“At a recent event, VetFran experienced 4 percent growth at a single event,” Thompson said, relish in her voice. “The greatest thing about the program is that VetFran isn’t just doing ‘the right thing to do.’ VetFran is the right thing to do, but it’s also the smart thing to do. Franchising is a great medium and a great match between veterans and franchisors. Veterans ‘get’ the system. Most people have to be taught that.”
Through her many engagements, like speaking at the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities, Thompson has had the opportunity to spread her knowledge about the world of opportunities available for veterans and franchisors alike. Having wounded warrior, Staff Sergeant Shilo Harris there, however, as living proof of her words, made the impact all the more tangible.
“I always have said ‘If not now, when?’ when it comes to VetFran and veterans programs, and Shilo said something that has really stuck with me. He told me ‘That’s not a question, that’s an imperative.’ And he was right.”
Helpful links:
The VetFran website
Information on the Help Veterans Own Franchises Act and how to help:
Tags: franchise, Mr. Rooter, Mr. Rooter Franchise, new franchise owners, Veterans, VetFran
Posted in franchise, Marketing, Mr. Rooter, Veterans, VetFran | Comments Off
Wednesday, September 21st, 2011
By Laura Shaheen
Despite today’s downturned economy, or perhaps because of it, more and more business owners are discovering the secret of stability and prosperity: franchising. Franchising, though not for all businesses, is an ideal way to grow your company. Franchising allows for the duplication of successful business plans and then applies them directly to your own business. Through the aid and support from the Dwyer Group, you as an owner can spend less time bogged down in the time-consuming minutia of daily business life and can apply yourself to improvement and expansion.
The Dwyer Group is comprised of 7 potential concepts that you might be interested in operating. One of the greatest benefits of working with the Dwyer Group is that you can either convert your existing business into a successful franchise, or you can start from scratch and build your franchise from the ground up. This flexibility allows you the freedom to run your company, while also having support when you require it. Between the Dwyer Group’s proven business plans and excellent training opportunities, becoming a franchisee means starting out ahead and with more connections that you could previously dream.
There are 7 potential franchises that encompass the Dwyer Group, and each one has its own unique benefits and is recession-resistant.
Rainbow International- Rainbow International is in the smoke, fire and water restoration industry. This industry is both recession-resistant and profitable. In addition to those basic services, Rainbow International also offers mold removal services, biohazard clean up and commercial services. With a Rainbow Franchise, you will receive full training and support, and will receive help from our national accounts and marketing team in order to help you get the optimal number of jobs for your business.
Glass Doctor- Not only is Glass Doctor the largest fully franchised residential, business and auto glass franchise company in the U.S. and Canada, they also have the ability to make your existing glass company skyrocket. With a Glass Doctor franchise, you will have access to experts in specialty glass services that can drastically increase your client base. Through a franchise with the Dwyer Group, you will have access to discounts and rebates on all that you need to run your company, and access to special, proven business systems that will streamline your company and maximize results.
Aire Serv- Aire Serv is a leader in the heating and air conditioning industry, an industry that is both competitive, profitable and always necessary. By opening an Aire Serv franchise, you can learn how to increase profitability, have access to our cutting-edge research and learn to expand your existing company into something much greater. With over 175 locations worldwide, there are hundreds of franchise owners in a support system, as well as the entire Dwyer Group team, who will provide help and information on running a successful business.
Mr. Appliance- Mr. Appliance is the largest fully franchised appliance repair company in the world. By opening a Mr. Appliance franchise, you are getting the chance to benefit from fifteen years worth of experience in servicing high-end appliances and operating successful businesses. The industry is both dynamic and competitive, and many people previously owning appliance repair services have made the switch to a Mr. Appliance franchise and seen their companies really take off.
Mr. Electric- Mr. Electric is an electrical home service provider with impeccable connections. Already the official electrical home installation partner of the Home Depot, this powerful alliance has helped our franchise owners become leaders in the industry. With this franchise, you will be able to provide special electrical services like solar patio lighting, security lighting, custom projects and much more. As a franchise owner in such a successful business, you will be allowed the freedom of running your own business with the security of support from other franchise owners and headquarters just a phone call away.
Mr. Rooter- A leader in the plumbing industry, Mr. Rooter allows you to build a successful franchise due in part to the training and business services you will receive on your induction into the franchise family. With a long, illustrious history, Mr. Rooter was founded in 1974 and has grown to over 300 franchise locations across the United States, Canada and Europe. Opening a Mr. Rooter franchise means that you will have access to important help that will allow you to focus your time on improving efficiencies and performance. As always, being a part of one of the Dwyer Group’s franchises also means that you will receive the immense discounts and rebates available through the Dwyer Group’s many connections.
The Grounds Guys- The newest franchise opportunity in the grounds and lawn care industry, The Grounds Guys franchise comes with all of the systems, training, support and tools to become a fully profitable and competitive franchise. With all franchise territories in the United States open, opening a franchise has never been more accessible. Regardless of your experience, you will receive top of the line training and you can focus on streamlining your business to maximize profitability.
Whether an existing business owner or a new one, any one of these franchises can help you take your business to new, impressive heights. Having the support of other franchisees and the invaluable training and resources from the Dwyer Group means adding layers of security and aid that are difficult to find in smaller, non-franchised businesses. Many franchise owners have praised the system, stating that they are able to devote their time to actually running the business and expanding it, rather than simply putting out fires as soon as they spring up.
Convinced? Click here to get started.
Tags: Aire Serv, franchise, franchise ranking, franchisee, Glass Doctor, Grounds Guys, Marketing, Mr. Appliance, Mr. Electric, Mr. Rooter, new franchise owners, Rainbow International, The Grounds Guys
Posted in Aire Serv, franchise, Glass Doctor, Marketing, Mr. Appliance, Mr. Electric, Mr. Rooter, Rainbow International, The Dwyer Group, The Grounds Guys | Comments Off
Thursday, December 2nd, 2010
I like the saying “better safe than sorry,” and so I would like to share with you some tips on preparing your pipes for the upcoming winter weather months. It may be early, but if you’ve had pipes freeze before, you know how frustrating it can be. Getting this done early will take one thing off your to-do list, sooner than later.
Here are some tips from our Mr. Rooter plumbers you can use before freezing temperatures arrive. It can save you money as well as the stress of getting your pipes repaired.
 Catch them and cover them while it's still early! The most important thing you can do is locate and learn how to use the main water shut-off valve. In case your pipes freeze – trust me – you’ll want to know how to do this. If you cannot find it, call Mr. Rooter Plumbing, and we’ll come out to show you where.
Next, follow these Mr. Rooter Plumbing tips to winterize your plumbing system:
- Cover your outdoor faucets and exposed pipes with insulation. (You can buy insulation at most home parts stores.) Or you can wrap them with thick towels and tape the towels with duct tape. I just love duct tape – it has just so many uses.
- Once it is below freezing – keep your faucets running. (I recommend either a small trickle of water or a constant drip.)
- Open your cabinet doors to allow heat to circulate to keep your interior pipes warm.
- Secure your windows, crawl space openings and basement doors to keep cold wind away from you pipes.
- Remove your garden hoses from outdoor faucets. You should also open outside hose taps so water can drain.
These tips will help keep your pipes from freezing. Do you know what to do, though, if you find your pipes frozen? I recommend you follow these steps from Mr. Rooter Plumbing to safely thaw your frozen pipes:
 Doesn't this image just send shivers down your back? - First, you need to turn off the water at the shut-off valve.
- Then you should open the faucet at the lowest point in the house. This allows water to drain out as the ice melts. (Mr. Rooter plumbers recommend a basement faucet – this allows water to drain from the entire house to the lowest point.)
- You can heat the exterior of the pipe with a hair dryer. Be sure to apply heat slowly and don’t keep heat in one spot.
I want to warn you about one thing in particular. Do NOT attempt to thaw exposed frozen pipes with an open flame, such as an acetylene torch. This could generate a spark or cinder that could cause a fire.
If you live up in the North or in Canada, some of our Mr. Rooter Plumbing shops have electric thawing machines that slowly defrost a frozen pipe by sending a low voltage electric current through the pipe. This gently thaws the ice with no danger of fire from a torch or other open flame device.
If you end up with burst pipes this winter, and you need immediate repair, call a qualified plumber. Our Mr. Rooter Plumbing technicians are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week including holidays, and there’s never an overtime charge.
Tags: Mr. Rooter
Posted in Mr. Rooter, Uncategorized | Comments Off
Tuesday, November 23rd, 2010
The turkey’s stuffed, table’s set and the TV’s on…but what about those Thanksgiving preparation and cleanup tips that aren’t on your to-do list?
To keep the oven, garbage disposal and kitchen sink drain in good working condition this holiday season, cooks need to take some precautions before and after the Thanksgiving feast.
“Oven problems usually go unnoticed until the turkey is already inside,” said Doug Rogers, president of Mr. Appliance® Corp. “Give yourself enough time before the big day to test your oven and if needed, call an appliance repair company for help. A few minutes spent checking your kitchen appliances could save your holiday season.”
 Don't let this be YOUR Thanksgiving dinner... A proper working oven is something you and your tableful of hungry relatives will be thankful for. This year, add these oven tips from Mr. Appliance to your Thanksgiving to-do list in preparation for the festive feast:
- Avoid running the self-cleaning cycle before a big holiday dinner.
- Remove caked on food from the gas vents or the heating element.
- To test baking efficiency, buy a white cake mix. If cake is dry or undercooked, oven temperature isn’t set correctly.
- Replace gaskets at the first sign of a leak or if moisture appears on outside of oven.
- Use oven light to save cooking time and energy.
For those who aren’t do-it-yourselfers, appliance repair professionals can repair faulty gaskets and replace oven lights.
As for the cleanup process, there are five tips many don’t think about until it’s too late. Mr. Rooter Plumbing has this advice:
- Wipe off greasy dishes before washing.
- Avoid pouring grease down the drain.
- Throw scraps in trash or compost pile.
- Don’t overload the garbage disposal.
- Don’t use dishwasher if disposal isn’t working.
When cooks combine turkey bones and potato peels with grease, they’ve got the ideal recipe for a backed-up kitchen sink. It’s a mixture that keeps plumbers busy over the holiday, unclogging stuffing-stuffed drains.
“It’s important to know what should and should not be put down the drain before the Thanksgiving frenzy,” said Mary Kennedy Thompson, president of Mr. Rooter Corporation. “People also don’t realize how much food they put down their garbage disposal until the drain is backed up.”
About Mr. Appliance®:
Mr. Appliance is North America’s leading appliance repair franchise system. Established in 1996, its franchises provide full-service residential and light commercial appliance repair. Mr. Appliance has more than 150 locations throughout the United States and Canada and is consistently ranked among the top home service franchises by Entrepreneur magazine and other industry experts. Mr. Appliance is a subsidiary of The Dwyer Group, Inc. For more information on opening your own Mr. Appliance franchise, visit www.mrappliancefranchise.com.
About Mr. Rooter®:
Established in 1970, Mr. Rooter is an all-franchised, full-service plumbing and drain cleaning company with approximately 300 franchises worldwide. Recognized by Entrepreneur magazine among its “Franchise 500” and Franchise Times Top 200, Mr. Rooter franchisees provide services to both residential and commercial customers. Mr. Rooter began franchising in 1974 and is a subsidiary of The Dwyer Group, Inc. For more information on opening your own Mr. Rooter franchise, please visit our Web site at www.mrrooterfranchise.com.
Tags: franchise, Mr. Appliance, Mr. Rooter
Posted in Mr. Appliance, Mr. Rooter, Uncategorized | Comments Off
Tuesday, September 28th, 2010
First of all, what is a blog?
A blog is a type of journal arranged online in the form of a web page, typically linked or included in the main web page of a site.
There are many types of blogs, but for this, we will focus on differentiating between two: Personal and Business blogs.
Personal blogs can have a vast range of topics, posts and links. They can be personal, opinionative, political, etc.
Business blogs can be an amazing social tool for communicating with customers and employees in order to share knowledge and build a customer following. They are about seeming impersonal while connecting with potential customers and building web traffic on your site.
Another great thing about blogs…They are completely traceable! You can measure your success, your website’s success, your business’ success; the list can go on.
- Why do I want a blog for my small business?
- Superb question! First of all, why not? Blogs are absolutely simple!
- The software is far easier to manage than what it used to be. Beyond that, most small businesses have a Facebook. Included in that profile is a blog! Simply write in it, link your thoughts to resources or further reading, and publish! That blog will be available for all of your friends to see!
- Don’t have a Facebook, and don’t want one?(First of all, shame on you! Free advertising and a way to get customer feedback, free of charge? Don’t pass that up!)
- There are other options, besides Facebook, believe it or not. Blogger.com, Movable Type, Typepad, these all offer simple ways to get started!
- Blogging offers you not only a free to low-cost way to get advertisement, web presence and customer feedback, but it also is an inexpensive alternative to learning html, hiring a web designer.
- Making the commitment to blog at least 2-3 times a week is highly accomplishable for many. Find a topic that relates to your audience. It doesn’t always have to be solely about you! For example, perhaps an electric company wishes to post a blog. A rational topic could be how to cut back on that electricity bill, how to rewire something, the possibilities are endless!
Finally, business blogs allow your small business a chance to get a vast web presence and share your expertise. It can be a powerful tool in gaining customer trust and assurance, while establishing your name!
Have a look at some of The Dwyer Group concepts’ blogs here:
http://www.rainbowintl.com/blog/
http://mrsrooter.com/
http://www.mrappliance.com/blog/
Tags: franchise, franchisee, Marketing, Mr. Appliance, Mr. Rooter, PR, public relations, Rainbow International, The Dwyer Group
Posted in Aire Serv, Glass Doctor, Mr. Appliance, Mr. Electric, Mr. Rooter, Rainbow International, The Dwyer Group, The Grounds Guys, Uncategorized | Comments Off
Wednesday, September 15th, 2010
While we all know that Mr. Rooter offers an extensive array of assistance ranging from full service plumbing around the house to drain and sewer service; however, this economy is turning everyone into a plumber!
We at The Dwyer Group definitely encourage our customers to be certain a professional is necessary, but at the same time we would like to offer a few suggestions on Do-It-Yourself repair around the house. So with no further ado, here are our Top Five Tips for your Bathroom:
1) To begin, try routinely cleaning your drains and pipes! Don’t wait until your water begins to back up and thus stain your sink. There are many unclogging solutions out there in a variety of forms; from eco-friendly to home remedies like three Alka-Seltzer tablets and white vinegar. You can also be more aggressive by using a hanger to pull up what is clogging drains which is more than likely hair.
2) As a house settles, or the weather begins to affect your foundation, you will notice fine lines appearing in the grouted tiles of your floor or shower walls. Remove about an eighth of an inch from your grout and apply a fresh layer. (This is also a chance to change that color you have been getting tired of!) Mold is also a common resident of grout. After applying fresh grout, be sure to use a grout sealer to prevent any more molds from growing!
3) Does that leaky faucet keep you up all night? We can help you get a higher quality of sleep! Check and see whether the water is hot or cold. After you do that, turn off both water supplies, typically in the cabinet under your sink. Next, take off the knob for the side that is leaking and unscrew the valve stem. Check that washer that is located at the base of the stem (and possibly replace it if it’s in bad shape). Make sure to put all of the components back where they came from. Finally, turn your water supply on (don’t forget that!) and check to see if you are still leaking!
4) Running toilets can not only boost up your water bill, but they can also add to the goop that piles up around the toilet bowl faster. If your toilet is constantly running, it’s typically indicating that your flapper is worn or not seated correctly. Take off your tank cover and replace the flapper with a new one, if necessary. Before you do that, though, sand off some of that build-up around the flapper’s resting spot!
5) Caulking! This silicone-based substance is not permanent. Actually, it will eventually begin to look and smell awful, possibly even chip off. If you notice your tub’s caulk begin to wear away a bit, you should just go ahead and replace the caulk throughout the rest of the bathroom. Take off all of the excess old caulk that you can and clean up the surface before you apply new caulk, so it will last longer!
For more information, (or to request a professional!), visit the Mr. Rooter website: MrRooter.com
If you are interested in becoming a Mr. Rooter Franchisee, please visit: MrRooterFranchise.com
Tags: Do-it-Yourself, franchisee, home service, Mr. Rooter, The Dwyer Group
Posted in Mr. Rooter, The Dwyer Group, Uncategorized | Comments Off
Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010
April showers bring May flowers, as well as three new plumbing and drain cleaning franchises for Mr. Rooter Corporation.
The following new owners attended a weeklong basic training course at the company’s corporate office in May:
- Daryl Albright – Frederick County in Maryland
- Randy and Tami Fitzgerald – Parker County in Texas
- Ruben and Stephanie McCutcheon – Santa Fe County in New Mexico
The Mr. Rooter basic training includes classes on best practices, management and leadership techniques, customer service and marketing.
“We’re excited to expand our Mr. Rooter Plumbing network,” said Mary Kennedy Thompson, president of Mr. Rooter Corporation. “We look forward to helping these new franchisees grow their franchises and provide their communities with professional and customer-focused services.”
Mr. Rooter Plumbing technicians follow an established and professional system. For example, they wear shoe covers to protect a customer’s home or business.
Technicians also give customers the price before work is done to ensure there are no surprises about the cost of service. Mr. Rooter Plumbing provides service 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with no extra charges on nights, weekends and holidays
Tags: franchise, franchisee, Mr. Rooter, new franchise owners, Texas, The Dwyer Group, Waco
Posted in Mr. Rooter | Comments Off
Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010
Mr. Rooter Corporation announces the addition of three franchises in April.
The following people attended a weeklong basic training course April 19-23 at the company’s corporate office in Waco, Texas:
- Michael and Dawn Pant – Montcalm County in Michigan
- Jamie Smith and Rob Whitley – Baltimore, Maryland
- John and Penny Maxwell – Carter, Sullivan, Washington Counties in Tennessee, and Watauga County in North Carolina.
“We are delighted to help this great group of business people develop their businesses,” said Mary Kennedy Thompson, president of Mr. Rooter Corporation. “It’s nice to grow our Mr. Rooter brand with great individuals who want to provide outstanding customer experiences for their communities.”
Mr. Rooter Plumbing technicians follow an established and professional system. For example, they wear covers over their shoes when inside a customer’s home or business to protect their property.
Technicians also give customers the price before work is done to ensure there are no surprises about the cost of service. Mr. Rooter Plumbing shops provide service 24 hours a day, seven days a week and there are no extra charges on nights, weekends and holidays.
Tags: franchise, franchisee, Mr. Rooter, new franchise owners, The Dwyer Group, Waco
Posted in Mr. Rooter, The Dwyer Group | Comments Off
Tuesday, May 4th, 2010
The Dwyer Group has been ranked one of the top 50 franchises for military veterans. The “best” franchises for military veterans were determined by 3 different variables: the overall program offered to the veterans, the percentage of veterans among existing franchisees, and the percentage of veterans among the companies senior management.
Mr. Rooter President, Mary Thompson, was one of only two companies in the top 50 to actually be a veteran herself. Thompson credits her success to the experience she gained serving as a Marine Corps officer.
There are many reasons veterans are a natural fit into franchising. They have a fierce work ethic, and will keep going even when the going gets tough. They are known for being self-disciplined, possess the ability to focus and block out distractions. Lastly, they have been conditioned to follow directions and adhere to systems.
This combination allows them to overcome the difficult times the franchise goes through, remain focused and dedicated to running a successful business, and they are able to follow the franchises’ time-proven system without costly deviations which is pivotal to their success.
Another reason the Dwyer Group’s franchises were appealing to veterans is the Vetfran program. The Vetfran program offers veterans a 25% discount on initial territory purchases and other vendor incentives for those who qualify. The program was established by The Dwyer Group’s founder Don Dwyer to benefit honorably discharged vets after the gulf war. Since then 360 and veterans are involved in the program and over 1,200 veterans have acquired their own franchise. It is The Dwyer Group’s way of giving back and thanking veterans for their service and sacrifices.
Tags: Don Dwyer, franchise, franchising, military, Mr. Rooter, The Dwyer Group, Top 50 Franchises, Veterans, VetFran
Posted in Mr. Rooter, The Dwyer Group | Comments Off
Tuesday, May 4th, 2010
WACO, Texas (April 26, 2010) – Mr. Rooter Corporation announces the addition of three franchises in April.
The following people attended a weeklong basic training course April 19-23 at the company’s corporate office in Waco, Texas:
• Michael and Dawn Pant – Montcalm County in Michigan
• Jamie Smith and Rob Whitley – Baltimore, Maryland
• John and Penny Maxwell – Carter, Sullivan, Washington Counties in Tennessee, and Watauga County in North Carolina.
“We are delighted to help this great group of business people develop their businesses,” said Mary Kennedy Thompson, president of Mr. Rooter Corporation. “It’s nice to grow our Mr. Rooter brand with great individuals who want to provide outstanding customer experiences for their communities.”
Mr. Rooter Plumbing technicians follow an established and professional system. For example, they wear covers over their shoes when inside a customer’s home or business to protect their property.
Technicians also give customers the price before work is done to ensure there are no surprises about the cost of service. Mr. Rooter Plumbing shops provide service 24 hours a day, seven days a week and there are no extra charges on nights, weekends and holidays.
Tags: franchise, Mr. Rooter, New Franchises
Posted in Mr. Rooter, Uncategorized | Comments Off
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