MR. WATERHEATER BEGINS TO FRANCHISE AFTER YEARS OF ‘KEEPING WATER HOT’ IN PITTSBURGH

PITTSBURGH – Call Mr. Waterheater. Call Mr. Waterheater……one of those jingles that you hear first thing in the morning and it sticks in your head all day. In the Pittsburgh area that jingle has been around for over 25 years (since 1981) and it appears that the rest of the country may hear it soon as Mr. Waterheater National, Inc. begins the franchise process.

In 1998, the Sembower family, who has operated a plumbing business out of Wilkinsburg since 1973 (Sembower-Mikesell), decided to expand their business and purchased Mr. Waterheater from the two former Sears employees who started the company in 1981. Since that time the company has doubled in business and installs close to 5,000 water heaters a year and sells almost 7,000.

The family business got started in 1973 when John Sembower Sr. purchased the plumbing business from a relative. He saw it as a way to provide for his family. As soon as they were of age, the two sons and two daughters and a son-in-law followed along and worked in the family business. When the suggestion came up to purchase the water heater business John Sr. wasn’t convinced that it was such a good idea. However, now that he is retired from the day-to-day operations of the family plumbing business, he said he is pleased that the purchase was made nine years ago and is excited about the growth through the franchising.

Today, the family run business has Scott Sembower serving as president. Scott’s brother John and their brother-in-law Richard Navari Jr. are vice presidents and sisters Terri Allison and Debra Navari are treasurer and secretary, respectively. Mr. Waterheater also employs 11 others.

Franchise opportunities became available earlier this year and the first two franchisees come to the water heater business via two different paths. Joe Raimondi had been in information technology since 1980. A resident of Hampton, PA, Raimondi began his career at the former St. Francis Health System. He eventually joined the former Thrift Drug Company, went through a series of corporate changes there, and eventually became the vice president of applications development. Earlier this year, downsizing left him thinking for the first time that he might want to own and operate his own business.

After researching franchise opportunities, Raimondi was impressed by the simplicity of the Mr. Waterheater business. He thought that the business plan for Mr. Waterheater was the most efficient and effective of all the ones he looked at and moved forward with the application process. According to the Sembowers, he will be servicing the Butler, Lawrence and Mercer county areas.

Todd Rhule, also a franchise owner, is a resident of Franklin Park and has had his own heating and air conditioning business, A-Comfort Service, since 1988. When he heard about the Mr. Waterheater franchise opportunity Rhule saw it as a way to expand his already growing business. He added that installing water heaters is clean and simple and a nice addition to the service he is already providing. Rhule will service the Beaver County area.

Franchise development consultant Jeff Young said that in his 20 years of franchise experience, Mr. Waterheater is the most amazing franchise opportunity with the best return on investment (ROI) that he has ever seen. “The key to the business is the marketing, TV, radio, billboards, yellow pages and now optimized website and keyword buys,” he added. Young said that to qualify for a Mr. Waterheater franchise, basic business skills are needed, along with the ability to invest a minimum of $50,000. “Successful plumbers and HVAC contractors looking to take their business to the next level are perfect candidates because the transition will be simple,” said Young. But, he added, the owners are determined to give every franchisee all the tools they need, even those without plumbing experience.

Franchisee training includes a week of Mr. Waterheater University. Classes include product information, installation, business systems, marketing and office software. Also included are phone sales, human resources and how to set-up trucks. Upon completion of Mr. Waterheater University franchisees are ready to launch their new business with the support of Mr. Waterheater personnel.

Mr. Waterheater is looking to strategically grow the business from Pittsburgh with the best opportunities in Pennsylvania, Ohio and surrounding states.

Mr. Waterheater Enterprises, Inc. was established in 1981 and is the parent company of Mr. Waterheater National, Inc. Both companies are based outside of Pittsburgh, PA. Mr. Waterheater Enterprises, Inc. was purchased by the Sembower family in 1998 and specializes in residential and commercial hot water heater repair and replacement.

Mr. Waterheater employees are certified service and professional installers of Ruud and Bradford White water heaters. Mr. Waterheater is known for speed, integrity, ethics, low cost pricing and unparalleled customer service. Franchise opportunities are available in the tri-state area and beyond. Information about Mr. Waterheater is available at www.mrwaterheater.com, or by calling 1-866-MISTER W (647-8379).

12/07