Ep138 Plumbing Bros CEO James Riddle on AI, Virtual Teams & Scaling a Franchise Network

James Riddle, CEO of Plumbing Bros, returns to share how the franchise has evolved from a single idea into a national network. What began as a bold concept allowing non-plumbers to own plumbing businesses has now grown to 11 franchise partners covering 20 territories across five states.   He reveals how AI and virtual assistance are transforming both the head office and franchise operations. From developing knowledge-based bots inspired by thought leaders like Alex Hormozi and Sabri Suby to streamlining admin and marketing workflows.Their focus on automation and offshoring empowers franchise partners to concentrate on growth and customer experience rather than daily paperwork.   Looking ahead, James shares the company’s vision of reaching 33 locations by 2027, driven by smarter systems and authentic storytelling. With a content-first approach to lead conversion and a clear focus on quality service, Plumbing Bros continues to redefine what’s possible in a traditional trade industry proving that innovation, not plumbing, is at the heart of their success.   0:00 Introduction 0:33 What Plumbing Bros actually does and how the franchise works  2:31 The first big focus: integrating AI into the business 4:28 Using AI to bottle knowledge and make it accessible to franchisees 05:40 The second focus: leveraging virtual assistance for admin and marketing  6:51 Expanding VA support to new franchise partners 07:50 The importance of quick invoicing and scheduling for repeat business 08:20 Maintaining premium service without premium pricing 10:20 Turning challenges into opportunities for growth 10:52 What’s next for Plumbing Bros over the next 12 to 18 months 12:30 Wrap up   Podcast Produced by:  www.franchisebusinesshub.com.au   Listen or Watch on;   Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/4jvu6x2v Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/n9unjtp8 Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/49ysr3r9 YouTube: https://youtu.be/v1gJAiyQsls