This week on the Restoration Rundown, Ben sits down with Alvaro Leal, Business Development Director at 1-Tom-Plumber Franchise HQ,
to go behind the scenes of the National Pink Plunger Expo 2026 (Sept 28–30, Clearwater, FL).
Alvaro breaks down what franchise growth actually looks like from the HQ side, why franchise networks invest in live events, and what attendees — including Ironclad Restoration Marketing, who’ll be exhibiting — can expect on-site.
00:01 – Podcast Introduction and a LiveSwitch Collaboration
01:17 – Guest Introduction and Greetings
03:03 – Alvaro’s Personal Background and How He End Up in the Industry
05:48 – The Day-to-Day Role and Responsibilities of a Business Development Director
07:55 – What makes 1-Tom-Plumber’s Brand and Franchise Model Unique
10:29 – What the Franchise Looks for in a Franchisee
12:21 – Target Expansion Markets
13:44 – Operational Support Provided to Franchisees
16:56 – Introduction and Overview of the National Pink Plunger Expo
20:14 – The Importance of Hosting an Intensive National Convention for Networking and Sharing Business Strategies.
21:29 – The Value of Attending Conferences
25:40 – Maximizing Vendor Interactions and Trade Show Floor Value
30:59 – Advice for Conference Attendees on How to Network Effectively
33:52 – Personal Reflections on the Support Received from the Restoration Industry and Final Registration Details for the Upcoming Expo.
If you’re a contractor considering franchising, exhibiting, or just want to understand how franchise development works from the inside, this one’s for you.
🔗 Conference info: 1tomconferences.com
📍 Find Ironclad at our booth in Clearwater, Sept 28–30
Are you ready to boost your Digital Presence and make your Restoration Company confidently shine online? Click here to schedule your FREE Strategy Session today!
Benjamin Ricciardi is the founder of Ironclad Restoration Marketing, A digital marketing agency that specializes in the Restoration and Cleaning industry based in South Florida. Benjamin is the author of The No Bulls**t Guide to Internet Marketing for Restoration Contractors and hosts The Restoration Rundown Podcast, a podcast that is focused on everything related to marketing and owning a Restoration and Cleaning Business. Connect with Benjamin and Ironclad Restoration Marketing on social media for the latest tips and tricks on how to grow your Restoration Business.