Opens in a new tab

FRANCHISE RESALES

Buy an Ace Hardware Plumbing Franchise

Ace Hardware Plumbing is a plumbing-focused franchise program within the Ace Hardware cooperative, the world’s largest retailer-owned hardware cooperative, founded in 1924 and headquartered in Oak Brook, Illinois. Franchisees gain access to the Ace brand, supply chain, and distribution network supporting over 6,000 locally owned stores across approximately 60 countries.

The program allows independent operators to offer plumbing supplies and services under the Ace name, serving homeowners and trade customers with fixtures, fittings, water heaters, and installation work. It uses a cooperative affiliate structure with no ongoing royalty fees; operators pay an affiliation fee and cooperative stock subscription rather than traditional franchise royalties.

Ace Hardware Home Services, the cooperative’s home services arm, has grown steadily since 2019 to cover plumbing, handyman, electrical, HVAC, and painting across hundreds of locations nationwide. The cooperative’s sustained investment in home services provides useful context for buyers evaluating the Ace Hardware Plumbing opportunity.

Latest Resales

  • There are currently no Ace Hardware Plumbing resales available
Register your interest

Why buy an Ace Hardware Plumbing Franchise?

Those who buy an Ace Hardware Plumbing franchise gain access to one of the most recognized names in hardware and home services, backed by a cooperative with over a century of operational history. The Ace brand carries genuine consumer trust in plumbing and home repair categories, a competitive advantage that takes independent operators years to establish locally.

The cooperative model’s no-royalty structure is a meaningful economic differentiator. Franchisees benefit from the Ace Hardware supply network’s purchasing power, which keeps product costs competitive. Access to Ace Hardware’s established supply chain and distribution infrastructure also reduces the overhead of sourcing plumbing products independently.

Ace Hardware Plumbing Franchise Costs & Information

  • Minimum Qualifications

    • Initial Franchise Fee

      $5,000 affiliation fee + $5,000 capital stock subscription

    • Initial Investment

      $115,600 to $1,913,080

  • Royalty

    • Royalty Fee

      None

  • Training & Support

    • Optional 3-day NSN University training

    • Ongoing operational and marketing support

Ace Hardware Plumbing – Additional  Information

  1. Training & Support

    Ace Hardware Plumbing franchisees receive access to NSN University, a training programme covering brand standards, product knowledge, and cooperative systems for the plumbing affiliate model. The programme runs in an optional three-day format. Ongoing support includes operational guidance, marketing assistance, and access to Ace Hardware's supply chain and distribution network. Resale buyers should confirm what onboarding and NSN University access the franchisor provides to incoming ownership when taking over an existing unit.

  2. Ideal Owner

    Ace Hardware Plumbing suits operators with a background in plumbing supply, trade sales, or home improvement retail, though the cooperative model is designed for business-minded operators rather than licensed tradespeople specifically. The role is primarily sales- and operations-led: managing supplier relationships, serving contractor and homeowner accounts, coordinating product sourcing, and building local trade customer relationships. Comfort with the B2B contractor market, where repeat business and account management drive revenue, is particularly relevant.

  3. Recognition & Awards

    Ace Hardware Plumbing operates under the Ace Hardware brand, which has earned consistent franchise recognition. The broader Ace Hardware cooperative ranked #4 overall in the Entrepreneur Franchise 500 (2026), its highest ranking yet, and #1 in its retail category for the fifth consecutive year. Franchise Times ranked Ace Hardware #5 on its Top 400 list. Forbes ranked Ace Hardware first for customer service in the home improvement category in 2026. Ace Handyman Services, a sister Ace home services brand, earned Franchise Business Review Satisfaction Awards in 2025 and 2026.

  4. Industry / Market

    The US plumbing services and supplies market is driven by aging housing stock requiring ongoing repair and replacement, a sustained shift from DIY toward professional service, and a persistent shortage of licensed plumbers that keeps demand elevated. Home improvement spending remains a substantial category in the US economy, with plumbing representing a recurring need across both residential and commercial properties. For resale buyers, local demand consistency and the strength of existing contractor account relationships are the most relevant unit-level factors to assess.

Learn more about
how to own a Ace Hardware Plumbing franchise resale

Please fill out the form below and a Franchise Flippers expert will be in touch with you shortly.

The Franchise Brand Index

This page is part of Franchise Flippers’ independent franchise Index, designed as an educational resource to help potential buyers explore the franchise resale market and compare brands.

Trademark & Affiliation Disclaimer

This website is an independent, informational resource. All trademarks, logos, and brand names displayed are the property of their respective owners and are used solely for identification and educational purposes. Their use does not imply any affiliation with, endorsement by, or sponsorship from the respective trademark holders.