Franchise Today is back and stronger than ever as it marches towards its 6th year on the air. After a period of organizational change and subsequent transition back to Franchise Foundry, Franchise Today founder, Paul Segreto is back as show host and his first guest is Mary Kennedy Thompson, President of Mr. Rooter Plumbing and Executive Vice President of The Dwyer Group.

About Our Guest

Mary Kennedy Thompson became president of Mr. Rooter Corporation in October 2006. Mary came to Mr. Rooter from national franchisor Cookies by Design, where she was president of the franchisor corporation. She came into the franchising industry as a franchisee first when in 1994, when she opened a Cookies by Design® franchise in Austin, Texas. In the next three years she opened two additional locations. As a multi-unit franchise owner, Mary led the company in market penetration and sales, earning awards for “Top Performer, “Outstanding Customer Service” and “Masters Award”.

In 2003 she earned her certified Franchise Executive certification from the International Franchise Association. Promoted to President of the company in 2004, Mary’s initiatives resulted in alliances with universal Studios, a new web site that provided an immediate increase in sales, and renewed franchisee/franchisor relations.

At the end of her first year as president of Mr. Rooter Corporation, U.S. Business Review selected Mary as one of its 2007 Editor’s Choice Executives of the Year. Today Mr. Rooter is the fastest growing plumbing franchise with more than 336 locations worldwide.

In 2014 Mary was promoted to Executive Vice President of the Dwyer Group while also retaining her current role as President of Mr. Rooter. As Executive Vice President she provides support to the CEO in the daily activities and operations of the company and its subsidiary brands.