Fulghum Leverages More than 20 Years of Experience in Leading the Brand’s Operations
bluefrog Plumbing + Drain, a residential plumbing and drain solutions franchise under the Stellar Service Brands umbrella, has appointed Richard Fulghum as vice president of operations. Fulghum has 20-plus years of operational leadership expertise, serving in executive roles at Marriott Hotels and Airtron Heating & Air Conditioning.
“bluefrog has a strong brand and a lot of momentum, but there’s also a real opportunity to improve consistency and performance across the system. That combination is exciting to me,” Fulghum said. “I’m excited about helping franchisees turn activity into results. Improving how calls are handled, how jobs are sold in the home and how technology is actually used day to day can make a big difference quickly. When franchisees see real improvement in revenue and profitability, it reinforces why they chose the brand in the first place.”
Fulghum believes his background in multi-unit operations translates well to a system like bluefrog because its operators are at various stages of development. “I like the services industry because execution matters. You don’t have to wait months to see if something worked. You see it in the numbers and the customer experience almost immediately.”
Jessica Wescott, CEO of Stellar Service Brands, said Fulghum’s extensive leadership experience will be an asset for bluefrog. “Richard’s passion for building strong relationships, leading with a focus on operational excellence, and his proven track record of transforming organizations aligns perfectly with our mission to serve our franchise partners and their local communities,” Wescott said.
Stellar Service Brands’ Support
Fulghum emphasized Stellar Service Brands’ infrastructure and support as being key to bluefog’s growth. “This includes sharing best practices, investing in systems and helping the brand move faster without losing its identity. Competitiveness comes down to operational discipline, strong unit economics and using data to drive better decisions. The best growth strategy is making sure existing franchisees are successful. Profitable, confident owners are the strongest ambassadors a brand can have. Clear expectations, simple processes and support that feels like coaching, not policing, make all the difference.”
In his downtime, Fulghum enjoys driving cars at high speeds on race tracks. “It’s all about precision, preparation and continuous improvement — skills that carry over nicely into operations.”
About bluefrog Plumbing + Drain
Founded in 2014, bluefrog Plumbing + Drain is a trusted name in plumbing repair and installation through its commitment to reliable service. Franchise partners are supported by an executive team with decades of experience in both the plumbing and franchise industries.
About Stellar Service Brands
Based in Dallas, Stellar Service Brands is a holding company that includes Restoration 1, a franchise specializing in emergency mitigations, restoration and reconstruction services; and bluefrog Plumbing + Drain. Together, the brands include 480-plus franchise locations awarded across the country.
