Can you get an SBA loan for a ROTO-ROOTER franchise?

Yes, SBA loans are available for ROTO-ROOTER franchises. Historical data shows 15 SBA 7(a) loans have been approved for ROTO-ROOTER franchisees, with an average loan amount of $557,967. The historical default rate is 0.0%.

Is ROTO-ROOTER a good franchise to buy?

ROTO-ROOTER shows several positive indicators: established brand with 337+ locations, low SBA loan default rate. However, franchise success depends on many factors including location, local market conditions, and owner involvement. We recommend speaking with existing franchisees and consulting with a franchise attorney before making a decision.

ROTO-ROOTER

Roto-Rooter franchises allow operators to provide sewer, drain, and pipe cleaning services, along with optional related services like septic tank cleaning, plumbing repair, pipe inspection, and water restoration, using the franchisor's proprietary system and trademarks. The business model involves securing an exclusive territory, paying an initial franchise fee of $25,000 to $75,000, and adhering to operational standards while competing in a developed market. Target customers primarily include residential single and multi-family dwellings, as well as commercial, industrial, and governmental clients.

337

Locations

Since 1936

Franchising

ServicesWest Des Moines, IAChemed Corporationrotorooter.comDisclaimer

Franchise Costs

Franchise Fee

$25,000

Item 5 of FDD

Initial Investment Range

N/A

Item 7 of FDD

Royalty Rate

N/A

Brand Fund

N/A

Item 6 of FDD

Fixed Monthly Fees

$545 – $36,000

Item 6 of FDD

Monthly Franchise Fee $545-$36,000+ (based on population formula); local advertising 10.84¢-13.47¢ per person annually.

Financial Performance

Item 19 Financial Performance

This franchise did not provide Item 19 financial performance data.

Be careful if you are interested in investing. The lack of financial performance representations may indicate limited data or varying results across franchises.

Extracted Item 19 Section

How ROTO-ROOTER Compares

Franchise	Investment	Fee	Royalty	Locations
ROTO-ROOTER Current	N/A	$25K	N/A	337
MERRY MAIDS	$127K – $166K	$55K	7.0%	933
HOLIDAY LIGHTING HEROES	$150K – $177K	$127K	10.0%	653
SIGN GYPSIES	$4K – $5K	$1K	N/A	587
MOSQUITO AUTHORITY	$54K – $128K	$45K	10.0%	546
Culligan	$130K – $814K	$40K	2.0%	460
Home Services Average 130 franchises	$144K – $289K	$53K	7.0%	–

* Comparison based on latest FDD filings. Investment ranges from Item 7, fees from Item 5. Showing top 5 of 130 Home Services franchises by location count.

SBA Loan History

Historical SBA 7(a) loan data for ROTO-ROOTER franchisees (2015 – 2025)

Total Loans

Average Loan

$557,967

Total Volume

$8.4M

Default Rate

0.0%

Loans by Year

SBA 7(a) loan activity over time

* Data sourced from SBA 7(a) FOIA loan records. Default rate calculated from charged-off loans.

Franchisee Contacts

333 franchisee contacts on file from official FDD filings.

Name	Address	Phone	Email	SBA Loan
John Smith ABC Franchise LLC	123 Main St Anytown, CA 90210	(555) 123-4567	john@example.com	$350,000 2023 · Active
John Smith ABC Franchise LLC	123 Main St Anytown, CA 90210	(555) 123-4567	john@example.com	$350,000 2023 · Active
John Smith ABC Franchise LLC	123 Main St Anytown, CA 90210	(555) 123-4567	john@example.com	$350,000 2023 · Active
John Smith ABC Franchise LLC	123 Main St Anytown, CA 90210	(555) 123-4567	john@example.com	$350,000 2023 · Active
John Smith ABC Franchise LLC	123 Main St Anytown, CA 90210	(555) 123-4567	john@example.com	$350,000 2023 · Active