FranDB
ROTO-ROOTER

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.

Since 1936ServicesWest Des Moines, IAChemed Corporationrotorooter.com
No Item 19SBA Loan Data

Disclaimer: This information was extracted using AI from public Franchise Disclosure Documents and should be independently verified. This is not financial or legal advice. Always review official FDD filings before making investment decisions.

Overview

Investment
N/A
Franchise Fee
$25,000
Locations
337

Financial Requirements

Franchise Fee$25,000
Initial Investment RangeN/A
Royalty RateN/A
Brand FundN/A
Fixed Monthly Fees$545 - $36,000

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

Franchise Stats

Franchise Locations337
Corporate Locations116
States OperatingN/A
Franchising Since1936
FDD Year2025

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 to Other Home Services Franchises

FranchiseInvestment RangeFranchise FeeRoyaltyLocations
ROTO-ROOTER
Current
N/A$25KN/A337
MERRY MAIDS$127K - $166K$55K7.0%933
HOLIDAY LIGHTING HEROES$150K - $177K$127K10.0%653
SIGN GYPSIES$4K - $5K$1KN/A587
MOSQUITO AUTHORITY$54K - $128K$45K10.0%546
Culligan$130K - $814K$40K2.0%460
Home Services Average
129 franchises
$144K - $289K$53K7.0%-

* Comparison based on latest FDD filings. Investment ranges from Item 7, fees from Item 5. Showing top 5 of 129 Home Services franchises by location count.

SBA Loan History

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

Total Loans
15
Average Loan Amount
$557,967
Total Loan Volume
$8,369,500
Default Rate
0.0%

Loans by Year

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

Franchisee Contacts

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Due Diligence

Litigation (Item 3)

Franchisee Litigation Cases0

No litigation involving franchisees reported in the FDD.

Bankruptcy (Item 4)

Bankruptcy HistoryNo

No bankruptcy history reported in the FDD.

System Health (Item 20)

Franchise system changes reported in the most recent fiscal year

Terminations
3
Non-Renewals
0
Reacquired by Franchisor
3
Ceased Operations (Other)
0
System Transfers
13
Sold to Franchisees
16
Projected New Franchises
0

Frequently Asked Questions

How many ROTO-ROOTER franchise locations are there?

As of the 2025 FDD, ROTO-ROOTER has 337 franchise locations. The company has been franchising since 1936.

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.

Interested in ROTO-ROOTER?

Talk to a franchise advisor to get personalized guidance and learn if ROTO-ROOTER is the right fit for you.

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