Roto-Rooter Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2025)

Roto-Rooter is a plumbing and drain cleaning franchise that offers expert plumbing services, focusing on efficient solutions and customer satisfaction.

Roto-Rooter, founded in 1936 and based in Cincinnati, Ohio, has earned its place as a leader in the plumbing and drain cleaning industry.

Recognized as a pioneer in the field, Roto-Rooter has grown into one of North America’s largest service providers for plumbing and drain solutions. The company began franchising in its inaugural year, reflecting its dedication to expanding its proven business model and trusted brand across diverse markets.

Roto-Rooter distinguishes itself by offering a broad spectrum of services, including plumbing repairs, sewer and drain cleaning, and related solutions. This comprehensive service lineup allows franchisees to meet a variety of customer needs while operating under the well-established Roto-Rooter name.

Initial investment

Here's what you would need to invest if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee $25,000 to $75,000
Motor Vehicle $25,000 to $50,000
Opening Equipment and Parts Inventory and Supplies $19,000 to $45,000
Advertising $19,640 to $88,200
Miscellaneous Opening Costs $13,000 to $16,000
Additional Funds - 3 months $12,000 to $14,000
Total Estimated Initial Investment $113,640 to $288,200
Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee $25,000 to $75,000
Motor Vehicle $25,000 to $50,000
Opening Equipment and Parts Inventory and Supplies $19,000 to $45,000
Advertising $19,640 to $88,200
Miscellaneous Opening Costs $13,000 to $16,000
Additional Funds - 3 months $12,000 to $14,000
Total Estimated Initial Investment $113,640 to $288,200

Franchise Disclosure Document

Competitors

Below are some of

Roto-Rooter

key competitors in the

Plumbing/HVAC

sector.

Franchise
Franchisees
Initial fee
Total investment
Revenue
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Gross Profit
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EBITDA
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337

New
+
-3%
-3%

$25,000

$114,000

$288,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

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Number of units

Training

Roto-Rooter provides franchisees with optional training programs tailored to specific services, such as water restoration, which may require additional fees.

  1. Optional Service-Specific Training
    Roto-Rooter offers specialized training and certifications for certain services, such as water restoration. These programs are optional and may require an additional fee.
  2. Operational Guidance
    Franchisees receive advice and instructions on the proper use of Roto-Rooter’s systems and trademarks to ensure alignment with the brand’s standards.
  3. No Mandatory Initial or Ongoing Training
    The franchisor does not require a formal initial training program prior to the franchise’s launch. Additionally, there are no mandatory ongoing training programs after the business has commenced operations, allowing flexibility for franchisees.

Territory Protection

Roto-Rooter grants franchisees an exclusive territory defined by geographic boundaries in the franchise agreement. Within this area, neither the franchisor nor its affiliates will establish competing franchises or operations, ensuring protection for the franchisee.

The territory remains fixed, unaffected by population changes or market penetration. Franchisees must conduct local advertising within their territory, clearly specifying the area in promotional materials, securing their exclusive operational rights.

Competitors

Plumbing Paramedics

Plumbing Paramedics is a plumbing franchise offering fast, reliable, and expert plumbing services for residential and commercial clients.

Franchisees

?

5
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$129,000 - $271,000

Accurate Leak and Line

Accurate Leak and Line focuses on trenchless plumbing repair and leak detection for residential and commercial properties. They utilize advanced technology to provide cost-effective, non-invasive solutions.

Franchisees

?

2
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$134,000 - $285,000

Z Plumberz

Z Plumberz offers comprehensive plumbing services, including repair, installation, and maintenance, providing reliable solutions for residential and commercial properties.

Franchisees

?

31
+
3%
3%
Investment

?

$257,000 - $419,000

TemperaturePro

TemperaturePro provides HVAC installation, repair, and maintenance services for residential and commercial properties, ensuring optimal comfort, energy efficiency, and indoor air quality for customers.

Franchisees

?

261
+
-17%
-17%
Investment

?

$402,000 - $440,000

Roto-Rooter

Roto-Rooter is a plumbing and drain cleaning franchise that offers expert plumbing services, focusing on efficient solutions and customer satisfaction.

Franchisees

?

337
+
-3%
-3%
Investment

?

$114,000 - $288,000

RooterMan

RooterMan offers professional plumbing and drain cleaning services, providing expert solutions for residential and commercial properties to address plumbing issues and ensure efficient drainage systems.

Franchisees

?

653
+
-5%
-5%
Investment

?

$45,000 - $82,000