Source: FranopolisRoto-Rooter
The Business
SourcesThe Roto-Rooter franchise which the franchisor offers is for qualified persons to operate a business offering and performing authorized sewer, drain and pipe cleaning services to the public within a prescribed geographic market area.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 12 · Item 1 · View Source
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Source NotesThe Roto-Rooter franchise which we offer is for qualified persons to operate a business (the "Business") offering and performing authorized sewer, drain and pipe cleaning services (the "Services") to the public within a prescribed geographic market area.
What It Costs
SourcesYour location, business format and operating plan can change the total.
Where Your Startup Money Goes
| Cost | Disclosed Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $25,000 to $75,000 | 2026 FDD · PDF Page 22 Initial Franchise Fee (2) $25,000 to $75,000 |
| Motor Vehicle | $35,000 to $62,000 | 2026 FDD · PDF Page 22 Motor Vehicle (3) $35,000 to $62,000 |
| Opening Equipment and Parts Inventory and Supplies | $22,000 to $50,000 | 2026 FDD · PDF Page 22 Opening Equipment and Parts Inventory and Supplies (5) $22,000 to $50,000 |
| Additional Funds - 3 months | $12,000 to $16,000 | 2026 FDD · PDF Page 22 Additional Funds - 3 months (8) $12,000 to $16,000 |
| Advertising | $16,110 to $60,550 | 2026 FDD · PDF Page 22 Advertising (6) $16,110 to $60,550 |
| Miscellaneous Opening Costs | $13,000 to $18,000 | 2026 FDD · PDF Page 22 Miscellaneous Opening Costs (7) $13,000 to $18,000 |
| Total Estimated Initial Investment | $123,110 to $281,550 | 2026 FDD · PDF Page 22 TOTAL ESTIMATED INITIAL INVESTMENT (9) $123,110 to $281,550 |
Line items are shown as disclosed. Some costs overlap or apply to different formats; do not add them together without reviewing the source.
SourcesFees And Payment Terms
| Fee | Disclosed Terms | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Administrative Fees - Change of stock ownership | Change of stock ownership - $200.00. | 2026 FDD · PDF Page 18 |
| Transfer | Transfer 1½% of the total sale price, with a minimum of $1,000 and not to exceed $7,500 | 2026 FDD · PDF Page 17 |
| Administrative Fees - Drop partner | Drop partner - $200.00 | 2026 FDD · PDF Page 18 |
| Local Advertising | You must spend not less than; 11.11¢ per person in 2026, 11.38¢ per person in 2027, 11.65¢ per person in 2028, 11.92¢ per person in 2029, 12.22¢ per person in 2030, 12.52¢ per person in 2031, 12.82¢ per person in 2032, 13.14¢ per person in 2033, 13.47¢ per person in 2034, And 13.81¢ per person in 2035. | 2026 FDD · PDF Page 18 |
| Administrative Fees - Add partner | Administrative Fees Add partner - $200.00 | 2026 FDD · PDF Page 18 |
| Monthly Franchise Fee | Monthly Franchise Fee From $280 to $36,000+ per month based on population formula which increases every January 1. | 2026 FDD · PDF Page 17 |
Some fees apply only to a specific event or service. These are not all monthly expenses.
SourcesSee how the disclosed startup costs fit your cash, reserves, and financing plans.
Your Role As An Owner
SourcesThe franchisor requires that you or your majority owners be in active and full-time charge of the Business.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 33 · Item 15 · View Source
Read The Disclosed Requirements
The Franchise Agreement does not restrict you as to whom you can hire to conduct on-premises supervision. Your manager is not required to attend a training program or maintain any equity interest in you. The franchisor must be informed of the identity of your manager.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 33 · Item 15 · View Source
Read Source Excerpts
We require that you or your majority owners be in active and full-time charge of the Business.
Source NotesThe Franchise Agreement does not restrict you as to whom you can hire to conduct on-premises supervision. Your manager is not required to attend a training program or maintain any equity interest in you. We must be informed of the identity of your manager.
Territory
SourcesYou must operate your Business within the exclusive Territory identified in the Franchise Agreement.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 29 · Item 12 · View Source
Read The Disclosed Requirements
The Territory is typically described by city or county and is written in the Franchise Agreement.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 29 · Item 12 · View Source
Read Source Excerpts
The Territory is typically described by city or county and is written in the Franchise Agreement.
Source NotesYou must operate your Business within the exclusive Territory identified in the Franchise Agreement.
A disclosed territory policy does not confirm that your preferred area is available. Ask the franchisor about the specific area you are considering.
Training & Support
SourcesThe franchisor does not require any formal initial training program before opening nor are any additional training programs required once you have commenced operations.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 29 · Item 11 · View Source
Read The Disclosed Requirements
You are not required to buy or use any particular electronic cash register or computer system.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 29 · Item 11 · View Source
The franchisor is not obligated to maintain or administer an advertising fund. You are not required to participate in a local or regional advertising cooperative.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 29 · Item 11 · View Source
Read Source Excerpts
We do not require any formal initial training program prior to opening nor are any additional training programs required once you have commenced operations.
You are not required to buy or use any particular electronic cash register or computer system.
Source NotesWe are not obligated to maintain or administer an advertising fund. You are not required to participate in a local or regional advertising cooperative.
The Franchise Network
SourcesReported At Year-End 2025
| Year | Franchised At Year-End | Company-Owned At Year-End | Total At Year-End | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 341 | 117 | 458 | 2026 FDD · PDF Page 40 · Item 20 |
| 2024 | 337 | 116 | 453 | 2026 FDD · PDF Page 40 · Item 20 |
| 2025 | 333 | 115 | 448 | 2026 FDD · PDF Page 40 · Item 20 |
These are reported outlet counts, not available territories or a measure of profitability. A dash means a count is not available in this record.
Review The Source Figures
2023 Year-End Counts
Franchised 2023 348 341 -7
Company- Owned 2023 115 117 +2
Total Outlets 2023 463 458 -5
2024 Year-End Counts
Franchised 2024 341 337 -4
Company- Owned 2024 117 116 -1
Total Outlets 2024 458 453 -5
2025 Year-End Counts
Franchised 2025 337 333 -4
Company- Owned 2025 116 115 -1
SourcesTotal Outlets 2025 453 448 -5
Inside The FDD
SourcesPlain-language summaries of the available FDD information. Each summary links to its source, with original excerpts available to review.
Sources
The Franopolis report provides the source research. FDD page references identify the supplied excerpts when available.
01The Business And Its Ownership
The Roto-Rooter franchise which the franchisor offers is for qualified persons to operate a business offering and performing authorized sewer, drain and pipe cleaning services to the public within a prescribed geographic market area.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 12 · Item 1 · View Source
Read Source Excerpts
Source NotesThe Roto-Rooter franchise which we offer is for qualified persons to operate a business (the "Business") offering and performing authorized sewer, drain and pipe cleaning services (the "Services") to the public within a prescribed geographic market area.
02The Leadership Team
The leadership team listed in the FDD includes Spencer S. Lee (Director), Thad Reinhard (President) and Kevin J. McNamara (Director).
2026 FDD · PDF Page 14 · Item 2 · View Source
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07Estimated Startup Investment
The FDD estimates a total startup investment of $123,110 to $281,550. Review the listed costs and any conditions before setting your own startup budget.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 22 · Item 7 · View Source
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Source NotesTOTAL ESTIMATED INITIAL INVESTMENT (9) $123,110 to $281,550
11Support, Training And Advertising
The franchisor does not require any formal initial training program before opening nor are any additional training programs required once you have commenced operations.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 29 · Item 11 · View Source
You are not required to buy or use any particular electronic cash register or computer system.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 29 · Item 11 · View Source
The franchisor is not obligated to maintain or administer an advertising fund. You are not required to participate in a local or regional advertising cooperative.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 29 · Item 11 · View Source
Read Source Excerpts
We do not require any formal initial training program prior to opening nor are any additional training programs required once you have commenced operations.
You are not required to buy or use any particular electronic cash register or computer system.
Source NotesWe are not obligated to maintain or administer an advertising fund. You are not required to participate in a local or regional advertising cooperative.
12Territory
The Territory is typically described by city or county and is written in the Franchise Agreement.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 29 · Item 12 · View Source
You must operate your Business within the exclusive Territory identified in the Franchise Agreement.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 29 · Item 12 · View Source
Read Source Excerpts
The Territory is typically described by city or county and is written in the Franchise Agreement.
Source NotesYou must operate your Business within the exclusive Territory identified in the Franchise Agreement.
14Patents, Copyrights And Proprietary Information
The written materials, videotapes and related materials are considered proprietary and confidential and are considered the franchisor’s property and may be used by you only as provided in the Franchise Agreement.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 32 · Item 14 · View Source
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Source NotesThe written materials, videotapes and related materials are considered proprietary and confidential and are considered our property and may be used by you only as provided in the Franchise Agreement.
15Owner Participation
The franchisor requires that you or your majority owners be in active and full-time charge of the Business.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 33 · Item 15 · View Source
The Franchise Agreement does not restrict you as to whom you can hire to conduct on-premises supervision. Your manager is not required to attend a training program or maintain any equity interest in you. The franchisor must be informed of the identity of your manager.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 33 · Item 15 · View Source
Read Source Excerpts
We require that you or your majority owners be in active and full-time charge of the Business.
Source NotesThe Franchise Agreement does not restrict you as to whom you can hire to conduct on-premises supervision. Your manager is not required to attend a training program or maintain any equity interest in you. We must be informed of the identity of your manager.
16Products And Services You Can Sell
You cannot offer, sell or perform any other services using the System or the Marks (see Items 8 and 9).
2026 FDD · PDF Page 34 · Item 16 · View Source
You must offer, sell and perform sewer, drain and pipe cleaning services in the Territory using the System and the Marks.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 34 · Item 16 · View Source
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You cannot offer, sell or perform any other services using the System or the Marks (see Items 8 and 9).
Source NotesYou must offer, sell and perform sewer, drain and pipe cleaning services in the Territory using the System and the Marks.
17Renewal, Transfer And Ending The Agreement
The franchise agreement requires you to resolve disputes with the franchisor by mediation, arbitration and/or litigation only in Iowa.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 5 · Item 17 · View Source
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Source NotesThe franchise agreement requires you to resolve disputes with the franchisor by mediation, arbitration and/or litigation only in Iowa.
18Public Figures
The franchisor says it does not use public figures to promote this franchise.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 39 · Item 18 · View Source
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Source NotesWe do not use any public figure to promote our franchise.
20Franchise Locations
At the end of 2025, the FDD reports 333 franchised locations and 115 company-owned locations. These are reported locations, not a count of territories available to buy.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 40 · Item 20 · View Source
Read Source Excerpts
Find The Right Business For The Life You Want.
You don’t have to compare every brand on your own. A franchise consultant can help narrow your options and work through what ownership would ask of you.
Bring your questions about this brand, your priorities and the kind of business you want to run.
Your Role
Understand the hours, sales and people responsibilities behind the ownership model.
Your Shortlist
Spend less time sorting through brands and more time on options worth exploring.
Your Market
Check territory options with franchisors and identify the next questions to ask.
Keep Exploring
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