Updated April 7, 2019.
Detailed Estimates of Mr. Rooter Franchise Costs Based on Item 7 (Estimated Initial Investment) of Mr. Rooter’s 2018 Franchise Disclosure Document
1. Initial Franchise Fee: $35,000 plus $350 per 1,000 additional population over minimum
- The minimum initial franchise fee is $35,000. You may qualify for a discount on the initial franchise fee.
- The franchisor may agree to finance a portion of the initial franchise fee, depending on your credit-worthiness, the collateral that you have available, and its then-current financing policies.
- A territory will generally contain a population ranging from 100,000 to 1,500,000. Territory is priced at $350 per 1,000 population. A larger territory may be allowed under certain circumstances (e.g. densely populated urban areas, or if a high percentage of the territory is impoverished).
2. Vehicle: $2,975 to $29,250
"I've seen too many serious franchise buyers fall in love with a brand only to discover their territory is gone by the time they contact the franchisor. This tool was built to prevent exactly that." — Ambrosio, Franchise Chatter
⏳Find Out Which Franchises Are Still Available in Your Area Before It's Too Late
Most franchise buyers spend months researching brands and building excitement — unaware that their preferred territory could be snapped up at any moment. By the time they contact the franchisor, their preferred territory may already be taken. Enter your ZIP code — a territory specialist will verify exactly which franchises are still available right where you want to be.- You must purchase vehicles that meet the franchisor’s specifications as set forth in the Manuals. Each vehicle must have the Marks professionally applied as the franchisor specifies before the vehicle is put into service.
- The franchisor does not sell or lease vehicles.
- An existing vehicle can be converted for use in the Business or you may choose to acquire a vehicle which meets the franchisor’s specifications.
- The estimated low cost reflects the cost of having the Marks applied to an existing vehicle which meets the franchisor’s standards. The estimated high cost reflects the purchase of a vehicle meeting the franchisor’s standards plus having the Marks applied.
3. Equipment, Supplies, and Inventory: $10,000 to $40,000
- The low estimate shown here assumes that you already own an existing business similar to the franchise. The high estimate shown here assumes you do not own an existing business, and includes office and field equipment, inventory, and supplies needed to equip your franchise in accordance with the franchisor’s standards.
- Both estimates include printed material (business cards, stationery, invoices, brochures, marketing materials, service agreements, etc.) and initial costs for a software package.
4. Insurance: $1,400 to $2,700
- You must purchase the insurance coverage described in Item 8. If you do not, the franchisor can purchase it for you and bill you for its costs.
5. Advertising and Promotional and Local Marketing Spending for Marketing Start-Up Phase: $7,500 to $15,000
- The franchisor reserves the right to require you to spend annually the Minimum Local Marketing Spending (i.e., the greater of: (a) $15,000 or (b) 3% of your Gross Sales for the previous year). The amount you spend on Minimum Local Marketing Spending is in addition to any MAP Fees you must pay.
- Whether or not the franchisor has advised you that the Minimum Local Marketing Spending is required on an annual basis, you must spend the Start-Up Phase Marketing Spending (in an amount the franchisor specifies, between $7,500 and $15,000) during the start-up phase of your Business.
6. Training, Travel, Lodging, and Food: $2,950 to $5,950
- You should allow at least the minimum stated amount for travel, lodging, food, and other miscellaneous living expenses incurred during training. Your actual costs will vary depending on the distance to be traveled, your method of travel, your lodging, and your personal circumstances.
7. Deposits, Permits, and Licenses: $0 to $1,000
- The franchisor does not require any prepaid deposits, permits, or licenses before you begin the operation of your Business but your particular locality may require a permit or license to perform plumbing services or have other business licensing requirements.
8. Professional Fees: $0 to $5,000
- These are estimates for fees that will be charged by your attorney to review the franchise agreement and other documents, to advise you, and to incorporate a business entity on your behalf if desired. This estimate also includes fees charged by an accountant and/or financial advisor.
9. Additional Funds – 3 Months: $15,000 to $35,000
"If I were considering buying a franchise today, checking territory availability would be one of my first steps — yet most buyers leave it until last." — Ambrosio, Franchise Chatter
🎯Find Best-Fit Franchises Still Available in Your Target Area (Free Tool)
When I owned a UPS Store, I learned firsthand how much your ZIP code shapes your outcome. I sold my store at a premium because my territory was in a high-value area. The best areas go first, and once they're gone, they're gone. Enter your ZIP code, and a territory specialist will walk you through the franchises still available near you, drawing on information that isn't publicly accessible — saving you months of wasted research.- The franchisor recommends that you have additional funds available during the start-up phase of your franchise. These amounts are the franchisor’s estimates of the amount needed to cover your expenses for a 3-month period from the date you open for business.
- Some of these expenses include registration fees for the annual Reunion and an estimated monthly support fee to be paid for required software. These fees may increase in the future.
10. Technician Training: $150 to $1,240
11. Real Estate: $0 to $12,000
- If you already operate an existing business similar to the franchise, you may determine that you do not need to allocate any amounts for real estate or related costs. The franchise can be operated from your home if your home is located within your territory granted by your franchise agreement and if local zoning allows you to operate from your home, or any existing business premises.
- If you choose to rent a place of business, you may expect additional investment requirements. The typical Mr. Rooter franchised business has 4,000 square feet. Rent for a suitable facility of that size is estimated to range between $11,000 and $24,000 per year.
- In the range of fees above, the franchisor has included an estimate of $12,000 for six months of rent for the high range estimate if you elect to rent space. This is only an estimate.
12. Totals: $74,975 (does not include real estate costs) to $182,140 (plus any additional franchise fee and/or real estate costs)
- The franchisor relied on its own experience to compile these estimates.
"Multi-unit ownership is where the real wealth in franchising is built — and it starts with one key decision: choosing a brand with enough territory runway to grow into." — Ambrosio, Franchise Chatter
📈Dreaming of Multi‑Unit Success? Lock In Prime Territories Before They're Gone.
Colin started as a team member at 21 — he now owns 6 locations in Tampa Bay. Lisa came from marketing and built 21 in San Diego. The most successful multi-unit owners move early and secure markets with room to grow. Use our free tool to search multiple ZIP codes and find franchises where you can still stack locations — before someone else does. A franchise specialist will be in touch to present what's available.
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