Established
1970
Franchise Units
260
Minimum Investment
$152,900
Franchise Fee
$42,500
Total Investment Range
$298,675
Home Based
No
Description
Plumbing is one of those essential, recession-resilient industries that quietly keeps society running every single day. When a main drain backs up or a water heater bursts in the middle of the night, homeowners and commercial properties do not wait for economic conditions to improve—they need a trusted, fast, and professional solution immediately.
Mr. Rooter Plumbing is a premier residential and commercial service franchisor in North America. Operating as a core brand under Neighborly® (the world's largest home services franchisor), Mr. Rooter has elevated plumbing from a traditional trade into an executive-level business model. Rather than asking franchise owners to wear a toolbelt and turn wrenches, Mr. Rooter equips entrepreneurs with scalable operational systems, proprietary management technology, and national brand power. This structure allows owners to build a team of licensed plumbing technicians and dominate their local market.
The brand has built a solid reputation on transparent upfront pricing, 24/7 availability without overtime surcharges, and a customer-first Code of Values. For investors seeking a predictable service model backed by multi-decade brand recognition and corporate support, Mr. Rooter Plumbing offers a lucrative path into the $120+ billion U.S. plumbing market.
Background
| Detail | Fact / Overview |
| Year Founded | 1970 |
| Year Franchising Began | 1972 |
| Parent Company | Neighborly® (formerly Dwyer Group) |
| Headquarters | Waco, Texas, USA |
| Active Franchise Units | 260+ active locations across North America |
| Industry Category | Commercial & Residential Plumbing, Drain, and Sewer Services |
| Market Presence | Operations in all 50 U.S. States and Canada |
Brand History & Journey
Founded in 1970, Mr. Rooter began with a simple objective: deliver polite, high-quality, clean plumbing services that prioritize customer trust. Recognizing the scalability of the concept, the company launched its franchise program in 1972.
In 1990, the brand was acquired by Don Dwyer, founder of The Dwyer Group (now Neighborly). Under Neighborly’s ownership, Mr. Rooter integrated centralized marketing, advanced field software, standardized technician dress codes, and dedicated business coaching. Today, it stands as one of the most recognized plumbing names in North America.
Why Invest in this Franchise?
Inelastic, Year-Round Demand: Plumbing issues are non-discretionary. Cold snaps, aging infrastructure, and routine maintenance create steady work in every economic cycle.
Executive Ownership Model: You do not need to be a master plumber to own a Mr. Rooter franchise. The model is built for business leaders who focus on business development, technician management, operations, and community outreach.
Neighborly Ecosystem Advantage: As part of Neighborly, Mr. Rooter franchise owners gain cross-marketing opportunities with sister brands (like Mr. Electric, Molly Maid, and Glass Doctor), alongside bulk purchasing power via ProTradeNet® on equipment, vehicles, and parts.
Streamlined Technology Stack: Owners utilize enterprise platforms like ServiceTitan for dispatching, mobile invoicing, technician routing, real-time KPI tracking, and seamless customer communication.
High Average Ticket & Multiple Revenue Streams: From simple drain snaking to major trenchless sewer line replacements and commercial backflow testing, ticket sizes range from quick service calls to high-margin structural infrastructure projects.
Support Training
- Financial Assistance Provided: Yes
- Site Selection Assistance: Not Available
- Lease Negotiation Assistance: Not Available
- Recruiting Assistance: Yes
- Co-Operative Advertising: Not Offered
Training & Support:
Franchisees receive comprehensive support beginning with extensive pre-opening training to ensure a smooth launch. This is followed by an intensive, hands-on Success Academy program focused on practical business operations and growth strategies. Ongoing education and personalized guidance are also provided through an experienced business coach to help franchisees achieve long-term success.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate for a Mr. Rooter Plumbing franchise is:
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Passionate about customer service and community engagement
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Motivated to lead and manage a skilled service team
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Interested in building long-term equity through business ownership
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Not necessarily experienced in plumbing — Mr. Rooter provides training
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Ready to follow a proven, structured business model
Military veterans, corporate professionals seeking a transition, and trade workers are all welcomed.
Financial Detail
- Total Investment: $152,900 – $298,675
- Franchise Fee: $42,500, plus an additional $425 for every 1,000 people above the minimum required market population of 100,000.
- Royalty Fee: 6% of gross sales
- Advertising Fee: 1–2%
- Average Number of Employees: 6
- Passive Ownership: No
- Home-Based Opportunity: No
- Business Model: B2B (Business-to-Business)
- Master Franchise Opportunities: Not Available
Special Incentives
Veterans are eligible for a 20% discount on the initial franchise fee. The franchise also offers Roll-In Conversion Incentives for qualified candidates looking to transition an existing business into the franchise system.