1tomplumber vs Roto Rooter
1tomplumber vs Roto Rooter: 1tomplumber costs $516K to $2.8M to open; Roto Rooter costs $33K to $338K. 1tomplumber has 43 units, Roto Rooter has 48. SBA loan history: 1tomplumber = 14 loans (0.0% default); Roto Rooter = 44 loans (6.8% default). The franchise with more SBA funded units, a lower SBA default rate, and a lower royalty load is the safer financing bet; see the comparison below.
1tomplumber vs Roto Rooter: Capital, Scale & Lending Analysis
Analysis based on FDD filings and SBA 7(a) loan level data. Each pairing reflects a unique combination of capital intensity, system scale, and financing path.
Capital Intensity
Roto Rooter requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($33K vs $516K for 1tomplumber), a 1468% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $50K for 1tomplumber versus $34K for Roto Rooter, Roto Rooter has the lower entry fee.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Roto Rooter operates 48 units to 1tomplumber's 43.
SBA Lending Profile
Roto Rooter has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 44 7(a) approvals compared with 14 for 1tomplumber. 1tomplumber's peak SBA year was 2024 (4 loans); Roto Rooter's peak was 1996 (5 loans). 1tomplumber's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. 1tomplumber has the most SBA funded units in WA, with 2. Roto Rooter leads in IA, with 6. Borrowers should pick the brand whose strongest SBA state matches their own state for warmer lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded 1tomplumber deals is $320K vs $171K for Roto Rooter, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 0.0% for 1tomplumber and 6.8% for Roto Rooter, 1tomplumber has the cleaner SBA loss record by 6.8 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 62 (Moderate) for 1tomplumber and 39 (Fair) for Roto Rooter, giving 1tomplumber the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 62/100 | 39/100 |
Health Tier | Moderate | Fair |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | N/A | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 14 | 44 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 0.0% | 6.8% |
Peer Tier | growing | established |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $516K to $2.8M | $33K to $338K |
Franchise Fee | $50K | $34K |
Royalty Rate | 6% | N/A |
Ad Fund | 2% | 1% |
Liquid Capital | N/A | N/A |
Net Worth Required | N/A | N/A |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 43 | 48 |
Franchised Units | 37 | 48 |
Company Owned | 6 | – |
Term Length | 10 yrs | 10 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 2018 | N/A |
Franchising Since | 2020 | N/A |
Years Franchising | 6 yrs | N/A |
Headquarters | Milford, OH | ARCATA, CA |
Category | Plumbing, Heating, | Plumbing, Heating, |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2026 | 2025 |
Which Is Better, 1tomplumber or Roto Rooter?
Lower upfront capital required
Roto Rooter
1tomplumber: $516K starting · Roto Rooter: $33K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Roto Rooter
1tomplumber: 14 SBA loans · Roto Rooter: 44 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
1tomplumber
1tomplumber: 0.0% · Roto Rooter: 6.8%
Larger system & brand presence
Roto Rooter
1tomplumber: 43 units · Roto Rooter: 48 units
More lender financing options
Roto Rooter
1tomplumber: 10 unique lenders · Roto Rooter: 34 unique lenders
Decision matrix uses publicly disclosed FDD and SBA loan data. Not a recommendation. Your best franchise depends on capital, market, operating capacity, and risk tolerance.
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About These Franchises
1tomplumber vs Roto Rooter: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing 1tomplumber and Roto Rooter is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $33K to $2.8M.
1tomplumber has 14 SBA loans on record and Roto Rooter has 44. Those totals are cumulative history rather than a measure of current appetite. Recent lending activity is trending down for at least one of these brands, so current lender appetite has to be checked deal by deal rather than assumed from the totals.
SBA 7(a) loans are the most common franchise funding vehicle, offering up to $5M with as little as 10% down. PeerSense connects franchise buyers with the specific lenders who have approved loans for these brands, not generic referrals, but lenders with actual franchise lending track records.
Data sourced from SBA loan records, Franchise Disclosure Documents, and public filings. Updated regularly. Not financial advice, consult with a lending professional before making investment decisions.
1tomplumber vs Roto Rooter, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, 1tomplumber or Roto Rooter?
How much does a 1tomplumber franchise cost compared to Roto Rooter?
Can I finance 1tomplumber or Roto Rooter with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, 1tomplumber or Roto Rooter?
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Page Review
Reviewed by Edward L. Freeman, Founder and Managing Director, PeerSense
- PeerSense is a capital advisory firm that places commercial financing with direct capital sources; the capital source sets final terms.
- Edward L. Freeman founded PeerSense in January 2020.
- He is a Registered Franchise Consultant with Business Alliance, Inc., a credential issued in March 2022, and worked as a franchise consultant there from March 2022 to May 2023.
- His recorded experience includes a $22 million SBA construction loan, with about $16 million funded on the deal.
- In the 12 months through September 30, 2026, PeerSense tracked 912 publicly announced financings with a disclosed size of $361.32 billion. PeerSense Capital Data Report · Methodology page
Last reviewed LinkedIn profileAbout Edward Freeman