Aire Serv vs Mr. Rooter
Aire Serv vs Mr. Rooter: Aire Serv costs $114K to $272K to open; Mr. Rooter costs $122K to $264K. Aire Serv has 93 units, Mr. Rooter has 97. SBA loan history: Aire Serv = 101 loans (7.9% default); Mr. Rooter = 116 loans (8.6% 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.
Aire Serv vs Mr. 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
Aire Serv requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($114K vs $122K for Mr. Rooter), a 7% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $45K for Aire Serv versus $43K for Mr. Rooter, Mr. Rooter has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 7% for Aire Serv and 7% for Mr. Rooter, equal royalty drag.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Mr. Rooter operates 97 units to Aire Serv's 93. Mr. Rooter has been operating 58 years (founded 1968) versus 34 for Aire Serv (founded 1992), a 24-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Mr. Rooter has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 116 7(a) approvals compared with 101 for Aire Serv.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 7.9% for Aire Serv and 8.6% for Mr. Rooter, Aire Serv has the cleaner SBA loss record by 0.7 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 84 (Excellent) for Aire Serv and 77 (Strong) for Mr. Rooter, giving Aire Serv the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 84/100 | 77/100 |
Health Tier | Excellent | Strong |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Surging | Stable |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 101 | 116 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 7.9% | 8.6% |
Peer Tier | major | major |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $114K to $272K | $122K to $264K |
Franchise Fee | $45K | $43K |
Royalty Rate | 7% | 7% |
Ad Fund | N/A | 2% |
Liquid Capital | $50K | N/A |
Net Worth Required | $250K | $250K |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Not Disclosed | Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 93 | 97 |
Franchised Units | 93 | 97 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | N/A | N/A |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1992 | 1968 |
Franchising Since | 1993 | 1960 |
Years Franchising | 33 yrs | 66 yrs |
Headquarters | Waco, TX | Waco, TX |
Category | Plumbing, Heating, | Plumbing, Heating, |
Website | ||
FDD Year | N/A | 2025 |
Which Is Better, Aire Serv or Mr. Rooter?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
Aire Serv: $114K starting · Mr. Rooter: $122K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Mr. Rooter
Aire Serv: 101 SBA loans · Mr. Rooter: 116 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Aire Serv
Aire Serv: 7.9% · Mr. Rooter: 8.6%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
Aire Serv: 93 units · Mr. Rooter: 97 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Tie
Aire Serv: 7% · Mr. Rooter: 7%
More lender financing options
Mr. Rooter
Aire Serv: 24 unique lenders · Mr. Rooter: 54 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
Aire Serv vs Mr. Rooter: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Aire Serv and Mr. Rooter is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $114K to $272K.
Aire Serv has 101 SBA loans on record and Mr. Rooter has 116. Those totals are cumulative history rather than a measure of current appetite. Both brands have an established underwriting path, though the lender that fits a specific deal still depends on its size, location and the buyer.
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.
Aire Serv vs Mr. Rooter, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Aire Serv or Mr. Rooter?
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Which has a lower SBA default rate, Aire Serv or Mr. 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; it does not lend, fund, or approve loans, and 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