Aire Serv vs Mr. Rooter
Aire Serv vs Mr. Rooter: Aire Serv costs $114K–$272K to open; Mr. Rooter costs $122K–$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, lower default rate, and lower royalty load is the safer financing bet — see the comparison below.
Aire Serv vs Mr. Rooter — Capital, Scale & Lending Analysis
Data-driven differentiation pulled from 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 historical 7(a) approvals versus 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 historical loss profile 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 – $272K | $122K – $264K |
Franchise Fee | $45K | $43K |
Royalty Rate | 7% | 7% |
Ad Fund | N/A | N/A |
Liquid Capital | $50K | N/A |
Net Worth Required | $250K | $250K |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Not Disclosed | Not 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
Aire Serv
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 historical default rate
Aire Serv
Aire Serv: 7.9% · Mr. Rooter: 8.6%
Larger system & brand presence
Mr. Rooter
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.
Both brands have active SBA lending histories — Aire Serv with 101 SBA loans and Mr. Rooter with 116. This means proven lender acceptance and established underwriting paths for franchise buyers.
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.