Aire Serv vs Roto Rooter
Aire Serv vs Roto Rooter: Aire Serv costs $114K to $272K to open; Roto Rooter costs $33K to $338K. Aire Serv has 93 units, Roto Rooter has 48. SBA loan history: Aire Serv = 101 loans (7.9% 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.
Aire Serv 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 $114K for Aire Serv), a 246% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $45K for Aire Serv versus $34K for Roto Rooter, Roto Rooter has the lower entry fee.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Aire Serv operates 93 units to Roto Rooter's 48.
SBA Lending Profile
Aire Serv has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 101 7(a) approvals compared with 44 for Roto Rooter.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 7.9% for Aire Serv and 6.8% for Roto Rooter, Roto Rooter has the cleaner SBA loss record by 1.1 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 84 (Excellent) for Aire Serv and 39 (Fair) for Roto Rooter, giving Aire Serv the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 84/100 | 39/100 |
Health Tier | Excellent | Fair |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Surging | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 101 | 44 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 7.9% | 6.8% |
Peer Tier | major | established |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $114K to $272K | $33K to $338K |
Franchise Fee | $45K | $34K |
Royalty Rate | 7% | N/A |
Ad Fund | N/A | 1% |
Liquid Capital | $50K | N/A |
Net Worth Required | $250K | N/A |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 93 | 48 |
Franchised Units | 93 | 48 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | N/A | 10 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1992 | N/A |
Franchising Since | 1993 | N/A |
Years Franchising | 33 yrs | N/A |
Headquarters | Waco, TX | ARCATA, CA |
Category | Plumbing, Heating, | Plumbing, Heating, |
Website | ||
FDD Year | N/A | N/A |
Which Is Better, Aire Serv or Roto Rooter?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
Aire Serv: $114K starting · Roto Rooter: $33K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Aire Serv
Aire Serv: 101 SBA loans · Roto Rooter: 44 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Roto Rooter
Aire Serv: 7.9% · Roto Rooter: 6.8%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
Aire Serv: 93 units · Roto Rooter: 48 units
More lender financing options
Roto Rooter
Aire Serv: 24 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
Aire Serv vs Roto Rooter: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Aire Serv 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 $338K.
Aire Serv has 101 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.
Aire Serv vs Roto Rooter, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Aire Serv or Roto Rooter?
How much does a Aire Serv franchise cost compared to Roto Rooter?
Can I finance Aire Serv or Roto Rooter with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Aire Serv 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; 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