Mr. Rooter vs Roto Rooter
Mr. Rooter vs Roto Rooter: Mr. Rooter costs $122K–$264K to open; Roto Rooter costs $33K–$338K. Mr. Rooter has 97 units, Roto Rooter has 48. SBA loan history: Mr. Rooter = 116 loans (8.6% default); Roto Rooter = 44 loans (6.8% default). The franchise with more SBA-funded units, lower default rate, and lower royalty load is the safer financing bet — see the comparison below.
Mr. Rooter vs Roto 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
Roto Rooter requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($33K vs $122K for Mr. Rooter), a 272% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $43K for Mr. Rooter versus $34K for Roto Rooter — Roto Rooter has the lower entry fee.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Mr. Rooter operates 97 units to Roto Rooter's 48 — roughly 2× the system size.
SBA Lending Profile
Mr. Rooter has the deeper SBA lending track record with 116 historical 7(a) approvals versus 44 for Roto Rooter.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 8.6% for Mr. Rooter and 6.8% for Roto Rooter — Roto Rooter has the cleaner historical loss profile by 1.8 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 77 (Strong) for Mr. Rooter and 39 (Fair) for Roto Rooter, giving Mr. Rooter the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 77/100 | 39/100 |
Health Tier | Strong | Fair |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Stable | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 116 | 44 |
SBA Volume | — | — |
Default Rate | 8.6% | 6.8% |
Peer Tier | major | established |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $122K – $264K | $33K – $338K |
Franchise Fee | $43K | $34K |
Royalty Rate | 7% | N/A |
Ad Fund | N/A | 1% |
Liquid Capital | N/A | N/A |
Net Worth Required | $250K | N/A |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 97 | 48 |
Franchised Units | 97 | 48 |
Company-Owned | — | — |
Term Length | N/A | 10 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1968 | N/A |
Franchising Since | 1960 | N/A |
Years Franchising | 66 yrs | N/A |
Headquarters | Waco, TX | ARCATA, CA |
Category | Plumbing, Heating, | Plumbing, Heating, |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2025 | N/A |
Which Is Better — Mr. Rooter or Roto Rooter?
Lower upfront capital required
Roto Rooter
Mr. Rooter: $122K starting · Roto Rooter: $33K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Mr. Rooter
Mr. Rooter: 116 SBA loans · Roto Rooter: 44 SBA loans
Lower historical default rate
Roto Rooter
Mr. Rooter: 8.6% · Roto Rooter: 6.8%
Larger system & brand presence
Mr. Rooter
Mr. Rooter: 97 units · Roto Rooter: 48 units
More lender financing options
Mr. Rooter
Mr. Rooter: 54 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.
Need Funding for Mr. Rooter or Roto Rooter?
PeerSense connects you with 500+ SBA lenders and capital sources. Our referral fee is established upfront and paid at closing. No retainers.
SBA Lenders & Capital Sources
Retainers or Consulting Fees
10% Down Franchise Loans
About These Franchises
Mr. Rooter vs Roto Rooter: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Mr. Rooter 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.
Both brands have active SBA lending histories — Mr. Rooter with 116 SBA loans and Roto Rooter with 44. 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.