Mr. Rooter vs Roto Rooter
Mr. Rooter vs Roto Rooter: Mr. Rooter costs $122K to $264K to open; Roto Rooter costs $33K to $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, a lower SBA default rate, and a lower royalty load is the safer financing bet; see the comparison below.
Mr. Rooter 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 $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 7(a) approvals compared with 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 SBA loss record 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 to $264K | $33K to $338K |
Franchise Fee | $43K | $34K |
Royalty Rate | 7% | N/A |
Ad Fund | 2% | 1% |
Liquid Capital | N/A | N/A |
Net Worth Required | $250K | N/A |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | 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
Tie
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 SBA default rate
Roto Rooter
Mr. Rooter: 8.6% · Roto Rooter: 6.8%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
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.
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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.
Mr. Rooter has 116 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.
Mr. Rooter vs Roto Rooter, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Mr. Rooter or Roto Rooter?
How much does a Mr. Rooter franchise cost compared to Roto Rooter?
Can I finance Mr. Rooter or Roto Rooter with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Mr. Rooter 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