About Rooter-Man Franchise
RooterMan is a plumbing, sewer, and drain cleaning franchise that offers maintenance and cleaning of sewer pipes, emergency plumbing repairs, and other related services and products.
Franchisees identify and solicit plumbing and sewer maintenance and repair services customers, operating typically from a van or truck and in some instances from a home office.
The target customers are primarily residential single and multiple dwelling owners, as well as commercial, industrial, and governmental customers.
Rooter-Man Franchise Cost & Fees
Minimum Investment
$45K
Average Investment
$64K
Maximum Investment
$82K
| Fee Type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $4,975 | One-time payment upon signing |
| Royalty Fee | $3 per 1,000 of population in the Territory of gross sales | Ongoing; paid monthly |
| Marketing/Ad Fund | $1 per 1,000 of population in the Territory, monthly | National brand fund |
| Total Investment Range | $45,075 – $82,475 | Includes build-out, inventory, working capital |
The investment range of $45K–$82K reflects variability in build-out costs, store size, lease terms, and market. The combined royalty ($3 per 1,000 of population in the Territory) and marketing fee ($1 per 1,000 of population in the Territory, monthly) are ongoing costs paid as a percentage of gross sales.
Investment Breakdown (Item 7)
| Item | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Franchise Fee | $4,975 | $4,975 |
| Vehicle | $1,500 | $5,000 |
| Real Estate and/or Leasehold Improvements | $0 | $3,000 |
| Equipment & Supplies | $5,000 | $7,000 |
| Insurance | $2,000 | $5,000 |
| Signage | $3,000 | $4,000 |
| Technology Fee | $2,500 | $2,500 |
| Grand Opening | $2,500 | $5,000 |
| Training Expenses | $2,000 | $4,000 |
| Licenses/Bonds | $100 | $1,500 |
| Professional Fees | $1,500 | $3,000 |
| Additional Funds (3 months) | $20,000 | $37,500 |
Additional Fees (Item 6)
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Transfer Fee | Greater of $10,000 or actual out-of-pocket expenses |
| Renewal Fee | $2,500 |
| Technology Fee | $399 per month, per technician |
| Website Fee | $199 per month |
| Late Fees and Insufficient Funds Fees | $100 per late payment, plus 1.5% per month or highest rate allowed by law; $100/report/week |
| Insurance Policies | Amount of unpaid premiums plus expenses |
| Annual Convention | $400 per attendee ($600 double booking, $1,000 if not attending) |
| Cost of Enforcement | All costs and expenses including attorneys' fees |
| Indemnification | All damages and costs including attorneys' fees |
| Warranty Service after Transfer | Our cost, plus 15% |
| Warranty Assurance | $10,000 or bond equal to 0.5% of Gross Sales for 24 months |
| Taxes | Amount required to reimburse for certain taxes imposed on payments |
Training Program (Item 11)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Total Duration | 4 weeks |
| Classroom Training | 76 hours |
| On-the-Job Training | 4 hours |
| Training Location | Virtual (Internet) and Charlottesville, VA |
| Additional Training | Approximately 40 hours specialist-directed onboarding program, 40 hours on-line training, 36 hours classroom training at headquarters, and 4 hours field training. Periodic refresher training may be required. |
Territory Rights (Item 12)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Territory Type | Protected |
| Exclusive Territory | Yes |
| Territory Size | Geographic area containing not less than 125,000 people, delineated by zip codes |
| Description | Protected Territory defined by zip codes containing at least 125,000 population. Franchisor will not establish or license others to establish RooterMan businesses within the Protected Territory as long as franchisee is in compliance. However, franchisee will not receive an exclusive territory and may face competition from other franchisees, outlets owned by franchisor, or other channels of distribution or competitive brands controlled by franchisor. |
Renewal, Termination & Transfer (Item 17)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Initial Term | 10 years |
| Renewal Term | 2 additional successive terms of 10 years each |
| Renewal Fee | $2,500 |
| Renewal Conditions | Give timely written notice; have complied with the Franchise Agreement; are not in default; sign the then-current Franchise Agreement (which may have materially different terms); pay renewal fee; maintain, update and/or replace vehicles; modernize and remodel business; satisfy monetary obligations; meet current qualifications and training requirements; sign a general release (subject to state law). |
| Transfer Fee | Greater of $10,000 or actual out-of-pocket expenses |
| Transfer Conditions | Must have paid all monetary obligations; not in default; sign a general release (subject to state law); pay transfer fee; offer franchisor right of first refusal; provide copies of all transfer documents; transferee must meet standards, execute current franchise agreement, obtain all necessary consents, comply with applicable laws. |
| Termination for Cause | Franchisor can terminate for default. Curable defaults: 10 days to cure payment failures, failure to operate under supervision of approved Manager; 30 days to cure failure to submit reports, failure to relocate, default under lease, failure to obtain or provide proof of insurance, failure to reopen after casualty, and any other default. Non-curable defaults include: failure to complete training, failure to commence operation, abandonment, bankruptcy/insolvency, felony, unauthorized transfer, misrepresentation, failure to comply with Marks obligations, unauthorized use of confidential information, maintaining false books or records, 3 or more failed payments within 12 months. |
| Non-Compete Period | 2 years after termination or expiration |
| Non-Compete Details | For 2 years after termination or expiration, franchisee and bound parties may not have any interest in or perform services for a Competitive Business within the Protected Territory, within 20 miles of the Protected Territory, or within 20 miles of any other RooterMan Business. During the term, franchisee may not have any interest in a Competitive Business within the Protected Territory, within 20 miles, within the United States, or within the world. |
Operations & Supply (Items 8 & 15)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Owner-Operator Required | Yes |
| Participation Details | Business must always be under the direct, on-premises, full-time supervision of a Designated Manager (the franchisee or an individual selected by a business entity franchisee). The Designated Manager must complete initial training and on-the-job training. If franchisee is a business entity and the Designated Manager is not an owner, they do not need to have an equity interest. |
| Required Suppliers | Franchisor is only approved supplier for contact center services and technology services. Required bookkeeping software, bookkeeping services, digital marketing, and business management software from franchisor-designated third-party sources. |
| Supply Restrictions | Required purchases approximately 35% of goods/services for establishing business and 55-65% for operating business. Must purchase from approved vendors for garage doors, hardware, tools, print marketing, merchant services, customer financing, job postings, payroll, lead generation, background checks, insurance, and vehicle wraps. |
| Franchisor Revenue from Suppliers | Franchisor and affiliates derive revenues from required purchases and leases. They receive payments, discounts, and other amounts from suppliers, lessors, or other parties and are not required to share the benefit with franchisees. |
Financing (Item 10)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Financing Available | No |
| Description | Neither the franchisor nor any of its affiliates offers financing for the initial investment. They do not guarantee any note, lease, or obligation. |
Rooter-Man Franchise Earnings — Item 19
Rooter-Man does not make an Item 19 financial performance representation in their FDD. This means they do not disclose revenue, profit, or earnings data for franchised locations. Before investing, ask the franchisor directly for franchisee contact information so you can speak with existing owners about their actual financial performance.
Rooter-Man does not include an Item 19 financial performance representation in their FDD. Contact information for current and former franchisees is listed in Item 20 of the FDD.
Rooter-Man Litigation & Risk Flags
Clean Litigation RecordRooter-Man has no pending litigation actions listed in their FDD. There is also no bankruptcy history disclosed.
Litigation and bankruptcy data is sourced from Items 3 and 4 of the FDD. Always verify current status directly from the most recent FDD.
Rooter-Man System Growth
Total Units
691
Franchised
691
Company-Owned
0
Rooter-Man currently operates 691 franchised locations and 0 company-owned units. Unit count data is sourced from Item 20 of the FDD.
Unit History (Item 20)
| Year | Opened | Closed | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 65 | 33 | 688 |
| 2020 | 106 | 10 | 729 |
| 2021 | 99 | 91 | 737 |
Transfers: 39 | Closures: 91
State Registrations
Registered in 14 states: CA, HI, IL, IN, MD, MI, MN, NY, ND, RI, SD, VA, WA, WI
Rooter-Man Franchise — FAQ
The total investment to open a Rooter-Man franchise ranges from $45,075 to $82,475, per their Franchise Disclosure Document. This includes the initial franchise fee of $4,975. The investment covers build-out, inventory, equipment, signage, working capital, and other startup costs.
Rooter-Man charges a royalty fee of $3 per 1,000 of population in the Territory of gross sales, plus a $1 per 1,000 of population in the Territory, monthly contribution to the marketing/advertising fund. These fees are paid on an ongoing basis.
You can download the Rooter-Man Franchise Disclosure Document free on this page. The FDD is a public document filed with state franchise registries. Always also request the current FDD directly from Rooter-Man to ensure you have the most up-to-date version.
Rooter-Man does not provide an Item 19 financial performance representation in their FDD, which means they do not disclose franchisee revenue or earnings data. Prospective investors should contact existing franchisees directly (listed in Item 20 of the FDD) to gather real-world financial performance information.
Rooter-Man has been franchising since 2022. The FDD shows an investment range of $45,075-$82,475, a $3 per 1,000 of population in the Territory royalty, and no Item 19 earnings disclosure. There is no pending litigation. Review the full FDD and contact current franchisees listed in Item 20 before making any investment decision.
The franchise fee is $4,975 and the total investment ranges from $45,075 to $82,475 depending on location size and market. Contact the franchisor directly for current net worth and liquid capital requirements, territory availability, and application details.
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Data Source & Disclaimer: This website is for informational purposes only. It is not an offer to sell or buy a franchise. This profile is based on publicly available FDD data sourced from state franchise registry filings. All information is for research purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or investment advice. Data may be outdated or contain errors. Always obtain the current FDD directly from Rooter-Man and consult a qualified franchise attorney before making any investment decision. FranchiseOverview.com is operated by Franchising Compliance, LLC and is not affiliated with Rooter-Man or any of its subsidiaries. To report an inaccuracy: info@franchiseoverview.com