Roto-Rooter franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The Roto-Rooter franchise fee is $25,000 to $75,000 and the total initial investment ranges from $113,640 to $288,200, with about $30,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the Roto-Rooter FDD.
What are the Roto-Rooter franchise fees and investment?
The Roto-Rooter franchise requires a franchise fee of $25,000 to $75,000 and a total initial investment of $113,640 to $288,200. The franchise fee is one line inside the total investment, which also covers location, equipment, opening inventory and working capital.
| Franchise fee (FDD Item 5) | $25,000 to $75,000 |
|---|---|
| Total initial investment (FDD Item 7) | $113,640 to $288,200 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $30,000 |
| US locations | 453 |
| Industry | Home Services (Maintenance, Repair, & Restoration) |
| Headquarters | West Des Moines, Iowa |
| Founded | 1936 |
| Franchising since | 1980 |
How does the Roto-Rooter investment compare with other home services franchises?
Roto-Rooter's minimum investment of $113,640 is above the median minimum investment of $112,373 across the 516 home services franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 254 of the other 515 brands in this industry start at a higher investment. Its franchise fee starting at $25,000 compares with an industry median of $45,000.
By minimum investment, Roto-Rooter belongs with franchises from $100,000 to $250,000.
What should you verify in the Roto-Rooter FDD?
Verify six parts of the Roto-Rooter Franchise Disclosure Document before you sign, because figures change with every annual FDD:
- Item 5 and Item 6: the current franchise fee, royalty, marketing fund and technology fees.
- Item 7: the full investment range by expense line, including working capital.
- Item 19: whether Roto-Rooter discloses financial performance data, and which units it covers.
- Item 20: openings, closures and transfers, plus contacts for current and former franchisees.
- Item 21: the franchisor's audited financial statements.
- Item 12: whether your territory is protected.
The full list of Items is in the FDD guide. You must receive the FDD at least 14 calendar days before you sign a binding agreement or pay any money.
Which franchises are similar to Roto-Rooter?
These home services franchises have the closest minimum investment to Roto-Rooter:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen Guard Services | $49,000 | $113,695 to $447,550 |
| River Pools | $50,000 | $113,700 to $288,200 |
| Anchored Tiny Homes | $59,500 to $119,500 | $113,751 to $245,000 |
| Thrush & Son | $35,000 | $113,775 to $167,375 |
| Aire Serv | $45,000 | $113,808 to $271,708 |
See every brand in home services franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Roto-Rooter franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a Roto-Rooter franchise ranges from $113,640 to $288,200, including a franchise fee of $25,000 to $75,000, according to franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. The exact amount depends on location, build-out and working capital, as shown in Item 7 of the FDD.
How much cash do you need to open a Roto-Rooter franchise?
Roto-Rooter lists a minimum of about $30,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many Roto-Rooter locations are there?
Roto-Rooter reported 453 US locations in the data compiled in October 2026. Item 20 of the FDD shows openings, closures and transfers for the last three years.
How long has Roto-Rooter been franchising?
Roto-Rooter started offering franchises in 1980 after the company was founded in 1936.
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public franchise listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. Roto-Rooter and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by Roto-Rooter. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.