Mr. Rooter, a franchised plumbing and drain cleaning company, has started a new
franchise program for entrepreneurs in rural America. The program, targeting rural
areas with a population between 40,000 and 65,000, provides special pricing as an
incentive to join the Mr. Rooter franchise network.
The program helps smaller businesses acquire an exclusive territory by allowing franchise
owners in less populated rural areas to tighten their scope of service at a reduced
rate per population. The special pricing allows the $220 per 1,000 population pricing
for the initial franchise fee without regard to a minimum population for eligible locations.
For a population of 40,000, the franchise fee is $8,800; for 45,000, it's $9,900;
and so on up to $14,300 for territories with a population of 65,000.
The program requires eligible locations be within the required population range and not
have a city of 30,000 or more within the proposed territory, among other requirements.
"We see an opportunity to expand our services to areas beyond larger markets," said
Robert Tunmire, executive vice president of The Dwyer Group. "With this new program, rural
entrepreneurs can continue to run their local business, yet be supported with a system and
structure they've never had before, which can, in turn, allow them to lead a happier, more balanced life."
Before the new program, the initial franchise fee for all franchise owners was $22,000
(minimum population of 100,000 per territory) plus $220 per 1,000 population for additional
territory. This new program creates an incentive for entrepreneurs who did not think they
could join the franchise network because of the minimum population requirements, the company said.
Established in 1970, Mr. Rooter franchisees provide services to both residential and commercial
customers at more than 200 locations in the United States and Canada and more than 100 locations
internationally through master licensees. More information is available at