How to Own a Plumbing Franchise Without Being a Plumber

Since 1970, Mr. Rooter has built a plumbing brand that now spans more than 240 locations across North America, positioning itself as an award-winning leader in residential and commercial services. The company touts recognition in Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® as the #1 plumbing franchise in 2026 and as one of the Top Franchises for Veterans in 2025. Under the umbrella of Neighborly — billed as the world’s largest home services franchisor, with 19 brands and more than 5,000 locations — Mr. Rooter leans on a bigger ecosystem designed to repair, maintain, and enhance properties.

One thing about this business that stands out – you don’t need to be a plumber. Mr. Rooter pushes an “executive ownership” model where franchisees make decisions and manage the business while hired experts handle the wrenches. The company emphasizes that its licensed professionals cover sewers, drains, septic systems, and more, framing the business as a one-stop shop for everything from preventative maintenance to emergency repairs — the kind of recurring demand that helps support its “recession-resilient” business model.