Metro Rod marks 40 years in business with 40,000 meal donation

Q: Are there ongoing fees?

Yes. A Management Service Fee (MSF) is applied to every service delivered (a percentage of revenue). An Advertising Fee of 1% of turnover covers national marketing, digital campaigns and brand activity.

A Trading Operation – Not a Typical Franchise

Metro Rod is one of the UK’s leading commercial drainage and plumbing networks, delivering essential services to national brands, facilities management providers, commercial organisations and domestic customers.

With more than 45 years of trading history, Metro Rod offers something different from many franchise opportunities: the choice to build a new operation in an available territory or acquire an established Metro Rod business.

Two Routes into Metro Rod

Greenfield Opportunities – Franchise Fee from £10,000 + VAT

Secure an available Metro Rod territory and build your own operation from the ground up, supported by an established national brand, national account work, training, systems and ongoing business support.

Additional investment will be required for the equipment, vehicles, people and working capital needed to establish and grow the operation.

Established Resale Businesses – Typically from £300,000

For those looking to acquire a trading business, we also have established Metro Rod franchises available for resale. These can include existing turnover, customers, employees, vehicles, equipment and an established local operation, with the purchase price reflecting the size and performance of the individual business.

Build It or Buy It

Whichever route you choose, this is a management franchise in an essential services sector with demand around the clock.
You’ll lead the business, manage your team and drive local growth, while benefiting from Metro Rod’s national infrastructure, systems, technology, national accounts and 24/7 call handling.

Whether your ambition is to build a Metro Rod business from the ground up or invest in an established operation, talk to us about the opportunities currently available across the UK.

The Metro Rod Advantage, At a Glance

Long-standing national brand in an essential services market
24/7 call centre and job dispatch
Proven management franchise with scalable operations
Access to national contracts from day one
Extensive technical, operational and business development support
Strong technology platforms for job management, invoicing and compliance
High-value resale opportunities available

Investment & Fees

There are two very different ways to join Metro Rod, allowing us to speak to candidates with different investment levels and ambitions.

Greenfield Territory

Franchise fee from £10,000 + VAT, plus the investment required to establish your operation, including vehicles, equipment, staffing and working capital. Funding options may be available, subject to status.

Established Franchise Resale

Existing Metro Rod businesses are periodically available for acquisition, with opportunities typically starting from around £300,000 and varying according to turnover, profitability, assets and the maturity of the business.

Our team will talk you through the available territories, current resale opportunities, likely overall investment and potential funding routes before you progress.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the total initial investment?

The investment required depends on how you choose to join Metro Rod.

Greenfield opportunities have a franchise fee starting from £10,000 + VAT. In addition, you will need sufficient investment to establish and operate the business, including vehicles, equipment, staffing and working capital. The total requirement will depend on the territory and your individual business plan, and funding options may be available subject to status.

Established franchise resales are also available, with purchase prices typically starting from around £300,000, depending on the size, turnover, profitability and assets of the individual business. Providing a more turnkey option.

We will discuss your available capital, funding options and ambitions with you to help identify which type of opportunity is appropriate.

Are there ongoing fees?

Yes.

A Management Service Fee (MSF) is applied to every service delivered (a percentage of revenue).
An Advertising Fee of 1% of turnover covers national marketing, digital campaigns and brand activity.

How much working capital do I need?

Working capital requirements vary by territory maturity but typically cover staffing, vehicles, equipment and operational cash flow. We provide guidance and example profiles during your discovery process.

Is funding available?

Yes. Metro Rod is recognised by key franchise lenders, with established pathways for franchise finance. Because of the history behind these businesses, there is lots of data and evidence to satisfy a lender of the consistency and longevity of these businesses which makes funding far easier than a start-up.

What does a Metro Rod territory include?

Each territory is protected and mapped using population, business density, and demand profiles. You will be the exclusive operator within that region.

Do I need technical experience?

No. You will lead and manage the business. We provide full technical and operational training for you and your team.

What does a typical day look like?

You’ll supervise operations, manage engineers, oversee job schedules, build relationships with local customers and focus on growing your territory. Much of the day-to-day job allocation is handled by our 24/7 national control centre and the local team already in place.

How do franchisees generate revenue?

Through emergency response work, planned maintenance, national contract jobs, commercial client partnerships and domestic jobs.

What training do franchisees receive?

Comprehensive induction, operational training, technical training for your team, business development support, financial guidance, and ongoing coaching throughout your franchise term.

What ongoing support is provided?

National marketing, operational mentoring, field support visits, H&S guidance, compliance support, finance workshops, and peer network collaboration.

How does the 24/7 call centre work?

Our national control centre takes customer calls, triages jobs, dispatches work and manages national contracts, freeing you to focus on running your business and managing your team.

How soon can I start?

This varies, but onboarding and training begin as soon as your territory acquisition is completed. Although 6-8 weeks.

Can I meet existing franchisees?

Yes, we encourage all serious candidates to speak with existing owners.

The Next Steps

Get in touch with Metro Rod today by filling out the form below:

Metro Rod marks 40 years in business with 40,000 meal donation

February 15, 2024

To mark the donation, staff from the company’s Cheshire-based Support Centre spent a day volunteering at the charity’s Greater Manchester warehouse last month. They joined warehouse volunteers to sort and pack fresh produce and other items to be distributed to local charities.

FareShare works with the food industry to take good-to-eat surplus food, which might otherwise go to waste, and redistribute it to a network of 8,500 charities and community groups across the UK.

Part of the multi-brand franchise business, Franchise Brands, Metro Rod was established in Cheshire 40 years ago. At the time, the company provided basic drainage services. It was acquired by Franchise Brands in 2017.

Metro Rod now has a 42-strong franchise network offering a range of sophisticated drainage, tanker, and sewage pump services and has a £70m+ turnover. Their plumbing arm, Metro Plumb, also boasts 19 franchises (and growing) providing a same-day emergency and routine plumbing service.

Speaking about the anniversary, Peter Molloy, Managing Director of Metro Rod and Franchise Brand’s Water and Waste Division, “We are extremely proud to have completed our fortieth year in business, a significant milestone which bears testament to our expertise and strong service culture.

“This could not have been achieved without the hard work and commitment of our franchise owners and our expert Support Centre team.

“We wanted to give something back to the communities in which we operate to celebrate this business achievement. FareShare do amazing work redistributing surplus food and drink to vulnerable people each year across the UK. We are all delighted to be able to support them with this donation of 40,000 meals.”

Gemma Viner, Corporate Partnerships Officer at FareShare commented, “We are so grateful to everyone at Metro Rod for their incredible support, both in their time spent volunteering at our Greater Manchester warehouse and the donation of 40,000 meals.

“This will help make a huge difference to helping us get good-to-eat surplus food to people who need it most, across our network of 8,500 charities and community groups across the UK. These organisations work to tackle the root causes of poverty, offering essential services and using food to help strengthen communities and reduce isolation.”

Metro Rod Ltd Success Stories

Metro Rod Ltd Testimonials

Tracey was my first contact when I enquired about a Metro Rod resale opportunity. She obviously knew her stuff, was easy to talk to and made what was a huge personal decision so much easier as a result. I always felt Tracey made every effort to make the process & negotiations as transparent as possible and was great help when coordinating the all the parties involved in the sale.

Daniel Rhodes, Managing Director (Metro Rod (South Yorkshire))

The best thing we ever did was invest in tankers. It has opened so much work: septic tanks, soakaways, interceptors, jetting and crawlering which then leads to adoption work with the water authorities.

Adrian Taylor Metro Rod Franchise Owner

I came to Metro Rod with no experience in drainage back in 2014, but I learned everything I needed from the team and, combined with lots of on-the-job experience, I am now a qualified engineer. I love working with the team here at Mid Wales; we’re like a family. We work hard, always do that little bit extra for the customer and above all else, I know my work is valued.

Tom Emberton Metro Rod Engineer

I’ve been with Metro Rod for 4 years as the Operations Manager. Everything we do here is a team effort, and whether it is in the office or out in the field, our customer service always comes first. The thing I like most is that we’re a close-knit team, and we’re flexible, so try to ensure everyone has a happy work-life balance.

Daley Jones Operations Manager (Metro Rod Mid Wales)

My wife and I have been running Metro Rod (Norwich) since 2001, and over that time have built up a strong and loyal client base.

Shaun O’Brian (Metro Rod franchisee (Norwich))

I love what I do and am proud of what I have achieved – I am thankful to my team and Metro Rod for the support that they have given to me. Although I do a great deal of local marketing, I get guaranteed work from Metro Rod with their National Accounts. Metro Rod also looks after all my invoicing and I have a very low level of debt due to their credit control service and my personal efforts. The support of a franchisor and franchise network would be difficult to match on my own!