The Great Resale

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:

The Great Resale

October 22, 2024

Franchise Resale Opportunities: The Baby Boomer Retirement Wave

As baby boomers retire, they are leaving behind a vast number of well-established, profitable franchise businesses. For young entrepreneurs, this presents a unique opportunity to enter the franchise industry by acquiring these resales, rather than starting from scratch.

The hard working, risk-taking spirit of the baby boomer generation, who built these successful businesses and paved the way for the next generation of entrepreneurs. Creating a solid foundation upon which young franchisees can now build and innovate.

Franchise resale opportunities provide several key advantages for new business owners:

Established Customer Base and Brand Presence: Unlike a new business, a resale offers the benefit of an existing customer base and a recognised brand. This gives young entrepreneurs a head start, reducing the risks associated with launching a new venture.

Proven Business Model: These franchises have already been through the trial-and-error phase, meaning the new owner can focus on growing the business rather than figuring out the operational aspects. This makes resales especially attractive for younger franchisees seeking a quicker return on investment.

Trained Staff and Existing Infrastructure: Often, franchise resales come with a trained team, a functioning operational structure, and a network of suppliers and clients in place. This significantly reduces the learning curve and offers a smoother transition into business ownership.

Growth Potential: Many baby boomers built successful businesses but may not have tapped into the full growth potential of their franchise. Data driven, tech-savvy entrepreneurs can bring fresh ideas, innovative marketing strategies, and technology integration to expand the business in its next phase of growth.

Access to Financing: Established franchises with proven track records are more likely to secure financing. Lenders are often more willing to provide funding for a resale business due to its history of financial stability and lower risk, making it easier for younger entrepreneurs to acquire capital.

Strong Franchise Support Networks: Franchise resales come with the backing of the franchisor, ensuring that new owners have access to continued support, training, and operational guidance. This can be particularly appealing to younger entrepreneurs who may value mentorship and a clear path to success.

As baby boomers continue to retire, the franchise resale market will likely grow, offering abundant opportunities for the next generation of entrepreneurs. For young, ambitious individuals, taking over a well-established franchise is a chance to build a successful business within a proven model, while injecting their own energy and innovative ideas to take it to the next level. Franchising, with its support systems and established frameworks, provides a structured yet flexible path to entrepreneurial success.

Written by Tracey Cockerton tracey.cockerton@metrorod.co.uk part of Franchise Brands Plc Franchise Recruitment Manager for Metro Rod, Metro Plumb and Filta.

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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!