Metro Rod Franchisee Interview: Maureen Newport

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, commercial clients, facilities management providers and domestic customers. With over 45 years of trading history and a proven franchise model, you will be stepping into a business with national reach, strong brand equity and an established support infrastructure.

This is a management franchise, operating in an essential, recession-resilient sector with consistent demand day and night. You’ll lead a team, manage operations and drive local growth, backed by our national systems, technology and 24/7 call handling.

Why Choose Metro Rod?

Essential Service, Essential Demand

Drainage and plumbing remain critical to commercial and residential properties, meaning reliable, repeatable and stable demand.

National Brand, Local Business

Each territory benefits from a carefully mapped population count and commercial density, supported by national marketing, centralised work allocation and long-term national account contracts.

Not Just Another Franchise

Metro Rod offers all the advantages of being part of a large national operator while allowing you to own and grow a profitable regional business. Our 24/7 national contact centre triages calls, dispatches work and manages national contracts, while you focus on leading your team and winning local business.

High-Growth, High-Value Territories

Many territories are established and available as resales, offering immediate income and developed operations. Others are primed for growth with strong commercial potential.

Comprehensive Support From Day One

From onboarding, training and operational mentoring through to national marketing, technology, H&S, compliance and financial guidance, we support you throughout your entire ownership journey.

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

Every Metro Rod investment varies based on territory size, maturity, and whether you buy a resale or start-up. Full details, including financial modelling, are provided for each area of interest.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the total initial investment?

Investment varies depending on whether you are purchasing a resale or launching a new territory. For resales, the price reflects the existing operation’s turnover, profitability and asset base. Start-up territories typically require 20–30% of the total investment as a personal contribution. Full details are included in the prospectus.

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 but filling out the form below:

Metro Rod Ltd News

Metro Rod Franchisee Interview: Maureen Newport

April 06, 2023

1. Can you tell me a bit about yourself and what you were doing prior to buying a franchise business?

Clive was working in construction and I ran my own business doing sewing alterations. Clive was working away from home quite a bit and we weren’t having the quality time together that we had hoped for. we were fast approaching 50 so decided that we would look for something new that hopefully we could work on together.

2. Why did you go down the franchise route? What made you choose this industry?

Clive's brother ran a drainage business in bath which he wanted to expand, so asked us if we would be interested in joining him. we decided we would, then his brother saw the advert for Metro Rod and mentioned it to us. He/we thought that would be a better option as we had two sons whom we thought might be interested in joining the business at some stage in the future

3. What made you decide to go ahead with the franchise?

We went for an interview in Macclesfield, everything was explained to us so well and the support offered for what would be to us, a new venture, was excellent. when we went through the contract with our solicitor, he could not believe that everything had been explained to us in such detail. It seemed like a really good opportunity with a really professional company.

4. What have you learned from running a Metro Rod business?

We knew nothing about running a business when we started, the support and training we received was incredible. There was always someone at the end of the phone to help with any situation, we never felt that we were “going it alone”

5. What makes Metro Rod a great business to be in?

We knew nothing about the “world of drainage” and over the years we have learned that Metro Rod are professional, honest, want to be the best that they can be and expect that from each and every one of their franchises.

6. What sets your business apart from competitors?

Professionalism, health and safety record, quality of works and knowledge, good prices, staff who are polite and courteous and go the extra mile.

7. In your opinion, what makes a successful franchisee?

I think you need to be prepared to work hard, preferably from starting at the bottom and working to the top, so that you have first hand knowledge of what the job entails. Then and only then, can you have the respect of your employees and expect them to work to the same standard. the responsibility is there 24/7 365 days a year.

8. How would you describe your day to day role as a franchisee?

We now leave the day to day running of the business to our sons and office manager. We give our final agreement on investments etc. Our roles are now in the background so very different from when we started where we did everything. We are lucky in that the staff who run the business on our behalf do it to our standard.

9. What would you say to other people considering joining the network?

Go for it! Don’t wait until you reach 50 like we did, decide, commit, invest and believe in what you are doing. You won’t regret it.

10. Training and support - did you receive initially and what is the ongoing support like?

Clive had training at one of the depots for 2 weeks then a dedicated trainer came downto the are for two weeks to go out on the road with him to boost his confidence and show him things in situ. I had 2 weeks training at head office then a a dedicated trainer for 2 weeks when we went live. At the end of the first month someone came down from head office to go through the end of month paperwork with me (in those days 22 years ago, everything was done by hand, no computer!) the ongoing support was and still is excellent.

It has only got better over the years.

11. How has becoming a franchisee changed your life, if so how?

Metro Rod has been our life for 22 years, in the early days it was all consuming we ate drank and slept it. We have 2 sons who have joined us and so it has become a real family business, we have been lucky enough to find and retain some excellent members of our team and we all work together very well.

12. What is the most invaluable piece of advice you could give someone looking to buy their first franchise?

Totally commit and work with the franchisor to get the best out of the business and be prepared to work around the clock.

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!