Roto-Rooter Sewer and Drain Service

Ownership

This is an independent family-owned franchise since 1948, though it operates under the Roto-Rooter brand which was sold to Cincinnati-based Chemed Corporation in 1980. The McFarland location is a local franchise, not corporate-owned.

Local Sourcing

Roto-Rooter operates a manufacturing plant in West Des Moines, Iowa that manufactures proprietary Roto-Rooter equipment, and franchises must use corporate-supplied equipment and systems, indicating reliance on centralized corporate supply chains.

Community Involvement

No search results indicate specific community sponsorships, event participation, or nonprofit ties for the McFarland location. The business provides local employment but no evidence of deeper community investment beyond service provision.

Local Workforce

Roto-Rooter employees earn $37,500 annually on average, which is 43% lower than the national salary average, and the company has an employee rating of 3.2 out of 5 stars on Glassdoor, suggesting mixed employee satisfaction and below-average compensation.

Revenue Retention

Roto-Rooter franchises operate under corporate headquarters in Cincinnati, and franchisees pay 8% royalty fees plus 2-4% marketing fees on sales, meaning a significant portion of revenue flows to the corporate parent Chemed Corporation rather than staying local.

Local Presence

Strong local signals include owner name (Lee's Roto-Rooter Service, Inc.), specific Wisconsin county service areas (Dane & Rock County), local phone number (608.256.5189), and emphasis on family ownership since 1948. Minimal corporate signals beyond the Roto-Rooter franchise affiliation, which is acknowledged as independent.