How To's
Zoom Sewer and Drain Cleaning Franchise Cost
Taking care of your home’s plumbing system is an essential part of being a homeowner. However, not everyone has the skill and patience to do it, and so franchises such as Zoom Sewer and Drain Cleaning are some of the most lucrative. Here’s what you need to know if you’re thinking of getting it:
Franchise Description
Zoom Sewer and Drain Cleaning provides drain cleaning, maintenance, sewer inspections, repair and replacement services for residential and commercial customers. The business began in 1995 and had been franchising since 2013. They have their headquarters in Norristown, Pennsylvania, and Zoom Franchise Company, LLC is the franchisor.
Training
Training for the franchisee’s principal owner and personnel will be provided by the franchisor or its representatives and agents. Before starting your franchise, Zoom Sewer and Drain Cleaning will require you to complete their training program. It comes in two phases:
- Phase 1: 2 to 3 days training at the Franchise Business
- Phase2: 2 to 3 days in Norristown, PA
The franchisor may also require you to attend additional training during the length of your term agreement. The franchisor is planning to hold a 2 to 3-day national Zoom Fest yearly. This will be held in Norristown, PA, or any location it designates. They will require franchisees to attend, but their managers will be welcome.
Territory
The franchisor will designate a protected territory where the franchisees will operate their business. Before signing any Franchise Agreement, both the franchisor and the franchisee will agree on a geographic territory.
The franchisor will base the protected territory on contiguous zip codes that will consist of approximately 500,000 individuals. This will be based on the most recent U.S. Census data at the time of signing the franchise agreement. This means that as long as the deal is taking effect, the franchisor or its affiliates will not locate, operate, or grant a franchise for another Zoom Sewer and Drain Cleaning business within the protected territory.
Obligations
The franchisor requires the franchisee or its principal owner to exert every effort to take responsibility for the management of the business. They will do this on a daily basis unless they agree on an alternate arrangement. With the franchisor’s discretion, the franchisee can hire a manager to handle the operations of the business.
Franchisors will also require you to sell products and services that have their approval. On the other hand, franchisees aren’t allowed to sell unauthorized products or services in compliance with the franchise agreement. Franchisees are also not allowed to solicit business outside of the protected territory. They are, however, permitted to serve customers outside of the protected territory as written in the FDD.
Term of Agreement
The initial franchise will take ten years after the signing of the agreement. You can renew the contract for another ten years, for four times, if you continue to meet the requirements.
Financial Assistance
Zoom Sewer and Drain Cleaning doesn’t offer direct or indirect financial assistance to its franchisees. In addition, they will not guarantee a franchisee’s note, lease, or obligation.
Did You Know?
Get to know more about Zoom Sewer and Drain Cleaning before you get that franchise. Here are some facts about the business:
- They have very little competition in the niche. Most of their competitors are independent plumbers and contractors
- According to the company’s co-founder and COO, Ellen Rohr, this is a recession-resistant business, and the Covid-19 pandemic has proven this
- They have a reported $12 million in revenue with 53 employees and 15 franchisees
Your Investment
The table below shows the estimated cost of a Zoom Sewer and Drain Cleaning franchise. Take note that these numbers may change without any prior notice.
| Name of Fee | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $35,000 | $35,000 |
| Lease | $3,000 | $9,000 |
| Leasehold Improvement | $2,000 | $40,000 |
| Furniture, Fixtures and Computer System | $7,500 | $13,000 |
| Vehicles | $7,000 | $9,500 |
| Vehicle Wrap and Design | $4,500 | $5,500 |
| Initial Equipment and Inventory of Supplies | $40,000 | $50,000 |
| Business Licenses and Permits; Deposits and Pre-Paid Expenses | $0 | $5,000 |
| Professional Fees | $500 | $3,000 |
| Insurance – Quarterly | $4,000 | $6,000 |
| Initial Training Expenses | $500 | $3,000 |
| Initial Marketing Expenses | $45,000 | $60,000 |
| Additional Funds – 6 months | $50,000 | $100,000 |
| ESTIMATED TOTAL | $199,000 | $341,000 |
Other Costs
| Type of Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Royalty Fee | 5% of Net Sales. |
| Marketing Fee | Up to 2% of Net Sales. Currently, the franchisor does not charge this fee. |
| Call Center Fee | Up to $25 per scheduled appointment. Currently, the franchisor does not operate the Call Center or charge a Call Center Fee. |
| Technology Fee | The then-current Technology Fee; currently $500 per month. |
| Webpage Development and Optimization Fee | The then-current fee charged by the franchisor’s designated website SEO provider; currently $695 per month. |
| Additional Location Fee | The then-current Additional Location Fee; currently $2,000. |
| Transfer Fee | Up to 50% of the then-current Initial Franchise Fee. |
| Renewal Fee | Up to 25% of the then-current Initial Franchise Fee. |
| Additional Training and Assistance | Fee and all expenses. Currently $1,000 per day plus travel expenses. |
| National Conference | Reasonable fees and all expenses. |
| Testing for Supplier Approval | Reasonable fee. |
| Interest on Late Payments | Lesser of 1.5% per month or maximum legal rate. |
| Audit Fee | Cost of audit. |
| Taxes | Actual cost. |
| Indemnification | Will vary under circumstances. |
| Costs and Attorneys’ Fees | Will vary under circumstances. |
For other franchising information, check out more articles here at Franchise How!