Mr. Rooter, a franchised plumbing and drain cleaning company, has started a new

franchise program for entrepreneurs in rural America. The program, targeting rural

areas with a population between 40,000 and 65,000, provides special pricing as an

incentive to join the Mr. Rooter franchise network.

The program helps smaller businesses acquire an exclusive territory by allowing franchise

owners in less populated rural areas to tighten their scope of service at a reduced

rate per population. The special pricing allows the $220 per 1,000 population pricing

for the initial franchise fee without regard to a minimum population for eligible locations.

For a population of 40,000, the franchise fee is $8,800; for 45,000, it's $9,900;

and so on up to $14,300 for territories with a population of 65,000.

The program requires eligible locations be within the required population range and not

have a city of 30,000 or more within the proposed territory, among other requirements.

"We see an opportunity to expand our services to areas beyond larger markets," said

Robert Tunmire, executive vice president of The Dwyer Group. "With this new program, rural

entrepreneurs can continue to run their local business, yet be supported with a system and

structure they've never had before, which can, in turn, allow them to lead a happier, more balanced life."

Before the new program, the initial franchise fee for all franchise owners was $22,000

(minimum population of 100,000 per territory) plus $220 per 1,000 population for additional

territory. This new program creates an incentive for entrepreneurs who did not think they

could join the franchise network because of the minimum population requirements, the company said.

Established in 1970, Mr. Rooter franchisees provide services to both residential and commercial

customers at more than 200 locations in the United States and Canada and more than 100 locations

internationally through master licensees. More information is available at

www.mrrooter.com.