Franchising details
Why This Is a Different Kind of Opportunity
- You’re not entering a single-van, start-up model. Metro Rod is built for ambitious people ready to scale a multi-vehicle, multi-engineer fleet business, managing teams, workflows, growth strategy and commercial contracts.
Operate in a Sector Built for Stability & Growth
Metro Rod’s services are essential to commercial, industrial and retail clients across the UK. The business delivers a comprehensive range of drainage-specialist services, such as:
- High-pressure water jetting & unblocking
- CCTV drain & sewer surveys
- Pump station servicing & maintenance
- Grease-interceptor cleaning & tankering
- Planned preventative maintenance programmes
These services are critical and non-discretionary for many sites, which means your business is positioned for ongoing demand, repeat business and scaling prospects.
Key sector numbers:
- UK below-ground drainage & surface-water management market valued at £846 million in 2024 (up 9% since 2021).
- Forecast growth of 3–4% annually through to 2029.
- Wider waste-management services industry estimated at £2.4 billion in revenue in 2025-26.
- Over 50 million household & non-household customers in England & Wales depend on regulated drainage/sewerage services every day.
With this foundation, you’re stepping into a business in an essential, recurrent market not a fad, not a seasonal business, but a vital service provider with strong structural tailwinds.
A Powerful UK Franchise Network + Global Backing
When you join Metro Rod, you become part of a robust, growing network:
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There are currently 43 UK territories operated by franchise owners running successful, multi-engineer operations.
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You’ll join a community of experienced business owners, sharing best-practice, development, referrals and peer support.
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Metro Rod is part of General Franchise Brands plc, an international franchisor with:
- Seven brands in ten countries.
- A combined network of over 600 franchisees across the group.
Your growth horizon is only limited by your ambition. Whether you scale your territory, add further vehicles, take multiple territories, or diversify services, the model supports you.
You don’t need prior drainage experience, but you do need commercial acumen, leadership ability and the drive to grow.
What You Get from Us
We provide:
- A well-recognised UK drainage services brand with decades of operational history.
- Entry into a sector with high demand, strong margins and growth potential.
- Access to national and regional commercial work and pipeline opportunities with blue-chip clients.
- Full training in technical operations, commercial management, customer service, team leadership and business growth.
- A proven infrastructure of systems: scheduling, workforce management, mobile engineers, CRM, service delivery tools, compliance protocols.
- Ongoing business development support: marketing, territory growth planning, regional peer network, brand campaigns.
- Opportunity to scale, add engineers, vehicles, adjacent service lines, explore multi-territory or multi-brand ownership within the group.
Franchise costs and details
Training and support
At Metro Rod, you’re never building the business alone. Our franchise model is designed for leaders, people who manage teams, drive growth, and build strong relationships with commercial clients. To support that, we provide a robust infrastructure that allows you to focus on leading the business and developing your territory.
What You Get From Us
We invest heavily so that each franchisee has the systems, support and expertise to scale confidently:
- Full Training & Ongoing Development
Comprehensive onboarding covering operations, leadership, compliance, finance, sales and marketing, plus continuous training as your business grows. - 24/7/365 National Call Centre
We handle inbound enquiries around the clock, ensuring you never miss opportunities and your customers receive immediate assistance. - Dedicated Back-Office Support
Access to billing, accounts, cash collection and debt-chasing functions, reducing admin while maximising cashflow and efficiency. - Specialist Marketing & Sales Support
National brand marketing plus local campaign support, digital management, tendering assistance and promotional materials tailored to your area. - An Exclusive, Protected Territory
A defined geographic area with established demand where you can grow a substantial and scalable operation. - Cutting-Edge Systems & IT Investment
Industry-leading job management platforms, reporting tools and compliance systems designed to streamline business operations. - Nationally Negotiated Contracts
Immediate access to national accounts with major UK brands, plus local opportunities with councils, schools and housing associations, giving your business a strong baseline of recurring work.
What This Means for You
This is a management franchise designed for ambitious leaders. You’ll focus on building teams, securing contracts, nurturing customer relationships and driving operational performance, backed by a national support structure purpose-built for growth.
