Mr. Rooter and Mr. Appliance Work Together to Deliver Reliable Home Repair Services
When Joseph and Katie Walters invested in their first Mr. Appliance® franchise in 2017, they never planned for it to grow into a large-scale family business spanning two brands and multiple states. “The demand kept coming,” Joseph says. “Every time we thought we were settled, another opportunity came up. We just kept growing.” Today, they own five Mr. Appliance franchises and four Mr. Rooter® Plumbing locations across Illinois, Texas and Nevada. Recently, they added a Mr. Rooter in San Antonio and are closing on another in Reno., Nev.
Both Mr. Rooter and Mr. Appliance are part of Neighborly®, a leading family of global home service brands. Mr. Rooter specializes in plumbing and drain cleaning, handling everything from clogged sinks to major plumbing repairs. “If your water isn’t flowing, we fix it,” Joseph says. Mr. Appliance focuses on appliance repairs, from refrigerators and ovens to washers and dryers. “If your appliance stops working, we get it back up and running.”
Because the two brands don’t compete, they often refer customers to each other. “If our appliance techs see a leaky water line, they send it to Mr. Rooter,” Joseph says. “And if a plumber realizes the issue is really a washing machine, they refer it to Mr. Appliance. That crossover helps both brands.”
In-Demand Services
These services are always in demand. Homeowners need working plumbing and appliances, and when something breaks, they want fast service. Mr. Rooter even has corporate-owned locations that serve as training centers. Joseph frequently visits the one in Denver, calling it “a benchmark for sewer work. I think I went there five times last year myself,” he says. “It’s a great place to learn and improve.”
Running a business together doesn’t mean the Walters family spends their workdays under the same roof. “We all work in different locations,” Joseph says. “I’m in Peoria, my daughter’s in Bloomington, Katie’s in Champaign and my son is in Chicago most of the time. I saw him last week for two days — that’s the most since Christmas!”
Each family member plays a key role. Joseph leads business growth. His daughter runs the marketing team. His son manages operations for the Chicago Mr. Appliance locations. Katie oversees half of the Mr. Rooter locations, while Joseph manages the rest. Even their son’s fiancée helps, answering phones from Japan because of the time zone difference. “For her, it’s morning, and for us, it’s night, so it works out perfectly,” Joseph says.
The family works well as a team. “I can make the phone ring, and my son makes sure our techs know what they’re doing. It’s a great setup,” Joseph says. Katie focuses on process management and keeping the office teams running efficiently. “We each have our strengths, and we trust each other to do our jobs,” he says.
Looking ahead, the next generation is preparing to take over. “My son wants to own all the Mr. Appliance locations, so he’s slowly buying them from us. It’s great to have that opportunity for him — and for us to eventually retire. It’s been a great family business for us,” Joseph says. “It keeps us busy, but we love the challenge.”
Doubling Down
Owning complementary home service brands like Mr. Rooter and Mr. Appliance creates strong synergy, helping franchisees expand their customer base and increase revenue. By offering both plumbing and appliance repair, the Walters’ business has become a go-to solution for homeowners. Here’s how it works:
- Increased revenue streams. Cross-selling services allows franchisees to generate more revenue.
- Stronger customer loyalty. Offering multiple services builds trust and keeps customers coming back.
- Streamlined marketing. Promoting two brands together reduces costs and increases visibility.
- Operational efficiency. Sharing staff, equipment and office space helps improve productivity.
- Recession-resistant model. Essential home services remain in demand, providing stability in any economic climate.
For more information about Mr. Appliance and Mr. Rooter, visit their respective franchise websites.
