Metro Rod Managing Director interviewed by CEO of the British Franchise Association

As part of the BFA’s CEO Meets series, Pip Wilkins sat down with Peter Molloy of Metro Rod to discuss the company, its franchisees and the impact of COVID-19.

Pip began the interview by asking Peter what Metro Rod does, to which Peter responded, “We’re a nationwide drainage business that delivers drainage and plumbing services to a wide range of clients across the UK. We have over 450 active engineers on the ground, operating in excess of 400 vans. So, essentially, we keep Britain’s drains flowing.” Peter also detailed his journey with the company, sharing that he’d been working with Metro Rod for “around 19 years”.

Pip and Peter discussed the pandemic, and the unexpected changes and developments of the past 18 months. Peter explained that, in many ways, the drainage franchise had weathered the unexpected storm well and risen to the challenge. He said, “[At Metro Rod,] we were designated key workers, and we maintained services right the way through the pandemic.”

Still, he has learned a great deal from COVID-19, particularly about the importance of the franchisor-franchisee relationship in a time when franchisees “really valued a franchisor that was on the front foot, had a plan, was communicating regularly and effectively, giving them the right guidance and pointing them in the right direction in terms of things like PPE”.

Pip went on to ask Peter: What makes a Metro Rod franchisee special? What does the franchise look for in a new franchisee? Peter answered that it was all about a franchisee having the right attitude. Training would cover knowledge gaps of all kinds, but there was no substitute for a good attitude and a person “prepared to get involved, work hard and benefit from the fruits of their labour”. Franchisees of all kinds have been able to thrive within the Metro Rod network, as long as they were dedicated to the work.

If you think you have that attitude and you’re ready to succeed in the Metro Rod network, you can become a franchisee for a minimum initial investment of £50,000. Find out more about franchising with the company via its profile page, which you’ll discover linked above.