Chemed Corporation ("Chemed") (NYSE:CHE) today announced its Roto-Rooter Services Company subsidiary has acquired the Roto-Rooter franchise covering Topeka, Kansas, and the surrounding county. The sale is effective April 1, 2008, and terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Listed on the New York Stock Exchange and headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Chemed Corporation (www.chemed.com) operates two wholly owned subsidiaries: VITAS Healthcare and Roto-Rooter. VITAS is the nation's largest provider of end-of-life hospice care and Roto-Rooter is the nation’s leading provider of plumbing and drain cleaning services.