Mosquito Joe pest control franchises have been available for only three years but they already number over one hundred, and company expectations are for close to two hundred by the end of 2016.

 

The total annual revenue from all Weedman franchises for the last year reported was almost $73 million, which is more than double the revenue from 2009.




When surveyed, customers of Outdoor Lighting Perspectives' franchisees give them a positive rating 86 percent of the time. This installation at the Lone Star Court in Austin, Texas, was one of their projects resulting from a hospitality industry test market endeavor this year.




Franchisees of U.S. lawns were given new "tangible tactics to improve customer service," such as customer satisfaction surveys. A recently launched web portal lets customers pay bills online, see invoices and more.

Franchises were expected to continue their recent run of success as, for the fifth year in a row, they are forecasted to add jobs to the U.S. economy at a higher rate than non-franchise businesses, and increase their GDP more than overall U.S. GDP growth, according to the Franchise Business Economic Outlook from IHS Economics. IHS (NYSE: IHS) was formed in 1959, trades on the New York Stock Exchange and has over 600 economists in 25 offices worldwide. It covers more than 170 industries, and offers market intelligence services to thousands of clients in over 200 countries. It is one of the leading economic analysis and forecasting firms in the world.

Many green industry businesses rely on being franchises for some or all of their revenue and many others may be considering joining their ranks. With that in mind, here are some updates on franchisors that are good fits for landscapers.

U.S. Lawns
Brandon Moxam, the company's director of brand development, told LC/DBM that this year they emphasized improving what he calls "customer intimacy."

"We believe you have to get your arms around customers, really know how your customers think," he says. "And we wanted game changers in the area of local service."

To that end, his company started the Service Revolution to help franchisees attract great employees. This included a series of recruiting tools such as flyers, direct mail pieces and referral programs.

Another new program, The U.S. Lawns Sales Bullpen, involved an in-house team of sales professionals that called on local markets to create sales and proposal opportunities for franchisees.

Weed Man
Their more than 445 territories throughout the U. S. includes the 89 sold last year, which bolstered the annual revenue to nearly $73 million, more than double the revenue from 2009. Recently named one of the nation's best franchise investments by both Forbes.com and Entrepreneur magazine, the franchise network was on track to achieve an estimated 15 percent increase in system-wide sales in 2015.
www.weedmanfranchise.com

Spring-Green Lawn Care
Targeting green industry business owners who want to diversify their existing businesses, this franchisor recently embarked on an email campaign looking for strategic partners in certain areas. For more information, complete a short questionnaire to receive a copy of their franchise handbook.
growmygreenindustrybusiness.com

Mosquito Joe
Franchises started only three years ago, but now number 114 locations in 26 states with expectations for around 200 by the end of 2016. Territories, defined as 30,000 single detached homes earning an average of over $75,000, are available in all 50 states.

"We're very good at helping our franchisees get customers," CEO Kevin Wilson says. And, he adds, in the case of landscape professionals with existing businesses, a new set of customers.

Franchisee Steve Clark, who also owns Southern Lawn and Pest in Covington, Tenn., and likes the familiarity of recurring services and revenue said that some of his existing customers signed up for Mosquito Joe services and many Mosquito Joe customers have signed up for lawn care. And that's not the only benefit he has realized.

"One of the big advantages is taking their ideas on how to build a system from the operation side, and using them for Southern Lawn," says Clark who also does the same with marketing strategies.

In 2015, the franchisor expanded their operations and marketing capabilities by hiring a COO, three franchise business coaches, and three web specialists to help franchisees draw more customers to their individual web sites.
Mosquitojoe.com

Scotts LawnService
The franchisor announced that their franchisees will now have the option to add Ortho Pest Control Service in addition to Miracle-Gro Tree and Shrub Care so that they can offer customers a comprehensive service contract that includes lawn and plant care and pest control. Ortho has over 90 years of experience in eradicating cockroaches, ants, spiders, wasps, termites, mosquitoes, fleas, ticks, rodents and more.
https://scottslawnservicefranchise.com/

Outdoor Lighting Perspectives
This franchised provider of residential landscape and holiday lighting packages announced that their latest numbers included: system average gross sales by location of $486,842, median gross profit margin by location of 55.3 percent, and median retail price per project by location of $3,281.

Rich Young, the company's vice president, reported that in 2015 they implemented a marketing strategy to the hospitality industry on a test basis in a few locations.

"There is a real opportunity for boutique hotels, bed and breakfasts, independent restaurants and resorts," he says. "Good landscape and architectural lighting can make a big difference, can drive more customers through the door."

The company also created a series of videos to educate clients on new trends and other topics. In 2016, they look to develop a lighting phone app to provide customers more control of their lighting. "We are always looking for different ways to touch our existing client base by offering new products and services," Young says.

The franchisor is part of the Outdoor Living Brands Corporation that includes Archadeck Outdoor Living, which designs and builds outdoor living spaces, Renew Crew, which offers cleaning and sealing services for outdoor living spaces, and Mosquito Squad.
outdoorlivingbrands.com

Lawn Doctor
In 2015, Lawn Doctor promoted Yard Armour???(R)???AE????, their latest pest control technology designed to protect against mosquitoes. The franchisees work with families and businesses during mosquito breeding season to help prevent mosquito-borne diseases from spreading.

https://lawndoctorfranchise.com/