The Grounds Guys reports that as of 2013 they had 100 franchises, which offer a complete list of landscape services from mowing to landscape design and installation, as well as outdoor lighting, and snow and ice removal for both residential and commercial customers.
www.groundsguys.com

Starting up a lawn care business brings about a set of challenges and driving that business to the next level brings its own set. However, both actions may be made less challenging by taking the franchise route.

There are many purported benefits of becoming a franchise owner instead of trying to build a company on your own. These include national brand recognition, proven business models, better operational efficiency, more buying power, help with marketing and business planning, access to advanced technology and training, and an integrated exit strategy.

"Coming into a franchise allows you to take a proven set of business strategies that have been replicated many times over and then execute them," says Brandon Moxam, director of brand development at U.S. Lawns.

The exact process differs depending on the company you choose but in general you can expect to: provide details about your professional and financial background, which can include a personal financial statement and background and credit checks; talk to existing franchise owners; visit the company's headquarters or a local site; sign a contract, receive training and buy or lease equipment.

As to what type of person is a good fit to run a franchise, Moxam cites, among other qualities, "that entrepreneurial desire to build something sustainable, build personal wealth, to have some type of business legacy to leave behind - someone who is really going to passionately pursue their dream of business ownership."

Following is information on some of the leading lawn care franchisors along with specifics about their requirements that LC/DBM was able to obtain.

U.S. LAWNS
This franchisor has been in business since 1986. Their franchises work only with commercial accounts and provide full landscape care including mowing, edging, trimming and pruning. With 270 locations, they claim to be the largest and fastest-growing franchisor in commercial landscaping.

According to Moxam, typically about 60 percent of franchisees that come to them are new to the business, with the other 40 percent having an existing landscape business they want to convert.

U.S. Lawn's initial franchise fee for new businesses is $32,000. Additional startup costs in the first three months include training expenses at $2,000 to $4,000, equipment at $1,100 to $14,000, the lease of a service vehicle at $3,600 to $5,600, tools/supplies/office equipment at $1,000 to $5,000, operating expenses of $5,800 to $6,700 and additional funds of $3,000 to $6,000.

A franchisee can perform office duties out of a house but a facility is required to store equipment and serve as a meeting place for the crews. The company pegs this cost at $3,000 to $6,000 for the first three months, which makes the total estimated investment for a new business $51,500 to $79,3000.

The franchise fee to convert a current landscape company is lower at $22,000 to $27,000. Depending on the basic equipment, employees and facility already in place, the total estimated investment for conversions is $32,800 to $74,3000.

The company offers honorably discharged veterans a $5,000 discount off the franchise fee and 90 percent financing of that fee.

There is a royalty fee that starts at 6 percent and declines from there, and a marketing fee, which is 2 percent of sales with a maximum of $275 a month. The term of agreement is for 10 years, which can be renewed for another 10 years.
www.uslawns.com/franchise

Spring-Green
In business for over 37 years, this company's franchisees offer a wide range of services including tree and shrub care, lawn fertilization, aeration, overseeding, irrigation system upkeep and maintenance for weeds, grubs, fire ants, mosquitos, fleas, and other insects.

The reported total revenue of their franchisees was over $41 million in 2013. The average 2013 gross sales for businesses operating for 2 full calendar years or more in a single territory was $357, 713.

The company's franchise fee ranges from $30,000 to $40,000. They will finance a portion of the fee for all candidates who qualify in order to help reduce the entrance cost.

Qualified military veterans get up to $5,000 of the initial franchise fee applied towards start-up expenses that they designate or approve.

Under the marketing reinvestment program, the company applies up to $10,000 of the franchise fee for local marketing and advertising expenditures in the territory during the franchise owner's second full year of operations.

The company's Flex Start® Program lets franchise owners transition from their current occupation into lawn care business ownership so that they can maintain an income and health benefits for up to 12 weeks.

The total investment necessary to begin operations of a new franchise is placed by the company at $84,180 to $95,520. The cost of converting a current business to a franchise can be less if the existing equipment meets the company's criteria.

The royalty fee is an ongoing fee that is paid weekly based on gross sales of the business. This fee declines as gross sales thresholds are met. The Green Industry Roll-In Program lets qualified owners pay a reduced royalty fee for the first 12 months of operation.

Franchises are awarded for a term of ten years. Upon a term's expiration, another 10-year agreement can be made if the franchise meets the company's then current standards.
www.spring-green.com/franchise-opportunity

LAWN DOCTOR
This company's franchisees specialize in fertilizing, weed, insect and disease control, and tree and shrub care for residential and commercial customers. They do not offer mowing services but do provide lawn mower maintenance.

The company reports over 45 years of experience in the industry, an average customer retention rate of over 80 percent, an average profit margin for franchisees of 69.9 percent, and over 450 locations. They require applicants to demonstrate a minimum liquidity of $50,000 in order to move forward in the process. They offer single-territory, multi-territory, and business conversions though the company's Web site cautions that, "it requires an excellent fit in terms of available territory and a willingness on the part of the franchisee to adopt the Lawn Doctor business system."

For a single territory, the total investment costs range from $68,387 to $98,237. The franchisor offers partial financing of up to $43,500 for certain qualified candidates.

They also provide discounts of $15,000 to candidates who qualify as a military veteran, minority, or green industry professional.

The company operates with proprietary products and equipment including the Turf Tamer® line of application equipment. Besides this equipment, franchisees need one or more vans, depending on the business plan, and other equipment and materials.
www.lawndoctorfranchise.com

Weed Man
Its first location was opened in 1970 and franchising started in 1976. The franchises provide fertilization – with the company's exclusive blend of fertilizers – weed / insect / disease management, aeration and seeding.

The company states that it is the leading franchised lawn care company in the green industry; serving over 450,000 customers in North America and bringing in over $130 million in system sales, and that its franchisees grow 15 to 20 percent annually on average.

For a single territory with a population up to 150,000, the franchise fee is $20,000, the initial investment is $43,700, and the capital investment is $103,700.

For a double territory with a population up to 300,000, the franchise fee is $33,750, the initial investment is $58,450, and the capital investment is $118,450.

Additional fees include royalties, which decline as a business grows, and money towards an advertising fund. Assistance with financing is available through a partnership with BoeFly.com, a specialist in franchise lending.

Qualified military personnel receive franchise fee discounts and different options of financing. Existing businesses can become franchisees.
www.weedmanfranchise.com

Scotts LawnService
A division of the Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, it was founded in 1998. There are currently over 180 units in operation, some of them company-owned, throughout the U.S. providing residential lawn service including fertilization, crabgrass prevention, aeration, seeding, weed/insect/disease control.

The initial franchise fee can range from $22,000 to $250,000, depending on the size of the territory and the total number of single-family dwelling units in that territory. The ongoing royalty will range from 6 to10 percent based on the volume of sales.

Up to two-thirds of the franchise fee can be financed for qualified individuals. To help ensure that franchisees have available cash flow during the first 12 to18 months for marketing purposes, the franchisor provides terms on the Scotts Miracle-Gro branded products that are used.

The company states that if an initial territory is successful, additional zip codes may be requested to extend that territory. It is not mandatory to have an office to start your franchise but a storage facility for products is required.

A franchise can begin operations in as little as 45 days after signing an agreement. When a franchise is put up for sale, the parent company retains the right of first refusal. If they do not purchase the franchise, the buyer must be approved by the parent.
www.scottslawnservicefranchise.com

Though there are challenges that come with starting a franchise, Moxam reminds that doing so, "allows you to focus on things that are going to drive revenue to your business," which in turn can help drive that business to the next level.