View Full Version : Franchizing be careful
This might be a very sticky post here but i have inquired about a lawn care franchise last year my story is short...i worked on this new venture for 8 months talked to some franchise(s) asked questions and worked with one man in their office the whole time mainly on the phone they wanted me to do sub work for them untill i became a franchise owner so i bidded on 40 or so accounts for them took out a loan for the franchise fees bought a new truck etc.....we took a flight down to the meeting things seemed tense a little stuffy about a day discussed some topics ate lunch then took a flight back and you wouldn't belevie the way they treated me like when i got back it made me very angry to see them treat me and my company the way the did and they also fired the man that i had deloveloped a business relationship with that man called me on a sunday to see how he could help me.Well enough about them.
Thanks for loooking
ALarsh
10-08-2006, 01:03 PM
ok? :confused:
KS_Grasscutter
10-08-2006, 01:08 PM
ok? :confused:
I think it is like in grade school when the teacher would stop right at a good part reading so everyone would be interested the next day... so when do we get the rest though?
I would never look at a franchise for this type of industry, but maybe it could work for others
ANYWAY.....PLEASE CALL OUT THE NAME OF THE COMPANY so anyone else can know who not to deal with as well....If your story is true (I have no reason to think it is not) then you will be doing EVERYONE a service by NAMING THE COMPANY IN QUESTION!
Well now if i did that then i need to seek my consel and incur fees lets see if the company replys and i dought they will.
YardPro
10-08-2006, 10:09 PM
your post was a ramble at best... it was really jumpy and did not make much sense....
Tscape
10-08-2006, 10:40 PM
Try puncuation and a dictionary. Here's some help:
doubt- v. To be uncertain about something.
Try puncuation and a dictionary. Here's some help:
doubt- v. To be uncertain about something.
:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :hammerhead: :waving:
lawnman_scott
10-09-2006, 01:31 AM
Well now if i did that then i need to seek my consel and incur fees lets see if the company replys and i dought they will.You would have to seek counsel because you said a company treated you coldly????????
topsites
10-09-2006, 04:03 AM
I believe the catch here is some folks fail to understand is that with a franchise, you do not technically pwn your own business (they do). Although you're allowed to exercise considerable control in some areas, there are other areas in which you must do as they say, it all has to do with their contract, basically.
It's just like if I bought a Pizza Hut franchise, now I may 'own' a restaurant, but I am not free to serve whatever I want: I have to follow Pizza Hut Inc's standards and guidelines in everything I do, thou I think I have leverage over the prices and some other things, still if I violate certain rules or principles then I am in breach of the contract and they can terminate my rights as a franchisee (i.e.: close my door.)
The advantage is that for some folks, it's a bit like having training wheels on a bicycle but it depends on the franchise and this is to say while some likely provide excellent support exactly in the areas where you need it the most, it is just as likely that some fail miserably in this department...
Which all of the above means you're taking a gamble, but then that part is no different from going it alone, I do feel confident the headaches are no better or worse from one point of view than the other, the frustration is going to be there regardless...
Personally I would never own a franchise, I hate that feeling of not being the ultimate power in control, of having someone above me who can and will not only tell me different, but to whom people can complain to and I can catch it coming down my hill... So, like has been mentioned, it's not for everybody.
Sandgropher
10-09-2006, 06:13 AM
The biggest problem with franchises is the ongoing fees, when you have a full schelduled you still have to pay advertiseing fees and other fees.
You are not in control either and your name is not on the trailor, you feel like an employee.
You would have to seek counsel because you said a company treated you coldly????????
Not sure what you mean but consel seems to be in line with this company trust me
YardPro
10-09-2006, 08:28 PM
they have no case against you for voicing your opinion.
but honestly, if you communicated with them in the same manner as your first post, i can see why you had problems....;)
:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :hammerhead: :waving:
HUH is what you said listen or open your deaf ears, or maybe use ear plugs when your out doing low ball mowing HEH :laugh:
Dunn's
10-09-2006, 08:32 PM
his name is pro lawn so that is probably the company he is a franchise of. Could be wrong, Other than that I am confused a little about the rest. Must be all those paint chips I ate as a kid!
Try puncuation and a dictionary. Here's some help:
doubt- v. To be uncertain about something.
Try being educated this is a business forum has some respect dam Yankee
dont tread on me keep that chat room crap off this site...and that goes for everyone.
they have no case against you for voicing your opinion.
but honestly, if you communicated with them in the same manner as your first post, i can see why you had problems....;)
Well you had to be in my shoes heard , saw, listen etc. to what i went threw this site and what i typed is all post so i'am a little pissed. I acted totally business like,and like i posted they checked me out.
The biggest problem with franchises is the ongoing fees, when you have a full schelduled you still have to pay advertiseing fees and other fees.
You are not in control either and your name is not on the trailor, you feel like an employee.
Good quote
your post was a ramble at best... it was really jumpy and did not make much sense....
Like i said i'll make it short or a series of posts:laugh:
HUH is what you said listen or open your deaf ears, or maybe use ear plugs when your out doing low ball mowing HEH :laugh:
no huh is what I said after reading yout initial post
and huh is what I am now saying when you did not understand the post I made that you quoted above was laughing at the guy that misspelled a word when he told you that you needed a dictionary :confused:
Tscape
10-10-2006, 12:03 AM
no huh is what I said after reading yout initial post
and huh is what I am now saying when you did not understand the post I made that you quoted above was laughing at the guy that misspelled a word when he told you that you needed a dictionary :confused:
punctuation:laugh:
Down2EarthLawns
10-10-2006, 05:41 PM
Good luck with your new business venture. Did you have to sign a no- compete?
Good luck with your new business venture. Did you have to sign a no- compete?
Thanks...no i did not sign no compete or non solicitation you can get around signing a no compete clause but its more legal for a non solicitation.
Good luck with your new business venture. Did you have to sign a no- compete?
The company is based in fl in question that i posted.
I would never look at a franchise for this type of industry, but maybe it could work for others
ANYWAY.....PLEASE CALL OUT THE NAME OF THE COMPANY so anyone else can know who not to deal with as well....If your story is true (I have no reason to think it is not) then you will be doing EVERYONE a service by NAMING THE COMPANY IN QUESTION!
The company in question that i posted is in FL..... and the parent company is based in CA.
Tharrell
10-16-2006, 07:37 PM
Just tell who it is, this guessing stuff is a waste of our time.
Also, don't take the replies here too personal.
Just tell who it is, this guessing stuff is a waste of our time.
Also, don't take the replies here too personal.
U S LAWNS :laugh:
topsites
10-16-2006, 07:56 PM
The company in question that i posted is in FL..... and the parent company is based in CA.
I still don't get it, there's prolawns all over this country, must be one prolific corporation... So they checked you out, of course they did, any franchise-based corporation is going to do that...
Haven't seen you around thou, then again I don't see most Lco's, they're all fighting it out in the neighborhoods I don't service.
I still don't get it, there's prolawns all over this country, must be one prolific corporation... So they checked you out, of course they did, any franchise-based corporation is going to do that...
Haven't seen you around thou, then again I don't see most Lco's, they're all fighting it out in the neighborhoods I don't service.
Stony Point Lawn Care have never seen that Company before..you must be based out of Chesterfeild, VA
as far as
PRO-LAWN, INC
property improvements
i dont see any other company like it.Like i said i'll make it short in my fisrt post the franchise is U S LAWNS
Down2EarthLawns
10-16-2006, 09:42 PM
Well, if you did not sign a no-compete, then you have a way to back out and take all of the business accrued while operating your franchise. I'm assuming that you are referring to is US Lawns or PLM. They are the only 2 franchise lco's that I have seen around the state. What is your contractual obligation based on? Time period? Your original post was not exactly clear on if you actually signed one or not. Did you? If not, the first amendment right that we all share should protect you in voicing any opinion that compelled you to start this post. Personally, I would like to know who this company is.
Try not to take us so personally. C'mon bro, we mow all day long and then come to this site to give/receive advise from time to time. I'll admit, we aren't always in the greatest of moods. But if you are looking for some good advise, I think you have come to the right place. Can't tell you how many situations that this site has either helped me get out of or avoid. Just reading on someone else's experience sometimes will give me more incite on how to handle it. MOST people are here to help. You will find out which comments to disregard. Hope to hear back soon.:drinkup:
they have no case against you for voicing your opinion.
but honestly, if you communicated with them in the same manner as your first post, i can see why you had problems....;)
;) that look i guess was it necessary during our meeting...oh no it must be that i make all the other franchises look inadequate...or Paul who is vp for us lawns roaming around my shop before leaving 2 times to go pee pee straight lie in your face they act like its a new wheel and we invented it and if valley crest loses work u s lawns we will get those keeping all the money back in Valley Crest(s) hands ssssssssssssssooooooooooooooooooooooooo ne more questions. Bitohes
Sandgropher
10-16-2006, 10:11 PM
What seems to be the main problem, the way they have been treating you or are there others things you are not happy about ???
Jpocket
10-17-2006, 01:33 PM
U S LAWNS :laugh:
Thats what i thought, I got an info packet from them awhile ago, just out of curiousity. I was not impress with the franchise idea either.
The lawn business is alot different than say like a 7-Eleven or a gas station.
PMLAWN
10-17-2006, 01:55 PM
We have one here, They are not doing well. "Hard to compete in an unregulated business", is what he told me.
So did you sign up or are you still thinking about it??
We have one here, They are not doing well. "Hard to compete in an unregulated business", is what he told me.
So did you sign up or are you still thinking about it??
I did not sign with them i have moved on...unregulated thats not what they say but they do regulate the monthly statement it is due by the 15th following prior service so they can get their 3-5%.
Well, if you did not sign a no-compete, then you have a way to back out and take all of the business accrued while operating your franchise. I'm assuming that you are referring to is US Lawns or PLM. They are the only 2 franchise lco's that I have seen around the state. What is your contractual obligation based on? Time period? Your original post was not exactly clear on if you actually signed one or not. Did you? If not, the first amendment right that we all share should protect you in voicing any opinion that compelled you to start this post. Personally, I would like to know who this company is.
Try not to take us so personally. C'mon bro, we mow all day long and then come to this site to give/receive advise from time to time. I'll admit, we aren't always in the greatest of moods. But if you are looking for some good advise, I think you have come to the right place. Can't tell you how many situations that this site has either helped me get out of or avoid. Just reading on someone else's experience sometimes will give me more incite on how to handle it. MOST people are here to help. You will find out which comments to disregard. Hope to hear back soon.:drinkup:
U S LAWNS is the franchise i have been posting about, i'm not upset with anyone on Lawnsite just with U S LAWNS, the way they handle things with me was not professional.But i'am very content with on own business.
muddstopper
10-18-2006, 09:32 PM
I have done a ton of sub work for a USLawns franchise. I have never had a problem with them. The guy is grossing abut $6mil a year on his franschise. I dont know a thing about how their franchise's works, but they pay on time and keep my phone ringing.
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