US Lawn Franchise

[Haulin' Grass]

Anyone own one ? Read an interesting article about a guy who owns three and seems to be doing alright for himself. Don't think it's my cup of tea though. On the other hand other people do well with franchises in other business fields

[Grits]

You can have any franchise lawn company. I got in this profession so I could make the rules. Being a franchise owner, all you would be is a glorified employee.

[rodfather]

There is a large one by me and run by all hispanics...they do great work too btw.

[Prestige-Lawncare]

This business is easy enough for someone who has the slightest business sense to start up from scratch. You should be able to learn enough from this site alone to be able to start, advertise, and have a general idea of how to run your own lawn care company.

Don't pay someone else for their "ideas" on how to run a lawn care company. They are not going to get you customers ... you still have to get those yourself.

At least that's how I feel .... I'll start and run my own company, with my own ideas, and answer to no one but myself.
.

[Az Gardener]

This business is easy enough for someone who has the slightest business sense to start up from scratch. You should be able to learn enough from this site alone to be able to start, advertise, and have a general idea of how to run your own lawn care company.

Don't pay someone else for their "ideas" on how to run a lawn care company. They are not going to get you customers ... you still have to get those yourself.

At least that's how I feel .... I'll start and run my own company, with my own ideas, and answer to no one but myself.
.

I'm surprised to hear this from you. Dosen't time have any value to anyone. Not to mention money. A start up business is risky and expensive. All the documentation needed to make a company run smoothly. Thats a lot of work.

The fact is there is at least one LCO franchise out there that will get you commercial contracts.

Would you rather make 100% of 300-K after 5-7 years of struggling if you make it. Or 94% of 800-K in two years with a clear path and someone a phone call away that has been in the business for over 50 years to offer advice.

Do a search on franchise/franchising, if you can include my name in the search I have done a lot of research on franchising and have posted some good information. I would not be so quick to dismiss a franchise operation.

Granted a franchise is not for everyone but I think there is a lot of mis-information given here on Lawnsite regarding franchising. Like every thing else there are good and bad franchisors.

What are the odds of a start up company surviving 5 years? Like less than 1 in 10. It is the exact opposite for a franchise operation less than 1 in 10 fail.

[Mike Blevins]

I have an U.S.lawns franchise in my mowing area. I see them out just about everyday. I looked into the franchise deal and it it expensive. These guys run Izuzu trucks and the biggest most expensive Scags you can buy. I would say over a hundred thousand for just equipment alone. Not to mention the four guys in each of the 3 trucks salaries. And the price of the franchise itself! I would like to see the fuel bill a month. Alot more to keep up with,alot more debt,insurance,headaches,supervision,employees,equipment maintenance,accountants,etc. I know they make big money too. But I appreciate them leaving us "one man bands" a little grass to cut. Although it would be nice to be the one telling everyone else what to do. And having more time for the family.

[richallseasons]

I'm surprised to hear this from you. Dosen't time have any value to anyone. Not to mention money. A start up business is risky and expensive. All the documentation needed to make a company run smoothly. Thats a lot of work.

The fact is there is at least one LCO franchise out there that will get you commercial contracts.

Would you rather make 100% of 300-K after 5-7 years of struggling if you make it. Or 94% of 800-K in two years with a clear path and someone a phone call away that has been in the business for over 50 years to offer advice.

Do a search on franchise/franchising, if you can include my name in the search I have done a lot of research on franchising and have posted some good information. I would not be so quick to dismiss a franchise operation.

Granted a franchise is not for everyone but I think there is a lot of mis-information given here on Lawnsite regarding franchising. Like every thing else there are good and bad franchisors.

What are the odds of a start up company surviving 5 years? Like less than 1 in 10. It is the exact opposite for a franchise operation less than 1 in 10 fail.

These are both good opinions on both sides of the coin, the fact is that you have to decide what is right for you as an individual. Do plenty of research on both situations and make a choice that fits you and your style, as I have worked for a franchise and now I own and run my own business I have had a look into both worlds, and being my own man is the right choice for me, as I need to have total control and say in how I operate.

[Az Gardener]

I just received this e mail from a firm that helps companies that want to be franchisors. Pay particular attention to numbers 8 and 11


12 Criteria of Franchisability

While it is impossible to determine the franchisability of a business concept without a significant amount of analysis, the iFranchise Group has identified a series of 12 predictive criteria that assess the readiness of a company for franchising and the likelihood that it will achieve success as a franchisor.



1. Credibility - To sell franchises, a company must first be credible in the eyes of its prospective franchisees. Credibility can be reflected in a number of ways: organization size, number of units, years in operation, look of the prototype unit, publicity, consumer awareness of the brand, and strength of management, to name the most prominent.

2. Differentiation - In addition to credibility, a franchise organization must be adequately differentiated from its franchised competitors. This can come in the form of a differentiated product or service, a reduced investment cost, a unique marketing strategy, or different target markets.

3. Transferability of knowledge - The next criteria of franchisability is the ability to teach a system to others. To franchise, a business must generally be able to thoroughly educate a prospective franchisee in a relatively short period of time. Generally speaking, if a business is so complex that it cannot be taught to a franchisee in three months, a company will have difficulty franchising. Some more complex franchisors offset this handicap by targeting only franchise prospects that are already "educated" in their field (e.g., a medical franchise targeting only doctors).

4. Adaptability - Next, measure how well a concept can be adapted from one market to the next. Some concepts (e.g., barbecue) do not adapt well over large geographic areas because of regional variations in consumer tastes or preferences. Others (e.g., medical practices) are constrained by varying state laws. Still other concepts work only because they are in a very unique location. And some work because of the unique abilities or talents of the individual behind the concept. Finally, some concepts are only successful based on years of perseverance and relationship building.

5. Refined and successful prototype operations - A refined prototype is necessary to demonstrate that the system is proven, and is generally instrumental in the training of franchisees. The prototype also acts as a testing ground for new products, new services, marketing techniques, merchandising, and operational efficiencies.

6. Documented systems - All successful businesses have systems. But in order to be franchisable, these systems must be documented in a manner that communicates them effectively to franchisees. Generally speaking, a franchisor will need to document its policies, procedures, systems, forms, and business practices in a comprehensive and user-friendly operations manual and/or computer-based training module.

7. Affordability - Affordability merely reflects a prospective franchisee's ability to pay for the franchise in question. This criterion is as much a reflection of the prospective franchisee as it is of the actual cost of opening a franchise. For example, a multi-million dollar hotel franchise is affordable to real estate developers, whereas a franchise with a $100,000 start-up cost that targets prospects with clerical experience might not be.

8. Return on Investment - This is the real acid test of franchisability. A franchised business must, of course, be profitable. But more than that, a franchised business must allow enough profit after a royalty for the franchisees to earn an adequate return on their investment of time and money. Profitability is always relative. It must be measured against investment to provide a meaningful number. In this way, the franchise investment can be measured against other investments of comparable risk that compete for the franchisee's dollar. Typically, the iFranchise Group looks for the franchisee to achieve a ROI of at least 20 percent by the second to third year of operations. To see how your business measures up to this criteria, take the iFranchise Acid Test .

9. Market trends and conditions - While not an indicator of franchisability as much as a general indicator of the success of any business, these trends are key to long-term planning. Is the market growing or consolidating? How will that affect your business in the future? What impact will the Internet have? Will the franchisee's products and services remain relevant in the years ahead? What are other franchised and non-franchised competitors doing? And how will the competitive environment affect your franchisee's likelihood of long-term success.

10. Capital - While franchising is a low-cost means of expanding a business, it is not a "no cost" means of expansion. A franchisor needs the capital and resources to implement a franchise program. The resources required to initially implement a franchise program will vary depending on the scope of the expansion plan. If a company is looking to sell one or two franchised units, the necessary legal documentation may be completed at costs as low as $15,000. For franchisors targeting aggressive expansion, however, start-up costs can run $100,000 or more. And once the costs of printing, audits, marketing, and personnel are added to the mix, a franchisor may require a budget of $250,000 or more to reach its expansion goals.

11. Commitment to relationships - Successful franchisors focus on building long-term relationships with their franchisees that are mutually rewarding. Unfortunately, not all franchise organizations understand the link that exists between relationships and profits. Strong franchisee relationships enable the franchisor to sell franchises more effectively, introduce needed changes into the system more easily, and motivate franchisees and their managers to provide a consistent level of products and services to their customers.

12. Strength of management - Finally, the single most important aspect contributing to the success of any franchise program is the strength of its management. The iFranchise Group has found that the single most common contributor to the failure of start-up franchisors is understaffing or a lack of experience at the management level. Oftentimes, new franchisors will try to take everything on themselves. In addition to absorbing several new jobs for which the franchisor has little to no time, the franchisor needs to exhibit expertise in fields in which he or she may have little or no experience: franchise marketing, lead handling, franchise sales, ad fund management, training, and multi-unit operations management.

[Haulin' Grass]

I've got my own business. I was just curious if anyone used them. I quit my other job to be my own boss and call the shots

[AintNoFun]

my cousin is friends with a guy who owns a bunch of lawn doctors, and if u saw how we lived with his 250k worth of cars you'd be thinking about opening a franchise yourself. fertilizing is the same thing as mowing and all the lawn doctor franchises seem to do very well...

[PaperCutter]

Isn't US Lawns owned by Valley Crest?

[Az Gardener]

Yes, they are.

[garrettlawn]

You can buy into my lawn franchise... $20,000. You will have access to use my Name.. I will send you a sticker for your truck and you give me 10% of everything you make. Thanks

[Az Gardener]

You can buy into my lawn franchise... $20,000. You will have access to use my Name.. I will send you a sticker for your truck and you give me 10% of everything you make. Thanks

Thats clever.

[Rcgm]

You can buy into my lawn franchise... $20,000. You will have access to use my Name.. I will send you a sticker for your truck and you give me 10% of everything you make. Thanks

Where do we sign up?Also can we make it 20 %?


RCGM
Brad

[garrettlawn]

Yeah thats fine.

[topsites]

Just out of curiousity, why would you want to pay someone else money in order to own ...
Ahhhh... I guess I never quite understood that part.


Don't mind me, I'm going to go off a bit on a Bizlegese-to-Redneck translation:

....(some quote stuff)
12 Criteria of Franchisability

Put some bs for analysis here, and... Ohhh, hey HI!
Ok, our gang sees a dozen ways we can rip you off, but we're sure we can probably still make you succeed as a franchisor.

1. Credibility - You believe in us, right?
Right.
Ok, sure I'll feed you more great bs, let's go.

2. Differentiation -
Yeah, we're different. Working for us means using cheap equipment nobody else has ever seen or heard of, lowballing to the max, almost no advertising except what you can do, and possibly working in great areas such as the ghetto.

3. Transferability of knowledge - I'll tell you everything I know, which, well look, it's another one of those stories where guys like me made a TON of money and now we can't help ourselves from sharing these real secrets with everyone else, people like yourself, for only a leetle fee.
After you pay, my simple system can be done by anybody, look, let me cut the crap, you've heard this before and you're ready to get started, right?

4. Adaptability - Sure, after working with my system you'll be bending over backwards in no time at all, trying to make ends meet always has been a great challenge, but then we are not constrained by law. Still, other concepts work only because they are in a very unique location. And some work because of the unique abilities or talents of the individual behind the concept. Finally, some concepts are only successful based on years of perseverance and relationship building. Which, we ignore all that.

5. Refined and successful prototype operations - Put your hip boots on.
You don't mind us testing ground for new products, new services, marketing techniques, merchandising, operational efficiencies and other crap nobody else has ever tried before, seeing how you will be financing, you don't mind, do you?

6. Documented systems - All successful businesses have systems.
We don't, but we do write everything down.

7. Affordability - All you have to do is pay one large sum of money upfront and follow up with a few monthly checks, and so long these clear the bank, no problem.
Before you freak, look here: a multi-million dollar hotel franchise is affordable to real estate developers, but I realize you're not made of money so I'll start off low, just for you (You're wearing your hip boots, right? Good).
See, I figure a $100,000 start-up cost can be handled even by a secretary, and just think what a learning experience this will be.

8. Return on Investment - Ohhh yeah, of course you wanna make money.
We all do.
Now, so long we get paid first, you get paid next. So, since we figure most lawn guys are dumb folks who live on next to nothing already, a smart guy like you should get at least 20 percent by the second to third year of operations.
To see how your business measures up to us, take our double-edged sword (which you can't win) Test.
But then, you don't have a business yet, do you?

9. Market trends and conditions -
We really don't know what we're doing, and we don't think you'll make it, but for every one we sign up who manages to pay us for 6, maybe 12-24 months, we make great money. As for the competition, I don't think they'll mind, seeing how they'll likely be laughing too hard to even think of anything else.

10. Capital - We're not stupid, if you had enough cash to get started, you would have done so already. Now, I won't tell you all you really need is 5 or 10 thousand to get started on your own, and since you're thinking it must cost a LOT more to own an Lco, I can get you going for as little as $15,000.
Now if you did not read between the lines then you did not see how we make our money, and that's good because unless you really want to try this yourself, that will cost closer to $100,000 or more. And once the costs of printing, audits, marketing, and personnel are added to the mix, you're probably looking at $250,000 or more. So, it's a good deal.

11. Commitment to relationships - Successful franchisors focus on building long-term relationships with their franchisees that are mutually rewarding. Unfortunately, not all franchise organizations understand the link that exists between relationships and profits.
Awwrite, gimme your address so I know where you live, then you can get started paying us.
Strong-arming makes us sell better, forces our ways up yours more easily, and motivates the boys to get to work.

12. Strength of management - We realize most new businesses fail, and that is why we're here to help you along while we cash in on this profitable part of the market. Because when it's all said and done, who cares where the money went after the business failed.

Now, let me see if you've learned anything, I'll let you tackle this next one yourself:
Oftentimes, new franchisors will try to take everything on themselves. In addition to absorbing several new jobs for which the franchisor has little to no time, the franchisor needs to exhibit expertise in fields in which he or she may have little or no experience: franchise marketing, lead handling, franchise sales, ad fund management, training, and multi-unit operations management.

Ask me if you should need further assistance, spoiler below.

DONT READ ON, SPOILER SPOILER!!!

omg hell yeah I want you to bust your tail 12-16 hours / day 6-7 days / week while you work your tail to the bone for next to nothing, but that's not going to be enough, so go get some rest so you'll be ready in the morning.

[Az Gardener]

Ok fellas, please enlighten us all to your experiences with franchising.

How many franchisors have you interviewed?

How many have you worked for?

Do you know the difference between a franchisee and a franchisor?

Those idiots that all bought McDonald's those were some stupid people right. I'm sure you wouldn't make such a stupid investment

It is much smarter to be your own man and work alone until your body breaks down and you can't work any more.

Taking vacations in the winter, thats a good time, bet your family loves that.

I could go on but I don't see the point.

Have you applied to purchase a franchise and been turned down because your too stupid to follow directions?

There must be some source for all this hostility towards franchising?


This is supposed to be a forum of professionals learning together. I see nothing you have contributed that qualifies as learning or teaching. Just immature comments about something you know nothing about.

You are only giving your opinion with no factual information to back it up.

[AintNoFun]

i think there is a lot of hostility towards a lot more nowadays, idk if its jealousy or stupidity or what. look how many sucessfuly franchises there are out there, im sure there are tons of ones that have flopped as well. I can tell you when i was doing a lot of commerical landscape maintenance and belonged to BOMA and CAI, U.S. Lawns always had the biggest most prominent ads in the directories and magazines. If they are doing that for the franchise owners thats a pretty good thing, who knows what other kind of key advertising/sales they are doing as well..



There must be some source for all this hostility towards franchising?

[J Hisch]

If it is such a bad Idea then. Think of this. While your spending time desinging your own flyer, getting quotes to have it printed, trying to design a bid form, trying to figure out how to bid certain properties, learning the hardships of doing business rather than having someone help you avoid those hardships. Trying to figure out how to design a website, what equipment should I buy? What crew works better 2, 1 or 3 man? How much should I pay for this or that? What type of business should I be? S corp LLC? Just where do I turn? what software should I use? How should I lay out my truck, whay desgin, what should my flyer say? What tyoe of marketing should I try, what return should I expect? When you are a part of a franchsie they have doen the research, put the operation in place, and teach you everything you need to know about running a business. Note the term running.. Most LCO's dont even answer the phone, becasue they are cutting grass. I am not a part of a franchsie, but I conduct my business as such. If I had it over again I would seriously consider it. Becasue I know it took my and is still taking me time effort and resources to continue to grow. I am a part of 1-800-Lawncare mainly becasue they have done all the leg work for marketing my compnay and all I have to do is implement the program, but a franchsie would have done that and helped me with operations. I havent cut a lawn in 3 years......sorry about my typing abilities..

[PatriotLandscape]

I have clients who own a few different franchises. They get you started with a recognizable name, client lists, logo/shirts/propaganda. It also adds credibility to a name that a homeowner may recognize.

If you don't know how it works don't slam it. They are there for a reason they work as long as you buy into one with a good marketing plan and has an originator who cares for the franchise.

[daveintoledo]

just keep them away from me.....i dont need my business to be attacked by walmart managment techniques...