Don't get into a franchise. Start your own company.
Grow it then sellout to them. Thats how you make money.IMO

 

I am a Lawn Doctor franchisee. If you PM me, I'll be happy to answer all of your questions.

 

Don't get into a franchise. Start your own company.
Grow it then sellout to them. Thats how you make money.IMO

I looked into a franchise, quite a few actually, I ultimately decided to start my own and never looked back. I am very glad I didn't do a franchise. No territories you have to stick to, no franchise fees (I like this one the most) and all that money you pay up front? That is bull... I got started with less than half what they wanted...

I like the freedom of being able to do what I want, where I want. I couldn't imagine being chained up with a franchise...

I worked for a company before I started my own... I believe they said they had up to 4000 customers? TGCL was rumored to have offered them $10 million to buy them out. The owner turned them down. I would do the same... until it came time to retire... but I still would hate to sell out to TGCL... I hate those guys with a pation... PLEASE don't use TG (TGCL), if anything go with lawn-doctor, there is a couple around me but they are not very big at all. I only see their one truck from time to time and mostly because the guy lives down the street from me from what I can tell.

 

Thanks for all the info

 

I see pro's and con's. On your own, you get to do whatever you want. But with a franchise, somebody has already done EVERYTHING for you. They've picked the chems, they've made the equipment, they have the marketing available for you to lease...

When Lawn Doctor came to my valley, it was a guy who decided at the very last second that he wanted to do it. First year out he netted over $70k (and grew exponentially each year). He retired after owning it for 7 years!!!

 

Trugreen bought back the last of thier franchises in like 2001 If I remember correctly, so that idea might be out, it seems weedman franchises are starting to do pretty well and the control from corporate is not as Nazi like.

 

I did not realize weed man was a franchise. We have a medium-large size maintenance company that started a weedman company, franchise now I guess, they were big enough I figured they started a new branch...

Oh well...

 

Trugreen bought back the last of thier franchises in like 2001 If I remember correctly, so that idea might be out, it seems weedman franchises are starting to do pretty well and the control from corporate is not as Nazi like.

not all of them, one is still operational in northern minnesota and the guys that owns it has the power to choose what chem and equipment he wants to run with. Only know that because he buys his fert and weed control thru the local lesco.

 

Most tru-browns get their product through Lesco (now JDL). We see them all the time at ours getting seed and such, also.

 

not all of them, one is still operational in northern minnesota and the guys that owns it has the power to choose what chem and equipment he wants to run with. Only know that because he buys his fert and weed control thru the local lesco.

Every TGCL branch manager has the ability to buy whatever equipment they want from a list provided to them by corporate with handful of different brands of each type. You'd think they would be told EXACTLY and brand wise what they have to buy aerator, seeder, and ride on applicator wise.