Are you a landscape business owner in California struggling with stagnant sales? Have you reached a ceiling in your business’ growth? U.S. Lawns has an exciting opportunity in California for independent landscapers wanting to take their business to the next level.
Converting your existing landscape business to a U.S. Lawns franchise allows you to leverage the resources and support of a nationally recognized brand while continuing to independently own and operate your own business. You don’t have to do it alone. U.S. Lawns is the nations largest landscape franchise and, for over 30 years, we have been helping business owners just like you acheive and far exceed their growth goals.
California’s landscaping industry is one of the countries most vibrant markets, yet its commercial properties are currently underserved. The mild climate of the west and ever-growing urban cores offers a tremendous opportunity for the right entrepreneur. U.S. Lawns is ready to support new or existing landscape businesses who wants to grow their business and capture a share of the Golden State’s expansive market. Territories in southern, northern, and central California are available and there is endless potential for growth into multiple territories.
Rebranding with U.S. Lawns gives you access to a multitude of benefits independent landscapers lack. Franchisees receive specialized training, as well as continued hands-on support in areas such as operations, sales, marketing, and business development. We have proven systems, proprietary software, and well thought-out processes to help you build a sustainable business with unlimited potential for growth. And when you join U.S. Lawns, you also have access to another powerful resource: our network of franchisees, who can offer ideas, feedback, and suggestions.
Becoming a U.S. Lawns franchisee gives you an edge over your competitors. Throughout our three decades in the green industry, we have established relationships and connections with many companies and industry partners. So much so, they often seek out our franchisees to do business with. Our name can help get you in the door and land those big accounts. And our commitment to excellence helps keep them. With our support and systems, you will now have the freedom to focus on customer service and growth. This gives you a huge advantage over independent landscapers who do not have these resources and brand recognition.
Are you ready to take your business to the next level? We have many territories throughout California and the rest of the country available. Join the number one commercial landscape franchise in the nation and enter a new phase of growth, one with unlimited potential.
Still unsure and have more questions about converting your business? Read 4 Common Myths about Converting Your Landscape Business.
Have more questions? Contact us here.
Purchasing a franchise is a big investment, in both time and money. Initial investment costs are often one of the main determining factors when deciding which opportunity is best for you. We understand the weight of this investment and want to walk you through the fees and start up costs associated with owning a U.S. Lawns franchise to help you make an informed decision.
We offer everything you need to get your business up and ready, positioned for success. With more than 35 years in the industry we know what it takes to build a sustainable commercial landscape business. While there is no guarantee that you won’t run into any unexpected costs, our expertise means you can be confident that we have thought about just about everything you’ll need to get your business up and running.
So, let’s break down some of the costs that make up your initial investment and what they cover. We will also look at some of the variables that will change that cost depending on your individual situation. For a more in depth and detailed list of startup costs, schedule a call with our franchise representative today.
This onetime fee grants you the right to use the U.S. Lawns name, brand, and business system, as well as access to our training, support programs and team of experts. The franchise fee for a standard franchise is $34,000. If you are a veteran, we offer a $5,000 savings on this fee. For conversion candidates this fee is $24,000-$29,000, depending on the size of the business you are converting. For standard franchises, U.S. Lawns offers internal financing up to 70% of the franchise fee and up to 80% for veterans and conversion candidates.
Our thorough preopening classroom training occurs at our headquarters in Orlando, Florida and is followed up by field training in your local market. This is where you will learn everything you need to know to run the day to day of your franchise. While there is no fee for your initial training, you will incur travel, lodging, meals and other incidental expenses during this two to three -day stay. Depending upon how you run your business, you may have additional people attend training, which will affect your costs. These expenses typically run between $2,000 and $4,000.
Operating expenses are going to vary greatly depending upon your business model. If you are starting your business from the ground up, you will need to lease a truck and trailer, purchase or lease equipment, tools, and office supplies. You might also need to rent a place to store the equipment. If you are converting your existing business these costs will be considerably lower as you will already have much of the equipment in place. If you are hiring a manager to run your business for you, you will also have to factor their salary into your operating expenses. We also recommend that every new owner sets aside at least three months of operating costs to help them start out on solid ground, not allowing insufficient capital to hinder your start up period. Our team has determined that the budget for your 3-month operating expenses will range between $8,800 to $20,000.
Adding up all the costs, a typical standard initial investment in a U.S. Lawns owner operator franchise ranges between $59,500 and $108,600. A semi-absentee franchise model, where you can hire a manager ranges from $112,700 to $192,600. And an existing business conversion runs from $40,800 to $98,600. Veterans will receive $5,000 off those amounts. You will also need a minimum credit score of 650. Lastly, you should be prepared to cover personal living expenses through reserve capital or alternative sources of income for the first six to 12 months of operation.
Remember, starting any business has its costs. However, the benefits of owning a U.S. Lawns franchise can be significant. By joining our team, you are joining a well-established brand with a proven business model, with a support team dedicated you helping you build a business, quickly and sustainably. As a U.S. Lawns franchisee, you will have access to our extensive training and support programs, which are designed to help you succeed. This includes everything from marketing and advertising support to training in the latest landscaping techniques and equipment. Furthermore, U.S. Lawns strong reputation and brand recognition can help you attract customers and establish your business in your community. With the U.S. Lawns name and brand behind you, you can be sure that you are providing your customers with the highest quality landscaping services. By joining the U.S. Lawns team, you can be on your way to owning a successful and profitable business.
After considering the costs and the value proposition behind it, we would be happy to answer any questions that you might have about the initial investment. Making the decision to invest is monumental, and we want to provide you with all the information you need to make the choice that is best for you. To learn more or join an informational webinar, contact us today to start your journey to business ownership.
Zach Bini is no stranger to hard work. From running a small residential lawncare company, to field supervisor in commercial lawn care management, to most recently working for UPS, Zach has always risen to the challenge at hand. However, he found himself no longer content with just working for someone else. He wanted more control over his life. “I’ve had a great career, but the hours were crazy, and honestly, I was fed up with management,” says Zach.
Zach and his wife Jeannette started to discuss what they wanted to create for their future and for their family. The recent sale of their home presented an opportunity; an opportunity to invest in that future. “I have always wanted to own my own business. My kids are getting older and whether they choose to join the business or not, we wanted to create a legacy of business ownership in our family.”
With no clear direction as to what type of business they wanted to invest in, Zach turned to the internet, requesting information from different franchises. “We looked a few different business models, such as a gym and fast casual restaurants, but those didn’t really fit. Startup cost for many were more than we were interested in spending. We were looking for something that offered high earning potential but with low startup costs,” he says.
The couple was also looking for an opportunity where they could leverage their individual skill sets while also allowing them to balance their family commitments. Jeannette would also be continuing her career as a colonel in the military specializing in human resources. “I am a hands-on person and will be in the day to day of the business. Jeannettewill lend her help with strategy and some of the other business aspects,” explains Zach, “With the right support and training, I am up for any kind of challenge. I am ready to put in the work to make a business successful.”
Once Zach came across the U.S. Lawns offering, things started to fall into place. Recalling the first time he saw a U.S. Lawns crew years ago, “I remember being impressed by their branding. Their uniforms and logo were so professional and commanded authority. At the time investing wasn’t on my mind, I just remember taking notice.”
U.S. Lawns’ low startup cost and ability to finance the franchise fee was exactly what Zach and Jeannette were looking for. Further delving into the brand’s offering, Zach says, “I appreciate how scalable the business model is. We can grow a sustainable business at our pace. The structure, support systems and processes are all in place.”
What the brand stands for also appealed to the couple. “A big part of U.S. Lawns is servicing the community and giving back. This aligns with our family’s beliefs and how we want to do business. Being able to contribute to our community in a meaningful way as business owner is important to us,” explains Zach.
Getting to know the leadership and support teams during his discovery process, Zach remarks, “Everyone had the same shared genuine enthusiasm and exhibited kindhearted support. This type of culture trickles down from the top down, throughout the brand. The same goes for the network of franchisees, they were encouraging and ready to offer help.”
In September 2022, Zach and Jeannette took advantage of the opportunity their home sale presented and invest in their future as U.S. Lawns franchisees in Arlington, Virginia. Zach says, “I am ready to get to work. I know that where there are gaps in my knowledge on how to run a commercial lawncare business, but U.S. Lawns has every resource I need to help bridge that gap. The support and processes are in place, I know I am in good hands.”
Zach is looking forward to the future and embarking on this new journey. “Becoming a business owner is something that I have always wanted to do. When you get the opportunity, you just have to take it. It is exciting and rewarding to take on something new, but it takes having to step out of your comfort zone.”
Leveraging the support and systems of the nation’s leading commercial landscape brand, Zach and Jeannette are on their way to building a sustainable business that allows them to create the future they envisioned for themselves and their family.
Welcome to the U.S. Lawns family Zach Bini and Jeannette Molina!
St. Louis, Missouri, the 19th largest metro area in the country, has long been intentional and strategic in its business planning. As a result, the Gateway to the West has become herald for its business-friendly environment. In fact, it ranks in the nation’s top 10 of most cost-competitive places to do business.
Low tax rates and labor cost continue to attract businesses to St. Louis. Competitive wage rates, unemployment rates below the national average and low cost of living all position this Midwest metropolis for continued growth.
As home to many major corporations, St. Louis has an abundance of office complexes and business parks. In fact, there are more than 10,000 commercial properties in the area. There is also no shortage of multi-family homes and homeowners’ associations. With so many properties in the area requiring commercial landscape services, this enormous market is currently being vastly underserved.
St. Louis has a short cold season, lasting for only three months (November 28 to February 28). Mowing begins in late March/early April and ends after the leaves fall and before the winter hits. There are also enhancements and seasonal color changes throughout the year. This extended growing season, combined with the area’s business friendly environment and plethora of commercial properties create the ideal conditions to build a profitable commercial landscape business.
As we see it, St. Louis represents a tremendous opportunity for the right entrepreneur. Currently, U.S. Lawns has identified five available territories in the area. By leveraging the power of the brand, with its proven systems and personalized support systems, an individual can maximize their revenue potential and capture the lion share of this untapped market.
Are you interested in building a sustainable business with unlimited growth potential in the St. Louis area? Maybe you already have a landscape business in the area and are looking to take your business to the next level? We want to talk to you. Maybe you have never worked in landscaping before but know a good business idea when you see one? We want to talk to you too.
U.S. Lawns has been helping entrepreneurs build successful commercial landscape businesses for over 35 years. With our proven business model, strong support, and the power of our network of franchisees, we have everything you need to be successful. No experience necessary.Opportunities like in St. Louis won’t last long, so start your journey towards business ownership today by scheduling a call with our franchise development team. Find out more about this opportunity, as well as other available territories here.
U.S. Lawns has been helping people become their own bosses and build sustainable commercial landscape businesses for more than 38 years. Our proven business model, training, and personalized support in all areas of commercial grounds care means you don’t have to have to be an expert to get started. Our franchisees come from all sorts of backgrounds, and many enter with zero landscape experience.
Taylor Kelley, owner of U.S. Lawns in Las Vegas, is one of those franchisees who joined the U.S. Lawns network, as he puts it, “knowing zilch about landscaping”. Yet, in just three short years, Taylor is running an impressive commercial landscape business with multiple trucks, a crew of workers, a business manager, a tree trimmer, and a part time irrigation expert. And his business continues to grow.
Even before joining the brand, Taylor’s resume was impressive. Over the years Taylor has worn many different hats, none of which involved a mower. He is a musician, owned a sport fishing company and worked as a manager in aerospace manufacturing. However, he found himself lying awake at night, wanting more control over his life. “As a manager, I felt like I was just feeding the next level. There was constant pressure. I wanted to build and grow something for myself; something that was mine,” says Taylor.
Having previously started company, a sport fishing company in Baja California, Taylor knew he was not interested in building a business from scratch. This time he wanted to invest in a concept that came with a proven system and strong support. “I narrowed my search down to two options. One being leadership, which aligned most with my experience and landscaping. I have no idea why I picked landscaping! It was the furthest thing from my previous path, but for some reason I checked that box.”
Checking that box led him to U.S. Lawns. “I saw these other owners who were able to scale their business with the help of U.S. Lawns. I knew this was a team I wanted to be a part of,” adding,” I believe in the U.S. Lawns business model. I really feel the success of all the all stars out there in the network. Those are my dreams and milestones.”
On a recent episode of the U.S. Lawns podcast, Taylor recalls just how little experience he had when he joined the nation’s leading commercial landscape company. “My first contract was a 50-building apartment complex, but I didn’t even know how to run a mower! It was me and just one other person, one truck, a mower, a hedger, and a line trimmer, that’s it. And here I was trying to act like a national company,” he says.
Helping him get from the guy “who couldn’t even run a mower” to a well-respected and profitable Las Vegas commercial landscape business owner was U.S. Lawns. “The support team was right there, helping me figure it out,” says Taylor, “They even went out to some properties with me to help me figure out how to establish metrics that worked for our unique situation.”
In addition to the support and proven systems of the brand, Taylor adds, “There is a confidence that comes from being a nationwide brand with a recognizable name.”
“It’s not about being the biggest landscape company in Las Vegas, I want to be the best, the baddest, the one everyone goes to,” Taylor says, “When you are the best your phone will ring off the hook. People know they will get what they expect from you. The work sells itself.”
He goes on to say, “It’s about building relationships with your clients. They know I will go the extra mile for them and do everything I can to make their life easier. I want them to see me as a trusted advisor.”
As for what Taylor thinks it takes to be successful with U.S. Lawns, none of it has to do with having previous landscape experience. “You must be all in when owning a business. You can’t have just one foot in and be successful. In the beginning it takes putting in the hours,” he says, “You also have to believe in the system and to be willing to listen. It’s an all or nothing thing.”
To hear more about Taylor Kelley’s journey, listen to this episode of the U.S. Lawns podcast here. And to learn more about how you can take control of your future through business ownership just like he did, click here for more information.
As you become more familiar with U.S. Lawns, you begin to see how important culture is to us. We intentionally foster a positive and growth minded culture, one that sets our franchisees up for success and far exceeds customer expectations. The Culture Index plays a big part in how we do that. All employees take this personality assessment as part of their interviewing process as well as all prospective franchisees as part of their discovery process.
What is the Culture Index?
First, what it is not: a test. There is not pass or fail, no right or wrong answers. Rather the Culture Index is a tool U.S. Lawns uses to help us better understand ourselves and others, including our franchisees. The goal of the survey is about increasing self-awareness, understanding what drives individual behavior, in turn helping U.S. Lawns optimize the support we can provide new franchises through radical personalization.
“When we originally started using the Culture Index, we thought it would be a crystal ball that helped us identify who would be most successful with our brand. In reality, we discovered just about any personality type can be successful with the correct systems, support and motivation,” says U.S. Lawns vice president Dave Wells, “Each personality type looks for something different when it comes to support, this helps us understand how we can provide that.”
While there are a few personality traits that can be challenging when it comes to success with our business model, by increasing self-awareness we can increase the probability that the individual will overcome those challenges. By providing personal insight into what an individual’s management style is like, one is better positioned to personally determine steps towards modification.
“It comes down to helping people become more aware of their own personality traits and understanding how to build a team around them that supplements their strengths and balances out their weaknesses,” says Wells.
How is the survey composed?
The Culture Index measures seven work related traits against the main quadrants of personality using a free choice adjective checklist methodology. Those personality quadrants are:
How these traits manifest individually and in concert tell us a lot about an individual and their decision-making processes. When we look at the results of an individual’s survey the following are some of the things we are looking at:
The answers to questions such as the above help us find ways to radically personalize the support we provide. We are able to better leverage a franchisee’s strengths, while at the same identifying and better supporting gap areas. We have found the Culture Index to be a very important tool in our success over the years as it allows us to understand ourselves and our franchisees in ways that allow us to be more effective in how we interact with each other and how we provide support to maximize success. We look forward to learning where you land on the Culture Index and how we can help you build a business that is sustainable and offers opportunities for unlimited growth potential. Learn more here.
Atlanta is home to a thriving business economy. Large corporations and aspiring entrepreneurs alike are flocking to the capital of the Southeast for its award-winning business climate. The city’s affordability, large talent pool, and lower business costs are just some of the reasons companies are setting up shop in numbers that will continue to outpace the national average.
With this unprecedented population and business growth come more office buildings, apartment complexes and homeowner associations, making Atlanta a prime market to start your own commercial landscape business. Leveraging the vast resources and proven systems of the nation’s leading commercial landscape franchise, an entrepreneur would be positioned to capitalize on this tremendous opportunity to build a sustainable and profitable U.S. Lawns business in this vibrant and expanding hub.
In addition to its favorable business conditions, Atlanta’s climate also presents opportunity. With longer warm months, service is needed year-round. Even in the short time when the region’s grass is dormant, there is still need for services such as seasonal color design. Landscape services are in high demand and year-round in Atlanta.
There are four available territories that consist of Marietta, Roswell, Decatur and Stockbridge. Combined, these territories have more than 14,000 commercial properties considered to be viable prospective customers, this number does not include the thousands of apartment complexes and HOA communities that require year-round lawncare and landscaping maintenance. With so many opportunities for commercial contracts in Atlanta, U.S. Lawns is actively searching for the right individual to capitalize on this highly profitable market.
Committed to 100% franchisee satisfaction, we dedicate our expertise, network and resources to our franchisees, helping you achieve your personal and financial goals through business ownership. No experience in the lawncare or landscaping industry is required as we offer an investor model where you can keep your current job, and hire a manager to run the business for you.
Atlanta is a great place to do business and with all its growth these available opportunities will not last long, so get in now! To see if U.S. Lawns is a right fit for you, start the conversation here.
Considering a future in business ownership? The U.S. Lawns Discovery Process is a great place to explore this idea. Over the past three decades, we have helped hundreds of franchisees build sustainable commercial landscape businesses. This starts with ensuring our business model is the right fit for the individual. We have designed our discovery process to provide a good overview of not just our brand, but franchising in general, to give you all the information you need to make an informed decision.
Before you begin any discovery process, there are a couple of things to consider. First, spend some time exploring what it is you want to get out of franchising. Examine your “why”. People choose business ownership to accomplish a variety of lifestyle and financial goals, what are yours? What does success look like for you? Once you have defined that, you can better determine if a franchise offering aligns with those goals.
Another important aspect to explore before you begin is how the important people in your life feel about you pursuing business ownership? Will they be supportive and encouraging? If you have a partner, determine what role they will have in this decision so that they can be included in the discovery process if necessary. Having people around you on board with the idea of business ownership makes all the difference in your success.
Having done both those, you are in a good position to begin delving into the U.S. Lawns franchise offering. Ready? Let’s go!
The main goal of our discovery process is to determine if U.S. Lawns is the right franchisor for you as well as you a franchisee for us. We will provide you with all the information needed to make an informed decision about investing in the brand. As such, everything in the process is by design, down to the pacing and tasks which accompany each step. Joining any franchise system means you will benefit from that brand’s expertise and experience, but only if you are willing to trust and follow the process, starting with the discovery process.
Having expressed interest in the brand, a franchise representative will reach out to you to schedule an initial phone conversation. This call helps us get you know you. We will discuss whether U.S. Lawns aligns with your goals and if it could be a solution for you. We will also determine if there is a territory available in your area. It is also a time to discuss next steps and set expectations. Prepare for this call by educating yourself on the brand and determining if this is a brand you see yourself a part of. After this call you will be asked to submit a preliminary questionnaire and schedule your first of two 45-minute webinars.
The Concept Webinar is a structured one on one conversation which gives an overview of the U.S. Lawns concept. If necessary, we can introduce you to our funding consultants, Franfund, so you can begin to explore your financing options. Questions are highly encouraged! It is important to us that you are engaged in the conversation and interested in the brand. At the conclusion of this webinar, we will schedule the next webinar and ask you to complete a Culture Index survey. This personality profile will be important later in the process.
This webinar covers topics such as support, marketing, sales training, and technology. You should leave this call with a greater sense of how U.S. Laws will fit into your life, what help you can expect, and what your day to day might look like. This is when you should start seeing what your role will be in the business. As with the first webinar, come with lots of questions! At the end of this webinar we'll give you a copy of our Franchise Disclosure Document. This legal document is a tremendous resource and can answer many questions, as well as inform future questions to ask as you move through the discovery process.
Once you have completed the webinars and tasks, you will schedule a call to review your territory and Culture Index survey results. Here you will be guided through an in-depth territory analysis to assess its viability. This review shares data from our commercial property market vertical analysis to give a comprehensive overview of the territory. This will also be the time to go over the results of your culture index. This personality profile helps U.S. Lawns radically personalize the support they provide and to help place you with an advisor best suited to your personality. This test also helps build self awareness, providing a better understanding of what type of leader you might be and what sorts of problems you might anticipate. Knowing yourself better can help you overcome any challenges in business ownership. After this call, you will be asked to complete a financial qualification packet.
We'll schedule on more call to review the information submitted in your financial qualification packet, address any concerns, and answer any final questions. At this point, you should feel strongly that you are ready to join the U.S. Lawns team.
This is your chance to meet U.S. Lawns' President, Ken Hutcheson. This virtual conversation is intended to introduce you to U.S. Lawns' leader and learn more about the future of the brand. It is also a chance to get to know you better. If after this conversation everyone agrees that there appears to be a good mutual fit, we will move forward to Step 7.
This is where you will really get to see what our dedication to 100% franchisee satisfaction looks like. Here we will introduce you to several key members of our support team over a virtual conference call. Not only will this give you a chance to get more detail on how the support works, but it will also help you get the feel for U.S. Lawns culture and solidify your intention to move forward. If we all agree, the day ends with Step 8.
When you arrive at this step, it's time to celebrate! By signing the U.S. Lawns Franchise Agreement, you have made the decision to join the nation’s leading commercial landscape franchise. We look forward to getting to work and helping you launch your franchise successfully!
Ready to begin your own discovery process? Start the conversation here.
Middle Tennessee has a thriving business climate. With its low cost of living and doing business, employment growth and favorable tax laws and fees, it is easy to see why Inc. Magazine recently named Nashville the number four city in the U.S. to start a business.
U.S. Lawns sees tremendous potential in the area as well. “Known as Music City, Nashville hosts a surplus of hotels, HOA communities and commercial properties that use key landscaping services,” says Annie Long, U.S. Lawns’ franchise recruiting manager, “The needs for landscaping are year-round and range from color design, fertilization, pest control, and seasonal clean up.”
For someone looking to capitalize on the entrepreneurial spirit of Nashville with a proven business model and the support of an industry leading brand, U.S. Lawns has identified three available territories in the area. The territories of Mt. Juliet, Nashville and Franklin are well positioned for growth and represent a great opportunity for someone looking to develop a single territory or someone with long term goals to expand their current lawncare business.
With adjacent territories already operating in Clarksville and Murfreesboro, Dave Wells, vice president of U.S. Lawns says, “This is a great chance to get into a top tier metro market where the brand already has a strong presence and solid reputation. “
“The territories in Nashville represent a strong opportunity for growth. Our market vertical analysis shows more than 10,000 potential commercial customers spread across these three territories,” explains Wells. “A prospective entrepreneur would have the opportunity to build a sustainable landscaping business by capturing even just a small sliver of this sizable market share.”
Proven to be both pandemic and recession resistant, U.S. Lawns provides the support and systems needed for franchisees to get the most out of their investment. Long says, “We provide a robust in-person training program at the U.S. Lawns Headquarters in Orlando, FL and follow that up with hands on training in the field. The training covers operations, sales, marketing, and everything even someone new to landscaping would need to succeed. From there, support is ongoing and continued as they will work closely with their assigned advisor. No experience is necessary to find success with our brand.”
Candidates interested in this opportunity should move quickly to take advantage of these available territories while they last. By joining U.S. Lawns, the nation’s #1 commercial landscape franchise , you can leverage its proven business model, strong support and the power of the network to build your own business in one of the nation’s top areas.
These opportunities won’t last long, so start the conversation today! To see all of the available territories U.S. Lawns has to offer, click here.
All Rights Reserved. | Powered by U.S. Lawns © 2022 | Sitemap | Disclaimer
