Making your first franchise investment is an exciting time but also very nerve-wracking. Like any new business owner, there are always going to be some hiccups along the way to getting your franchise up and running. Our experience with new lawn care franchises has taught us a thing or two about the best practices for franchisees, and here are the dos and don’ts to help you open your franchise successfully.
Use Your Training and Support
Franchises develop training programs for a reason – to teach you what you need to know in order to get started on the right foot with your franchise. Of course, not all training programs are created equal. Some brands will simply give you a manual for your franchise investment to get you started, and others will provide a whole course that goes in-depth on the industry and the ins and outs of your franchise. Here at U.S. Lawns, we don’t cut corners on our franchisees. For your initial training, you will fly down to our headquarters in Orlando, Florida, and learn everything there is to know about U.S. Lawns, the commercial landscaping industry, what it means to invest in one of our lawn care franchises, and the resources you have to help you with your operations.
In addition to the initial training, we also offer initial support that helps you with marketing and business development. After the training, we will visit your location multiple times to help you keep things running smoothly. By utilizing the training and support that your franchisor provides, you know you will be on the best course for success with your franchise.
Market Your Franchise
Once you have your new business up and running, you need to help your customers find you. First you must understand who your customers are, and then you can market to them. However, we made sure our franchisees don’t have to do this alone. We provide our franchisees with a lot of tools so that they can find customers in their territory, whether it’s through digital marketing or door to door prospecting. Together with our franchisees, we work to develop the best marketing strategies for them. Our method to market with them instead of for them has had tremendous results for franchisees all over the United States.
Follow the Business Model
We have already put the time and the effort into the business model so that you don’t have to. One of the biggest fallbacks that many small business owners face is creating a business model that works, and we have already created one that has proven to work for over 250 franchisees over a 33 year period. When your franchisor has already created a business model that is successful in multiple locations in different territories for an extended period of time, you know that following their lead is the best way to be successful.
Go About Things Alone
If you choose the right franchise, you will always have someone to turn to when you need help or have a question. When it comes to our lawn care franchises, we are always there to help. When you invest in a U.S. Lawns, you are going into business for yourself instead of by yourself.
We have also created an intranet so that our franchisees can share their best practices with each other and build a better network. The Power of the Network is something we pride ourselves in and it is something that makes us stand out from any other franchise investment.
Forget That This Is Your Business
It may have an established brand name on the sign, but your franchise investment is your business. This means that you are responsible for your success with the franchise. Here at U.S. Lawns, we make sure our lawn care franchises have everything they need to run a successful location, but without the commitment, the effort, or the ability to run the business with everything we’ve put in place, they will fail.
Investing in a franchise could be one of the best career decisions you make for yourself, but if you fail to follow these dos and don’ts, you could face hardship with any franchise opportunity. We work hard to provide our franchisees with everything they need to be successful, and as long as they implement everything we have created for them, they will be able to reach their potential.
Learn more about our franchise investment and why we are one of the leading lawn care franchises in the country!
Investing in a franchise can lead to an extremely rewarding career, but only if you start off on the right foot. Every franchise opportunity offers some sort of training, whether it be a simple manual or an in-depth, weeks-long course. Here at U.S. Lawns, our goal is to make sure our franchisees feel confident in their business, so we incorporated different types of training into our opportunity. If you are looking to invest in a landscaping franchise, we may be the perfect opportunity for you. Our training program will teach you how to get a franchise started and show you everything you need to know about your new business, and then we will even help you implement what you learned. Our in-depth training and ongoing support put our franchise owners in a great position when they open their location. Here are the different types of training we offer.
Your first step in the process is the initial training. This comes after you sign the franchise agreement and pay the franchise fee. For this, you will fly down to our headquarters in Orlando, Florida, and spend five days learning the ins and outs of how to get a franchise started and meet members of our leadership team. In addition to the operational side of a franchise and getting it up and running, during your five days here you also learn all the other aspects of the business such as horticulture, agronomics, scheduling and estimating jobs, and networking. By the end of your time at our headquarters, you will understand everything there is to know about running a landscaping franchise and how to implement our tested and proven business model.
After your initial training, we will still be there to help guide you through your development period. This time period is typically the first year after you open your franchise. Every new business owner faces a few hiccups along the way as they get their business up and running, but we are there to help make sure things continue to run smoothly. A member of the development team will take multiple trips to your location to show you how to operate your business. With a U.S. Lawns franchise, you know you have someone to turn to every step of the way.
After your first year, you will feel confident in the different areas of your business and will probably have everything down pat. But there is always room to grow and improve! Because of this, we host annual conferences for our franchisees to come and hear about the latest trends in the industry, learn about best practices and different problems that other franchisees have faced, and connect with different owners across the country. We have also developed an intranet for our franchisees to stay connected. We pride ourselves on the Power of the Network that the intranet and conferences bring to help us grow together as a united brand.
In addition to the conferences and the intranet, we also have regional conferences, gardener and crew member training online, and boot camp training programs that are specific to business developers and account managers. During these boot camps, we coach the people on your team to help them grow your business effectively. This ongoing training keeps you up to date on everything that has to do with your franchise and the industry as a whole, so you can provide the best services to your customers.
In addition to all the training we provide our franchisees, we also offer a ton of support. We are always there for our franchisees, because we recognize that their success is our own success. We help our franchise owners find customers, answer any questions they may have about their business, and walk through any issues that may arise.
Our training and support have led to over 250 franchisees growing their landscaping franchises. From the moment you find out how to get a franchise started with us through your first year, we are constantly there for you to make sure you have key tools to be successful.
We have thought of everything when it comes to showing franchisees how to get a franchise started and growing successfully with their new landscaping franchise. Find out more about our training and support by reaching out to us.
If you are looking for an opportunity to be your own boss and work for yourself, a franchise investment is the best way to go about it. But why choose a franchise over starting your own business or simply changing careers? The best way to answer that is by explaining a little more about U.S. Lawns. We are a commercial lawn and landscape maintenance company that has been in business for over 30 years, with over 250 franchisees across the country. We stand out from other lawn care companies, and our franchise owners know that. If you are wondering how to invest in a franchise and whether or not it is the best choice for you, here are some tips that may help.
A franchise investment comes with all kinds of benefits, especially with a well established brand like U.S. Lawns. Franchises come with training and support that is designed to help make you not only an expert in your field but also help you learn the ins and outs of your individual franchise and community. Having a franchisor behind you to help you through the twists and turns of getting a business up and running is something that cannot be replicated when you go about it alone. Not to mention, brands like ours have systems and processes in place that can help with specific areas of your business at different stages.
In addition to the training and support, you also have the power of the network behind you. Something that we think is extremely beneficial to franchise owners is the ability to connect with one another and share best practices. Independent lawn care companies often struggle because they are generally built around an owner who has very few places to turn when he runs into challenges. This is one of the many reasons why we promote a strong network. We also host annual conferences that bring franchise owners together to learn more about one another, offer regular training opportunities and promote mentorships between new and established franchisees. Having a network of people who share the same values, goals, and obstacles that you have is something truly unique.
When you become a franchise owner with U.S. Lawns, you become the boss. We follow an owner-operator model, which means that once you have a skilled and trusted team working for you, you can enjoy much greater freedom and flexibility since your duties will largely be overseeing day-to-day operations. This means you’ll be able to go to appointments, pick up your kids from school, or run errands when it is convenient for you, and there is no boss to tell you “no.”
Unlike other opportunities, a franchise investment is mapped out before you even invest, so you know what the franchise comes with to get started. In addition, certain brands will share detail in Item 19 of their Franchise Disclosure Document that will help you understand what to expect in terms of growth. Once you’ve joined the network, we’ll help you map out personalized benchmarks for your business, and will provide you guidance towards achieving them.
Like we mentioned before, you are the boss. You get to choose your team and will be responsible for leading and motivating them. Loyal and hardworking employees are key to the success of any business, because 100% employee retention leads to customer satisfaction. U.S. Lawns’ concept is driven by consistency and unity from all the owners, so by having the same employees working for your clients, the consistency remains in tact for a long time.
U.S. Lawns stands out from other lawn care companies, and we may just the right franchise investment opportunity for you to start a new and exciting career. Find out how to invest in a franchise with us by taking the first step.
As we read in Part 1, opening a franchise requires a lot of research and an understanding of what you want out of an investment. Ultimately, finding the right brand comes down to your values and business goals and making sure they align with the franchisor’s. Most brands take the time to learn more about you and accurately determine if you are a good fit, and you should do the same before you pursue an investment. Here are some things you may want to find out about the brand before you invest.
Every franchise is different, but almost every brand is going to want an investor who is willing to work hard now to work smart later. For example, with U.S. Lawns, franchisees are responsible for their own success, with help from the brand to keep them on track. If a franchisee is not willing to work hard at the start of their business to build a clientele and grow their teams, they will not meet their franchising goals and will have a harder time at succeeding. U.S. Lawns provides support and several tools to help make opening a franchise easier, but without the franchisee’s internal drive to see its success, that franchise will not last. This is why it is important to recognize that you are running a business with supports such as an upfront investment, the recognizability of a brand name, training, tools, and other resources that all make running that business a little smoother.
Once you’ve completed the prerequisites of growing your franchise and have enough business to support it and see a return on investment you can then take a step back and focus on the day-to-day operations of your franchise. We like to see that a franchise owner can manage their team and be a leader as opposed to being on the truck and getting involved with the actual commercial landscaping. It is important for our owners to differentiate themselves from their employees and focus more on other duties. This provides greater work-life balance because you can decide when to work and which tasks to handle each day.
Franchises like U.S. Lawns encourage you to be active within your local community. An owner-operator model means that you could own a territory that is right within your community, so you know your customers and who to target right off the bat. Being in your community also means you can get involved in causes or events that are important to the area. This makes it easier for you to grow a client-base and establish yourself as a community partner.
Opening a franchise means that you are opening a business with a brand name that already has nationwide recognition. Aligning yourself with a well-established brand means aligning yourself with their values and mission. Some brands take this more seriously than others, but you want a brand that takes the time and effort to get to know you before they ask you to sign a franchise agreement. At U.S. Lawns, we go the extra mile to make sure all our prospects are right for the U.S. Lawns brand name. We have a discovery process that all potential franchisees go through. It consists of phone calls and in-person meetings at our headquarters in Orlando, Florida, to determine that you share our values.
We want you to invest in the best opportunity for you. Here at U.S. Lawns, we work hard to ensure our investors encompass our unwavering values. Our goal is to provide the same level of service and same experience to every customer that receives service from any one of our franchises across the United States. Check out our Brand DNA to learn more about how we strive to accomplish this!
If you are interested in learning more about U.S. Lawns and what makes up our Brand DNA, download this free eBook.
There are a lot of franchise opportunities across the United States, and knowing how to invest in a franchise that fits the values you hold can feel like an endless search. There are a lot of factors that go into a good franchise investment, but there are also certain things to look for that make one stand out from all the others. Here are some of the qualities that good franchise investments possess and how you can find the right opportunity.
Brands are only as strong as the dedication their franchisees have to their vision. A brand vision is like a promise: something every franchise can strive for year after year of service. Certain brands like U.S. Lawns make theirs simple but meaningful. U.S. Lawns strives for 100% customer retention and 100% franchisee satisfaction. Having a clear vision like this lets potential franchisees know that the brand cares about their franchisees and wants to see them succeed. Other lawn care companies sometimes fall short to U.S. Lawns because of their brand vision and the national strength that the brand holds.
A quality franchise investment will cover services such as training and support to help franchisees get started with their franchise. The training covers all aspects of running their future franchise to make sure potential franchisees have the skills and knowledge they need to get started with their new career in a franchise they’re passionate about. Brands that are dedicated to the educational process during the training can potentially expect better results later as the franchisees begin their journey with a franchise.
In addition to the dedication throughout the training process, offering ongoing support is also a key quality that a good franchise investment will have. No matter how much training a franchisee has prior to opening his or her franchise, there are always going to be problems and questions that arise. A franchisor that offers support to help franchisees through any and all issues shows that they are a brand that is dedicated to the retention and loyalty of the franchisee and wants to help them stay on a course more prone to success.
U.S. Lawns offers a program that includes a week of classroom training in addition to hands-on field training and dedicated support team visits to the franchisee’s territory. We also provide more than 750 operational tools and training resources available to our franchisees through our online course catalog.
For many, an investment may not mean starting a franchise from scratch but rather converting a small business into one. For example, lawn care companies may struggle with building large-scale business models, which is why many convert to franchises like U.S. Lawns. U.S. Lawns and other franchise opportunities offer different ways to show business owners how to invest in a franchise and convert their business, so they can take advantage of the growing franchise industry, which, according to the International Franchise Association, currently sits at $425.5 Billion. Franchising holds a lot of potential profit for franchisees, especially as the years progress and the numbers grow.
If you have narrowed the search to a few options and are wondering how to invest in a franchise that you will be passionate about and have the drive to work hard in, it is important to consider the ideal qualities that franchisees in each industry possess. For a fast-food restaurant it may be a well-adapted palette and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment; for a bookkeeping franchise it may be advanced math skills and the ability to work a 9-5 job at a desk; and for lawn care companies it may be a desire to lead teams and improve their communities in ways that are clearly visible..
There are a lot of opportunities out there when it comes to franchises, but by determining what you are passionate about and finding the right brand, you could have a franchise investment that you are proud of.
For more information on how to invest in a franchise and finding the right franchise investment for you, download this free eBook with advice that U.S. Lawns gives their own franchisees.
Finding a post-military career can prove to be a daunting task, but with the right costs and opportunity, veterans can reap the rewards in a successful industry where they can work for themselves. Franchise Help discovered that millions of veterans are investing in franchise opportunities all across the nation, so much so that approximately 1 out of every 7 franchisees in the United States is a veteran. There are a lot of franchise opportunities out there for veterans but finding the right one that encompasses a veteran’s values is imperative to his or her success.
Investing in a commercial landscaping franchise has the potential to provide veterans with the flexibility they need in terms of hours, locations, and employees. With discounted landscaping franchise costs to help them get started, veterans know they are in good hands with commercial landscaping franchises like U.S. Lawns, who make sure veterans have what they need to get started with their own franchise under a brand people know and trust. Here are some ways veterans know they have entered a rewarding post-military career with a U.S. Lawns franchise.
The landscaping franchise costs vary from brand to brand. While doing research to find the right opportunity in a brand that encompasses your values, it may be useful to explore each one’s website to see if they have their costs available to the public. U.S. Lawns makes finding the investment easy by including most of the costs that a potential franchisee would find in Item 6 of the franchise disclosure document (FDD) right on the website, so there are no surprises when someone decides to invest in a franchise.
In addition, U.S. Lawns offers veterans a $5,000 discount off of the franchise fee to encourage them to invest in a career best-suited for them. U.S. Lawns supports veterans and wants to see them successful, which is why we offer landscaping franchise costs more favorable to veterans who have aspirations to work for themselves, lead a team, have the drive to get jobs done, and help people.
Veterans come from a wide variety of backgrounds, but what many share in common is the drive to get jobs done and work independently. Being a franchise owner takes leadership, organization, endurance, and more to manage a team and strive for 100% customer satisfaction with every commercial landscaping job.
Even with all the qualities listed above, it may not be enough. This is why U.S. Lawns offers training and support to all franchisees to ensure they have the skills they need to get started and incorporate the U.S. Lawns Brand DNA in everything they do. This training and support helps veterans through the transition of working in the military to being franchise owners with a team behind them with as much drive to get jobs done as they do.
The training and support U.S. Lawns provides includes a week of classroom training and multiple field visits to ensure your business gets off to a strong start. Beyond that, the brand offers ongoing support for things like hiring, prospecting, online resources, mentorship programs, and more to help veterans manage everything they may encounter in their franchise operations and through any problems that may arise.
One thing U.S. Lawns takes the utmost pride in about their brand is the strong backbone the Brand DNA provides for the brand, as well as each individual franchise. These are values and promises that U.S. Lawns stands for, and they are unwavering. Some of the things that U.S. Lawns values include: strength, efficiency, comradery, discipline, community, Americana, and serving others. Franchisees incorporate these into everything they do, both through commercial landscaping services and through community involvement. Veterans share similar values and principles that U.S. Lawns strives for, which is why so many have the potential to thrive with a U.S. Lawns franchise.
With special landscaping franchise costs, training, support, and a strong Brand DNA that encompasses the values so many veterans have from their military careers, U.S. Lawns proves to be a favorable career choice for many.
Learn more about the landscaping franchise costs and incentives for veterans by contacting us today.
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