Augusta Lawn Care Franchise in 2024: Costs, Fee & FDD

Augusta Lawn Care, founded by Mike Andes in 2014, is a standout player in the landscaping franchise industry. Mike, an entrepreneur with a passion for small business growth, created Augusta Lawn Care to offer high-quality lawn maintenance services while focusing on streamlined operations. His goal was to make the process of owning and running a landscaping business easier for franchisees through innovation, clear systems, and excellent customer service. Augusta Lawn Care quickly gained attention for its focus on operational efficiency and the potential for high returns in a market that continues to grow.

The franchise’s core services include lawn mowing, edging, and trimming, but it also offers more comprehensive solutions like property cleanups, fertilization, and weed control. While homeowners are the primary customers, Augusta Lawn Care also caters to commercial properties, making it a versatile option for different markets. What sets Augusta apart is its commitment to providing a full-service experience, ensuring customers receive quality care for their lawns all year round.

Augusta Lawn Care has expanded rapidly, with over 100 locations across the U.S. It serves thousands of customers daily, from small residential properties to large commercial sites. Its growth is fueled by a focus on systematization, meaning franchisees can hit the ground running with proven processes. The franchise is continuously looking to grow in new markets, ensuring scalability for its franchisees.

In terms of support, Augusta Lawn Care offers a robust training program, including both initial and ongoing support. Franchisees have access to a full suite of tools like marketing assistance, proprietary software, and mentorship. This comprehensive support system allows new owners to focus on growing their business, confident that they have the backing of a successful, experienced team.

Augusta Lawn Care Franchise Insights

1. Augusta Lawn Care has 103 total U.S. locations, with 95 franchised units and 8 corporate-owned locations, demonstrating a solid and expanding footprint in the landscaping industry.
2. Beyond standard lawn care, Augusta offers services like snow removal and property cleanups, allowing franchisees to generate revenue year-round.
3. Franchisees have access to proprietary software, marketing support, and one-on-one coaching from founder Mike Andes, ensuring strong guidance throughout their journey.
4. The franchise opportunity has only been available since 2019, meaning early adopters have the chance to enter a young, but rapidly growing franchise system.

Augusta Lawn Care Franchise Key indicators

How much does it cost to open a Augusta Lawn Care franchise?

Understanding the potential investment size and capital requirements is crucial when considering opening a Augusta Lawn Care franchise. These financial commitments, including initial franchise fees, equipment costs, and ongoing operational expenses, impact the feasibility and profitability of the venture. Thoroughly evaluating these factors ensures that potential franchisees are prepared for the financial responsibilities and can make informed decisions about their ability to sustain and grow the business, ultimately contributing to long-term success.

Min & Max Investment

Opening a Augusta Lawn Care franchise involves several key costs, which are outlined in Item 7 of the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD). You can see a breakdown of the costs to open a Augusta Lawn Care below from the most recent Item 7 below:

Item 7 in the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) is the “Estimated Initial Investment” section. It outlines the total costs a franchisee can expect to incur when starting a franchise, including the initial franchise fee, equipment, inventory, real estate, and other startup expenses. This section is crucial because it provides potential franchisees with a detailed understanding of the financial commitment required, helping them assess affordability and plan their investment strategy effectively.

Required Capital

To open a Augusta Lawn Care franchise, the required capital involves both the initial investment costs and a net worth requirement set by Augusta Lawn Care. Let’s take a closer look below:

• Initial Investment The total investment required typically falls between the $12,999 to $82,500 range, which covers expenses like equipment, training, and initial setup costs. Assuming that you will finance your franchise investment, you should plan to have 20% of the total investment amount in the form of equity (cash) for the investment.
• Liquid Assets A safe estimate for liquid assets would likely be around $10,000 to $50,000. This ensures franchisees have enough cash flow to cover operational expenses during the early months.
• Net Worth While exact figures aren’t provided, franchises in the landscaping industry often recommend a net worth of $50,000 to $150,000, depending on the scope of the business and its market location. This helps demonstrate financial stability to successfully operate and grow the business.

How much does a Augusta Lawn Care franchise owner make?

Calculating the salary of a Augusta Lawn Care franchise owner involves analyzing gross sales to determine total revenue, assessing operational efficiency to understand profit margins, and accounting for franchisor fees and additional expenses such as rent, utilities, and payroll. Effective management of these factors can significantly impact the profitability and financial success of a Augusta Lawn Care franchise owner. This comprehensive financial analysis helps estimate net profits, from which the owner’s salary can be derived. A clear understanding of these factors ensures accurate salary projections and financial planning for sustainable business operations.

Augusta Lawn Care Revenue & Gross Sales

The median gross sales for Augusta Lawn Care franchises are not publicly disclosed and can vary based on location, market conditions, and individual store performance. However, the overall performance of Augusta Lawn Care franchises appears to be strong, as indicated by the impressive growth rate.

Which key factors impact the average revenue performance of Augusta Lawn Care franchisees?

The performance of Augusta Lawn Care’s U.S. franchisee median gross sales in recent years likely reflects several key factors. One major contributor is the increasing demand for landscaping services, driven by a rise in home ownership and homeowners seeking to maintain their outdoor spaces. Additionally, the franchise’s operational efficiency and technology-driven processes allow franchisees to manage more clients effectively, boosting sales. Marketing strategies, such as local community outreach and leveraging Augusta’s strong brand, may also have played a role. Finally, the relatively low overhead costs due to no royalty or marketing fees allow franchisees to retain more profits, further supporting year-over-year growth.

Augusta Lawn Care Franchise Operational Costs

When opening an Augusta Lawn Care franchise, the key ongoing operational costs to consider include:

• Labor Costs Hiring and paying qualified lawn care professionals will be a significant ongoing expense, especially during peak seasons.
• Equipment Maintenance and Fuel Regular maintenance of lawn care equipment like mowers, trimmers, and blowers, along with fuel costs, will be necessary to keep operations running smoothly.
• Vehicle Expenses Since this is a mobile business, you’ll need to factor in vehicle-related costs, including maintenance, insurance, and fuel.
• Marketing and Local Advertising While there’s no marketing fee, you’ll likely need to invest in local advertising and promotional efforts to build your customer base.
• Supplies and Materials Fertilizers, weed control products, and other consumable supplies used in lawn care services will need to be restocked regularly.

These operational costs are critical to maintaining a successful franchise.

Augusta Lawn Care Franchise Fees

When considering the ongoing costs of operating an Augusta Lawn Care franchise, it’s important to be aware of a few key fees that will impact your operational expenses. Here are some relevant details from the provided data:

• Continuing Service Royalty You’ll pay $600 monthly during your first year, which increases to $1,200 starting in year two. This fee is paid monthly via direct deposit by the 15th.
• National Franchise Conference Fee An annual fee of $500 is required, regardless of whether you attend the conference or not.

There may also be additional fees not listed here, so it’s important to review the full franchise disclosure document (FDD) to ensure all costs are understood. Understanding these ongoing fees will help you budget effectively and ensure financial preparedness as a franchisee.

Augusta Lawn Care Franchise Earnings

While specific earnings for Augusta Lawn Care franchisees aren’t publicly disclosed, franchisees’ earnings can be influenced by a variety of factors, including location, market demand, and operational efficiency. Typically, landscaping franchises can generate strong returns due to the recurring nature of lawn care services and the relatively low overhead. As an owner-operator, you have the potential to increase profits by minimizing labor costs and overseeing operations directly.

How to Open a Augusta Lawn Care Franchise

The process of becoming an Augusta Lawn Care franchisee typically follows these steps:

1. Initial Inquiry You or your franchise specialist submits an initial inquiry basic information about your interest and background. You should also conduct thorough research on the franchise, including seeing all of the information available on the Vetted Biz franchise intelligence platform, including access to the most recent Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD).
2. Franchise Application After the initial inquiry, you’ll complete a formal franchise application, including details about your finances, background, and qualifications.
3. Discovery Call/Meeting Next, you’ll have a discovery call or meeting with Augusta’s franchise team. This is a chance to ask questions, learn more about the brand, and ensure both parties are aligned.
4. Signing the Agreement If everything looks good, you’ll sign the franchise agreement and pay the initial franchise fee, securing your rights to open an Augusta Lawn Care location.
5. Training and Setup After signing, you’ll begin training, which includes both operational and business management guidance. You’ll also set up your equipment, marketing plan, and other essentials.
6. Start of Operations Once training is complete and your local market is prepared, you can officially launch your Augusta Lawn Care business, starting with marketing efforts and onboarding customers.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Low Initial Investment: With a total investment ranging from $12,999 to $82,500, Augusta Lawn Care offers a relatively low-cost entry into the landscaping industry.

Growing Industry: The demand for lawn care and landscaping services is increasing, particularly in residential areas, which provides strong growth potential.

Low Overhead Costs: The franchise’s operational model minimizes overhead, with no need for a physical storefront or inventory, which can save you money in the long run.

Cons

Geographical Dependence: The success of your franchise can be highly dependent on your location. Regions with long winters or dry seasons may limit business activity during certain months.

Seasonal Business: Depending on your location, business may slow down during the off-season (e.g., winter), impacting year-round revenue consistency.

Competition: The landscaping industry has many established competitors, both local and national, which can make it harder to differentiate your business.