Lawn Pride Franchise in 2024: Costs, Fee & FDD

Lawn Pride is a well-established lawn care franchise that traces its roots back to humble beginnings at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. Its founders, while juggling schoolwork, mowed lawns and handled landscaping services to make ends meet. This hard work and dedication culminated in the launch of Lawn Pride’s first official location in 1996. What began as a small operation in a pole barn quickly blossomed into a leading lawn care business. By 2022, the franchise caught the attention of Neighborly, the largest home services franchisor in the world, marking a major milestone in Lawn Pride’s growth trajectory.

The core services provided by Lawn Pride revolve around lawn care, with a focus on fertilization, weed control, aeration, and overseeding, catering primarily to residential clients. Homeowners seeking well-maintained, lush lawns make up Lawn Pride’s core customer base. While lawn management is its bread and butter, the franchise also offers ancillary services, such as pest control for lawns. With over 20,000 customers served annually, Lawn Pride has solidified itself as a go-to solution for homeowners who prioritize professional care.

As of now, Lawn Pride serves thousands of clients across the United States, particularly in the Midwest, with ambitions of expanding under Neighborly’s guidance. Its network of locations continues to grow, serving residential properties across multiple states. The franchise has expanded significantly, benefiting from the expertise and operational support of Neighborly.

In terms of franchisee support, Lawn Pride provides comprehensive training programs, which include in-depth onboarding, business management tools, and marketing strategies. With Neighborly’s extensive resources, franchisees also benefit from proven systems, national marketing campaigns, and ongoing operational guidance. Lawn Pride is set to continue thriving, offering new franchisees the backing of an industry leader while maintaining the personal touch of a brand with deep local roots.

Lawn Pride Franchise Insights

1. Lawn Pride serves over 20,000 customers annually across the United States, primarily in residential markets, showcasing its strong customer base and demand for professional lawn care.
2. Acquired by Neighborly in 2022, Lawn Pride benefits from the resources and operational expertise of the world’s largest home services franchisor, offering franchisees a solid support system and growth potential.
3. The franchise has nearly 40 years of experience, making it a trusted brand with deep roots in the lawn care industry, especially throughout Central Indiana.

Lawn Pride Franchise Key indicators

How much does it cost to open a Lawn Pride franchise?

Understanding the potential investment size and capital requirements is crucial when considering opening a Lawn Pride 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 Lawn Pride 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 Lawn Pride 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

When considering an investment in Lawn Pride or a similar lawn care franchise, it’s essential to assess the financial requirements. Below is a breakdown of the estimated financials you’ll likely need to get started:

• Required Capital Investment The total investment for Lawn Pride is estimated between $148,000 and $248,000. This range typically covers expenses such as equipment, vehicles, initial marketing, and operational 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 Requirement To open a franchise like Lawn Pride, it’s recommended to have liquid assets of at least $50,000 to $100,000. Liquid assets ensure that you have enough working capital to handle daily operations and unexpected costs.
• Net Worth Requirement Franchisors in the lawn care industry generally expect franchisees to have a net worth of around $200,000 to $500,000. This includes assets like property, savings, or investments that reflect your financial stability to operate a business.

How much does a Lawn Pride franchise owner make?

Calculating the salary of a Lawn Pride 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 Lawn Pride 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.

Lawn Pride Revenue & Gross Sales

While specific median gross sales figures for Lawn Pride franchises aren’t publicly available, in terms of performance, lawn care franchises like Lawn Pride typically benefit from recurring revenue models, as customers frequently require ongoing services such as fertilization, weed control, and aeration.

Many established lawn care franchises experience strong, consistent sales due to their focus on residential services, which are in high demand, especially in suburban areas. Factors like location, market demand, and the size of the territory can heavily influence overall performance. Franchisees often see growth due to repeat customers and the growing desire for professional lawn care services in the U.S.

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

The performance of U.S. Lawn Pride franchisees’ median gross sales is likely influenced by several key factors. One of the biggest contributors is the recurring nature of the lawn care industry, where customers require ongoing services such as fertilization, weed control, and aeration throughout the year. This steady demand ensures consistent cash flow. Geographic location also plays a major role—franchisees in regions with favorable climates for year-round lawn care tend to see higher sales. Additionally, Lawn Pride’s brand strength, bolstered by its acquisition by Neighborly, provides franchisees with extensive marketing support and operational guidance, further driving revenue. The combination of reliable service offerings, brand recognition, and a solid support system likely leads to strong median gross sales for franchisees.

Lawn Pride Franchise Operational Costs

When opening a Lawn Pride franchise, it’s crucial to understand the primary ongoing operational costs that will impact your day-to-day business. These costs are tied to maintaining the quality of services, keeping equipment operational, and ensuring your team can deliver the high standard of care your customers expect.

• Labor Costs Your team of technicians will be your greatest asset, but wages, benefits, and training will be recurring expenses.
• Equipment Maintenance and Replacement Lawn care equipment, such as mowers, aerators, and sprayers, requires regular upkeep, and replacements will be necessary as equipment wears out.
• Vehicles and Fuel The cost of maintaining service vehicles and covering fuel expenses for customer visits is a significant ongoing operational cost.
• Pesticides, Fertilizers, and Materials Regular replenishment of lawn care products like fertilizers and weed control solutions is essential to sustaining the business.

Understanding these costs upfront can help you better manage your franchise’s finances and ensure smooth operations over time.

Lawn Pride Franchise Fees

When evaluating the costs of running a Lawn Pride franchise, it’s important to account for the fees associated with the ongoing support and resources provided by the franchisor. These fees are designed to help maintain brand consistency, provide marketing support, and ensure franchisees have access to the latest technology and training to run a successful business.

• License Fee Lawn Pride charges a license fee of up to 8% of your gross sales, which goes toward operational support, business tools, and ongoing franchise guidance. There are also minimum license fees that apply, regardless of your sales volume, so it’s important to plan for this consistent expense.
• MAP Fee (Marketing, Advertising, and Promotional) You’ll contribute 2% of your gross sales to the MAP fund, which covers national marketing efforts and promotional activities. This ensures that Lawn Pride maintains a strong market presence, helping drive new customers to your business.
• Additional Fees Lawn Pride may apply other fees for services such as technology, training programs, and resources provided to help you stay competitive and well-equipped.

By understanding these fees, you’ll have a clearer picture of the financial commitment required to run a Lawn Pride franchise, ensuring you’re well-prepared for the investment ahead.

Lawn Pride Franchise Earnings

While specific earnings data for Lawn Pride franchises is not available, we can provide an informed overview based on industry standards and the characteristics of this type of franchise. Lawn care franchises generally operate with recurring revenue models, as customers typically require ongoing services such as fertilization, weed control, and pest management. This creates a steady flow of income, especially in regions with consistent lawn care needs. Franchisees in areas with large residential populations or high demand for professional lawn maintenance often see stronger performance, as the business relies on repeat clients who value quality service.

Earnings potential can also be influenced by factors such as geographic location, the size of the service area, and the franchisee’s ability to market effectively within their community. Lawn Pride’s backing from Neighborly, the world’s largest home service franchisor, offers an additional advantage by providing robust support, brand recognition, and national marketing efforts that can help drive business growth. Franchisees who leverage these resources, maintain efficient operations, and deliver excellent customer service are well-positioned for success in this growing industry.

How to Open a Lawn Pride Franchise

Becoming a Lawn Pride franchisee involves a structured process designed to ensure you’re well-prepared and informed before launching your business. From the initial inquiry to starting operations, each step is crucial in setting up your franchise for success.

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 be asked to fill out an application form providing details about your background, financial qualifications, and business goals.
3. Discovery Day Next, you’ll be invited to attend a Discovery Day, where you can meet the corporate team, visit the headquarters, and learn more about the Lawn Pride franchise model.
4. Franchise Agreement Signing Once both parties agree to move forward, you’ll sign the franchise agreement and officially become a Lawn Pride franchisee. At this stage, you’ll also make your initial investment.
5. Training Program Lawn Pride provides a comprehensive training program that covers operations, marketing, customer service, and lawn care techniques to help you get started.
6. Site Setup and Pre-Opening Preparations You’ll work with the Lawn Pride team to establish your service area, set up any necessary equipment, and create local marketing plans. This phase also includes finalizing licenses, insurance, and staffing.
7. Grand Opening After everything is in place, you’ll launch your Lawn Pride franchise with a grand opening event, supported by initial marketing and promotional efforts to build awareness in your community.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Recurring Revenue Model: Lawn Pride’s services are required throughout the year, creating a steady stream of income from repeat customers.

Strong Industry Demand: The lawn care industry is consistently in demand, especially in residential markets, making it a stable business opportunity.

Backed by Neighborly: As part of the Neighborly family, Lawn Pride franchisees benefit from extensive support, marketing resources, and a strong brand reputation.

Growing Market for Professional Lawn Care: The increasing demand for professional lawn services, especially in suburban areas, offers solid growth potential.

Cons

Seasonality: In colder climates, the business can be highly seasonal, potentially affecting cash flow during the off-season months.

Labor-Intensive: The business is highly reliant on skilled labor, meaning staffing challenges or turnover could impact operations.

Territory Limitations: Depending on location, available territories may be limited, which could restrict expansion or growth within certain regions.