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Entrepreneur: Start & Grow Your Business

Lawn Doctor

Lawn, tree & shrub care; pest control

Background

Founded: 1967 Franchising since: 1967
What started out in the back of a small hardware store in 1967 has grown to a nationwide chain of independently owned and operated offices. Caring for a total of more than 1 billion square feet of turf, Lawn Doctor franchisees provide all-season care including fertilization and weed and insect control.
142 Hwy. 34
Holmdel, New jersey 07733-0401
Phone:
(732)946-4300

Franchisee Association
Presidents Advisory Council

Franchisor is a privately-held company with 80 employee(s); 3 employee(s) in franchise department.

Franchise Growth
Year U.S. Franchises Canadian Franchises Foreign Franchises Company Owned
2009 465 0 0 0
2008 484 0 0 0
2007 496 0 0 0
2006 490 0 0 0
2005 451 0 0 0

Where Seeking Franchisees
In the U.S. Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North carolina, North dakota, New hampshire, New jersey, New mexico, Nevada, New york, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode island, South carolina, South dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West virginia, Wyoming

Exclusive territories available.
Territory size: Varies

Costs and Fees

Total investment: $75.7K-78K
Franchise fee: $25K
Ongoing royalty fee: 10%
Term of agreement: 20 years, renewable


Type of Financing Available
In-House Third Party
Franchise Fee Yes Yes
Startup Costs Yes Yes
Equipment Yes Yes
Inventory No No
Accounts Receivable No No
Payroll No No

Qualifications
Net worth requirement: $150K
Cash liquidity requirement: $40K
Business Experience:
  • General business experience

Operations
  • Franchise can be run from home
  • 35% of all franchisees own more than one unit
  • Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

Training and Support

Training
  • Available at headquarters: 2 weeks

Ongoing Support
  • Newsletter
  • Meetings
  • Toll-free phone line
  • Internet
  • Security/safety procedures
  • Field operations/evaluations

Marketing Support
  • Co-op advertising
  • Ad slicks
  • Regional advertising

Rankings

Franchise 500® rank:
#131 (2009); #110 (2008); #92 (2007); #126 (2006); #79 (2005);

Ranked #1 in category in:
2009; 2008; 2007; 2006; 2005;

Top Home Based Franchises:
#31 (2009); #22 (2008); #23 (2007); #31 (2006); #14 (2005);