Lawn Doctor

<a href="https://lawndoctorfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-lawn-doctors-mid-season-rollout-program-ensures-new-owners-a-successful-first-year-2722082" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Lawn Doctor</a>, the 600-plus unit lawn care franchise under the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/happinestbrands/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-lawn-doctors-mid-season-rollout-program-ensures-new-owners-a-successful-first-year-2722082" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Happinest Brands</a> umbrella, gives new franchisees the opportunity to position their business for a successful first full spring roll out by signing on through the Mid-Season Rollout Program (MRO). With March and April being considered the start of peak season at&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/lawndoctor">Lawn Doctor</a>, beginning at other points in the year gives a new owner plenty of time to familiarize the community with their business, go through training and prepare for the power window.&nbsp;“There's different waves in a seasonal business,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericmartinfranchisedevelopment/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-lawn-doctors-mid-season-rollout-program-ensures-new-owners-a-successful-first-year-2722082" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Eric Martin</a>, Senior VP of Franchise Development at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/happinestbrands/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-lawn-doctors-mid-season-rollout-program-ensures-new-owners-a-successful-first-year-2722082" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Happinest Brands</a>. “There is a defined beginning and, in most markets, a defined end of that season — with the exception of a southern market, which is typically year round. In northern markets, a mid-season rollout gives owners plenty of time to prepare with onboarding, pre-marketing, site visits, having equipment delivered, getting licensing ready to go and getting their website live. They’ve had a few weeks to do what we call Ground Game leading up to that power window in March or April.”&nbsp;“Ground Game” activities in the offseason include networking and marketing at the local level. By opening during the mid-season, franchisees are able to thoroughly learn the business and position themselves to capitalize on full season customers the following year.&nbsp;Preparing in the Offseason&nbsp;Regardless of when new owners start their Lawn Doctor, they are going to get a full spring selling season in their first year. But for prospective franchisees who come to Lawn Doctor and don’t want to wait until the following year to get started, they don’t have to. By utilizing the MRO program, these owners can sign on with the brand and get started by preparing their operations.&nbsp;“It's like an athlete training and preparing to get ready for their season,” noted Martin. “They’re not just sitting around, they're working out, they're stretching, they're eating right, they're lifting weights and getting ready. So when the season comes, they're ready to go. And it's no different in our world.”&nbsp;Franchisees can really start building momentum during the offseason. Because there are no brick-and-mortar Lawn Doctor locations, it is important to get the word out there through tools such as door hangers, lawn signs, community events, direct mail and more. By getting out there through these activities, people are sure to know about the business come March or April when they need their lawn serviced.&nbsp;&nbsp;“It's almost like having a longer preseason to get prepared,” said Lawn Doctor National Field Marketing Manager&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jay-markowitz-12a2916/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-lawn-doctors-mid-season-rollout-program-ensures-new-owners-a-successful-first-year-2722082" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Jay Markowitz</a>. “You have time to get the equipment, as well as to find the technicians and train them. And there’s a huge benefit to building that local presence so people already know who you are.”&nbsp;Feedback from OwnersRegardless of when a Lawn Doctor owner opens their business, they are set up for success. However, Martin noted that he has had franchisees say to him, “The longer the runway, the smoother the take off.”&nbsp;The money that franchisees invest is allocated to be used the following year, but starting in the offseason means that owners can utilize Ground Game and grassroots marketing efforts, while relying on the Lawn Doctor support team to make the most of that investment beforehand.&nbsp;“A lot of owners like this opening process because it forces them to begin without relying on our incredible media programs,” said Martin. “It forces them to get out of their comfort zone and start leading with their Ground Game. It just gives them more time to finalize things without the stress of a looming power window coming, which would maybe force you to do things quicker or less thoroughly just to get ready for the launch.”&nbsp;The startup costs for a Lawn Doctor franchise range from $116,465–$141,815. To learn more about franchising with Lawn Doctor, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://lawndoctorfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-lawn-doctors-mid-season-rollout-program-ensures-new-owners-a-successful-first-year-2722082" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">lawndoctorfranchise.com</a>.ABOUT LAWN DOCTOR:Since its first franchise in 1967, Lawn Doctor has established itself as a leader in the lawn care services industry through innovative technology, its ability to satisfy the needs of consumers on a national level and its development and expansion within the industry. Lawn Doctor specializes in treatment and conditioning services, such as fertilization, weed control, seeding, aeration and tree and shrub care. The Lawn Doctor brand has hundreds of locally owned and operated franchises and is the #1 ranked lawn care franchise in the United States. Lawn Doctor is a 2023 Franchise 500 brand, ranking no. 79 for its financial strength and stability, unit growth and brand power.

How Lawn Doctor’s Mid-Season Rollout Program Ensures New Owners a Successful First Year

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By signing on during the offseason, new Lawn Doctor owners are able to learn, develop a customer base and hit the ground running. 

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After 11 years of ownership in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and more than 20 years with the brand, Todd and Janis Rucker have exited their&nbsp;<a href="http://lawndoctorfranchise.com">Lawn Doctor</a> franchise. In January, the pair officially closed a seven-figure deal as the business was acquired by their former general manager,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/russell-dunning-218b1962/">Russ Dunning</a>, and his wife, Kalin, who will lead the next era of growth in the community.“When I hired Russ about six and a half years ago, I hired him with the intention of replacing me,” Todd said. “I feel like the transition with Russ was great because he’s been involved in a lot of the day-to-day decisions, and again, ultimately, we both knew that he and Kalin were going to acquire it.”While the Ruckers have spent the last few years actively preparing for a healthy exit from the Hot Springs territory, their journey with&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/lawndoctor/info">Lawn Doctor</a> goes back much further.<h2>A Decades-Long History With the Brand</h2>The Ruckers’ first introduction to Lawn Doctor was over 20 years ago when they purchased a territory in another part of Arkansas, which they built from the ground up.“We had that up and running for about five or six years before we moved to Hot Springs,” Todd said. “After about a year there, I went to work for the local Hot Springs franchise and worked there for about five years. I was just thinking, ‘Let me get my kids through school, and we’ll see what happens.’ Then we ended up having an opportunity to buy it. We purchased that in 2015 and had it until early this year. It’s kind of a roundabout way of getting here, but had we not had the experience of learning and making a few mistakes [with our first territory], I don’t think this one would have gone quite as well.”When Todd learned of the opportunity to acquire the Hot Springs territory, he was confident that, using his prior experience as an owner and time spent as a team member in Hot Springs, he would be able to not just successfully acquire but continue to grow the business.&nbsp;<h2>A Thoughtful Ownership Journey Rooted in Stewardship</h2>A few years into leading the Hot Springs territory, Todd began looking to hire his eventual replacement, knowing the business would eventually change hands.“Our philosophy is that we don’t really own anything in this world anyway. We’re just a steward over it for a period of time,” he said. “So, when we took this business over, even though our names were on everything and we were the ‘owners’ of it, I knew we were a steward of it for a period of time. We did not know how long that was going to be. It’s a good mentality to realize that you’re not going to own anything forever. That’s freeing, in my opinion.”Though he never dodged the responsibility or accountability associated with business ownership, Todd knew that something would change down the line.“You manage it well and take care of it, but also think, down the line, what happens if I had a stroke? I want someone in there so that the business would continue on,” he said. “To make sure Janis would be alright until she could sell it, but also for everybody else that’s involved. There were 19 other families that were dependent on me being a responsible business owner. So I felt an obligation to have, at a minimum, somebody in there who would keep the day-to-day going. If we can find someone that could do the day-to-day but also transition to ownership one day — that’s even better.”When Russ joined the team, Todd took this approach. He knew that Russ would eventually take over, and he worked diligently to ensure Russ had the experience and expertise necessary to facilitate a seamless transition whenever that time came.<h2>The Road to the Exit</h2>While Todd had been working with Russ consistently to prepare him for the eventual transition, he embraced a more structured approach in early 2025.“I knew the energy had gone out of me,” he said. “I could have continued on for a couple more years with Russ running things day-to-day, but I didn’t think that was healthy for the business. I knew it was time to transition; I thought it was the fairest thing to do for everybody involved. I didn’t want the business to decline because my energy had waned.”After making the decision, though, Todd stayed engaged with Russ. He let Russ know in early 2025 that it would be their last year together, and they took on the next 12 months with intention.“That was leading into our spring season,” Todd said. “At that point, we both had to get over the shock. So we just went back to work, and throughout the year, I tried to show him the things that we did each time of the year — sales, advertising and things of that nature. He was already deeply involved, but we got him a little more involved with things like ‘Here’s who I talk to about the advertising,’ or ‘Here’s what’s going on in my mind.’”Ensuring Russ had the experience necessary and taking a step back to truly let him lead, the Ruckers set the stage for a smooth transition. While the existing team didn’t know exactly what was going on behind the scenes, Todd says they were getting accustomed to Russ being the leader and Todd and Janis popping in on occasion rather than being there all the time.Earlier this year, Todd and Janis officially exited the business, and Russ and Kalin took it over.Now in their early 60s, the Ruckers are taking time to travel, focus on their bucket list and take a bit of a breather.“Janis is happy to be a full-time grandmother. I intend to work at least part-time in the future, but I’m not sure what that will look like,” Todd said. “The immediate future is to travel and then see… I’m using this as my gap year.”As for the future of the business, the Ruckers are proud of what they’ve built and optimistic about what’s to come in Hot Springs.“Over the years, Russ has helped vet people, so they’re as much his team members as they were ours. And the fact that he was involved in the day-to-day decisions for several years was also good. It has worked out wonderfully,” Todd said. “I think Lawn Doctor of Hot Springs is in better hands now than it was when we had it. I hate to say that, but they’re very qualified. They’re great. And that’s what you want to do! You want it to get better.”To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/lawndoctor">https://1851franchise.com/lawndoctor</a>.&nbsp;

Photo of former Lawn Doctor franchise owners Todd & Janis Rucker

Drawing on lessons from their first stage of ownership, Todd and Janis Rucker built a sustainable Lawn Doctor model that ultimately led to a seven-figure sale to their longtime general manager.

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Each year, Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 ranking is published, highlighting the strongest franchise brands in the industry. The list is prepared through the evaluation of over 150 data points spanning categories like growth, support and financial strength. In other words, size or rapid growth alone won’t guarantee a brand a spot in the ranking.&nbsp;For many franchise brands, being included in the ranking is an important achievement. According to a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.entrepreneur.com/buying-a-franchise/for-47-years-this-brand-has-kept-up-with-mcdonalds-and-dunkin-have-you-heard-of-it">recent Entrepreneur article</a>, only three brands have enjoyed the honor every year since the ranking started 47 years ago. McDonald’s and Dunkin’, two industry giants, make sense. The third is&nbsp;<a href="https://lawndoctorfranchise.com/">Lawn Doctor</a>, a smaller brand but clearly just as strong.Part of the larger&nbsp;<a href="http://happinestbrands.com">Happinest Brands</a> portfolio,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/lawndoctor/info">Lawn Doctor</a> is a 665-unit lawn care brand. While the brand has evolved over the years, CEO&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottfrith">Scott Frith</a> told Entrepreneur that the brand’s commitment to taking care of its franchisees has also been a key contributor to its success.“My father once said, ‘Treat a franchisee as if they can leave you tomorrow and you’ll be okay.’ In other words, make sure you understand their value in building this business alongside you. And that’s been a guiding principle,” Frith said. “So a real differentiator for us is how we’ve created the structures to help every franchisee unlock [success]. We’ve really ramped up training. For new franchisees, we have pre-training with digital content, then class for a week, practical training in the field — and then it’s ongoing with new initiatives. You also have a dedicated person with you for two years.”As Frith looks toward the future, he’s transparent about what has and hasn’t worked for Lawn Doctor, and he recognizes how the brand’s strength and history benefit owners across the Lawn Doctor system and larger Happinest Brands network.“Lawn Doctor, almost 60 years old now, is bringing a lot of operational experience — nearly 4,000 years between our franchisees and our team — across the platform,” he said. “So certainly that brings value to emerging brands that are small and learning.”Read the full article&nbsp;<a href="https://www.entrepreneur.com/buying-a-franchise/for-47-years-this-brand-has-kept-up-with-mcdonalds-and-dunkin-have-you-heard-of-it">here</a>.To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/lawndoctor">https://1851franchise.com/lawndoctor</a>.&nbsp;

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Only three brands have been included in Entrepreneurs highly competitive Franchise 500 ranking every year. Lawn Doctor is one of them, standing next to some of the biggest names in franchising.

How Lawn Doctor’s Mid-Season Rollout Program Ensures New Owners a Successful First Year

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