8 Low-Cost Lawn Care Franchises

These eight lawn care brands offer aspiring entrepreneurs the opportunity to venture into a lucrative market while avoiding the high startup costs often associated with franchising.

By Chris IrbyCopy Editor

8:08AM • 05/05/24

Whether you’re passionate about the outdoors or simply looking for a lucrative entrepreneurial opportunity in a stable, recession-resistant industry, a lawn care franchise could be the perfect venture for you.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve seen the perfect storm of a residential construction boom and low interest rates, which have fueled housing market growth. As a result, the lawn care industry has seen significant growth in recent years. The market size of the lawn care industry is currently an estimated $58.69 billion in the U.S., and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.2% over the next five years to reach $75.71 billion.

Lawn care is a big industry made up of smaller businesses rather than big brands; none of the major players have a market share higher than 5%. Competition may be fierce in some markets, but the playing field is surprisingly level for the most part.

If you’re looking to get into the lawn care industry, franchising offers several advantages over starting your own business from scratch, such as brand recognition and a proven business model. And while the initial investment costs can be a concern for many aspiring entrepreneurs, there are plenty of low-cost lawn care franchise opportunities available that can provide you with a pathway to business ownership without breaking the bank.

Here are eight low-cost lawn care franchises worth exploring:

Lawn Doctor*

Founded in 1967 by Tony Giordano and Bob Magda, Lawn Doctor began franchising that same year. Over the last 50-plus years, the lawn care concept has successfully established itself as a leader in an industry where more and more homeowners are switching from a do-it-yourself approach to outsourcing the work to professionals. Lawn Doctor boasts more than 600 franchise locations nationwide and is currently offering single and multi-territory opportunities in 43 states. While lawn care and landscaping experience is a plus, Lawn Doctor is primarily interested in franchisees with business ownership, management or operations experience who "value building a business by delivering 'wow' service to customers."

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Growth Club Profile

Units: 600+
Total Initial Investment: $117,740 - $143,232 (single territory)
Franchise Fee: $40,000
Royalty Fee: 10%
Marketing Fee: 10%
Liquidity Required: $60,000
Franchise Agreement Length: 10 years

Weed Man

Weed Man describes itself as a "network of locally owned and operated lawn care professionals providing environmentally responsible fertilization, weed control and integrated pest management services." Founded in 1970, Weed Man began franchising just six years later and has since grown into a business with nearly half a million customers and over $350 million in system sales. Ideal franchisees are hard-working self-starters with good communication skills and an enthusiasm for outstanding customer service.

Units: 348
Total Initial Investment: $80,535 - $107,785
Franchise Fee: $30,000 - $50,000
Royalty Fee: 5.5 - 6.5%
Marketing Fee: 1.2%
Liquidity Required: $60,000
Franchise Agreement Length: 10 years

Spring-Green Lawn Care

Founded in 1977 by Bill Fischer and Tom Hofer, Spring-Green Lawn Care began franchising that same year and has since grown to 150-plus locations covering 300-plus service areas in 24 states. The brand, which founded the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP), has made a name for itself for its environmentally conscious business practices. Spring-Green Lawn Care has a lot to offer franchisees — low overhead and operating costs, favored pricing from national distributors, extensive marketing knowledge and ongoing support and guidance — but one of its biggest perks is a stimulus plan that waives franchise fees and offers special marketing loans to qualified green businesses looking to add a Spring-Green franchise to their operations.

Units: 150+
Total Initial Investment: $116,993 - $125,999
Franchise Fee: $0 - $50,000
Royalty Fee: 10%
Marketing Fee: 2%
Liquidity Required: $60,000
Franchise Agreement Length: 10 years

The Grounds Guys

Founded in 1987, The Grounds Guys (formerly Sunshine Grounds Care) started franchising in 2010 and has since grown to 170-plus locations in the U.S. and Canada. The Grounds Guys prides itself on its professionally uniformed team members, many of whom are licensed experts and members of NALP and the Snow & Ice Management Association (SIMA). Franchisees with a background or interest in lawn care and a passion for customer service will benefit from The Grounds Guys' support and training in marketing, onboarding, operations and technology.

Units: 266
Total Initial Investment: $79,320 - $192,470
Franchise Fee: $35,000
Royalty Fee: 5 - 6%
Marketing Fee: 2%
Liquidity Required: $50,000
Franchise Agreement Length: 10 years

U.S. Lawns

U.S. Lawns was founded in 1986 and began offering franchises the following year. Unlike most of the other lawn care franchises on this list, U.S. Lawns focuses exclusively on commercial grounds management and offers a wide range of services — from landscaping to tree care and storm response — to preserve the curb appeal and brand integrity of its clients. The franchisor offers several paths for entrepreneurs, from owner-operators opening a brand-new location to existing business owners looking to convert to the U.S. Lawns brand. The brand has more than 200 operating territories and is currently expanding in every region of the U.S.

Units: 200+
Total Initial Investment: $59,500 - $192,600
Franchise Fee: $34,000
Royalty Fee: 4 - 6%
Marketing Fee: 2%
Liquidity Required: $50,000
Franchise Agreement Length: 10 years

NaturaLawn of America

NaturaLawn is an organic-based lawn care company with a regimen that consists of natural fertilizer and integrated pest management. Founded in 1987 by Philip Catron and Beecher Smith, the brand began franchising in 1989 and has since grown to 60-plus locations in 28 states, providing services to more than 90,000 customers. NaturaLawn is currently offering franchise opportunities across the U.S., and provides its franchisees with extensive marketing assistance, in-depth management training, national purchasing programs, and support for everything from accounting to technology. Ideal franchisees are those with significant entrepreneurial experience accompanied by a strong background in sales and/or management.

Units: 60+
Total Initial Investment: $57,500 - $122,650
Franchise Fee: $9,500 - $29,500
Royalty Fee: 7 - 9%
Marketing Fee: 1%
Liquidity Required: $50,000
Franchise Agreement Length: 5 years

Augusta Lawn Care Services

Augusta Lawn Care Services is the newest franchise on this list; the residential landscaping business was founded in 2014 and only started franchising in 2019. However, it has grown quite rapidly over the last five years and now has 150-plus locations throughout the U.S. and Canada — and Australia! Augusta Lawn Care offers two franchise models: Solo ($6,999 initial fee with no protected territory and bi-monthly coaching call) and Growth ($22,000 initial fee with protected territory and monthly coaching call). Both models include Augusta's marketing support, pay-for-performance (P4P) and customer relationship management (CRM) software, and four days of in-person training. Augusta also has an impressive Giveback Program that lets franchisees earn back their entire franchise fee after 10 years (or credit it toward another location after five).

Units: 150+
Total Initial Investment: $12,999 - $82,500
Franchise Fee: $6,999 - $22,000
Royalty Fee: $600 - $1,200/month
Marketing Fee: N/A
Liquidity Required: N/A
Franchise Agreement Length: 10 years

Freedom Lawns

Freedom Lawns USA is a lawn care franchise that specializes in fertilization, weed control, pest control and plant health care. Founded in 1999, the brand sold its first franchise in 2006 and currently has 10 locations in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and Georgia. While the business isn't expanding very aggressively at the moment, it is looking to award franchises to entrepreneurs of high integrity with excellent sales and marketing skills. Absentee ownership isn't currently permitted, but Freedom Lawns USA does allow its franchisees to run their business from the comfort of their home.

Units: 10
Total Initial Investment: $75,000 - $83,200
Franchise Fee: $20,000
Royalty Fee: 6%
Marketing Fee: N/A
Liquidity Required: $40,000
Franchise Agreement Length: 10 years

If you're an aspiring entrepreneur with a passion for outdoor work, starting a lawn care franchise may prove to be just the rewarding opportunity you're looking for. And these eight low-cost franchise options are just the ticket if you're looking to pursue your dreams of business ownership without the burden of high startup costs.

Interested in more information about the lawn care franchise industry? Check out these deep dives on 1851 Franchise: