Lawn Doctor Franchise
Audited FinancialsRisk Score
Pending analysis
Investment Range
$133,475 - $149,027
Franchise Fee
$25,000
Total US Locations
630
Business Summary
Lawn Doctor operates businesses that establish, care for, and maintain lawns and other vegetation. This includes analyzing lawn problems, applying chemicals and seeds, and marketing the business. Lawn Doctor also offers optional services like liming, fungus control, grub treatments, and tree and shrub feeding. Franchisees use specialized equipment, including the Turf Tamer Stand-On Applicator and Turf Tamer Power Seeder. Additionally, Lawn Doctor businesses have the option to add the Holiday Lighting Heroes service line, which involves designing, installing, maintaining, removing, and storing holiday lighting and décor.
Corporate History
Lawn Doctor was founded in 1967 as Auto-Lawn of America, Inc. and later changed its name to Lawn Doctor, Inc. in 1973. The brand has been offering franchises since 1967. In February 2024, Lawn Doctor introduced an optional Holiday Lighting Heroes service line, allowing franchisees to expand into holiday lighting and décor services. Lawn Doctor is affiliated with other home services brands, including Mosquito Hunters, ecomaids, Elite Franchising Corp. (operating Elite Window Cleaning in Canada), and Sparkle Squad, all operating under common parent company ownership.
Financial Overview
Investment Range
$133,475 - $149,027
Franchise Fee (Low)
$25,000
Franchise Fee (High)
$122,000
Royalty %
10%
Marketing %
5%
Equipment Costs (High)
$43,850
Working Capital
$13,736
Audited Financials
Yes
Offers Financing
Yes
Audit Opinion
Unqualified opinion
Financial Health Notes
Lawn Doctor is financially sound, consistently reporting positive consolidated net income in 2023 and 2022. The company has substantial stockholder's equity. In 2023, Lawn Doctor refinanced its long-term debt, and is currently in compliance with all its loan covenant requirements. The auditors have not expressed any substantial doubt about the company's ability to continue as a going concern. While cash and equivalents saw a decrease in 2023, the overall financial position remains healthy.
Financing Details
Lawn Doctor offers financing options directly to its franchisees. Franchisees have the option to finance a portion of their initial franchise fee over a period of up to 96 months at an annual interest rate of 12%. Additionally, Lawn Doctor provides equipment leases for its specialized Turf Tamer Stand-On Applicator and Turf Tamer Power Seeder. The Stand-On Applicator lease can be paid monthly ($335.40 plus sales tax over 84 months, with a $3,350 deposit) or in a lump sum of $22,350. The Power Seeder lease can be paid monthly ($305.96 plus sales tax over 72 months, with a $3,050 deposit) or in a lump sum of $18,700. Payments for these equipment leases begin 365 days after initial training. Lawn Doctor also converts accounts receivable from certain franchisees into notes receivable.
Performance Metrics
Total US Locations
630
Franchised Units
630
Corporate Units
0
Avg Square Footage
240
Franchising Since
1967
Legal & Compliance Analysis
Recent Litigation
Yes
Bankruptcy
No
Litigation Count
1
Litigation Summary
Lawn Doctor's affiliate, Mosquito Hunters, LLC, along with Scott D. Frith (Lawn Doctor's CEO) and Andy Fuller, are involved in an arbitration case filed in December 2022. The claimants, former Mosquito Hunters franchisees, allege fraudulent inducement into a franchise agreement and subsequent breach of contract, seeking $150,000 in compensatory damages, punitive damages, and legal costs. Mosquito Hunters, LLC has filed a counter-demand, seeking at least $100,000 for the claimants' abandonment of their franchise and breach of their non-compete covenant. Mosquito Hunters, LLC, Mr. Frith, and Mr. Fuller deny these claims and intend to vigorously defend against them. Hearings for this case are scheduled for mid-September 2024, indicating it is an ongoing matter.
Bankruptcy History
Lawn Doctor has no bankruptcy history to report.
Agreement Terms
Initial Term
10 years
Renewal Term
10 years
Renewal Conditions
To renew their franchise agreement, Lawn Doctor franchisees must have substantially complied with all provisions of the agreement, refurbish and re-equip each Service Vehicle, and repair or replace any equipment to meet current brand standards. Franchisees must provide Lawn Doctor with written notice of their intent to renew at least 6 months, but no more than 12 months, before the initial term expires. Upon approval, they must continue to comply with the agreement, execute Lawn Doctor's then-current franchise agreement (which may have different terms, conditions, and fees), and their owners must sign a general release of all claims against Lawn Doctor.
Training & Support Program
Franchisor Assistance
Before opening their Lawn Doctor business, franchisees receive specifications, standards, operating procedures, and specialized equipment to maintain brand quality. Lawn Doctor provides reasonable guidance during business development and conducts mandatory initial training. Ongoing support includes guidance through an Operating Manual, telephonic conversations, and consultations at Lawn Doctor's offices or the franchisee's location. Franchisees get access to the Operating Manual and additional content on Lawn Doctor's learning management system, the right to use the brand's trademarks, and disclosure of confidential operational information. Lawn Doctor advises on approved suppliers for vehicles and other items and may assist in pricing. Additionally, Lawn Doctor establishes and administers national and regional Marketing Funds for marketing and promotional programs and provides call center services. New Lawn Doctor franchisees also benefit from a mentorship program with experienced strategic-partners, which includes on-the-job operational training and guidance.
Initial Training Hours
37
Training Location
Lawn Doctor's headquarters in Holmdel, New Jersey, and its manufacturing facility in Marlboro, New Jersey.
Ongoing Support
After opening, Lawn Doctor franchisees receive continuous guidance for their business operations through the Operating Manual and optional telephonic conversations or consultations at Lawn Doctor's offices or the franchisee's location. They also have access to the Operating Manual and additional materials on the company's learning management system. Lawn Doctor may establish and administer national and regional Marketing Funds for ongoing marketing and promotional programs. Franchisees are required to utilize the brand's Call Center services, incurring monthly fees after their first year of operation. Lawn Doctor also has the right to require franchisees and their supervisory personnel to complete supplemental and refresher training programs at designated locations, for which franchisees cover their own travel and living expenses.
Franchise Requirements
Ideal Candidate Profile
Lawn Doctor seeks qualified individuals, referred to as 'Strategic-Partners,' who are committed to the brand's mission and core values. Ideal candidates, or their owners, must continuously dedicate their best efforts, full time, energies, and attention to operating the Lawn Doctor business. They should possess good moral character, sufficient business experience, aptitude, and financial resources to successfully manage a Lawn Doctor business, meeting the company's applicable standards for strategic-partners. Lawn Doctor offers reduced initial franchise fees for qualified U.S. military veterans, minorities, individuals from the Green Industry, First Responders, and existing employees of strategic-partners with at least five years of experience within the Lawn Doctor system.
Industry Experience Required
No
Management Experience Required
No
Sales Experience Required
No
Technical Skills Required
No
Operational Details
Location Type
Hybrid
Owner Participation
Full-Time
Territory Type
Limited
Territory Size Requirements
Lawn Doctor franchisees are granted a geographic territory containing no less than 10,000 single-family residences. After four years of operation, if a Lawn Doctor franchisee's 'Market Share' (percentage of single-family residences using Lawn Doctor services in their territory) falls below 70% of the average Market Share for all Lawn Doctor businesses operating for four or more years, Lawn Doctor may reduce the size of the franchisee's territory by redrawing its boundaries. To acquire additional territories, a Lawn Doctor franchisee must have at least a 2% Market Share in all their existing territories.
Staffing Notes
Lawn Doctor franchisees may hire part-time assistance for sales and servicing. If the owner or owners do not personally perform the on-premises supervisory function, an on-premises supervisor must be hired. This supervisor must successfully complete Lawn Doctor's training program and agree to maintain the confidentiality of Lawn Doctor's proprietary information.