Risk Score
Pending analysis
Investment Range
$71,500 - $200,000
Franchise Fee
$24,500
Total US Locations
210
Business Summary
U.S. LAWNS offers franchises for businesses that provide a wide range of landscape maintenance and related services to commercial and residential customers. These services include lawn mowing, edging, pruning, weeding, fertilization, pest and disease control for lawns and shrubs, tree trimming up to 15 feet, irrigation installation and repair, sales and installation of authorized landscape products and living materials like plants and flowers, lawn seeding, aeration, arborist services, and snow management. U.S. LAWNS also provides a conversion franchise opportunity for existing landscape businesses.
Corporate History
U.S. LAWNS, INC. was incorporated in Florida on August 26, 1986, and has been offering franchises for landscape maintenance services since that same year. On January 12, 2024, Clintar, Inc. (operating as EverSmith Brands) acquired 100% of U.S. LAWNS, INC., making EverSmith Brands its parent company. EverSmith Brands Holding Company, the ultimate parent, is controlled by The Riverside Company, a private equity firm. U.S. LAWNS, INC. has several affiliates, also part of the EverSmith Brands group, that offer other franchise services such as milliCare Floor & Textile Care, Prism Specialties (restoration), Kitchen Guard (commercial kitchen exhaust cleaning), TruServ Groundscare (Clintar in Canada), and The Seals Franchising (refrigeration gaskets). Other portfolio companies of The Riverside Company also offer various franchises in home care, estate sales, senior living placement, gutter services, hair salons, nail care, lash extensions, home healthcare, residential insulation, garage floor coatings, mold remediation, and surface restoration.
Financial Overview
Investment Range
$71,500 - $200,000
Franchise Fee (Low)
$24,500
Franchise Fee (High)
$49,000
Royalty %
6%
Marketing %
2%
Equipment Costs (Low)
$14,500
Equipment Costs (High)
$35,000
Working Capital
$70,000
Audited Financials
Yes
Offers Financing
No
Audit Opinion
Unqualified opinion
Financial Health Notes
U.S. LAWNS' parent company, EverSmith Brands Holding Company, received an unqualified audit opinion on its financial statements for 2022, 2023, and 2024. However, the FDD itself includes a 'Special Risk' disclosure stating that the franchisor's financial condition, as reflected in its financial statements, calls into question its financial ability to provide services and support. The consolidated financial statements for EverSmith Brands Holding Company show a significant increase in total liabilities from $7.2 million in 2023 to $52.3 million in 2024, and a deepening consolidated net loss from $(6.4 million) in 2023 to $(17.3 million) in 2024. The company also experienced increased cash used in operating activities and massive cash outlays for business acquisitions in 2024, totaling over $71 million, which was funded by substantial new debt and equity.
Financing Details
U.S. LAWNS does not offer any direct or indirect financing to franchisees. It also does not guarantee any notes, leases, or other obligations for its franchisees.
Performance Metrics
Total US Locations
210
Franchised Units
210
Corporate Units
0
Avg Square Footage
325
Franchising Since
1986
Legal & Compliance Analysis
Recent Litigation
No
Bankruptcy
No
Litigation Summary
U.S. LAWNS has no litigation history that is required to be disclosed in Item 3 of the FDD. This indicates that the franchisor and its management have not been involved in any material litigation cases that need to be reported.
Bankruptcy History
U.S. LAWNS has no bankruptcy history that must be disclosed in Item 4 of the FDD. This means that neither the franchisor nor its key personnel have filed for bankruptcy or been involved in any bankruptcy proceedings.
Agreement Terms
Initial Term
10 years
Renewal Term
10 years
Renewal Conditions
To renew, U.S. LAWNS franchisees must provide written notice of their decision to renew between 120 and 180 days before the current term ends. They must sign the franchisor's then-current franchise agreement, which may have different terms, including higher fees. Franchisees must also pay the current renewal fee, which is presently $5,000 and capped at 20% of the then-current Initial Franchise Fee. Additionally, franchisees must be in good standing, meaning they have no defaults, have timely satisfied all monetary and material obligations, and must complete any current training requirements. Finally, the franchisee and their guarantors must execute a general release of claims in a form U.S. LAWNS prescribes.
Training & Support Program
Franchisor Assistance
U.S. LAWNS provides extensive support to its franchisees. Before opening, U.S. LAWNS designates the franchisee's territory, provides initial training, offers lists of approved products and suppliers, loans an Operations Manual, and conducts pre-opening marketing for commercial property owners and managers in the franchisee's territory. After opening, U.S. LAWNS maintains a Marketing Fund for advertising, provides ongoing updates to product lists and the Operations Manual, and conducts periodic business inspections. Franchisees must use a specified computer system, including software like QuickBooks and PipeDrive CRM, and maintain internet access, with U.S. LAWNS having full access to business data. The franchisor also administers the Marketing Fund, creating and conducting national, regional, and local advertising campaigns. Franchisees are required to hire a dedicated salesperson within 90 days of training (or serve in that capacity themselves while hiring a manager for operations). Training includes approximately 50 hours of initial classroom and on-the-job training in Orlando, FL, with some parts conducted virtually or in the field. Franchisees must also attend annual conventions and meetings for new services, operational procedures, training, and business management, covering their own travel and living expenses.
Initial Training Hours
50
Training Location
Orlando, FL
Ongoing Support
After opening, U.S. LAWNS provides ongoing assistance by maintaining a Marketing Fund for advertising, supplying updates to lists of approved products and suppliers, and updating the Operations Manual. The franchisor also periodically inspects businesses to ensure compliance. Franchisees are required to use and maintain a specified computer system, including software like QuickBooks and PipeDrive CRM, maintain internet access, and subscribe to U.S. LAWNS' intranet site, with all upgrades and enhancements at the franchisee's expense. U.S. LAWNS administers the Marketing Fund, determining expenditures and methods for creating and conducting national, regional, and local advertising. Franchisees must also attend annual franchise conventions and other meetings covering new services, operational procedures, training, business management, sales, or promotion, including teleconferences and web-conferences. While U.S. LAWNS may charge a fee for these additional trainings or conventions, franchisees are responsible for all travel and living expenses.
Franchise Requirements
Ideal Candidate Profile
U.S. LAWNS seeks individuals who are actively involved in their business and willing to provide a personal guarantee. Franchisees must be focused on sales and growth, as evidenced by the requirement to hire a dedicated salesperson within 90 days of initial training (or serve in this role themselves). While not explicitly stated, the emphasis on direct supervision of the business (by the owner or a competent manager) and the requirement to meet minimum annual gross billings suggest a candidate with strong operational and sales acumen, and a commitment to business development. The franchise also offers a conversion opportunity for existing active landscape businesses, indicating a willingness to work with experienced operators.
Industry Experience Required
No
Management Experience Required
No
Sales Experience Required
No
Technical Skills Required
No
Operational Details
Location Type
Commercial
Owner Participation
Supervisory
Territory Type
Non-Exclusive
Staff Count
5
Territory Size Requirements
U.S. LAWNS territories are defined based on the opportunities within the area to provide landscape maintenance services. The minimum territory size is a ten-mile radius from a central point.
Staffing Notes
U.S. LAWNS requires franchisees to employ a sufficient number of competent and trained employees to provide efficient service to customers. The typical staffing model assumes the franchisee will hire at least one crew leader, two gardeners, and a full-time salesperson. Franchisees may also choose to hire an operations manager. A dedicated salesperson is required to be hired within 90 days of completing initial training, whose primary role is to sell Landscape Maintenance Services to commercial customers. If the franchisee chooses to act as the salesperson, they must then hire a Designated Manager to oversee operational aspects of the business. Additionally, the business must always be under the direct full-time supervision of either the franchisee or a trained and competent manager who has completed U.S. LAWNS' training program. Any manager or key individual involved in the business may be required to sign a confidentiality and non-compete agreement.