Lawn Care Franchise
Proven playbook, built-in brand, recurring mowing revenue
Lawn care franchises provide mowing, fertilization, and basic landscaping services under an established brand with proven systems. Franchises like Lawn Doctor, Weed Man, and Spring-Green provide training, marketing support, and operational systems in exchange for royalty fees. It is a lower-risk entry into the landscaping industry.
Avg Revenue
$250K
Profit Margin
18%
Acquisition Multiple
2x - 3x
Startup Cost
$40K - $100K
Difficulty
2/5
How It Works
Purchase a franchise territory. Follow the franchisor's system for marketing, sales, and operations. Service residential and commercial clients on recurring schedules. Pay royalties (typically 6-10% of revenue) in exchange for brand recognition, national marketing, and operational support.
Revenue Range
Real Acquisitions in This Category
SBA 7(a) change-of-ownership loans · NAICS 561730 · Landscaping Services
Deal Size Distribution
Deal Flow Over Time
Financing Profile
Recent Comparable Deals
| Closed | State | Loan | Implied deal | Jobs | Franchise |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 2025 | FL | $1.9M | $2.3M | 2 | — |
| Dec 2025 | FL | $475K | $559K | 6 | — |
| Dec 2025 | CO | $1.4M | $1.6M | 17 | — |
| Dec 2025 | GA | $3.0M | $3.5M | 2 | — |
| Nov 2025 | FL | $1.7M | $2.0M | 100 | — |
| Nov 2025 | UT | $4.7M | $5.6M | 38 | — |
| Nov 2025 | FL | $2.1M | $2.5M | 4 | — |
| Nov 2025 | MA | $2.2M | $2.6M | 15 | — |
| Nov 2025 | AZ | $159K | $187K | 7 | — |
| Nov 2025 | OH | $781K | $919K | 20 | — |
Source: SBA 7(a) FOIA dataset, filtered to acquisitions (loans where business age is "Change of Ownership"). Implied deal size assumes an 85% loan-to-purchase ratio, a common SBA change-of-ownership structure. Charge-off rate shown only when 10+ loans have resolved (paid in full or charged off). Interest rates reflect last 24 months only. Actual deal values vary with equity injections, seller financing, and working capital terms.
Pros
- +Proven business model with training and support
- +Brand recognition helps with customer acquisition
- +Recurring revenue from maintenance contracts
- +Lower risk than starting an independent business
Cons
- -Royalty fees reduce margins compared to independent
- -Less flexibility — must follow franchisor's system
- -Franchise fees and territory costs add to startup
Best For
First-time business owners who want structure and a proven playbook
Operating Costs
Labor, franchise royalties (6-10%), equipment, fuel, materials, and local marketing are the primary costs.
SBA Financing Estimator
Adjust the deal — see if it cash flows after debt service
Estimates only. Excludes owner compensation, capex, working capital draws, and taxes. Margin assumes average occupancy and volume. Actual SBA terms vary by lender and borrower profile.
Where to Buy
Find lawn care franchise resales and independent businesses
Browse lawn care franchise opportunities with FDD data
Acquisition Score
Scores margin (30), entry multiple (25), SBA market depth (20), category risk (15), and deal momentum (10). Higher = better acquisition candidate.
Quick Facts
- Category
- service
- Difficulty
- 2/5
- Buy price
- $500K–$750K
Buyer's Toolkit
Essential tools to get started
Some links may be affiliate links. We only recommend tools we'd use ourselves.
Ready to Buy? Start Here →
Largest business-for-sale marketplace in the US
SBA loans and business acquisition financing — get funded fast
ROBS financing — use retirement funds to buy a business tax-free
Bookkeeping for small business owners — hands-off financials
Some links may be affiliate links. We only recommend tools we'd use ourselves.
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