TruGreen Franchisee Case Study Feed

If the other man's grass really is greener, blame award-winning Jonathan Bell -

Lawn-care expert Jonathan Bell hasn’t been letting the grass grow under his feet despite the pandemic - and his constant nurturing of the business has won him a major award.

Jonathan, owner of TruGreen in Downlands, Newbury, is one of the first recipients of the prestigious Great British Franchisee Awards.

“I started with nothing and now I have a small business that’s growing and it’s been successful,” he says. “When you start a new business you always wonder if it will work.

“I’ve now become an employer with two full-time members of staff. They’ve already grown in the time they’ve been with me and that’s enhanced the capacity of the business.

“My relationship with TruGreen’s franchisor has been a two-way thing. They’ve helped, but they’ve also given me an opportunity to get involved with them.

“I sit on the Ideas Review Council where we try to develop things for the greater good of the brand, and a group that helps develop the IT that runs in the background and improves our business.

”Last year, when everyone else was struggling with the pandemic, we were able to carry on and grow, which was really fortunate.

“We’re very lucky that we work outside, singly, so there’s no risk to anyone. You just turn up, do what you need to do and leave. There’s no contact,

“And we bought into a successful business model. We provide a quality service to customers, and now have almost 250 who’ve entered into a long-term relationship with us.

“One of the best things about receiving the award is its external recognition for what you’ve done. When you’re running your own business, you get very focused on what you’re doing and become quite introverted.

“We’ll take this forward now. I’m delighted, so are the staff, and I’m hoping this will be a stepping-stone towards the next stage of growing our business.”

Jonathan won the newly-created award from WhichFranchise.com for being an outstanding franchisee in all aspects of their business.

The Great British Franchisee Awards recognise franchisees’ exceptional performance and business experience, ability to drive business growth, staff retention, customer satisfaction, community involvement, inspired leadership, and franchise involvement.

The awards are run by whichfranchise, supported by Lloyds Bank, BDO, AMO Consulting and Chantry Group.

Second territory purchase for TruGreen franchisee! -

Second territory purchase for George in just over 12 months!

Early in 2018, George Michaela underwent significant training with us and became the proud owner of TruGreen West Midlands along with his son, Paul.

However, when he heard earlier this year that a territory next door to him was up for sale due to the retirement of the business owner, he decided to extend his network and purchase TruGreen Arden.

With nearly 30 years’ management and operational experience, George made the move into lawn care for a fresh start and a new challenge. He said:

“I’ve built a successful business with family in the past and then it became time for something new. I was looking for inspiration for a new business when I noticed the technician treating my lawn and thought, I could do that!

“My first year with TruGreen was exceptional and I quickly built up a customer base in West Midlands, so when TruGreen Arden came up for sale, I decided there and then I wanted it and I wanted to extend a vastly growing business.

“I relish the challenge of sales and my former business was built around customer service so I think I’m in a good place to make a real success of both my TruGreen businesses. My aim is to add more vans and technicians and I’m really keen to offer apprenticeships to help young people into work. For now, though, I’m just excited to continue what we have been doing, but now in two territories – along with my son, Paul.”

Steve Welch, Brand Operations Manager for TruGreen added:

“The purchase of a second territory is fantastic for George. He has built up a large customer base in West Midlands already, along with his son Paul and we’re confident he’ll do the same in Arden.”

George has proven that there really is no upper limit with a TruGreen franchise!

Exclusive Interview: "Franchising success: New skills, expansion, and giving back to my community" - 03-October-2016

Name: Mike Lethbridge
Location: Newbury
Franchise: TruGreen Newbury and Basingstoke
Date launched the franchise: February 2015

Tell us a bit about yourself and what you were doing prior to buying your TruGreen franchise business?

My background is in IT and financial services, I wanted to be able to run a business where I able to transfer my skills in management and customer services.

Why did you go down the franchise route? And why did you choose a TruGreen franchise?

I needed to know I was investing in a company I could work with, after meeting with Steve and the team, I soon realised I would be confident in the service I was delivering with the TruGreen support team behind me.

How did you raise the finance?

Savings

What training and support did you receive initially and ongoing?

The training I received on the two week academy gave me a lot of confidence, I was motivated and ready to start my business after my initial training.

The on-going training as been great too, with marketing always happy to visit me to help grow my business and Steve always there when I need any technical support. We also have the chance to meet our TruGreen peers a couple times a year for regional meetings, which is another great source of knowledge.

What is a typical day for you as a TruGreen franchisee?

Typically my day starts quite early, I usually look at the weather first to see if there is going to be any impact on treatments that I will be applying during the course of the day, this allows me to assess which treatments need to be put onto the lawn first. I would then look at my schedule of visits for the day, finalising my schedule as this sometimes need adjusting due to weather or customers calling me prior due to availability or uncut grass! I would then be answering any emails or texts and completing any quotations from the previous day as I like to respond to customers within 48 hours of an analysis visit. All this before breakfast.

My day will then consist of carrying out various tasks of weed control, aeration, scarification and fertilisation servicing between 4 to 12 clients a day. I always like to spend time with a client if they are at home, explaining what we are doing and the benefits of it. Building a rapport with customers is very important, especially when visiting their home frequently.

With the day drawing to a close it’s back home to clean the equipment, empty the van of rubbish, answer emails, update work schedules, send invoices and add new clients to the database.

It’s not a 9 to 5, Monday to Friday job as clients can email or text at any time. You sometimes work that Saturday because you haven’t been able to make that last appointment however I believe flexibility is required in order to build a successful business.

What challenges have you faced?

The challenges for me have mostly been on a practical basis, firstly learning the skills required, luckily my inner geek prevailed here. Then the day to day issues, equipment breaking, temporary staff being unwell and unable to work so it becomes a case of hire it or buy it and roll your sleeves up and get on with it.

Has becoming a TruGreen franchisee changed your life, if so how?

It has given me the chance to feel real freedom in my working life, to follow through on the decisions that I feel are right for the way I want to work. It has also provided me with the flexibility to do the things I enjoy.

It has also given me the opportunity to employ younger local people and have them develop their skills, enabling me to do my bit for the community.

What is the most invaluable piece of advice you could give someone looking to buy their first franchise?

Do your research, choose the right of business that suits you and your lifestyle. Don’t choose something that will just be a job which you won’t enjoy, choose something that you can be passionate about!

In your opinion, what makes a successful franchisee?

Drive and the desire to succeed, no one chooses to fail but you should have a plan on how to develop and be successful. Don’t be afraid to change or adapt if you need to.

What are your plans for the future?

To develop and expand my business. Having completed my first year and bought my second territory, I now require more staff, another van and more equipment.

Would you do it again?

In a heartbeat.

To download TruGreen's franchise prospectus immediately, click here.

With a passion for the outdoors franchising with TruGreen was a no-brainer -

Franchisee: Karen Burdett
Franchise: Milton Keynes & West Northants

Karen Burdett operates the Milton Keynes & West Northants franchise and has been a TruGreen franchise owner since February 2012.

After working for over 20 years in a commercial environment, Karen was looking for investment opportunities to set up a business which would give her a career change and a sensible return on investment.

“My passion is the outdoors,” says Karen. “I was more than happy when one of the areas I reviewed came out on top and I decided on lawn care. Not many people realise that lawn care is a quite a technical business so it was important that I had the right backing both technically and through a recognised brand.”

Following thorough research on four lawn care brands, Karen chose TruGreen. “Their business model and professionalism was more evident even from my very first discussions with individuals in the business. It was also learning that Steve Welch, TruGreen Network Manager, would be my support mechanism that really swung it for me as Steve is a highly respected figure in the turf and sporting industry.

“The technical support with TruGreen is second to none and the ServiceMaster Company is full of individuals who you can call on at anytime for support on a range of things– that’s the beauty of going down a franchise route.

“TruGreen has ambitious growth plans and is looking for like-minded, driven franchise owners who want to succeed as part of a professional network of individuals. We need to work together to drive the TruGreen brand to no.1 in the lawn care market. If this appeals to you and you are fit (you need to be), then TruGreen really is a franchise I would recommend.”

Finding finance to franchise success with TruGreen -

Franchisee: Martyn Horton
Territory: East Hertfordshire and North Essex

After a successful career in the finance industry, Martyn decided it was time to work for himself. He first searched for management franchise opportunities within the cleaning industry as he wanted a number of staff to manage and co-ordinate.

After looking at various different options, Martyn discovered TruGreen Professional LawnCare. This opportunity intrigued him and he began to look further into the lawn care industry, dedicating his time to researching all franchise opportunities available within this sector. After completing his market research,

Martyn decided TruGreen would be the right franchise investment for him. Although it was not the management route he initially considered, Martyn decided it was a less risky option if he was able to build the opportunity into a management business after doing all the ground work himself first.

“My decision to choose TruGreen was down to the professionalism I saw when visiting ServiceMaster head office. Not only that but the level of knowledge and expertise brand manager, Steve Welch has on lawn care is second to none.”

May 9th 2015 marked a significant date in Martyn’s diary; not only had Martyn been in business for two months, he also signed up his 50th customer. With each customer being worth an estimated £400, Martyn has great first year expectations.

“Unlike other franchisors within the industry, with TruGreen I was able to choose an area where I was really able to put my local knowledge to work. I live at the centre of my area, which was not possible with other franchisors within the industry of lawn care.”

Getting the support of the TruGreen franchise network -

Franchisee: David Inglis
Territory: TruGreen Edinburgh South West

In 2015, David took the decision to go into business for himself. After having worked behind a desk for over 10 years, he wanted to operate a business in the fresh air, where he preferred to be. He decided on a franchise business as he liked the idea of having a support network and access to advise when he needed it.

“After doing my research on TruGreen and after speaking to Steve Welch about the business model, I knew it was the right choice for me. It joined up my desire of working outdoors in the fresh air, my gardening hobby and getting the safety of having a full team of support behind me to help run the business should I need it.

“The training was everything that was promised and more. It was a thorough, detailed course outlining all the possible things that I would encounter on a day-to-day basis. We covered everything from different types of lawn disease to different types of pests and how to deal with them all individually. The course gave me more than enough information on how to deal with everything.

The training doesn’t just consist of a two week classroom course though; I am nearly a year into my business and the training is still ongoing. When you have someone like Steve on the end of the phone, it’s hard not to call him and ask for help, which he is always more than happy to give.”

After the first three months of starting his business, David acquired 21 regular customers. Now having been in operation for just under a year, David has 55 regular customers and a further eight who have called him for ad-hoc treatments during the past year. Over the next five years, David plans to operate a multi-van business, employing two members of staff and achieving a minimum turnover of £150,000, helping him to purchase of a second territory.

David struggled initially with time management when starting his business. His enthusiasm for the outdoors made him want to be out in the field every working hour, however with experience and guidance he soon understood that time needs to also be spent on administration such as stock control, invoicing and accounts.

He advises: “If it’s right for you, do it. Of course, do all your due diligence to be sure it is right for you. Be prepared to put in a lot of hours and a lot of hard work at the beginning but the rewards don’t take long to come through. You’re your own boss; the sense of pride and ownership you get when you go back to a lawn you’ve treated and you see how well it has progressed is second to none. Best job I’ve ever had!”

The grass is greener with TruGreen franchise - 02-March-2010

Growing my TruGreen franchise business - 25-February-2009

Satisfaction from TruGreen Franchise - 06-February-2008