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The Greensleeves Lawn Care franchise business provides quality lawn care treatments to customers throughout the UK.
Our franchisees analyse, advise, and treat their customers’ lawns, visiting at least five times per year for on-going maintenance. With full training and support from our dedicated franchise team, franchisees have the opportunity to create a work/life balance that suits them.
Greensleeves is a Full member of the British Franchise Association.
How much does a Greensleeves Lawn Care franchise cost?
There are two packages available £19,500 or £24,950* depending on territory size, equipment package and marketing.
*Major banks can fund up to 50-70% of the cost, dependent upon your financial history.
Interview with Jim Stewart of Greensleeves Lawn Care, Aberdeenshire
Why did you go down the franchise route? And why did you choose your franchise?
I was immediately attracted to investing in a franchise because of the proven track record of success they provide, along with the low business failure rate. I felt that the market knowledge, supplier relations, marketing expertise and defined tried and tested procedures that come with purchasing a franchise were extremely beneficial and something that I would not have access to as an independent, new start up business. I was also acutely aware that I would be in an advantageous position whereby I could learn from others mistakes and receive excellent training. All this combined with the realistic buy in costs and exclusive geographic area made franchising the obvious route for me.
Like many people who have spent their professional careers going from car or aeroplane to stuffy office meetings and hotel rooms the appeal of working outdoors was a real draw. I was very much attracted by the vision of a much healthier working environment and a healthier, more active lifestyle. Lawn Care provided all this and when I met Greensleeves I knew they were the company for me.
What did you do before taking up a franchise?
After 25 years as an executive in the electronic component industry I was made redundant in 2010 which came as a shock. I took the time off to look around at what areas I could venture into and decided franchising was perfect for me. Whilst I wanted to run my own company I also wanted the security that a franchise offers.
What training and support did you receive initially and ongoing?
The initial training took place over two weeks at Greensleeves head office. It was organised to coincide with some other new starters which was nice as everyone is in the same boat and you all learn together. The training package was extremely comprehensive focusing on all aspects of the business from practical lessons on how to carry out the actual lawn treatments through to business administration, finance and marketing training. I was impressed with the level of support provided, nothing was too much trouble. The support was ongoing as well with regular contact and visits once I was up and running.
What is a typical day for you as a franchisee?
My daily work routine has altered as the business has developed and is very varied. We are very fortunate that we have a great team of customer facing staff that are out treating lawns 5 or sometimes 6 days a week. This allows me the time to manage the business and make sure we are giving the best service we can whilst maximising our business opportunity. I spend one day a week in the office keeping on top of enquiries and following up on quotations. The rest of the week I am out seeing potential new customers and handling service calls. When time allows I will do some door to door canvassing which is a great way to attract new customers. I really enjoy being outdoors and meeting people whilst growing my business.
What challenges have you faced?
The weather can be extremely challenging – it has a significant impact on our business for example last summer’s heavy rainfall meant that lawns were by and large looking lush. On the other hand the warm and damp conditions lead to many lawns developing red thread and in some cases moss continuing to grow through the summer months, we therefore had to take appropriate action to rectify this. So far this summer the warm, dry conditions have left many lawns looking dried out and in poor condition so we have a new challenge. No matter the weather we experience different challenges and as a result opportunities to help our customers.
Has becoming a franchisee changed your life, if so how?
My life has changed completely, I have gone from working in an office for somebody else to running my own business in the outdoors employing my own team and I find it invigorating. I definitely feel fitter and healthier from working outdoors in the fresh air.
What marketing/promotional tools do you use to grow your franchise?
I use a variety of tools to compliment the national marketing activities that head office take care of. For example this year head office ran a national advertising campaign in Ideal Home and Gardeners World so I complimented it with my own local advertising, leafleting and PR which I find works well. We have a dedicated marketing company that is made available to us by head office to assist us with any activities we undertake which helps.
What differentiates your franchise from the competition?
After meeting up with two lawn care franchises I picked Greensleeves because of their in-depth knowledge, attention to detail, professional manner and friendly management staff. I was told how successful their franchisees are and what to expect. It was explained how some franchisees worked with partners, children and friends. This was an idea I warmed to as my hope when I started was that in 5 years time my franchise will be bringing employment to the Aberdeen area, helping people like myself who found themselves out of work. Now only 3 years on I am already in that position.
In your opinion, what makes a successful franchisee?
To be successful you need to work hard in all areas of the business and ensure that you provide the utmost levels of service to your customers. A large amount of my new business comes from customer referrals – when you do a good job people tell their friends and family. There is no quick fix it takes time and dedication but it is certainly worth it.
What advice would you give to someone thinking of buying their first franchise?
Take your time and select the right franchise for you, the support that I have received from Greensleeves has been excellent and I cannot stress the importance enough of finding the right fit with the franchise that you choose. Talk to as many people as you can including the competitors in the same market. Be sure to budget and plan realistically and get the support from your partner and family. Be prepared to work hard, paying a franchise fee is not a guarantee for success. Be resilient, there will be tough times in the early years but with the right work ethic and the support from your franchisor and your family you will succeed.
What are your plans for the future?
So far we have exceeded both our customer numbers and revenue targets year on year which has allowed us to bring on 2 full time employees and 3 part time employees and put a second van on the road. Business is looking good and I am currently looking at investing in a third van which will also require another member of staff. I am very enthusiastic to see what is next, the business is growing and I am having a lot of fun running it.
Greensleeves Lawn Care franchise growing from strength to strength
Whist the UK has experienced a rather dismal start to the year weather wise, with the bad conditions keeping most of us in hibernation mode, Greensleeves Lawn Care has been experiencing an extremely busy start to 2013.
Read more...
Tell us a bit about yourself including when and why you joined Greensleeves and your past employment within or outside of franchising
I had spent my entire career in sports and amenity turf management, which is an interesting although small sector of the horticultural industry. I saw the beginnings of the lawn care industry in the UK and was aware of a burgeoning industry in the USA. An opportunity arose for me to get involved in a small start-up business, both from an ownership and operational point of view and I viewed it as something not to be missed. I joined the business in 2004 when it had only 1 franchise operating and have made it my aim to grow the business into a national service provider competing with the biggest companies in the sector, something we are well on the way to achieving.
When was Greensleeves established? And what were the factors for deciding to go down the franchise route?
The business model lent itself perfectly to becoming a franchise. It is a simple concept and relatively easy to replicate. It is a service which is better provided by a small local family type business from the customer’s point of view. We can bring significant benefits to the network with collective buying power on items such as consumables, IT and brand marketing.
What have been Greensleeve’s biggest achievements/successes to date so far?
Not only surviving but thriving during the global financial crisis of 2007 onwards helped us to become a strong and resilient business, having established a customer base of over 50,000 through a network of 77 franchisees has established us as a market leader. Becoming the first franchise business to gain the coveted “Which ?” endorsement as well as developing our own IT systems have all been significant milestones we have become very proud of. I think most of all though being respected as one of the leading businesses in our sector is a very satisfying position to have gained.
What challenges have you had to overcome?
Operating the business in the early days under some very challenging financial constraints due to the lack of available credit. Creating a market for a “new” service has proved and continues to prove a challenge. Similar to most franchise businesses, retaining a consistent operating practice amongst our network remains an ongoing challenge.
What marketing/promotional tools do you use to grow your franchise?
BFA Membership
Various Franchise Events and Shows
Recommendations from our existing network
Advertising in franchise based media
Our own and a number of franchise based websites
What differentiates Greensleeves Lawn Care from the competition?
We believe our franchise package to be superior in terms of what we provide and the initial marketing launch
We provide very strong support from head office to our network – each franchisee has a different range of skills and competences and we can and do support them in the areas they are weaker
The exclusive territories that we have made available are of a unique size providing comprehensive demographic targeting information to help with specific marketing therefore business growth
A strong brand that the consumer recognises as a mark of quality backed up by our unique endorsement from “ Which ?”
What qualities do you look for in a franchisee? What makes a successful franchisee?
Anybody joining our network needs to demonstrate that they have a level of integrity and drive to grow their own business; they then need to develop an understanding and respect of our network values and ethos.
Ideally they will have a vision of what they want to achieve and all the business skills needed to achieve that - motivation, personality, organisation and high standards in relation to customer service. It is the business skills that will help somebody succeed rather than an understanding of the technical aspects of the industry which we already have in house.
What changes have you seen in your industry over recent years? And how have you adapted to them?
As awareness of our service has grown so then has the level of competition in the market place. In response to that we have ensured that we continue to offer a high level of excellence through training and service provided, ensuring we operate at the “high – end” with high quality service and trained, qualified staff.
As technology has developed we have tried to implement those parts that are relevant and now find ourselves offering a range of services with payment plans through direct debit payment options as well as various electronic payment methods available.
We have had to become more social, creating a social media environment with a new modern interactive website as well as Facebook and Twitter accounts for our entire network.
As our brand has become more trusted we have increased the range of products that we offer to our customer base in response to the many requests we receive.
What does the future hold for Greensleeves?
The future is exciting with a clear picture of where we want the organisation to go:
We intend to continue to develop the range of services that we offer to our customer base
We will continue to develop and maintain a strong brand
We will continue to support franchisees in developing their businesses to the maximum potential
We will develop our IT systems to maximise marketing and sales opportunities and become an all round tool for reporting and managing customer’s communication, accounts and interaction
What expansion plans have you got nationally and internationally?
We would like full national coverage in the UK which translates to circa 125 franchises
Split some of our larger existing areas to make them more streamlined and efficient businesses
To continue to grow our customer base
To increase our service offering to existing customers therefore helping our network to maximise the profits available to them within their given territories
What advice would you give to someone considering franchising their business?
Consider the model and question whether it is easy to define the operating parameters. Consider if the model is very specialised and therefore not easy to attract people to be able to provide that service or product. Are the margins sufficient to sustain a profitable business based on a geographical territory?
Ensure you recruit good quality franchisees and make sure that you provide them with a comprehensive package and support – they will become your best sales tools.
If you had to do it all again, what would you do differently?
Focussing on really good quality franchisees and territory size; this is something we could have done better. There are lots of little things we could have improved with hindsight but generally the business has evolved in a considered way without any significant operational problems.
Invest in a franchise that is the first national lawn care franchise on the Which? Trusted Trader scheme.
For more than 16 years, Greensleeves has provided top quality lawn treatments to gardens across the country. With over 75 franchises throughout the UK, and more due to launch this year, we are going from strength to strength.
This is also due to the enormous potential within the lawn care market with the industry showing healthy growth at over 30%. With an estimated 18,000,000 lawns in the UK at present and growing, there is more than enough opportunity to establish a successful franchise in this sector. We have repeat business with over 90% of our customers and recommendations are the main source of new business for an established franchise.
At the end of last year, following a rigorous application and approval process Greensleeves were extremely proud to be one of the first franchise companies to be awarded with the sought after Which? Trusted Traders endorsement.
This accolade speaks volumes about Greensleeves and the quality of service we provide to customers. This commitment to quality and service naturally carries through the business to the way in which the company cares for its franchisees. We believe this endorsement along with that of independent lawn expert and author of Modern Lawncare, David Hedges-Gower, elevates our brand significantly above those of rival companies.
The Greensleeves franchise opportunity
The typical job of a Greensleeves franchisee is to analyse, advise and treat their customers lawns, visiting at least five times per year to ensure the lawns are lush, green and healthy.
Even if you don’t have a background in lawn care or any previous experience running a business do not worry – all the support you need is at hand.
Our current franchise network members enjoy:
A profitable and cash generative business from month one
A defined postcode area
Outstanding business potential with over 80,000 target homes
An opportunity to develop a multiple van business
Significant growth potential for an enthusiastic franchise
High annual customer retention
A pleasant working environment
Excellent business support
How we train and support you
Greensleeves franchisees receive full initial training and the ongoing back-up of a highly committed management team.
Remember, all the directors of Greensleeves started out as Greensleeves franchisees themselves so they know and understand the challenges you will face and are fully equipped to offer assistance and support.
Our in-house training and ongoing support will ensure that you are fully equipped to establish and run your business and carry out the lawn care treatments to Greensleeves high standards. The course includes an NPTC program and exam which is required by law for you to handle pesticides in a commercial situation.
How much does a Greensleeves franchise cost?
Greensleeves offer an excellent franchise package which includes products, skills training, business and financial planning, accounts and marketing support.
The Greensleeves franchise package costs from £19,500 + VAT to £24,950 + VAT
*Major banks can fund up to 50-70% of the cost, dependent upon your financial history.
What do I get for my investment?
A fully funded marketing launch for your lawn care business which will generate the first 100 - 200 customers as well as ongoing marketing support from our marketing partners
A bespoke online computer customer database - to manage and schedule your customers and Sage software to handle your business accounts
Equipment package - we provide all of the highest specification equipment you will need to run your business from day one
Initial Stock - to enable you to treat approximately the first 100 lawns you receive
Vehicle - on a lease contract.
Greensleeves Lawn Care uniform and personal protective equipment
Excellent initial lawn manager training at our academy with formal NPTC qualifications
Access to the best products available in the industry
FREEPHONE telephone line for marketing and customer enquiries
Personalised website and access to our marketing partners for marketing assistance and support
Capital growth potential in an expanding market with little competition
An absolute commitment to customer service is the most important skill you will possess.
It is important to us that you have the appetite to grow a business to its full potential and maintain the high levels of customer service that we currently provide to our many thousands of existing customers.
You will be somebody who is not work shy and take on the challenges that running your own franchise business brings. Franchisees need to be able to manage a daily routine that requires a degree of semi-physical activity. You need to be flexible and self-motivated; very few business opportunities offer success without hard work, commitment and long and often unsocial hours.
Download franchise prospectus
By filling in the form below you will be able to download a copy of the Greensleeves Lawn Care prospectus.
This will provide you with more detailed information on the franchise opportunity and allow you to contact them direct with any questions you may have.
This is FREE and non-obligatory; we never share or sell your personal information.
Our franchisees analyse, advise, and treat their customers’ lawns, visiting at least five times per year for on-going maintenance. With full training and support from our dedicated franchise team, franchisees have the opportunity to create a work/life balance that suits them.
Jim Stewart
This is also due to the enormous potential within the lawn care market with the industry showing healthy growth at over 30%. With an estimated 18,000,000 lawns in the UK at present and growing, there is more than enough opportunity to establish a successful franchise in this sector. We have repeat business with over 90% of our customers and recommendations are the main source of new business for an established franchise.
This accolade speaks volumes about Greensleeves and the quality of service we provide to customers. This commitment to quality and service naturally carries through the business to the way in which the company cares for its franchisees. We believe this endorsement along with that of independent lawn expert and author of Modern Lawncare, David Hedges-Gower, elevates our brand significantly above those of rival companies.
Our in-house training and ongoing support will ensure that you are fully equipped to establish and run your business and carry out the lawn care treatments to Greensleeves high standards. The course includes an NPTC program and exam which is required by law for you to handle pesticides in a commercial situation.
It is important to us that you have the appetite to grow a business to its full potential and maintain the high levels of customer service that we currently provide to our many thousands of existing customers.