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Greensleeves Lawn Care Franchisee Success Stories

Last updated: 28-March-2024

From starting at just 19, Oliver Wood is now a successful multi-unit franchisee -


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  • Name: Oliver Wood
  • Location: Huddersfield
  • Franchise: Greensleeves Huddersfield, North Sheffield & Wakefield
  • Date launched the franchise: August 2006

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and what you were doing prior to buying your Greensleeves franchise?

Currently I am 37 Years old, married to Lucy with two girls, Sophia 6 & Georgia 4.  I started the franchise @ 19 years old with the help of my parents.  After seeing other members of the family run their own successful businesses, I was keen to do the same. In all honesty I was a little young to go at something like this alone, it was the guidance of my Dad and the franchise network that made me see the potential and after 12 months things started to take off and I was hooked!

In 2010, I purchased my second franchise area, Huddersfield.  This was the first Greensleeves territory which I purchased from Head office.  This area came with 2000 accounts and we had to borrow the majority of the funds from HSBC.  Overnight I was a 23 year old with 6 members of staff old enough to be my dad.  Quite daunting.

In 2015 I purchase the Wakefield area, with 1950 accounts.  This was due to the original owners retiring.

Now we run all three areas from out 4000 sqft unit in Skelmanthorpe. We look after over 8000 customer lawns & have 18 full time members of staff including an operations manager who helps me oversee the day to day running of the business.  We have 16 vans on the road and expect to see a Gross T/O of around £1.5m in 2024.

Why did you go down the franchise route?

Led by my parents really.  Seemed like a better option than uni.

How did you raise the finance?

  • Franchise area 1 – Family Funds
  • Area 2 – Personal funds & HSBC
  • Area 3 – Fully funded by HSBC

What training and support did you receive initially and ongoing?

Plenty of support.  Greensleeves support really is great.  They offer tailored support based on the size of your franchise, your experience and so on.

How would you describe your day-to-day role as a franchisee

This has changed over the years but now we have a great structure within the business including an Operations Manager, 4 office staff, quotes manager and 12 Lawn Operatives out in the field servicing customers lawns.  Without this team I couldn’t run the business as well as we do.  My role involves overseeing all elements of the business ensuring we achieve our goals.

Provide information on challenges overcome as well as your key successes to date.

  • 2020 – 10% growth
  • 2021 – 13% growth
  • 2022 – 9% growth
  • 2023 – 12% growth

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

To be honest I have done it that long I don’t know any different.  I have a great work/life balance and really enjoy the work I do.

How do you achieve a work-life balance?

With the help of the fantastic team I have around me!

If you are a multi-unit franchisee, can you tell us why Greensleeves is ideal for those looking for a scalable opportunity? 

Greensleeves works well as a multi-unit Franchise because staff can be based at home and only come to the office 1-2 times per week to collect stock etc.  The web-based systems in place allow us to send all work and invoiced digitally.  This allows us to employ staff in parts of our territory that we would previously not have considered.

How do you retain your best staff and keep morale high and productive?

I believe being a providing a friendly work environment and being fair and flexible with your staff help maintain a reliable team.  We have a few team members now that have been with us for over 10 years and plenty that have worked for us for over 5 years.

Can you tell us about any community involvement, including any local partnerships, incentives or charity work you are involved in? 

We are the main shirt sponsor for the local football team, Skelmanthorpe FC & we also sponsor several local cricket teams.  We also provide sponsorship to a few local open garden weekends.

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

Do your own research and speak to other current franchisees.  They will tell you all the good and bad points.  Running a business is at times difficult and you must be prepared for that! Remember, if it was easy, everyone would be doing it.  Work hard and you will be rewarded!

In your opinion, what makes a successful franchisee?  

Hard work, planning, look after your staff!  You can’t do it alone!

What are your plans for the future?

More of the same really. Keep growing the business.

If you had to do it all again, what would you do differently?

Taken on staff sooner! It’s always tough to employ your first team member or the next one.  Every time I have it gives you time to spend time growing your business.  Work on your business not in it!

John Lilburne, Greensleeves National Sales Manager says;

"Oliver Wood is an exceptional entrepreneur and a true asset to the Greensleeves franchise network. His unwavering determination, strategic vision, and commitment to excellence have propelled him to remarkable heights, transforming a single franchise into a thriving multi-unit empire. Oliver's ability to lead and inspire his team is truly admirable, fostering a culture of camaraderie, hard work, and continuous growth.

What sets Oliver apart is his genuine passion for the business and his deep understanding of what it takes to succeed in the competitive landscape. His resilience in overcoming obstacles, coupled with his willingness to adapt and innovate, has consistently positioned him as a trailblazer in the industry.

Oliver's dedication to community involvement further exemplifies his character and values, reflecting his belief in giving back and making a positive impact. It is an honour to witness his journey and to have had the opportunity to work alongside such a driven and principled individual.

Without a doubt, Oliver Wood's achievements serve as an inspiration to aspiring franchisees and entrepreneurs alike. His story is a testament to the power of hard work, strategic planning, and a unwavering commitment to excellence. I wholeheartedly recommend Oliver as a franchisee and business leader, and I have no doubt that his future endeavors will continue to be marked by remarkable success."


Six months on as a franchisee - Neil Grainger's franchise journey -


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The first six months of new business ownership are likely to be a rollercoaster ride for anyone. Not only will you experience the highs of building a new business but also the challenges of global and local business landscapes continually evolving. However, for franchisees, the wisdom of a supportive franchisor can help you come through the opening months to create a business with a strong and lasting foundation.

Greensleeves’ 100th Franchisee Neil Grainger has just completed his first six months with the lawncare company. Since investing with the franchise and launching in the fabulous coastal town of Bournemouth, Neil’s business has gone from strength to strength and is already treating the lawns of 132 customers.

“When I started six months ago, I set myself some goals. Now, I’m happy to say I’ve certainly exceeded my expectations. I’m in a great location and have a good number of customers, but now the goal is to get even more,” said Neil.

Neil joined Greensleeves alongside Keith Fox and Radko Yordanov, both launching new territories in Derbyshire and Brentwood. Combined Keith and Radko are looking after well over 300 customers' lawns between them.

“Since leaving my last job as a precision engineer to become a franchisee with Greensleeves, my work-life balance has improved drastically. I get to spend more time with my family and do the school drop-offs, which I much prefer to getting up and going to a factory job I didn’t enjoy,” explained Neil.

“I’ve been so impressed with the support I’ve received from head office over the past six months. The team are really accessible, and they always reply within a few minutes whenever I have a question. I also have access to the wider network through a WhatsApp group, so if I’m out on the lawns and ever need suggestions on which treatment to use I can just drop a message in there. The response is always pretty much instant. Last month, head office also launched an app called Greensleeves Live to speed up our admin process. This has really benefitted my day-to-day running of the franchise.”

This month, Greensleeves is also welcoming two new franchisees to their network, Mick Perrone, who is launching the Bedford territory, and Richard Crewdson, who is kickstarting the Lancaster territory. Both Mick and Richard are new to business ownership and are looking forward to taking on a new challenge.

As franchisees grow their businesses, they begin to take on staff to help deliver their services. To ensure consistency of high-quality customer service and lawn-care treatments, the horticultural franchise has developed a Staff Training Academy for franchisees’ staff.

Fiona Williams, franchisee at Greensleeves Stockport, Oldham, Trafford & Tatton, recently had a new team member go through the training academy. “We wanted our newest employee to be able to see how we do things at Greensleeves - the ‘Greensleeves way’ if you like. The training reiterates what the brand does and our values. We completed the training on zoom with them and the content was great.”

Steven Large, Greensleeves’ Corporate Manager who developed the academy said, “We decided it’d be a great idea to put together a training package for the new guys, including a brand induction. The training helps us deliver industry-standard training and consists of four modules for staff to complete. The academy enables learning and development, giving staff a sense of belonging. So far, we’ve had 36 people complete training as part of the new academy and the feedback has been really positive. It’s great for our franchisees because staff feel valued, leading to increased staff retention.”


Interview with Jim Stewart of Greensleeves Lawn Care, Aberdeenshire -


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Franchisee: Jim Stewart
Location: Aberdeenshire
Franchise: Greensleeves Lawn Care

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.

Would you do it again?

Absolutely, I wish I had done it sooner.


Interview with Karl Temata of Greensleeves, Maidenhead - 30-March-2015


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Name: Karl Temata
Location: Maidenhead
Franchise: Greensleeves

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

Choosing the Greensleeves franchise route had a number of benefits; we had the peace of mind in knowing that the Greensleeves system was already proven and successful. We also knew we could rely on continued support from head office as well as neighbouring franchises. Combined with these benefits we still had the freedom to run our franchise in our own manner without being locked into a rigid, inflexible system, this was of particular appeal to us.

What did you do before taking up a franchise?

Before establishing a Greensleeves franchise, I have spent the last 15 years playing professional Rugby league. Towards the end of my career I was a player/coach and also worked in a vineyard in the south of France while studying a degree in Horticulture.

How did you raise the finance?

In order to invest in the franchise business I arranged a business loan and used my savings.

What training and support did you receive initially and ongoing?

The initial meetings with Greensleeves answered a number of questions I had and outlined the full and ongoing training and support available. The training covered the entire operating process and the administration system. Ongoing training included additional help I needed such as extra accounts training. During my time as a franchisee I have also benefited from Greensleeves business partners who provided equipment support, parts and other administrative and marketing help and advice.

What is a typical day for you as a franchisee?

A typical day will always involve interaction with our customers, this is either in person, over the phone, email or social media. The emphasis is on excellence in customer service. Other major tasks include the comprehensive work involved in making our customers lawns green and lush. Day to day planning also involves planning the franchise schedule weeks or months ahead, visiting potential customers, and carrying out marketing activities.

What challenges have you faced?

The greatest challenge for me was the first month, as I had bought an existing franchise with a few hundred customers. This meant that I did not have the luxury of learning slowly and gradually building up the customer base. I was extremely busy from day one and it did seem a bit daunting on the busiest days. However like everything it did not take long to ‘learn the ropes’ and I had the benefit of a solid foundation of training from Greensleeves head office to get me through this challenging time.

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

Yes it certainly has, I came from a job where I was in a large team environment to one where I was in control, the boss, lawn operative, and office worker all at once. I now have my own business which is a big part of my life.

What marketing/promotional tools do you use to grow your franchise?

A range of marketing methods are used, both large and small. We find this range of tools allows us to reach a far wider range of people who are interested in lawn care. Marketing methods include: royal mail leaflets, garden centre magazines, social media, internet, website and competitions.

What differentiates your franchise from the competition?

The Greensleeves commitment to excellence in customer service is what I believe is the main difference between us and other franchisees in our industry. We give the customer what they want and often go beyond what is defined in our treatment. I often sum it up by saying ‘we do what we say we will do’ as so much is promised by businesses these days and seldom delivered.

In your opinion, what makes a successful Greensleeves franchisee?

Someone who is driven, organised, and self motivated. These qualities are important as ultimately you are responsible for the success or failure of your franchise.

What advice would you give to someone thinking of buying their first franchise?

I think it helps to have an interest in what you choose as initially a lot of time is going to be spent on the daily operating of the franchise as well as planning for the future. Having a similar or related background will also help, however training is always there for whatever franchise you choose. I would also recommend doing some actual time on the job to get a taste for what you are in for once you purchase a franchise, and to see if it is something you are going to enjoy doing.

What are your plans for the future?

My plans for the future is to expand the business, by creating a large team of great employees whilst continuing to provide an excellent lawn care service with the highest level of customer service possible.

Would you do it again?

Definitely, although it was a stressful and busy time when we first started the franchise, it did become easier. I now want every day to be busy, and I’m excited about what each day brings. It is quite motivating in itself when you see the difference we can make to people’s lawns!