Franchising opportunity???

[cole1980]

Hey gang.
I am possibley looking at getting into the US Lawns Franchise. I would be looking at about $50,000 to get setup. That includes franchise fees, equipment, training, software, etc... What do you think. Should I just get a loan for the same amount and do it myself and have extra left over as a cushion for my family as I begin in this as a full time thing. Let me know your thoughts.

[Phil Nilsson]

Cole
would you mind listing out in detail what items are included in this franchise? ... equipment and the rest?

[Seascape]

Im curious to here more about the 50,000 package but im thinking come up with about 1/3 of that and start your own gig.
mike

[grasschaser]

I agree that you have just a good of a chance to suceed at a fraction of the cost. Remeber the franchise can build you up with all kind of book knowledge but you still have to learn how to run your buisness. There is a great value in practical knowledge you can only learn in the field by practicing and developing the skills you need to suceed. A franchise does not guarentee sucess, you do!

[cole1980]

Here is the breakdown according to US Lawns
1. Initial Franchise Fee - $29,000
2. Equipment/Tools/Insurance - $15,000
3. Operating Expense - $4,000(3months)
4. Training Expenses - $3,000
5. Additional Funds - $1,000

Total - $52,000

Where as I can take a chance and get a loan for say
$12,000 and get a ZTR & handheld equipment I don't already have and have money for quality advertising. But the kicker in any of this is convencing my wife it is worth the risk.

Let me know what you think.

[Scott]

no way. If you're getting a loan for that much why don't you just apply it to your own equipment, paint/vinyl your truck all fancy.
You didn't mention any advantages.

[cole1980]

Scott,
I really started thinking about it and the only advantage I see is that they are really supportive on the business aspect. But $30k for a name is B.S. I have a name already and it only cost $10.00 or so for the DBA. I am not going to do it. I am going to try my best to get as loaded as I can this year on business and just take a loan out next year,(ztr, more handhelds, employee or two, advertising, and maybe some extra cash for as buffer to pay bills.) $20k max. Maybe even just $15k.

Thank you all for the info.

[Scott]

shoot for 30k you can make one hell of a name for yourself in your town. Billboards, yellowpages, benches, radio commericals, tv commericals, etc...

You could do like one guy in my town. Buy a few beatup trucks, make them presentable, plaster your name all over them and have everybody you know drive them around.

[grasschaser]

Here is the breakdown according to US Lawns
1. Initial Franchise Fee - $29,000
2. Equipment/Tools/Insurance - $15,000
3. Operating Expense - $4,000(3months)
4. Training Expenses - $3,000
5. Additional Funds - $1,000

Total - $52,000
What kind of operating expense is that? That sounds like a lot of money for only three months. How much will the next three monts cost? Look at this your operating expense is almost a third of your equiptment expense. Training expense seems high also for $3000 I will train you. This is just my opinion do more research and let us know. I would contact someone in your area who already owns a franchise and get with them and see what it is all about. Offer to take them to dinner or something it will be cheaper than $52000. mistake.

[Alpine Naturescapes]

I'm with these gusy Scott. What does this franchise have to offer that will set you apart? For that much money, it better be really good. If it's not like a natural lawn care franchise or something, I would say go it alone. Go knock on Home Owner Association doors, and follow the other advice on this thread. Get any referral letters you can from prior customers. These are BIG. If people see you mowing good-looking lawns, you will eventually get the biz.

[Alpine Naturescapes]

Excuse me Scott. I'm with these guys Cole.

[cole1980]

I am very happy you all put your $.02 in. I am going to stay away from it. As Scott stated, for about half I can get a really good thing started. Business has really started coming in this past week or so. I will stick with what I am doing now and hopefully be able to quit my reg. job soon. I do computer repair and build new ones, so that can keep me busy during slow times or winter months. Again, Thank you all so far.

[andersc1]

Eric,
Just out of curiousity once I sent off for more information about a Spring Green franchise, or at least I think it was Spring Green. Anyway, they difinately had all their ducks in a row so to speak. The literature they sent was great. Color brochures telling you all the fancy stuff you were going to get with your franchise such as a computer system and software, (already have a computer and accounting software), training videos and literature (nothing beats OJT and Phil's books), a truck with the company logo on it (also available from Ford Motor Company and Fast Signs printing for the same money), $5000 dollars worth of advertising (also available from your local TV and radio stations), uniforms (can get the same stuff from the local uniform company), mowers and various other equipment which you purchase from the company (prefer to pick and choose which equipment I use and get it from a local dealer which will also service the stuff), and a $25,000 franchise fee.

After all is said and done with you end up with a fancy truck, pretty equipment that perhaps isn't best suited for Southeast Texas mowing, pretty and clean uniforms, a $60,000 bank note and absolutely ZERO customers to help you pay for all this stuff.

The only people making a killing out of these arrangements are the franchise companies.

I think you made the right decision in just doing it yourself. It will save you a ton of money in the long run, and when your big and successful and nearing retirement age, you can look back and say to yourself that you did it all by yourself.

Curtis