FAQs

Franchise Today & Weed Man USA COO Jennifer Lemcke

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Recently, Weed Man C.O.O. Jennifer Lemcke was invited to participate in a discussion with Franchise Today, an online radio show discussing what’s going on in the franchising world, serving up discussions with weekly guests and touching on best practices for building and growing sustainable franchise brands.

Host Stan Friedman and Lemcke touch on the tremendous growth Weed Man USA has experienced in the past decade and Weed Man’s title as the fastest growing franchise in lawn care. For the second consecutive year, Weed Man has been named One of the Best Franchises to Buy by Forbes magazine and with an initial investment of under $150,000, it’s no wonder the lawn care franchise has seen so much success.

“Our strategy in the U.S. has never been to differ from quality. We do have some good competitors at a national level…but between us and [them], I would boil it down to [the quality of] our fertilizer…and that’s been a staple [for us],” says Lemcke when asked about Weed Man’s strategy.

You can learn more about Weed Man’s exclusively-blended, golf course quality fertilizer HERE.

There are several things that set Weed Man apart from other lawn care franchises. For instance, during our off-time,“[In November, we do budgeting and] our business planning, which is unreal – top of class, not only in our industry, but top of class in probably most industries. We do zero-based budgeting with our franchisees and a business plan with each and every one of our franchisees – the crutch to all of our systems,” Lemcke states.

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To listen to the entire podcast and learn more about the Weed Man opportunity, click HERE.

For more information on opportunities in your area, visit us online at www.weedmanfranchise.com or call 1-888-321-9333.

Myths & Misperceptions About Landscapes

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There are many myths and misperceptions about the importance of maintaining a healthy yard; and if you’re considering starting your own lawn and landscape business, you might want to put them to rest before starting your venture. Weed Man has got you covered, with help from the National Association of Landscape Professionals.

Myths and Misperceptions About Landscape (2)

Owning a Weed Man franchise is not only financially rewarding; you can also be happy knowing you are contributing to a healthier environment, providing families in your community with a safe and fun place to create everlasting memories and so much more!

For more information on available franchise opportunities in your area, visit us at http://www.weedmanfranchise.com or call 1-888-321-9333. We look forward to hearing from you!

Lawn and Landscape Business Struggles and Solutions

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Being a successful lawn and landscape owner requires many traits – patience, dedication, great management skills, passion and the ability to make smart decisions. At Weed Man USA, we interact with industry people on a daily basis, and we’ve found that some of the biggest struggles they experience in owning a business have to do with employee management and retention, as well as having a poor bottom line. Every business-related struggle has a solution, whether it be taking on a different leadership style, offering competitive incentives or diversifying your services.

Struggle: Effectively Managing Employees

Solution: Every business owner is different in their employee management approach. If, as a business owner, you find that you are having difficulty effectively managing your employees, there are a number of strategies you can try to improve your efforts. To achieve maximum effectiveness and efficiency when delegating tasks, ensure your employees understand exactly what you want them to do. Spend a few extra minutes to successfully communicate what the task is and let them know you expect feedback throughout the process, as this will allow you to monitor their progress and assess whether or not the final product is up to your standards.

As an added benefit, this approach requires less micromanaging Determine in advance how you’ll reward employees for a job well done. Successful delegation of authority takes time and energy, but it does pay off in the end. Empowering and trusting your employees and appreciating their success will build their self-confidence and provide you with a higher caliber product.

Struggle: Employee Retention

Solution: Owning a business in a seasonal industry can be difficult. With the possibility of a 4-month layoff period in the winter, it’s hard to sometimes keep employees. Although offering a competitive wage plays a significant role in retention, there are definitely other things to consider when it comes to keeping your employees for the long term. Instead of layoffs, look at downtime as an opportunity for staff to explore other skills relevant to your company. It’s always smart to cross-train employees in case you require some extra help. This also gives you more confidence in promoting from within, when and if that time comes. Or why not consider diversifying your business and offering winterized services during the colder months? Additionally, if you do find quality people, offer them incentives to stay, such as increased responsibility, a new and better title, or improved compensation. Good workers are the backbone of any successful company, after all. Make them feel a part of the team and not just like it’s a temporary position.

Struggle: Poor Bottom Line                                                                       

Solution: There are many ways to better your bottom line. It’s often hard to balance your time focusing on business developmentwhile remaining visible and active in the field. Improve cash flow, gain more market share and balance your time more effectively by making smart investment decisions. Weed Man has helped hundreds of landscape professionals better their businesses. Today’s markets are filled with opportunity, but owners need to move fast. Several Weed Man franchisees owned existing businesses and saw the value in aligning themselves with a national brand. They were looking to diversify their services and Weed Man was their answer.

We are the fastest growing lawn care franchise out there, and we don’t plan on slowing down any time soon. We were recently named One of the Best Franchises to Buy by Forbes magazine! We currently have several franchise opportunities available throughout the U.S. If owning a lawn care business is something you’ve considered, or if you already own a business and are looking for an additional profit center, Weed Man is a great option, and we would be happy to meet with you to determine whether it would be a good fit for us both. For more information on franchising with Weed Man USA, visit http://www.weedmanfranchise.com.

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What Sets Weed Man Apart From Other Lawn Care Franchises?

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When opening a business, it’s important to consider your potential competition. In any industry, having competition is inevitable – and can actually help drive your success! In lawn care, it’s no different. Although we are in the same industry and offer similar services to other lawn care franchises, there are several factors that set Weed Man apart from the competition:

Locally Owned & Operated

At Weed Man, we’re proud of the fact that all of our franchises are locally owned and operated, meaning that we live and work in the very communities that we serve. With other lawn care franchises, franchisees act as managers, while corporate controls day-to-day activities. Hiring locally is important to many consumers in today’s day and age. Our model allows franchisees to run their businesses independently, while only asking for support or guidance when wanted or needed. Owners are also able to cater to their communities in the best way they see fit, whether through involvement in local initiatives, giving back, or building a visible presence at community events.

Supportive Extended Weed Man Family

On the flip side, when franchisees do require our assistance, we have the best support in the industry in the form of regional sub franchisors and a dedicated corporate team. When new franchisees come on board, they immediately become part of Weed Man’s extended family, and we will do all we can to help them achieve success in their new endeavor.

One of the Best Franchises to Buy

Did you know? Just recently, Weed Man was named One of the Best Franchises to Buy by Forbes magazine. The decision was made based on data compiled by the franchise industry research firm FRANdata. Each and every franchise brand was analyzed and ranked by cost of initial investment. Five-year growth rates, five-year continuity rates, consistency of ownership, and level of franchisee support were weighed heavily in the process.

Reasonable Start-up Costs

Having been ranked #10 by Forbes of all franchise companies with entry fees less than $150k, Weed Man is an affordable investment for entrepreneurs. When investing in a double territory (300,000 population), like the majority of new franchisees do, the total capital investment can be as low as $118,450. That investment includes rights to the territory; initial and continuous training in all aspects of the business, including marketing, administration, technical, computer, business training and long-term planning; and our state-of-the-art computer system – developed especially for Weed Man.

Exclusive Products

Our exclusive, golf course quality slow-release fertilizer is top of the line and only accessible to the Weed Man network. This product provides our customers with visible, long-lasting results, which allows us to build our reputation of excellence.

If owning a business is something that you’ve seriously considered, or if you already own a business and are looking for an additional profit center, Weed Man is a great option! We would be happy to meet you, guide you and help you form a strategic partnership. For more information on franchising with Weed Man USA, visit http://www.weedmanfranchise.com.

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Exploring the Common Myths of Owning a Lawn Care Business

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A question we get asked a lot at Weed Man, especially from franchisee prospects, is ‘what do you do during the off-season?’ Many people believe that lawn and landscape companies put their businesses on hold in the colder months, which isn’t true. There are many things business owners can do to keep their business and employees thriving during the winter. With the summer months coming to a close, today we’re going to explore the most common myths of starting a lawn care business by discussing several things Weed Man owners do when, baby, it’s cold outside!

Myth: Lawn and landscape companies close during the winter.

Debunked! This is one of the biggest myths out there. In fact, lawn and landscape businesses that simply close during the winter months often have low employee retention rates and also experience difficulties when trying to gain momentum in the new season. Several business owners in our industry decide to diversify and offer season-relevant services, such as snow plowing or holiday lighting. However, there are still several ways to keep busy and generate revenue if companies do not offer winter services. The off-season is a great time to run a thriving sales room, meet and plan for the upcoming season, and make structural improvements in preparation for the following season.

Myth: Lawn care employees get laid off each winter season because they have no work to do.

Debunked! There is always something to be done during the winter season, regardless of whether or not technicians are needed in the field. The off-season gives businesses the chance to tend to vehicles and equipment, as well as focus on training. This is also a great time to acquire new customers for the upcoming season- a project that requires a steady employee base.  As a Weed Man franchisee, you’ll always be building on a growing database of renewing customers, creating equity and expanding your business in the process.

Myth: Lawn care businesses don’t generate revenue in the off-season.

Debunked! We’re sure there are probably lawn care businesses out there who don’t work at all during the off-season. At Weed Man, we believe the colder months are a great time to sell, sell, sell and plan for the upcoming season. We encourage franchise owners to offer early sign-on incentives to customers to keep the momentum going all year long. Offering discounted rates for pre-paying is a great way to generate revenue during the winter season. Additionally, our skilled corporate team has mastered the art of marketing lawn care, no matter the season. We are the #1 lawn care franchise, after all! Not to mention that our services run through to the fall months and start in early spring.

Myth: If a recession hits, lawn care companies will go out of business fast.

Debunked! Year after year, research shows a significant increase in the use of professional lawn and landscape services. Despite the ongoing vulnerability of the economy, lawn care services continue to be a desired service by dual-income families, maturing baby boomers and consumers who are choosing to enjoy vacations at home. Across all of these demographics, consumers understand the value of a healthy looking lawn and landscape and enjoy the tranquility that a lush, green lawn can provide. Lawn care is just a small slice of the consumer’s disposable income and one of the last budget items to be cut when belt-tightening is necessary. While nothing is recession-proof, many of our companies have flourished during recessions. Also shielding lawn care from exposure to recession is its high perceived value as a low-cost service that enhances both property value and pride of ownership. In fact, studies have shown that professional lawn and landscape services can add as much as 15% to a home’s value at resale.

Yes, lawn care businesses are booming in the spring and summer months. After all, this is when our lawns need the most care; however, as we’ve laid out above, there are still ways to successfully run your lawn care business in the winter. With the support of a franchise, especially, there are also ways to maintain recurring revenues.

If owning a lawn care business is something you’ve considered, or if you already own a business and are looking for an additional profit center, Weed Man is a great option and we would be happy to meet with you to determine whether it would be a good fit for us both. For more information on franchising with Weed Man USA, visit http://www.weedmanfranchise.com.

A Day in the Life of a Weed Man Franchisee

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When you’re an entrepreneur, you’re usually in a career and field that you enjoy. You take pride in your business and look forward to each day, as you get the chance to participate in something you’re passionate about. You don’t have to answer to anyone, you make your own hours and the success of your company is in your hands. You get the chance to contribute to your community and leave a legacy for your children (especially with Weed Man’s family-friendly model). Once you become successful, you reap the benefits; but that’s not to say that entrepreneurship isn’t hard work. This is a typical Day in the Life of a Weed Man Franchisee.

  1. Arrive at the office to start your day.
  • Coming into the office to enjoy a coffee and get your day started is something a lot of people do to start their day on the right foot. This is the perfect time to review paperwork and prepare for the day or week ahead. Before your day gets busy, this is a great time to check up on your customers as well. Answer your messages and schedule new appointments. Great customer service contributes to your overall success, so this part of a franchisee’s day is imperative.
  1. Check-in with your technicians.
  • Safety and communication are important for all Weed Man franchisees. Once your technicians arrive, holding a daily tailgate meeting is a great idea. This will give you the chance to go over the day’s schedule, discuss proper procedures and give your team a pep talk to get them motivated for the day ahead.
  1. Prepare the shop for a busy day.
  • After your daily tailgate meeting, franchisees and technicians can spend some time tidying up the shop, getting equipment ready and preparing themselves for a full day’s work. Perform a vehicle check to ensure technicians will be safe on the road. This will ensure quality service, with no unexpected hiccups throughout the day.
  1. Time to get to work.
  • One of the great things about owning a Weed Man franchise is you get the opportunity to get out of the office and work outside. Turf care applications are the foundation of Weed Man’s service. Franchisees and technicians alike are well-trained and state-certified chemical applicators. Technicians will inspect soil quality and thatch samples and explain their findings to the customer.
  1. Practice great customer service.
  • Of course, practising great customer service is imperative at all times, in any industry. Between jobs, franchisees and technicians take the time to meet with prospective customers. Gaining new customers is easy, as the results of our services are so visible. Weed Man owners create greener spaces for families to live and play.
  1. Return to the office to wrap up your day.
  • After all of your customers’ lawns have been serviced, franchisees return to the office to catch up on afternoon paperwork, check in with their office staff and update records of production for the day. Weed Man systems are built to provide predictable results based on accurate information. If franchisees ever have questions, local franchisors are only a phone call away; and even if there aren’t questions to be answered, they love to hear about franchisees’ progress in the field.
  1. Love your lawn.
  • After a long, yet satisfying day, it’s time to love your own lawn and spend some much-deserved time with your family and friends!

If you or someone you know is interested in receiving additional information on franchise opportunities with Weed Man, please visit us at www.weedmanfranchise.com. We’d love to hear from you!

Frequently Asked Questions

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The opportunity to franchise with Weed Man is an exciting one. Of course, there are always preliminary questions candidates must ask before making the decision to go forward with the process. See below for a list of common FAQs.

Is Weed Man a franchise system?

Yes, it is. Franchises provide many advantages. Among them are proven systems (training, marketing and business planning, to name a few), processes and support. In the business world, smaller players are often swallowed up by larger corporations, causing many small businesses to struggle without the proper systems in place. Franchising, on the other hand, allows you to enjoy the stability of a larger organization, while still maintaining independence.

You can learn more about Weed Man’s commitment to training and proven systems here.

What services do you offer?

Weed Man specializes in lawn fertilization and weed control, as well as a wide variety of other optional services (varies by location). And great customer service, of course!


How does it work when I am already offering those services in my existing business?

The companies that we bring on that already offer our main services within their existing business(es) set up lawn fertilization and weed control as a separate division of their current company, but under the Weed Man name. Doing it this way allows our franchisees to continue to offer their other services under their existing name, as well as utilize the national brand recognition we have.

What does it cost?

This is a question we get a lot. At the end of the day, it’s less about the cost and more about the investment. The exact number depends on the size of the market area/number of territories that the interested candidate wants to service.  Our franchise fee for a single territory is $20,000, plus training fees and start-up costs.

You can learn more about capital requirements and what your investment includes here.

What sets Weed Man apart from other lawn care franchises?

Although we are in the same industry and offer similar services to other lawn care franchises, there are several factors that set up apart from the competition:

  • Our exclusive, golf course quality slow-release fertilizer
  • The best support in the industry in the form of regional sub franchisors and a dedicated corporate team
  • Low start-up costs
  • A successful direct marketing approach that truly helps our franchisees grow and develop their businesses
  • Locally owned and operated franchises

To add to the list, Weed Man was recently named one of the top 10 “Best Franchises to Buy” in our investment category, by Forbes. We were the only lawn care franchise that made the cut. Weed Man has also been honored by Entrepreneur Magazine as the number one lawn care franchise in the country.

Do you offer discounts to veterans?

Yes, we provide franchise fee discounts and various financing options for qualified veterans. Weed Man believes in military personnel, past and present, and strives to help them transition back into the business world. Many veterans possess qualities such as assertiveness, leadership, and strong judgment skills, making them the perfect candidates for Weed Man franchise ownership.

Learn more about our military opportunities here.

If owning a business is something that you’ve seriously considered, or if you already own a business and are looking for an additional profit center, Weed Man is a great option. We would be happy to meet you, guide you and help you form a strategic partnership! For more information on franchising with Weed Man USA, visit www.weedmanfranchise.com.