Starscapes home-based business opportunity

GARDEN OF PLENTY

Landscaping services are booming. This company makes $50 million a year, enjoying enviable growth during tough economic times.

WEED MAN AT-A-GLANCE

Weed Man
50 Skagway Avenue, Unit B
Toronto, Ontario M1M 3V Canada
416-269-5754/Fax:416-269-5746
www.weed-man.com

Since 1970, Weed Man has provided homeowners with reasonably-priced, fully-guaranteed lawn care services. Today, Weed Man is the largest franchised lawn care company in North America.
For more information, visit the company's website.

North Americans don't want to take time from their busy lives to maintain their landscapes. Increasingly, home owners, realtors, commercial property owners and small businesses with landscapes to care for are relying on the services of a professional.

In many cases, they are turning to Weed Man. The 30-plus year old firm enjoys the enviable position of booming in a tight economic cycle. According to Jennifer Lemcke, vice president of operations, "It's a recession-proof business. We're finding that despite hard times for many, landscape maintenance is still a concern. It's created quite an opportunity for Weed Man franchisees."

Weed Man began operations in Toronto, Canada in 1970. Spurred on by tremendous growth in the lawn care service industry during the 1970s, Weed Man launched a franchise program in 1976.

Since that time, Weed Man has experienced steady growth throughout Canada. In fact, said Lemcke, "There is not an undeveloped territory available for sale anywhere in Canada at this time."

In 1996, Weed Man's U.S. company, Turf Holdings, Inc. began to actively franchise the Weed Man name in the United States. Weed Man's strategy in the U.S. includes a series of master franchisors or sub-franchisors who would purchase the rights to sell franchise throughout their own territory.

Some of landscaping's biggest names have purchased the first master franchise territories. They are:
*Terry Kurth and Bob Ottley, past presidents of The Professional Lawn Care Association of America (PLCAA)
*Jon Cundiff, an individual very involved with the PLCAA and the Mid-America Green Industry Council
*Ken Heltemes, who built one of the largest and most respected Barefoot Grass franchises
*Steve Russell, who owns one of the largest lawn care companies in Michigan
*Phil Fogart, the former owner of the largest lawn care company in Cleveland, Ohio, who sold his firm to Scotts Lawn Service

These subfranchisors purchased exclusive rights to territories containing approximately 10 to 13 million people, and they will now begin selling anywhere from 65 to 85 franchises within their territories.

The subfranchisors will retain a portion of the royalty fees paid by the franchise they sell, with the remaining royalties going to Turf Holdings, Inc., the master Weed Man franchise company for the United States.

In addition, the subfranchisors will turn their current lawn care companies into Weed Man operations.

Weed Man is enjoying annual revenues of approximately $50 million a year and shows no sign of slowing down.

According to Don W. Dankowich, president of Weed Man, "We are proud that our franchise operation consistently ranks very high in overall franchisee satisfaction. It's a tribute to our dedication to the success of each franchisee operation."

The training program for Weed Man franchisees is comprehensive and includes a twelve day initial training program. The management team of experts supports franchisees in turf technology, equipment and production, licensing requirements, sales and marketing, and administration and finance.

Exclusive software helps to increase the efficiency of each business operation. The regional sub-franchisors offer mentoring and a step by step policy and procedures manual facilitates all start-ups.

Regularly scheduled conferences and training programs keep franchisees current with the latest innovations and techniques in the lawn care business.

There is a three-day business plan training session that helps the franchisee focus on the business and on their individual success. "We feel this business plan addition to the training is unique in the franchise industry," said Dankowich.

The Weed Man franchise opportunity might be the perfect business for a recently downsized individual to consider. "We have welcomed many individuals who have great corporate skills to the lawn care industry. Many of these folks have lost their jobs due to company closings or downsizing," said the president.

"Baby boomers have more discretionary income. They are the individuals who want to contract a professional landscaping service to maintain their properties. Our service is perfect for this demographic group. This is one of the reasons why Weed Man is doing so well."

The services of Weed Man include fertilizer application, weed control, liming and mechanical core aeration among others.

Territories are secured and franchisees benefit from bulk buying which lowers cost. The use of a proven, profitable system helps franchisees avoid trial and error in startup procedures.

Opportunities are available throughout the United States. Approximate startup costs range from $45,000 to $50,000. See the sidebar for contact information.

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