Lawn Doctor
Lawn Doctor franchises offer lawn care services and holiday lighting installations under well-known trademarks. Known for reliable outdoor maintenance, the company operates in the landscaping and home improvement industries.
About Lawn Doctor
Lawn Doctor franchise FAQ
How much does it cost to open one — the total initial investment?
The total initial investment necessary to begin operation of a Lawn Doctor franchise ranges from $135,820 to $163,902. This includes between $114,950 to $118,000 that must be paid to the franchisor [p.1].
What is the initial franchise fee?
The initial franchise fee is $118,000, which includes an initial license fee of $50,000, a training, supply, and support fee of $61,600, and nonrefundable deposits for equipment leases totaling $6,400. This fee can be reduced to $114,950 if the Turf Tamer Power Seeder is not applicable due to agronomic conditions in certain states. Additionally, LDI offers a 10% discount on the initial license fee for qualified candidates such as U.S. military veterans, minorities, Green Industry participants, and First Responders [p.13].
What are the ongoing royalty and advertising fees?
The franchisees are required to pay a weekly royalty and service fee based on a percentage of their net revenues. Specifically, this is set at 10% of Net Revenues [p.53]. Additionally, there is an obligation for all Franchisees to spend the greater of $30,000 or 10% of Net Revenues for marketing and promotion [p.53]. This spending is considered advertising fees.
How long is the initial franchise agreement, and can I renew it?
The initial term of the franchise agreement is not specified in the excerpts. However, if you substantially comply with the provisions of the agreement and refurbish and re-equip your service vehicles as required, you may have the right to acquire a successor franchise for an additional term of ten years upon the expiration of the initial term [p.97].
Can I sell or transfer my franchise, and what does that require?
To sell or transfer your franchise, you must meet several conditions as outlined in [p.95]. The proposed transferee(s) or its owner(s) must be an individual of good moral character with sufficient business experience and financial resources to operate a Lawn Doctor Business. They must also complete the training program required of new franchisees and agree to be bound by the current form of standard franchise agreement. Additional requirements include assuming all obligations of the franchisee, paying a transfer fee, executing a noncompetition covenant, providing transition services for at least 60 days, and subordinating any obligations of the transferee to the COMPANY's demands.
On what grounds can the franchisor terminate the agreement?
The franchisor can terminate the agreement if you fail to comply with any lawful provision of the franchise agreement and do not cure such failure within a reasonable period, which cannot exceed 30 days [p.5(c)]. Additionally, this isn't specified in the excerpts for other specific grounds.
What financial requirements — net worth and liquid capital — do I need to qualify?
This isn't specified in the excerpts. The provided FDD excerpts focus on the franchisor's financial practices and obligations but do not detail the specific financial requirements needed for a franchisee to qualify.
Do I get an exclusive or protected territory?
Your territory is not exclusive in the sense that Lawn Doctor can offer its services through similar distribution channels such as the internet, catalogs, and other media both inside and outside your territory. However, LDI will not operate or grant a franchise for the operation of a Lawn Doctor Business with a territory that overlaps materially with yours, except under certain conditions [p.40]. This means you have protection against direct competition from new Lawn Doctor franchises in your area, but other channels of distribution and competitive brands may still pose a challenge [p.75] and [p.41].
What training and ongoing support does the franchisor provide?
The franchisor provides an initial training program on the operation of the Lawn Doctor Business [p.77], which includes pairing new franchisees with an existing franchisee mentor for practical experience [p.38]. Additionally, the franchisor may require supervisory personnel to attend supplemental and refresher training programs at their expense [p.77]. The training does not cover labor relations and employment practices [p.77]. For existing franchisees opening additional Lawn Doctor Businesses, no standard initial training, support, or supplies are provided [p.14].
How many franchised outlets are there, and how many have closed or been terminated?
According to the FDD, as of December 31, 2025, there were 672 franchised Lawn Doctor Businesses in operation [p.50]. This information does not specify the number of closed or terminated outlets directly [p.50].
Does the franchisor share any financial performance or earnings information?
The franchisor, LDI, does not make any financial performance representations other than the ones specified in Item 19 of the Disclosure Document. If you receive any other financial performance information or projections of your future income, you should report it to the franchisor's management and relevant regulatory agencies as per [p.54].
What am I restricted to selling, and where must I buy supplies?
You may need to buy or lease certain items from the franchisor or a limited group of suppliers designated by them, which might be more expensive than similar items you could purchase on your own [p.3]. However, you are not required to use approved suppliers for all products and can request approval for other suppliers if needed [p.25]. There are no specific restrictions mentioned regarding what you must sell, but the franchise agreement may prohibit operating a similar business during the term of the franchise [p.31].