America’s Best Franchises (ABF) Brand Insight —
Square Cow Moovers spent fourteen years refining its operating model — completing 12,000+ moves annually with 300+ employees — before launching its franchise program in 2022. ABF tracks the brand as an operator-led concept with documented Item 19 performance and structured territory protection, two factors that distinguish Square Cow from the predominantly independent operators competing in this fragmented category.
At a Glance
- Liquid Capital Required: $100,000 (readily available cash or cash-equivalent assets — not from borrowing, selling a primary residence, or relying on future income)
- Ownership Model: Owner-operator or semi-absentee
- Location Type: Office and truck-based service operation
- Time Commitment: Full-time during ramp; team-led after stabilization
- Experience Required: No moving or logistics experience required
Top 5 Reasons to Consider Square Cow Moovers
- Documented Item 19 unit economics across operating system
- Protected territories spanning 350,000+ population zones
- Recession-resistant essential services category
- Multi-revenue model across residential, commercial, and long distance
- Semi-absentee ownership and multi-unit development available
About Square Cow Moovers
Square Cow Moovers was founded in 2008 in Austin, Texas by Wade Lombard with two trucks and a service-first operating philosophy. The company spent fourteen years building its operating system, expanding to multiple markets across Texas and beyond, and growing to over 300 employees completing more than 12,000 moves per year before launching its franchise program in 2022.
The franchise system has grown to 38 open locations with 6 company-owned units. The brand offers residential, commercial, long-distance, labor-only, packing, supplies, and storage services under one operational model. Square Cow operates Monday through Saturday — closed Sundays as a deliberate operational choice supporting team retention and customer scheduling discipline.
Why Franchise With Square Cow?
- Average revenue per location of $1,808,646 with documented owner-run net income of $473,088 (per current Item 19) provides verified economics most fragmented moving competitors cannot demonstrate.
- Fourteen years of operating maturity before franchising means franchisees inherit refined systems rather than helping the franchisor figure out the model on the fly.
- Protected territory zones based on 350,000+ population provide market exclusivity rare among moving franchises where territory protection often varies or is absent entirely.
- Multi-service revenue mix across residential, commercial, and long-distance work produces broader demand patterns than single-service movers, smoothing seasonal cycles.
- Family-owned operator culture under continued founder involvement contrasts with private equity-driven competitors where franchisor priorities can shift with ownership changes.
ABF Advisory Perspective
ABF Market Analysis —
The $22 billion U.S. moving and storage category remains highly fragmented, with most local markets served by independent single-truck operators with limited systems, inconsistent branding, and minimal commercial sales capability. That fragmentation is the structural opportunity. Systematized operators with technology platforms and B2B development capability can capture commercial work independents cannot service consistently. Moving also benefits from non-deferrable demand — relocations occur on fixed timelines driven by job changes, family transitions, and life events that proceed regardless of economic conditions.
ABF Timing Insight —
Private equity consolidation continues reshaping home services, but moving has not yet experienced the roll-up activity that transformed HVAC, plumbing, and restoration over the past decade. With 38 open franchised locations and a franchising history beginning in 2022, Square Cow remains in earlier expansion territory where prime markets remain available before mid-stage maturity reduces selection. The combination of documented unit economics and current territory availability creates a window favoring early-mover positioning.
Training & Support
- Initial management training spans five days at the Cedar Park, Texas headquarters, covering operational procedures, business management, financial systems, and the proprietary technology stack used across the franchise network.
- On-site opening assistance provides up to two days of franchisor support at the franchise location during launch, focused on operational readiness, team coordination, and customer service standards.
- Ongoing training includes annual conventions and seminars up to five additional days per year, covering operational improvements, system updates, and performance optimization for franchisees and key personnel.
- Technology platform delivers integrated job management, scheduling, CRM, billing, and logistics tools, eliminating the need for franchisees to assemble disparate software systems for daily operations.
- Franchise coaching team provides ongoing support through structured coaching cadence, performance reviews, and operational guidance throughout the franchisee lifecycle.
Franchise Owners That Thrive
- Hands-on operators comfortable leading field crews and managing schedules
- Team builders who enjoy hiring, training, and developing service staff
- Multi-unit candidates planning territory expansion across multiple zones
- Semi-absentee investors with operational oversight capacity
- Owners committed to community service and customer relationship building
Who Square Cow Moovers Is NOT For
- Buyers without $100,000 in readily accessible liquid capital
- Operators expecting fully passive ownership without daily oversight
- Candidates uncomfortable with field operations and physical labor environments
- Buyers seeking immediate revenue without building local market presence
- Owners unwilling to follow structured franchise operating systems
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the total investment to open a Square Cow Moovers franchise?
A. The total initial investment ranges from $167,250 to $233,450 for a single unit, with multi-unit territories scaling higher. Minimum liquid capital required is $100,000 and minimum net worth is $150,000.
Q. What is the franchise fee structure?
A. The single-unit franchise fee is $59,500. Multi-unit pricing scales upward — $99,500 for two units, with progressive pricing through ten-unit territories. Veterans receive a 10% discount on the initial franchise fee.
Q. What is the royalty structure?
A. Square Cow Moovers charges a 7% royalty on gross revenue plus a 1% brand fund contribution.
Q. What revenue can a Square Cow Moovers franchise generate?
A. Per the current Item 19, average revenue per location is $1,808,646. Average net income is $473,088 for owner-run operations and $395,161 for manager-run operations. Individual results vary based on territory, market conditions, and operator execution.
Q. Is semi-absentee ownership available?
A. Yes. Square Cow Moovers supports both owner-operator and semi-absentee structures, accommodating investors who manage operations through site managers without daily hands-on involvement.
Q. Are territories protected?
A. Yes. Each franchisee receives a protected area based on ZIP codes covering a population of at least 350,000. The franchisor agrees not to open another Square Cow location within that designated territory during the agreement term.
Next Steps
If you are drawn to a family-owned moving franchise with documented unit economics, protected territories, multi-service revenue capability, and semi-absentee ownership flexibility, Square Cow Moovers is worth a direct conversation. Complete the form below to request a qualification review and discuss territory availability for Square Cow Moovers.
This profile represents general franchise information. Individual results may vary. Refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document for complete details.
Our Motivation
The culture and desire for excellence is what drew me to Square Cow. We take pride in delivering a better product than other companies and Square Cow has allowed me the freedom and opportunity to develop skills that are completely priceless.