Lawn Doctor is a home-based lawn care franchise founded in 1967, making it one of the longest-operating franchise systems in America. With 650+ locations nationwide, the brand provides lawn care, tree and shrub care, pest control, and holiday lighting services. Lawn Doctor is one of only three franchises — alongside McDonald’s and Dunkin’ — to appear on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 for 47 consecutive years.
At a Glance
- Liquid Capital Required: $60,000 (Liquid Capital refers to readily available cash or cash-equivalent assets that can be accessed without borrowing, selling a primary residence, or relying on future income.)
- Ownership Model: Owner-operator (scalable to multi-territory)
- Location Type: Home-based
- Time Commitment: Full-time
- Experience Required: None; business or management background helpful
Top 5 Reasons to Invest
- 47 consecutive years on Franchise 500
- 82% customer retention — highest in industry
- Recurring revenue from annual service programs
- Holiday Lighting Heroes adds year-round income
- In-house equipment financing available
About Lawn Doctor Franchise
Lawn Doctor launched in 1967 with a focus on bringing advanced technology and superior service to lawn care. The brand has grown to over 650 franchise locations serving residential and commercial clients across America. Lawn Doctor’s proprietary Turf Tamer® equipment ensures precise application of treatments, delivering results that competitors using traditional methods cannot match.
The franchise model combines multiple service lines — lawn care, tree and shrub care, mosquito and tick control, and pest management — under one business. In recent years, Lawn Doctor added Holiday Lighting Heroes, a branded holiday lighting service that generates revenue during the off-season. This multi-service approach creates year-round income streams and increases customer lifetime value through cross-selling opportunities.
Why Franchise With Lawn Doctor?
- 57 years of proven operations and 47 consecutive Franchise 500 rankings validate the system’s durability and performance.
- 82% annual customer retention — highest in the industry — means franchisees spend less time replacing customers and more time growing.
- Recurring revenue from annual service programs creates predictable cash flow and compounds growth year over year.
- Proprietary Turf Tamer® equipment delivers superior results with precision application that differentiates from DIY and competitors.
- National in-house sales center closes leads immediately — franchisees receive customers, not just inquiries.
ABF Exclusive Insights
Market Analysis: The lawn care industry generates $78 billion annually, with 34.5 million U.S. households hiring at least one type of lawn service. Homeowners increasingly acknowledge that maintaining lawns themselves is difficult and time-consuming. Demand is recession-resistant — property maintenance remains a priority regardless of economic conditions. The industry benefits from aging homeowners who can no longer maintain lawns themselves and younger homeowners who prioritize convenience over DIY.
Competitive Advantage: Lawn Doctor occupies elite company. Only three franchises have achieved 47 consecutive Franchise 500 rankings: McDonald’s, Dunkin’, and Lawn Doctor. That consistency reflects a franchisor that continuously invests in technology, training, and franchisee support. The 82% retention rate creates a compounding advantage — franchisees keep customers while competitors churn. Holiday Lighting Heroes extends revenue into Q4, solving the seasonality challenge that limits other lawn care businesses.
ABF Timing Insight: Lawn Doctor offers below-average investment ($133K–$149K vs. subsector average of $147K–$220K) with above-average revenue performance. In-house equipment financing and discounts for veterans, minorities, and first responders further reduce barriers. For investors seeking a recession-resistant, recurring revenue business with the credibility of a 57-year track record, Lawn Doctor represents proven economics with territory availability in expansion markets.
Training & Support
- Two-week classroom and hands-on training at national headquarters covers marketing, sales, service, technology, and agronomy.
- Regional Business Consultant assigned as primary contact throughout your business relationship for ongoing guidance.
- On-site consultations every eight weeks for first two years optimize performance and identify growth opportunities.
- Quarterly regional meetings, annual conference, weekly webinars, and 24/7 e-learning platform provide continuous development.
- Pre-opening marketing support deploys customer acquisition blitz with goal of paying customers before you officially open.
Franchise Owners That Thrive
- Goal-oriented operators who enjoy setting benchmarks and achieving them
- Customer service-focused individuals who deliver “wow” experiences
- Business builders seeking flexible, scalable, home-based operations
- Family-minded entrepreneurs who want to involve spouse or adult children
- Multi-unit investors expanding service franchise portfolios
Franchise Fit & Capital Readiness
Who Is NOT A Good Fit for This Franchise
- Seeking fully passive ownership from day one — owner involvement drives early growth
- Uncomfortable with sales, marketing, or customer relationship management
- Expecting immediate results without building customer base through first seasons
- Less than $60,000 in liquid capital available
Candidates who do not meet the financial criteria below are typically not approved by the franchisor.
Investment Readiness Check
- Ownership timeline: Few weeks to few months depending on goals and territory
- Minimum Net Worth: $200,000 verified during qualification
- Minimum Liquid Capital: $60,000 — required for consideration
- Territory availability and equipment financing qualification confirmed before approval
All financial thresholds are set by the franchisor and are non-negotiable during approval.
Franchisor Authority Disclosure
America’s Best Franchises provides guidance and introductions. Final approval criteria, financial thresholds, and territory decisions are determined exclusively by the franchisor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Do I need lawn care experience?
A. No. Franchisees come from corporate, teaching, engineering, and small business backgrounds. Lawn Doctor provides comprehensive training in all aspects of the business.
Q. Is financing available?
A. Yes. Lawn Doctor offers in-house equipment financing to qualified candidates, plus a 10% franchise fee discount for veterans, minorities, and first responders.
Q. Can I convert an existing lawn business?
A. Potentially. Conversions require available territory and willingness to adopt the Lawn Doctor system. Contact the franchisor to discuss fit.
Q. What is Holiday Lighting Heroes?
A. A branded holiday lighting service that generates Q4 revenue during the lawn care off-season, extending year-round income and staff retention.
Next Steps
By submitting this form, you confirm that you meet the liquid capital requirement of $60,000 established by the franchisor.
Complete the form below to request a qualification review and discuss territory availability for Lawn Doctor.
This profile represents general franchise information. Individual results may vary. Refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document for complete details.