NaturaLawn of America Franchise Costs, Fees & FDD

Year Business Began: 1987

Franchising Since: 1989

Headquarters: Frederick, Maryland

Estimated Number of Units: 100

Franchise Description: The franchisor is NaturaLawn of America, Inc. The franchisor will award individuals, partnerships, corporations or other legal entities a franchise license, which grants them the right to establish and operate one NaturaLawn of America franchised business within a licensed territory approved by the franchisor. Franchisees conduct a lawn care service business that primarily uses organic-based treatments.
Training Overview: Training is mandatory for franchisees and also for certain of their employees, including managers and turf technicians and other employees, who in the franchisor’s opinion, require specialized skills in order to properly perform their jobs. Initial owner training for franchisees and their manager or other principal owner is typically conducted for one week at the franchisor’s home office in Frederick, Maryland. Additional field, agronomic, software, office set-up and equipment training are conducted for about two to four days at the franchisee’s location. After this initial training, the franchisor will also require franchisees and their manager or other principal owner to attend another two weeks of operations training at a designated company location to learn the hands-on aspects of the business. The franchisor will hold one or two annual owner training programs that franchisees must attend after their business is opened to the public. These meetings will be conducted in various locations and will normally include training in marketing and sales techniques and promotional plans, as well as technical updates and idea exchanges among franchised businesses. In addition, the franchisor may hold periodic mandatory training and discussion meetings for all franchised businesses and their managers.

Territory Granted: The licensed territory will vary in size depending on the demographic profile of the area. However, it generally includes at least 40,000 single-family households. The franchisor may charge an additional initial license fee for territories that exceeds its demographic guidelines for a standard licensed territory. Except as provided in the Franchise Agreement, and subject to their full compliance with the Franchise Agreement, and with any other agreements between franchisees and any of their affiliates and the franchisor or any of its affiliates, franchisees are granted an exclusive territory that neither the franchisor nor any affiliate of its will establish or authorize any person or entity, other than the franchisee, to establish a franchised business in the licensed territory during the term of the license. However, the franchisor, and its affiliates, may conduct, or may authorize third parties to conduct, specified activities detailed in the FDD.

Obligations and Restrictions: The franchised business must at all times be under the franchisee’s direct on-premises supervision or that of a manager acceptable to the franchisor. The qualifications for an acceptable manager are contained in the manual and are subject to change by the franchisor, at its sole discretion. Franchisees or their manager must work full-time and personally devote their full attention and energy to managing and operating the business and to supervising employees. Franchisees may offer and sell only products and services that the franchisor approves.

Term of Agreement and Renewal: The length of the initial franchise term is five years. Three additional terms, each for five years, are available, each subject to contractual requirements.

Financial Assistance: The franchisor does not offer direct or indirect financing. The franchisor does not guarantee a franchisee’s note, lease or obligation.

Estimated Initial Investment

Name of Fee	Low	High
Initial Franchise Fee	$19,500	$39,500
Opening Inventory	$0	$5,000
Real Estate Improvements	Varies
Lawn Care Equipment Purchases	$1,500	$4,000
Vehicle (purchase or lease cost for 6 months)	$0	$3,000
Office Furniture & Equipment	$0	$5,000
Training Expenses	$0	$1,150
Computer & Technology Expenses	$0	$1,000
Initial Annual Advertising and Marketing	$60,000	$80,000
Licenses	$250	$500
Professional Fees (accounting, legal, etc.)	$1,250	$2,000
Lease Deposits (rent, utilities, etc.)	$2,000	$3,500
Insurance Deposit	$1,500	$3,500
Additional Funds (6 months or more)	$1,500	$4,500
ESTIMATED TOTAL, plus access to a $75,000 - $125,000 line of credit (does not include real estate costs or increase in initial license fee for larger territory)	$77,500	$152,650

 
Other Fees

Type of Fee	Amount
Service Fee	Initially, 9% of gross sales. After renewal, 7% or 9% of gross sales. 15% of gross sales assessed on all revenue derived from sources outside of the franchisee’s licensed territory.
Advertising Fee	1% of gross sales.
Supplies and Equipment	Prices the franchisor or suppliers charge.
Interest	1.8% per month or 21.6% per year on amounts past due.
Delinquent Service Fee	$100 per week.
Non-Attendance at Mandatory Meeting Fees	$1,500 first year and increased service fees after third.
Indemnification	Costs & expenses.
Inspection & Audit	Expense of inspection and audit.
Attorney’s Fees & Costs	Actual costs & expenses.
Extra Training or Support at the Franchisee’s Location	Actual reasonable travel & living expenses.
Transfer	$10,000

The above information has been compiled from the FDD of NaturaLawn of America. Year of FDD: 2025.
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