'An excellent level of support'

Providing its franchisees with a management opportunity with the benefits of the great outdoors, TruGreen is proving itself to be a breath of fresh air. Adam Browning reports

TruGreen, as part of the ServiceMaster Group, has been providing lawn care solutions in the USA for over 30 years and is looking to expand its proven concept into the relatively untapped markets of the UK. With over 60 franchise territories sold since its highly successful launch in 2003, TruGreen is becoming the leading name in its field.

The TruGreen opportunity allows business builders to offer their customers a wide and varied range of services aimed at the improvement and maintenance of lawns, as Sales Director Ken Dennis explains: 'Our methods are well proven and successful. They produce high levels of satisfaction and an exceptional number of customer referrals. There is a huge potential market with regular repeat business, much of which is on an all-year-round basis. Most importantly, TruGreen is a management franchise which can be grown from an initial owner-operator business into an area that will support five vehicles.'

As a member company of the worldwide ServiceMaster Group, TruGreen offers its franchisees complete training and the assurance of continuing strong support. 'We offer a comprehensive franchise package,' reveals Ken, 'including a large protected franchise territory, a four-week training course, professional business launch, bespoke software and a full pack of equipment to provide your services.'

One such franchisee who has experienced these benefits is John Davy of Northumberland and Carlisle, whose full interview can be found on page 134. 'I found my training period very enjoyable,' reveals John. 'It had everything that would enable me to launch the business with confidence, from the technical side of lawn-care to the general running of the business.

The training also complemented my existing skills and taught me how to adapt them to the business. 'Having experience of sales is a good advantage but it's not essential - it's all about being able to talk to people and making them see how they can benefit from your service. TruGreen franchisees have come from a variety of backgrounds and, because of the comprehensive training, there's no reason why the business couldn't be suited to people from all walks of life.'

Franchisees further benefit from support from head office as well as from other franchisees, who are willing to help and impart advice to each other through a mentoring system. 'TruGreen enables me to be fully in control of my business, which is just as I want it,' says John.

'However, TruGreen do provide an excellent level of support which I've found to be a great help - the network is strengthening year-on-year.'