Lawn Squad franchise review
Entity: Lawn Squad Franchising LLC
Parent: Apax Partners / Authority Brands
Ownership: PE-backed
Franchising since: 2023
7
System Size
franchised outlets, end 2024
$79K–$118K
Initial Investment
Item 7 range
+6 units
3-Year Net Growth
Launch year
Where Lawn Squad Stands vs. Peers
Royalty rate
7%
flat rate — lowest headline rate
Marketing floor
$42,000+/yr
2% brand fund + $42K local
2024 attrition
0.0%
lowest in cohort
Disclosure quality
Best P&L in cohort
4th of 6
Peer comparisons from
fee burden,
system health,
cost to enter
analysis.
Biggest Watchouts Editorial
- △ Highest ongoing fee burden in the lawn cohort at every revenue level: 7% royalty + 2% brand fund + 5% call center = 14% of Gross Revenue before marketing.
- △ 5% call center fee (percentage of Gross Revenue) is effectively a second royalty — most other brands charge flat monthly call center fees.
- △ $42,000/year mandatory local marketing on top of 14% franchisor take.
- △ Monthly technology costs total $1,170 ($450 tech + $370 ServiceMinder + $350 website).
- △ Liquidated damages clause: greater of 2 years’ royalty or $50,000 on default.
- △ Only 7 franchised territories open (4 franchisees).
Strongest Positives Editorial
- ✓ Most detailed P&L in the lawn cohort: EBITDA with imputed fees.
- ✓ Company-owned locations prove 16–19% EBITDA at scale.
- ✓ Sister brand to Mosquito Squad — established parent (Authority Brands).
- ✓ Lowest headline royalty in the lawn cohort (7% flat).
- ✓ 80% customer retention, 71% sales conversion, $810 avg customer value.
- ✓ AB Inc. guarantees franchisor’s obligations under franchise agreements.
Effective royalty is 14%, not 7%
The 5% call center fee (charged as % of Gross Revenue, not flat monthly) plus 2% brand fund bring total franchisor percentage take to 14% before any marketing or technology costs.
System Health
| Year |
Opened |
Closed |
Net Change |
End Count |
| 2022 |
0 |
0 |
+0 |
0 |
| 2023 |
0 |
0 |
+0 |
0 |
| 2024 |
7 |
0 |
+7 |
7 |
Micro-system
Only 7 franchised territories operated by 4 franchisees. Company-owned data is strong but franchise track record is non-existent.
Disclosure Quality Editorial
Most detailed P&L disclosure in the lawn cohort: company-owned outlets show EBITDA with imputed franchisor fees. Cleveland: $399K/territory revenue, 16% EBITDA. Columbus: $192K/territory, 19% EBITDA. However, data is company-owned only (0 franchisees have operated a full year).
Compare Other Brands
See how Lawn Squad compares to other lawn care franchise brands in the cohort.