Is Lawn Doctor right for you?
Established Track Record
Operating since 1967 with 672 franchised units as of 2025 and consistent net unit growth of 6 to 23 locations annually from 2023-2025.
Proprietary Equipment
Exclusive use of Turf Tamer applicators and seeders available only from the franchisor, supporting differentiated service delivery.
Territory Structure
Protected territories defined by minimum 10,000 single-family residences, with rights reserved for certain alternative channels.
About Lawn Doctor
Lawn Doctor is a lawn care and maintenance franchise founded in 1967 and headquartered in Holmdel, New Jersey. The company provides chemical application, seeding, and related services using proprietary equipment such as the Turf Tamer Stand-On Applicator and Power Seeder. Optional services include mosquito control, tree and shrub care, and holiday lighting under the Holiday Lighting Heroes mark. As of year-end 2025, the system included 672 franchised outlets and 3 company-owned outlets.
A Lawn Doctor franchise operates a mobile service model focused on residential lawn care within a defined territory of at least 10,000 single-family homes. Core offerings center on proprietary application and seeding equipment for fertilization, weed control, and lawn renovation. Franchisees may add holiday lighting and decor services, with all advertising and supplier purchases subject to franchisor approval and sourcing requirements.
LD Parent, Inc. has the same principal business address as LDI at 142 State Route 34, Holmdel, New Jersey 07733. CNL Strategic Capital, LLC's principal business address is 450 S. Orange Avenue, Suite 1400, Orlando, Florida 32801.
The business model
How a Lawn Doctor territory actually makes money at the unit level.
Initial Franchise Fee
Nonrefundable fee of $118,000 due upon signing the franchise agreement.
Ongoing Royalty
Royalty of 10 percent of net revenues payable weekly, plus technology fee currently starting at $150 per month and increasing to $250.
Marketing Commitment
Franchisees must spend the greater of $30,000 or 10 percent of net revenues annually on local lawn care marketing, with any shortfall paid to the franchisor. Separate commitment applies to holiday lighting services beginning in year two.
Initial Investment Range
Total initial investment ranges from $135,820 to $163,902. This includes the franchise fee, equipment leases, vehicles, inventory, training, insurance, and three months of additional funds. Low end assumes home-based operation without holiday lighting or certain equipment.
Supply Chain Requirements
Franchisees must purchase 90-95 percent of initial setup costs and 50-60 percent of ongoing costs from the franchisor or approved suppliers, including proprietary Turf Tamer equipment.
Financial Performance Data
the financial-performance disclosure discloses net revenues for 202 franchisees with at least two full years of operation as of December 31, 2025. Average net revenues were $1,170,356 across the sample, with the top 30 percent exceeding this figure.
Quick facts
Initial franchise fee
$118,000
Total investment range
$135,820 to $163,902
Royalty
10.00% of gross revenue
Marketing fund
5.00% of gross revenue
Founded
1967
Headquarters
Holmdel, NJ
Active US franchisees
60
Total US units
142
Training & support
What the franchisor + parent platform provide. And what they don't.
What's provided
- +Initial training in the Lawn Doctor system covering lawn care services and Holiday Lighting Heroes operations prior to opening.
- +Access to the operating manual, learning management system, and presentation materials for ongoing reference.
- +Telephonic consultations and field guidance during operations.
- +Marketing fund administration and approved supplier network support.
- +Optional participation in national and regional marketing programs.
Honest disclosure: what's NOT provided
Item 11 does not specify the location, duration in hours, or detailed curriculum of initial training. No formal ongoing training schedule beyond access to manuals and consultations is disclosed.
Multi-unit growth path
The the filed disclosures does not disclose specific multi-unit development schedules or incentives. the franchisee-history section data shows net unit growth through both new openings and transfers. Prospective multi-unit operators should review transfer fees, which equal 75 percent of the then-current initial license fee component, and discuss development timelines directly with the franchisor. Operator aggregate data on multi-unit ownership is not available.
Capital + financing paths
Most operators use one of these four paths to fund the initial investment.
Equipment Leasing
Turf Tamer Stand-On Applicator and Power Seeder may be leased from the franchisor on 72- to 84-month terms at approximately $335-$339 per month plus tax.
Service Vehicle Leasing
Monthly lease payments for the service vehicle are included in the initial investment range and arranged directly with approved suppliers.
Third-Party Financing
Item 10 references financing options that may be available for the initial franchise fee and other startup costs. Prospective franchisees should consult lenders familiar with franchise investments.
Supplier and Vendor Terms
Opening inventory, uniforms, insurance, and additional funds are paid as incurred to suppliers, with some items potentially financed through vendor relationships.
Process timeline: inquiry → grand opening
Typical 12-16 week path from first call to launching your first customer route.
Validation
Review the filed disclosures, speak with existing franchisees, and validate the opportunity against your goals and capital.
Discovery Day
Attend in-person or virtual meeting at headquarters to meet the leadership team and ask final questions.
Agreement Signing
Execute the franchise agreement and pay the $118,000 initial franchise fee.
Training
Complete initial training on lawn care and optional holiday lighting services before opening.
Site Preparation
Secure any required rental space, outfit service vehicle, acquire initial inventory, and install required software and hardware.
Launch
Begin operations within the assigned territory and execute approved local marketing plan.
Ongoing Support
Utilize operating manual, technology platforms, and franchisor consultations to manage and grow the business.
Match assessment
Are you a Lawn Doctor match?
12 questions. Math-first. No high-pressure sales call afterwards. Just your match assessment and the reasoning behind it.
Start nowCommon questions
How much does a Lawn Doctor franchise cost?
The initial franchise fee is $118,000. Total initial investment ranges from $135,820 to $163,902 according to the investment disclosure of the the filed disclosures. This includes equipment, vehicle, inventory, insurance, training, and three months of additional funds.
What is the royalty fee for Lawn Doctor?
The royalty is 10 percent of net revenues paid weekly. A separate technology fee starts at $150 per month and increases to $250. Marketing commitments require spending the greater of $30,000 or 10 percent of net revenues annually on local advertising.
Does Lawn Doctor provide financial performance representations?
Yes. the financial-performance disclosure reports average net revenues of $1,170,356 for 202 franchisees with at least two full years of operation as of December 31, 2025. Thirty percent of locations exceeded this average. Gross profit margin data is disclosed for a subset of operators. No net profit figures are provided.
How many Lawn Doctor locations are there?
As of year-end 2025 there were 672 franchised outlets and 3 company-owned outlets in the United States.
Is Lawn Doctor territory exclusive?
Territories are protected from material overlap by other Lawn Doctor franchises provided the franchisee remains in compliance. However, the franchisor reserves rights to sell through alternative channels, including online sales and affiliated brands for mosquito control, pest control, and holiday lighting within the territory.
What training does Lawn Doctor provide?
The franchisor provides initial training on lawn care services and Holiday Lighting Heroes operations before opening. Ongoing support includes access to the operating manual, learning management system, telephonic consultations, and marketing resources. Specific training hours and location are not detailed in Item 11.
How does Lawn Doctor compare to other lawn care franchises?
Lawn Doctor emphasizes proprietary Turf Tamer equipment and a 58-year operating history. Its model requires significant equipment and supply purchases from the franchisor. Prospective buyers should compare the financial-performance disclosure revenue disclosures, royalty rates, and marketing commitments across competitors.
Can I add holiday lighting services to my Lawn Doctor franchise?
Yes. Franchisees are authorized to offer holiday lighting and decor under the Holiday Lighting Heroes mark. A separate marketing commitment begins in the second full year, equal to the greater of $6,000 or 5 percent of the prior year's holiday lighting revenues.
What are Lawn Doctor franchisee reviews like?
The the filed disclosures lists current and former franchisees as sources for independent validation. the financial-performance disclosure provides revenue and gross margin data but does not address owner satisfaction or net profitability. Prospective buyers should contact multiple franchisees directly.
Does Lawn Doctor offer multi-unit franchises?
The the filed disclosures does not publish a specific multi-unit development schedule. Transfers are permitted subject to a fee equal to 75 percent of the then-current initial license fee. Unit growth has occurred through both new openings and transfers.
What is included in the Lawn Doctor initial investment?
The $135,820 to $163,902 range covers the franchise fee, leased equipment and vehicle, computers and software, opening inventory, insurance, training expenses, uniforms, and three months of additional funds for marketing, employees, and operations.
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