Millions of households are cuttingback as energy prices rise, home values drop and credit tightens during thecurrent economic downturn. But according to the William Rosenberg International Center of Franchising, businesses that aid busy two-income families are maintaining their success.
Over the last year, service industry concepts like child care, home cleaning and yard services have shown growing popularity as Americans juggle busy lives, making them attractive to potential franchisees in a time when franchising overall has dropped 10 to 15 percent over the past year.
Lawn Doctor, a leading expert in lawn care, expects to add franchisees over the next year. Lawn Doctor offers franchisees lower start up and operating costs, proven lawncare technology, business support and high customer retention rates.
"Many of our customers see maintaining their lawns and increasing curb appeal as part of an 'insurance policy' for their largest investment, their home," said Paul Mumm, Lawn Doctor marketing director. "Because our services can be more affordable than do-it-yourself options and they save valuable time, Lawn Doctor's services are perceived as 'necessary', providing a constant flow of customers for our franchisees and ensuring their businesses are stable for years to come."
Long time franchisee Bob Magda in Central New Jersey says despite the current economic conditions, he's maintained and even increased his customer base seeding and fertilizing lawns in preparation for cooler months ahead.
"My customers place a lot of value on having a healthy, good-looking lawn and very few of them are making a change," said Magda, a 19 year veteran franchisee. "Our prices are comparable to do-it-yourself lawn care options and they're willing to pay for the expertise to do the job right rather than waste money on doing it incorrectly. Lawn Doctor provides a service that people will continue to need and I feel like we are in a strong position for both the short- and long-term."
Lawn Doctor's business model allows franchisees to manage their costs bychanging their work schedules to operate on a four-day work week at 10 hoursper day, re-evaluating routing and service schedules to improve efficiency andexploring alternative products to keep from passing costs on to customers.
"Over the last 18 months, we've seen the staple franchise concepts holdsteady through economic turmoil and essential services like lawn care continueto thrive," Scott Frith, Lawn Doctor's Vice President of Marketing andFranchise Development and the IFA's Marketing and PR Committee Vice Chair,said. "With more than 40 years of experience dealing with the economy andretaining customers, Lawn Doctor knows how to weather the storm."