Riverside Company invests in U.S. Lawns

The Riverside Company, a global private investor focused on the smaller end of the middle market, has invested in U.S. Lawns, a franchised provider of commercial landscaping and snow removal services for U.S. commercial properties. This investment represents the latest add-on to Riverside’s portfolio company, EverSmith Brands — a franchised brands platform. U.S. Lawns was acquired from BrightView Holdings, Inc., a commercial landscaping services company in the United States.

Founded in 1986 and headquartered in Orlando, Florida, U.S. Lawns offers services for commercial property needs, such as irrigation and landscaping. With a national network of landscape professionals, the company currently has more than 200 locations spanning 37 states.

“This investment brings a unique opportunity to join together the expertise of the U.S. Lawns network in landscape management and Clintar, a snow management and landscape brand that we acquired in 2020 to create a new powerhouse in the landscaping industry,” says Riverside Micro-Cap Fund Managing Partner Loren Schlachet. “By leveraging EverSmith’s deep franchise development know-how, we expect to expand the national footprint and accelerate new business acquisition for the landscape brand.”

This investment is another example of Riverside’s expertise in investing in and growing its franchisor specialization. Riverside has invested in a cadre of franchise companies since its inception in 1988.

With the acquisition, Ken Hutcheson, the current president of U.S. Lawns, is appointed as president, Landscaping and Snow Services, for EverSmith Brands. Ken’s expanded responsibilities will include bringing together the U.S. Lawns and Clintar teams to leverage both businesses’ unique strengths.

“We are very excited for Ken and the U.S. Lawns team to be joining the EverSmith platform; Ken brings decades of expertise, and we look forward to the next stage of growth,” says RMCF Senior Partner Brian Sauer.

“Our goal is to take advantage of available possibilities by leaning on U.S. Lawns’ expertise to build an even stronger position in the landscaping industry,” says EverSmith Brands CEO Rob Gannett. “U.S. Lawns’ regional account relationships and local lead generation activities are already strong – the company is well-positioned for success, and we look forward to being a part of it.”

Working with Schlachet and Sauer on this deal for Riverside were Partner Steve Rice, Senior Associate Alex Abramovitz, Analyst Brooklyn Button, Operating Partner Tom Silk and Finance Director Cassie McGruder. Managing Partner, Origination, Jeremy Holland and Vice President, Origination, Connor McLaughlin sourced the deal for Riverside.