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Plainfield, Ill. - James Young has been named vice president of franchise development for Spring-Green Lawn Care Corp., a lawn and tree care company with more than 100 franchises across the country.
The 32-year-old Young spent five years with Verlo Mattress Factory Stores, where he was vice president of franchising. Young was most recently a vice president with a Canadian-based franchisor and led a staff that was responsible for selling 68 franchises for the start-up company in only one year.
Spring-Green was founded in 1977. Young said he is hoping to rely on his strong background in retailing, business development and marketing as Spring-Green looks to add 20 new franchises within the next 12 months. “We are making a re-commitment to grow our franchise system,” Young says. “Spring-Green has done an outstanding job of supporting its existing franchisees and helping them grow into multi-territory operators. Now we want to re-double our efforts to grow the organization.”
A recent survey by Harris Interactive found that Americans spent $28.9 billion on professional landscape, lawn care and tree services in 2002. Young said the industry offers great potential for prospective franchisees. “The lawn care industry continues to grow even in a down economy,” Young says. “It is a service-based business, and certainly trends show that consumers are looking for more autonomy in regard to their time and lifestyle. We cater to those people who don’t want to work on their own lawn but want the beautification that comes from using a professional service.”
The author is managing editor of Lawn & Landscape and can be reached at nwisniewski@gie.net.