THE GROUNDS GUYS
The Grounds Guys franchise provides commercial, residential, and municipal property maintenance, landscaping, and hardscaping services, along with snow and ice maintenance, trash and debris removal, arboriculture, lawn renovation, turf care, irrigation services, landscape lighting, and related products. Franchisees can start new businesses or convert existing ones under the THE GROUNDS GUYS brand, paying an initial franchise fee of $36,920 and total investment from $74,570 to $224,770. The target market includes commercial, residential, and municipal customers seeking comprehensive outdoor maintenance solutions.
Disclaimer: This information was extracted using AI from public Franchise Disclosure Documents and should be independently verified. This is not financial or legal advice. Always review official FDD filings before making investment decisions.
Overview
Financial Requirements
5-6% license/royalty + 2% MAP/ad fund + $540/mo software + $200/mo call center
Franchise Stats
Financial Performance
Item 19 Financial Performance
Data Based On: 149 franchised businesses that reported Gross Sales data for at least 9 months of the Reporting Period (87 units open for 3+ years and 62 units open for less than 3 years).
* Calculated weighted average gross revenue from two segments: (87 units × $854,816 + 62 units × $283,746) / 149 total units = $617,189.56. Calculated weighted average of median gross revenue from two segments: (87 units × $568,201 + 62 units × $235,252) / 149 total units = $429,658.46. The 'High' and 'Low' values in the tables represent the actual highest and lowest annual gross sales for individual businesses, not averages of top/bottom quartiles.
Extracted Item 19 Section
How THE GROUNDS GUYS Compares to Other Home Services Franchises
Key Insights
- Lower investment than 84% of Home Services franchises
- Lower than average SBA loan default rate in Home Services
| Franchise | Investment Range | Franchise Fee | Royalty | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
THE GROUNDS GUYS Current | $75K - $225K | $35K | 6.0% | 228 |
| MERRY MAIDS | $127K - $166K | $55K | 7.0% | 933 |
| HOLIDAY LIGHTING HEROES | $150K - $177K | $127K | 10.0% | 653 |
| SIGN GYPSIES | $4K - $5K | $1K | N/A | 587 |
| MOSQUITO AUTHORITY | $54K - $128K | $45K | 10.0% | 546 |
| Culligan | $130K - $814K | $40K | 2.0% | 460 |
Home Services Average 129 franchises | $144K - $289K | $53K | 7.0% | - |
* Comparison based on latest FDD filings. Investment ranges from Item 7, fees from Item 5. Showing top 5 of 129 Home Services franchises by location count.
Locations & Growth
Outlet Growth Over Time
Total outlets at end of each year
Geographic Distribution (2024)
Outlets by state across the United States
+27 more states
SBA Loan History
Historical SBA 7(a) loan data for THE GROUNDS GUYS franchisees (2013 - 2025)
Loans by Year
* Data sourced from SBA 7(a) FOIA loan records. Default rate calculated from charged-off loans.
Franchisee Contacts
Unlock Franchisee Contact Database
196 franchisee contacts on file. Upgrade to see names, locations, phone numbers, and matched SBA loan data.
Upgrade to Pro$199/year · Cancel anytime
Due Diligence
Litigation (Item 3)
Primarily franchisee claims of fraud, misrepresentation, and violations of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act regarding concealed prior failed franchises and fraudulent financial statements; franchisor claims for breach of contract and non-compete violations.
Bankruptcy (Item 4)
No bankruptcy history reported in the FDD.
System Health (Item 20)
Franchise system changes reported in the most recent fiscal year
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to open a THE GROUNDS GUYS franchise?
The total initial investment to open a THE GROUNDS GUYS franchise ranges from $74,570 to $224,770. This includes a franchise fee of $35,000. Ongoing royalty fees are 6.0% of gross sales.
How much revenue does a THE GROUNDS GUYS franchise make?
According to the 2025 FDD, the average gross revenue for a THE GROUNDS GUYS franchise is $617,189.56. The median revenue is $429,658.46.
How many THE GROUNDS GUYS franchise locations are there?
As of the 2025 FDD, THE GROUNDS GUYS has 228 franchise locations. The company has been franchising since 2010.
Can you get an SBA loan for a THE GROUNDS GUYS franchise?
Yes, SBA loans are available for THE GROUNDS GUYS franchises. Historical data shows 235 SBA 7(a) loans have been approved for THE GROUNDS GUYS franchisees, with an average loan amount of $169,584. The historical default rate is 16.2%.
Is THE GROUNDS GUYS a good franchise to buy?
THE GROUNDS GUYS shows several positive indicators: established brand with 228+ locations, transparent financial performance data (Item 19). However, franchise success depends on many factors including location, local market conditions, and owner involvement. We recommend speaking with existing franchisees and consulting with a franchise attorney before making a decision.
Interested in THE GROUNDS GUYS?
Talk to a franchise advisor to get personalized guidance and learn if THE GROUNDS GUYS is the right fit for you.
Talk to an Advisor