SpringGreen franchise unit economics
SpringGreen franchisees run lawn care businesses that sell recurring lawn care, pest control and related services to homes and businesses, delivered by production vehicles.
SpringGreen franchise at a glance
Item 19 reports 2025 gross sales for 72 franchised businesses, cost and gross margin percentages for 62 of them, and marketing and customer retention figures for 65.
SpringGreen’s 72 franchised businesses that operated all of 2025 averaged $1,120,124 of gross sales, with a median of $929,227, according to Item 19 of SpringGreen’s 2026 FDD, issued 30 March 2026. Fees paid to SpringGreen come to about 11.02%* of sales. A SpringGreen franchise costs $118,898 to $135,176 to open.
- A SpringGreen franchise costs $118,898 to $135,176 to open, including a $45,000 initial franchise fee for a territory of up to 60,000 single-family dwelling units.
- SpringGreen charges a royalty of 10% of gross sales up to $250,000 each calendar year, 9% from $250,000 to $500,000 and 8% above $500,000, plus a 2% advertising fund contribution.
- On Averan’s reading, the royalty, the advertising fund and the fixed technology, education and council fees came to 11.02%* of gross sales at the 2025 average.
- SpringGreen franchised businesses averaged $209,478 of gross sales per full-time production vehicle in 2025, across 385 vehicles.
- Across 62 SpringGreen businesses with sufficient cost data, material and direct labor costs took 31.6% of gross sales, for an average gross profit margin of 68.4%.
- SpringGreen had 126 franchised territories and 30 affiliate-owned territories at the end of 2025. The 126 franchised territories were operated by 72 franchised businesses.
These figures come from SpringGreen's 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document, as the brand reported them, and were read by Averan Advisors. The 11.02% total of franchisor charges at the 2025 average is an Averan calculation.
Own this franchise?
See what your numbers should look like every month.
Talk to Averan → Averan SpringGreen Conversion Package →- Average gross sales per franchised business were $1,120,124 in 2025, and 28 of 72 businesses reached it. The median was $929,227. Gross sales ranged from $123,254 to $5,362,848.
- Three single-territory businesses of 60,000 or fewer SFDUs averaged $604,661. That is the territory size a new franchise is sold with. Their gross sales ranged from $178,372 to $933,867, and 2 of the 3 met or exceeded their average.
- Each full-time production vehicle carried $209,478 of gross sales on average in 2025. The median was $207,047 and the range $119,415 to $427,119. The 72 businesses ran 385 full-time production vehicles, about 5.3* per business.
- Material and direct labor costs took 31.6% of gross sales across 62 businesses. Material costs averaged 12.9% and direct labor 18.8%, which excludes payroll taxes, benefits, and owner and office pay. Item 19 gives no figures for other expenses or for profit.
- Customer retention averaged 81.2% across 65 businesses in 2025. The same 65 businesses spent an average of 7.4% of revenue on approved local marketing and took in $2.62 of new services revenue for each $1 spent.
Revenue
How much does a SpringGreen franchise make?
| Measure | Average | Median | At or above average | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per franchised business (72) | $1,120,124 | $929,227 | 28 of 72 (39%) | $123,254–$5,362,848 |
| Per business, single territory (35) | $773,988 | $608,238 | 13 of 35 (37%) | $178,372–$2,233,976 |
| Per business, multiple territories (37) | $1,447,549 | $1,301,457 | 13 of 37 (35%) | $123,254–$5,362,848 |
| Per customer (72 businesses) | $585 | $595 | 39 of 72 (54%) | $401–$967 |
| Per full-time production vehicle (385) | $209,478 | $207,047 | 166 of 385 (43%) | $119,415–$427,119 |
Source: Item 19, Table B and notes 1 to 6. Figures are as filed. Revenue per customer divides each business’s 2025 invoices by the customers invoiced for a spring lawn care application, not by all customers served in the year.
The 72 franchised businesses that operated all of 2025 averaged $1,120,124 of gross sales. The median was $929,227, and 28 of the 72 met or exceeded the average. Gross sales ranged from $123,254 to $5,362,848.
The 72 businesses operated the 126 franchised territories. Each business reports gross sales for all its territories together. Item 19 states that the number of territories in a business does not necessarily correlate with its gross sales.
Multi-territory businesses averaged $1,447,549 and single-territory businesses $773,988. The multi-territory average is 1.87* times the single-territory average. The 37 multi-territory businesses covered 149,666 to 520,687 SFDUs each.
The 385 full-time production vehicles averaged $209,478 of gross sales each. The franchisor computed this by dividing the total gross sales of the 72 businesses by 385. That is about 5.3* vehicles per business.
Item 19 covers franchised businesses only. It gives no figures for the 30 territories operated by the affiliate Superior Lawns.
Cost of sales
Cost of sales and gross margin, 2025
| Line | Average | Median | Businesses at or better than average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material costs | 12.9% | 13.0% | 30 of 62 (48%) lower |
| Direct labor costs | 18.8% | 18.1% | 35 of 62 (56%) lower |
| Cost of sales | 31.6% | 31.2% | 33 of 62 (53%) lower |
| Gross profit margin | 68.4% | 68.8% | 33 of 62 (53%) higher |
Source: Item 19, Table A and notes 1 to 7. 62 of the 72 businesses that operated all of 2025 supplied sufficient cost information; 10 were excluded. Cost of sales is material costs plus direct labor.
Across 62 businesses, material and direct labor costs averaged 31.6% of gross sales. The franchisor obtained the 68.4% gross profit margin by subtracting cost of sales from 100%. The median gross profit margin was 68.8%.
Direct labor covers pay for the employees who apply lawn care services. It excludes payroll taxes, medical insurance, fringe benefits, and pay for the franchisee and office staff. Item 19 states that owners who perform all applications themselves report no direct labor cost.
Item 19 publishes no figures below gross profit. Office costs, vehicles, insurance, royalties, advertising and the owner’s pay all come out of the 68.4%, and the FDD does not report them.
65 businesses reported marketing and retention figures for 2025. Their approved local marketing averaged 7.4% of revenue, with a range of 2.6% to 36.5%. New services revenue averaged $230,902, or $2.62 for each $1 spent on marketing. Customer retention averaged 81.2%, with a median of 81.4%.
The 35 single-territory businesses in that group averaged $152,500 of new services revenue. Their marketing averaged 7.4% of revenue, their return $2.56 per $1, and their customer retention 81.8%.
Results by territory
Gross sales by territory count and size, 2025
| Group | Businesses | SFDUs | Average | Median | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All franchised businesses | 72 | Not stated | $1,120,124 | $929,227 | $123,254–$5,362,848 |
| Single territory | 35 | Fewer than 120,000 | $773,988 | $608,238 | $178,372–$2,233,976 |
| Single territory of 60,000 SFDUs or fewer | 3 | 60,000 or fewer | $604,661 | $701,744 | $178,372–$933,867 |
| Multiple territories | 37 | 149,666–520,687 | $1,447,549 | $1,301,457 | $123,254–$5,362,848 |
Source: Item 19, Table B notes 2 to 4 and 7. Note 3 describes the single-territory group as fewer than 120,000 SFDUs and note 7 as fewer than 130,000; note 3 counts the smallest group as 3 and then as 4 businesses.
Item 19 does not split businesses into performance bands. It gives averages, medians and ranges for all 72 businesses, for single-territory and multi-territory businesses, and for 3 single-territory businesses of 60,000 or fewer SFDUs.
A new SpringGreen territory includes up to 60,000 SFDUs. Item 12 sets that size, and a larger territory costs $0.50 for each SFDU above 60,000. Most of the single-territory businesses in Table B are larger, at up to 120,000 SFDUs.
The 3 businesses with 60,000 or fewer SFDUs averaged $604,661, with a median of $701,744. Their gross sales ranged from $178,372 to $933,867, and 2 of the 3 met or exceeded the average.
The 28 businesses at or above the all-business average had an average of 207,026 SFDUs. Their median was 163,672 SFDUs. Among single-territory businesses, the 13 at or above their group average had an average of 97,062 SFDUs; among multi-territory businesses, the 13 at or above their average had an average of 258,071.
Revenue per customer ranged from $401 to $967, and 39 of 72 businesses met or exceeded the $585 average. Gross sales per production vehicle ranged from $119,415 to $427,119.
Brand charges
Brand charges
| Charge | As filed | At the 2025 average |
|---|---|---|
| Royalty | 10% of gross sales up to $250,000 each calendar year, 9% from $250,000 to $500,000, 8% above $500,000 | $97,110* |
| Advertising fund | 2% of gross sales | $22,402* |
| Regional advertising fee | Up to 2% of gross sales if established; not collected now | $0 |
| Technology fee | $260 a month plus user licenses of $17 or $32 a user a month, with at least one $32 license | $3,504* |
| Education fee | $210 a year | $210 |
| National Advisory Council assessment | $20 a month, April to November | $160* |
| Total | $123,386* (11.02%* of gross sales) |
Source: Item 6 and its notes. Rates are as filed; the dollar column applies them to the 72-business average and is an Averan calculation. The table leaves out the local advertising requirement, call center charges, equipment lease payments and charges made only when incurred.
The royalty is tiered within each calendar year, and each tier keeps its own rate. At the $1,120,124 average the royalty comes to $97,110*, or 8.67%* of gross sales. At the $929,227 median it is 8.81%*; at the single-territory average of $773,988 it is 8.97%*; at the single-territory median of $608,238 it is 9.23%*.
Each territory has its own franchise agreement. Item 6 states that for an owner of more than one franchise the franchisor may, but need not, base the royalty rate on the combined gross sales of all the owner’s territories under a Multi-Territory Addendum.
Each year a franchisee must spend the greater of 5% of the previous year’s gross sales or $18,500 on local advertising in each territory. This is spent by the franchisee, not paid to the franchisor, unless spending falls short; the shortfall is paid to the franchisor for the fund. The $18,500 minimum applies below $370,000* of prior-year gross sales. The franchisor may rebate up to 0.5% of fund contributions for approved local advertising.
Call center services cost $200 to $2,000 a month and are required for the first two years. Equipment leased from the franchisor costs $496 to $688 a month for a single territory; leasing is optional.
Two programs lower the early charges. Under its Industry Associate Program, qualifying owners of existing lawn or pest businesses pay a $27,000 initial fee and royalties of 5%, 4% and 3% in the three tiers for their first lawn care season. Under its Flex Start Program, no royalty or fund contribution is due until 180 days after opening or the next January 1, whichever comes first.
Cost to open
Cost to open
| Item | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Initial franchise fee | $45,000 | $45,000 |
| Production vehicles, equipment and fixtures | $5,601 | $5,601 |
| Technology equipment and software | $3,650 | $4,050 |
| Opening inventory and supplies | $2,537 | $2,537 |
| Initial marketing campaign fee | $37,000 | $37,000 |
| Initial property data fee | $16,500 | $16,500 |
| Training expenses | $0 | $2,068 |
| Three months’ rent | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Miscellaneous opening costs | $2,550 | $13,952 |
| Additional funds, 3 months | $6,060 | $8,468 |
| Total | $118,898 | $135,176 |
Source: Item 7 and its notes. Figures are as filed. The table does not include renting an office, debt service or the owner’s living costs.
Item 7 puts the total at $118,898 to $135,176. Of that, $101,037 to $106,638 is payable to the franchisor or its affiliates, according to the cover page.
The initial franchise fee, the initial marketing campaign fee and the initial property data fee come to $98,500*. The $37,000 campaign fee is spent on marketing in the territory. The property data fee is $0.55 for each SFDU measured, with at least half the territory measured before the first lawn care season.
The $5,601 vehicle and equipment line is the 20% down payment on leased equipment. Item 7 note 3 estimates a production vehicle at $53,998, which can be bought from a third party with $0 down and payments over 5 years, depending on credit. Buying the lawn care equipment outright costs about $28,007.
$30,000 of the initial franchise fee is due at signing and $15,000 before training. The franchisor offers financing for the $15,000 balance and for the property data fee, each over 5 years. Veterans who qualify for the VetFran Program can have up to $5,000 of the initial fee applied to start-up expenses.
The business can run from a home, an office or commercial space in the territory. Item 7 estimates no rent; the cost of renting space is not in the total.
Locations
Locations, 2023 to 2025
| Year | Franchised at start | Opened | Terminated | Not renewed | Reacquired by franchisor | Franchised at end | Affiliate-owned at end |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 128 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 124 | 28 |
| 2024 | 124 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 126 | 30 |
| 2025 | 126 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 126 | 30 |
Source: Item 20. Counts are territories, not businesses. No territories ceased operations for other reasons in the three years. The affiliate-owned territories belong to Superior Lawns, which operates its 30 territories from 6 locations.
Franchised territories went from 128 at the start of 2023 to 126 at the end of 2025. 72 franchised businesses operated the 126 territories at the end of 2025.
The affiliate Superior Lawns went from 26 to 30 territories. It reacquired 2 Wisconsin territories from franchisees in 2023 and 2 in 2024.
7 franchised territories opened over the three years: 2 in 2023, 4 in 2024 and 1 in 2025. In the same years 2 territories were terminated and 3 were not renewed.
Franchised businesses changed hands 2 times in 2023, 5 times in 2024 and 6 times in 2025. One 2025 transfer was between family members.
No franchise agreements were signed but not yet opened at the end of 2025. The franchisor projects 3 new franchised businesses in 2026, in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia.
Questions we get asked
Questions owners ask
How much does it cost to open a SpringGreen franchise?
Item 7 of the 2026 FDD puts the total at $118,898 to $135,176. That includes a $45,000 initial franchise fee, a $37,000 initial marketing campaign fee and an initial property data fee of up to $16,500. A production vehicle, estimated at $53,998, is financed separately.
What fees does a SpringGreen franchisee pay?
A royalty of 10% of gross sales up to $250,000 each calendar year, 9% from $250,000 to $500,000 and 8% above, plus a 2% advertising fund contribution and a $260 monthly technology fee. Franchisees must also spend the greater of 5% of the prior year’s gross sales or $18,500 on local advertising. At the 2025 average, the recurring franchisor charges came to 11.02%* of gross sales.
How much does a SpringGreen franchise make?
The 72 franchised businesses that operated all of 2025 averaged $1,120,124 of gross sales, with a median of $929,227. Single-territory businesses averaged $773,988 and multi-territory businesses $1,447,549. The 3 single-territory businesses of 60,000 or fewer SFDUs averaged $604,661.
What is the SpringGreen gross margin?
Across 62 businesses with sufficient cost data, the average gross profit margin was 68.4% and the median 68.8%. Material costs averaged 12.9% of gross sales and direct labor 18.8%. Item 19 does not report other expenses or profit.
How much does each SpringGreen truck bring in?
Gross sales per full-time production vehicle averaged $209,478 in 2025, with a median of $207,047, across 385 vehicles at 72 businesses. Revenue per customer averaged $585.
How many SpringGreen locations are there?
At the end of 2025 there were 126 franchised territories, operated by 72 franchised businesses, and 30 territories operated by the affiliate Superior Lawns. The franchised count was 128 at the start of 2023.
Questions worth putting to SpringGreen
These are questions the filing leaves open. An owner or a buyer can put them to the franchisor directly.
- Is the revenue in Item 19 gross sales or collected revenue, and how many locations sit below the average?
- Which factors does SpringGreen see in its highest-selling locations, such as territory, years open and staffing?
- How long does a new location take to reach the average you publish, and what does the build-up look like month by month?
- At what level of sales do the minimum charges stop applying and the percentage take over?
- How many SpringGreen locations closed, were sold, or changed hands last year, and why?
Run your own numbers.
The Franchise Numbers Check runs the same checks on your own numbers. It scores where you stand and compares you with Item 19 of your brand’s FDD. It works out what one location earns and spends, and builds a 13-week cash forecast. It also checks whether you are ready to open another one. It is free and it runs in your browser.
Launch the diagnostic →Reporting for a SpringGreen owner
We review your unit economics and cash forecast and build your monthly reporting around the figures on this page.
Talk to Averanthe franchise library, all 431 brands · how franchise unit economics work · running the books across several locations · what Averan does for franchise owners
Other brands in the Lawn, Pest And Irrigation guide:
Questions owners ask next
The figures above raise these, and each one is answered on its own page.
- At what level of sales does a minimum fee stop costing me more than the percentage?It works out the sales level where a minimum fee stops applying.
- How much cash do I fund before a new location covers its own costs?It builds a 13-week forecast for the months before break-even.
- What does this location earn on the money I put into it?It works out the payback period and cash-on-cash return for one unit.
- How much of Item 19 can I rely on?It explains what an Item 19 financial performance representation tells you and what it leaves out.
Where these figures come from
Every figure here comes from Spring-Green Lawn Care Corp.’s 2026 FDD and is unaudited by us. We are unaffiliated with the brand. Calculations of our own are labeled where they appear. The figures describe past performance at other businesses and are not a projection of yours. This page is an educational summary. It is not an offer to sell a franchise, and it is not financial, legal or tax advice. SpringGreen is a trademark of its owner. How Averan reads a Franchise Disclosure Document.
These figures come from the brand's disclosure. They are not a forecast, an offer to sell a franchise or advice. Source: Spring-Green Lawn Care Corp., 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document, issued 30 March 2026.