Franchise Focus
of their business. Says Kevin: “I knew I was capable of building and running my own business but wanted the security of investing in a tried-and-tested business model. “I believe that makes me ideal franchise
material. My success has come by following a tried-and-tested method and, of course, working hard. I had trained for one career and plunging myself into what many people thought was a gamble was something I didn’t take lightly. There are always a few issues to deal with along the way but the trajectory of growth my business has demonstrated means that I have never really looked back. The franchisor has always been there to assist, advise and to listen since the beginning. ” Kevin, like many of his peers, possesses business acumen, management experience
Kevin Toomey, East Leicestershire franchisee
Pastures green
Lawn-treatment management franchise GreenThumb has a lengthy and successful track record of wealth creation
Investment level: £31,700
franchisees – many of whom draw in excess of £100,000 annually from their businesses. Kevin Toomey is still only in his 40s but has
F
built a business in his Leicestershire territory that his previous career in retail management could not have given him, in terms of either personal wealth or lifestyle. He says: “The car I drive is a lot more luxurious than the vans I used to drive in the early days – and I haven’t treated a lawn for years – but I have worked hard to build a fantastic team of 18 staff who service my 6,500 customers.” Kevin’s business, having been established as long ago as 2001, was still able to
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ranchisors come and go but GreenThumb, now approaching its 26th year treating the lawns of the great British public, continues to generate considerable wealth for its
demonstrate significant growth in 2011. The GreenThumb business itself grew by some 15 per cent last year in what has been a difficult economic climate. The company does not let the grass grow under its feet – both literally and figuratively – engaging in constant development and understanding of how to move its business with the times. Overall, GreenThumb is a people business
and has 450,000 customers nationwide. These customers continue to spend more year upon year and benefit from professional business people looking after their needs. GreenThumb is innovative and passionate
about supporting the network. There are some 60 dedicated and expert people operating from their state-of-the-art head office. Anyone investigating franchising should make sure that they will benefit from consistent levels of support in all aspects
“A franchisee will quickly build up a strong enough customer-base to employ others to carry out the lawn treatments”
and marketing ability. These are the ideal qualities GreenThumb looks for in franchisees. When it comes to treating lawns, full training is provided. Once a franchisee starts their business, however, they will quickly build up a strong enough customer- base in order to employ others to carry out lawn treatments. Many even start with lawn-treatment operatives from day one. This is one of the key elements that make GreenThumb so investment-worthy; the promise of purchasing a business with great potential with the necessary infrastructure to aide continued, scalable growth. Today, GreenThumb has well over
200 franchises, over half of which were established in the last five years. Of the 200 branches, some robust, profitable and well- supported franchises, with huge potential, are becoming available for resale, providing an opportunity to build on the endeavours of others. As Kevin says: “The franchisees that
launched their businesses before me, and many since, may not have had any discernible financial independence or security when they started their GreenThumb franchises … they certainly do now!” n
greenthumb
Website:
www.greenthumb.co.uk/franchising email:
franchise@greenthumb.co.uk Phone: 01745 586 041 classification: Lawn care
Investment: £20k-£50k
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