Business booming for commercial gardening franchise

Envirocare Grounds Maintenance is getting a helping hand from Mother Nature

Envirocare Grounds Maintenance started in Lancashire in 2005 and has grown to 17 depots across the country since launching as a franchise in 2010.

The franchise now provides a regular service to hotel groups, care homes, office blocks, restaurants, medical facilities and many other commercial locations. In the past 12 months the business has increased turnover by over 120 per cent, more than doubling in size. For Envirocare business is booming.

Look their best
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Dan Archer, Envirocare’s franchise director, says: “Our business doesn’t service the residential sector, as we work exclusively in the commercial sector providing a gardening service to thousands of businesses across the country. Irrespective of the economic position, our clients have to ensure that their commercial premises look their best.”

Archer feels that another benefit of a business to business grounds maintenance provider is the stability that business contracts bring. “All of our clients are on a 12 month contract for the service that we provide,” he explains. “Our franchisees are guaranteed income every month, so they get a stable business with guaranteed turnover from repeat business.”

Archer adds: “Our business is growing really well. The grass keeps growing and while it does our franchisees’ employees will need to keep cutting it. No business is recession proof, but Mother Nature is giving us a helping hand.

“The support that we provide from head office includes sales and marketing, full accounts support, business planning and staff recruitment and training, together with a unique health and safety and quality control management system.”

Associate member
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Envirocare is an associate member of the British Franchise Association and Dan has been on the board of directors of the bfa since 2008. The business is a management franchise where the franchisee employs staff to maintain the sites.

Envirocare franchisees benefit from the franchise being ISO 9001 and 14001 and OHSAS 18001 certified. The business has a total investment of £43,000 and bank funding is available from the main franchise banks. Franchisees require a minimum of £18,000-£20,000 in liquid capital to invest.