U.S. Lawns vs Border Magic Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of U.S. Lawns vs Border Magic including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
U.S. Lawns Franchise
Border Magic Franchise
Investment $40,800 - $141,300$104,330 - $129,335
Franchise Fee $29,000 - $34,000$98,500 - $101,100
Royalty Fee 4%-6%$395/mo - $495/mo
Advertising Fee 2%included
Year Founded 19861987
Year Franchised 19872003
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Renewal Fee -$2.5K


Business Experience Requirements
 
U.S. Lawns Franchise
Border Magic Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills
    		• -

    Financing Options
     
    U.S. Lawns Franchise
    Border Magic Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees Yes/NoNo/No
    Start-up Costs No/YesNo/Yes
    Equipment No/YesNo/Yes
    Inventory No/YesNo/Yes
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support
     
    U.S. Lawns Franchise
    Border Magic Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 24 hours Classroom Training: 40 hours Additional Training: Webinars, regional meetings On-The-Job Training: 25 hours Classroom Training: 15 hours
    Support Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Field Operations
    Marketing Co-op Advertising Ad Templates Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development
    Operations Franchise can be run from home.

    10% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 12 - 15

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    		 Franchise can be run from home.

    3% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 1 - 3

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (92% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    Expansion Plans
     
    U.S. Lawns Franchise
    Border Magic Franchise
    US Expansion Yes-
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion NoYes

    Company Overviews

    About U.S. Lawns

    U.S. Lawns was founded in 1986 and began franchising in 1987. In 1996, U.S. Lawns was acquired by Environmental Care Inc., a subsidiary of Environmental Industries Inc. U.S. Lawns is based in Orlando, Florida, and has locations throughout the United States.

    Veterans
    U.S. Lawns is consistently named one of America's top franchises for vets. We understand how difficult it is to serve your country overseas, then return to a bad economy and expect to find work. So, we want to make it a little easier for you. At U.S. Lawns, we recognize the tremendous sacrifices veterans have made for our country. As a proud supporter of the VetFran initiative, we are excited to offer the following incentives to honorably discharged veterans:
    Because we stress discipline, uniformity and excellence, veteran franchisees generally thrive in our company and become highly successful business owners.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a U.S. Lawns Standard Franchise is $59,500 to $141,300. This includes $40,000 to $54,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or their affiliates. For honorably discharged veterans the total is $54,500 to $136,300 including $35,000 to $49,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or their affiliates.
    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a U.S. Lawns
    Conversion Franchise is $40,800 to $91,300. This includes $30,000 to $44,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or their affiliates.
    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a U.S. Lawns Small Conversion Franchise is $45,800 to $96,300. This includes $35,000 to $49,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or their affiliates.

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    In Franchise Business Reviews' Top 200.
    #295 in Franchise 500 for 2020.







    About Border Magic

    Border Magic designs and installs continuous landscape borders, walkways, curbing and edging for residential and commercial use. Used as a permanent weed barrier, our curbing and edging will enhance your yard and property for years to come. Our franchisees work together with you to design the project to your specifications. All work is preformed on site. This allows each customer a customized designer look. We offer a variety of styles and colors to choose from. Everything from brick, double brick and slate to cobblestone and stone. Our colors, sealers and additives are exclusively designed for our concrete business franchise. All licensed Border Magic franchisees are professionally trained at our headquarters in Rantoul, Illinois. This helps to ensure the Border Magic install edging and curbs that meet the highest standards possible. Their training is also updated as better techniques and additives are developed by Border Magic through additional training seminars.

    Seeking new franchise units in:
    Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming    

    Veteran Incentives  $2,500 off franchise fee & 25% off royalty fee for five years