7 Hot Markets to Start a Landscaping Franchise Right Now

Why Landscaping Franchises Are Growing In 2026

The landscaping industry continues its upward trajectory in 2026. Several factors are driving this growth:

• U.S. lawn and landscape services represent a market worth tens of billions of dollars annually, with estimates placing the sector near $188.8 billion in 2025 and growing.
• Suburban expansion and aging housing stock create ongoing demand for professional lawn maintenance services.
• Homeowners increasingly value their outdoor spaces but lack the time or expertise for proper upkeep.
• Franchise brands like Lawn Pride® and The Grounds Guys® allow entrepreneurs to enter business ownership with brand recognition and operational tools already established, backed by national support from Neighborly®, the world's leading home services franchisor.

This sustained growth means franchise opportunities in high-demand markets offer strong potential for building a sustainable business model.

Key Takeaways:

• Lawn Pride and The Grounds Guys offer strong landscaping franchise opportunities, with prime territories currently available across the U.S.
• The lawn care industry continues to expand as homeowners and commercial clients increasingly prefer professional landscaping services over DIY approaches.
• Powered by Neighborly, these brands provide comprehensive training, marketing resources, and ongoing support, making it a feasible pathway to business ownership for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Why Choose Lawn Pride or The Grounds Guys?

If you're considering investing in a lawn-related franchise, Lawn Pride and The Grounds Guys are both award-winning brands that serve both residential and commercial customers. Each offers a distinct approach in the industry. Lawn Pride specializing in the health of the lawn, fertilization, and weed control. The Grounds Guys focused on landscaping, lawn maintenance, and hard or soft scape services.

Lawn Pride focuses on professional lawn fertilization, weed control, aeration, and yard health programs. This proven business model generates recurring revenue through scheduled treatment visits. Franchise owners can build predictable income by addressing core lawn issues like nutrient deficiencies and soil compaction.

The Grounds Guys offers broader, year-round landscaping services including lawn mowing, seasonal cleanups, landscape enhancements, mulching, tree trimming, and snow removal where applicable. This creates multiple revenue streams throughout the calendar year.

Both brands share access to the Neighborly support network, including:

• Marketing resources and national brand power
• Technology and operational management tools for scheduling and route optimization
• Potential opportunity for cross-referrals with other Neighborly home service brands
• Comprehensive support for owners and their teams

Franchisees in the lawn care industry benefit from established branding and a ready-made customer base, which can significantly reduce the risks associated with starting a new business. Franchise owners also benefit from training designed to help motivated owners succeed even without prior landscaping experience.

The bottom line: Owning a lawn care franchise allows entrepreneurs to leverage a proven business model to tap into a growing market for lawn care services, benefiting from brand recognition and a loyal customer base.

Markets to Consider

1. Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX

The Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex ranks among the fastest-growing regions in the United States. The Irving and Carrollton corridor presents exceptional franchise opportunities for lawn care services.

This market features:

• Metro population exceeding 8 million, with estimated annual inflows of over 150,000 new residents
• Dense residential neighborhoods and master-planned communities like Las Colinas and Valley Ranch
• A large base of busy professionals who prefer outsourcing lawn maintenance
• Hot summers and 220+ frost-free days require frequent professional attention for warm-season grasses like Bermuda and St. Augustine varieties

Proximity to I-35E, President George Bush Turnpike, and State Highway 114 enables efficient crew routing across Irving, Carrollton, Farmers Branch, and surrounding suburbs. A franchise owner in this territory can build a customer base mixing residential accounts with small commercial clients such as office parks, retail centers, and homeowners associations seeking consistent, professional service providers.

2. Louisville, KY

Louisville is a growing city on the Ohio River, where four distinct seasons create year-round demand for professional lawn and landscaping services.

Key market characteristics include:

• Metro population of approximately 1.3 million, with steady growth
• Established neighborhoods like St. Matthews, Jeffersontown, and the East End, featuring mature landscapes
• Moderate housing costs (around $226,089 median)
• Commercial opportunities near I-64, I-65, and I-264 corridors serving medical offices, distribution centers, and local businesses

The seasonality in Louisville supports diversified services. Spring cleanups, summer lawn treatment programs, fall leaf management, and winter preparation for turf and plantings allow a Lawn Pride or Grounds Guys franchise to retain customers throughout the year while maintaining operational efficiency.

3. Knoxville, TN

Knoxville’s position near the Great Smoky Mountains and its ongoing population growth make curb appeal a priority for local homeowners. The metro area has grown to over 868,000 residents with approximately 0.82% annual growth.

This territory offers:

• A 200+ day growing season with varied terrain that makes DIY lawn care challenging
• Suburbs, including Farragut, Maryville, and Powell with single-family homes featuring sizable yards
• Economic anchors like the University of Tennessee and regional healthcare systems
• Opportunities to pair core turf care with landscape enhancements like mulching and bed maintenance

A landscaping franchise in Knoxville can increase revenue by offering environmentally responsible lawn care programs alongside traditional lawn care services. Eco-friendly practices are becoming a significant differentiator in the landscaping industry and both The Grounds Guys and Lawn Pride brands are equip to meet customer demand.

4. Norfolk, VA

Norfolk anchors the Hampton Roads region, where coastal climate, military installations, and historic neighborhoods create diverse landscaping needs. The area maintains a population of approximately 1.8 million with military-driven economic stability.

Market advantages include:

• Warm, humid summers and mild winters supporting year-round lawn growth
• Residential neighborhoods with mature trees and lawns benefiting from professional fertilization and weed control
• Commercial and institutional properties near waterfront areas, shipyards, and Navy facilities require dependable grounds care
• Over 100,000 active duty military personnel and their families representing a stable customer base

Strong brand recognition through Lawn Pride or The Grounds Guys helps franchise owners stand out against independent operators. Uniforms, documented service standards, and innovative technology for tracking performance can help build customer satisfaction in a fragmented market.

5. Memphis, TN

Memphis and its eastern suburbs continue expanding, increasing the number of homes and businesses needing recurring lawn and landscape services. The metro population approaches 1.3 million with approximately 1.5% growth.

Territory highlights include:

• A 240-day growing season requiring routine mowing, fertilizing, and weed management
• Neighborhoods in Germantown, Collierville, Bartlett, and Cordova well-suited for route-based lawn care
• Opportunities to serve warm-season grasses like Tifway 419 Bermuda with tailored treatment programs
• Access to I-40, I-55, and I-240 enables service across a wide geographic area from a central location

A lawn care business in Memphis can build recurring revenue through scheduled programs while adding seasonal projects and shrub maintenance to increase revenue per customer.

6. Chicago Suburbs

The western and northwestern suburbs of Chicago represent mature, high-income markets with strong demand for professional lawn care services. Naperville and Schaumburg feature an average median household income exceeding $120,000.

These suburbs offer:

• Career-focused homeowners balancing demanding schedules who are willing to invest in outsourced lawn maintenance
• Four distinct seasons creating repeatable service patterns including spring cleanups, summer programs, fall leaf management, and winter prep
• A mix of residential subdivisions, office parks, retail centers, and homeowners associations
• Cool-season grass lawns (Kentucky bluegrass) requiring professional fertilization and pest control services

Franchise owners can leverage proven scheduling systems and crew management tools to navigate busy corridors like I-88, I-355, and I-90 while maintaining efficient routes. The combination of residential and commercial clients supports year-round recurring revenue potential.

7. Atlanta Suburbs

Marietta and the northwestern Atlanta suburbs represent rapidly expanding markets with new construction, established neighborhoods, and active homeowner associations. Population growth exceeds 2% annually in many surrounding communities.

This territory features:

• Warm Georgia climate and long growing seasons making consistent professional treatment valuable
• Clay soils with high pH and poor drainage requiring expertise in maintaining healthy turf
• Busy I-75 commuting patterns encouraging homeowners to outsource lawn and landscaping work
• Single-family homes, townhome communities, and small businesses seeking reliable service providers

A Grounds Guys or Lawn Pride franchise in the Marietta area can gain access to cross-promotion opportunities with other Neighborly brands serving metro Atlanta. This helps franchise owners capture more value from each household and build a locally owned business with national support.

What To Expect When You Inquire About Franchise Ownership With Lawn Pride or The Grounds Guys

Prospective franchise owners can expect a structured discovery process designed to evaluate fit, investment requirements, and territory availability.

The typical inquiry process includes:

1. Initial conversations reviewing personal goals, target markets, and financial readiness
2. Brand selection guidance helping determine which brand better matches your interests
3. Detailed information about comprehensive training, launch timelines, and marketing support
4. Franchise Disclosure Document review outlining the initial franchise fee, estimated initial investment ranges, and support commitments

Launch timelines typically span three to six months from signing, covering financing, equipment procurement, staffing, and local marketing. The goal is usually to begin operations within the same calendar year.

If you are interested in specific markets like Dallas Ft. Worth, Louisville, Knoxville, Norfolk, Memphis, Chicago suburbs, or the Marietta area of Atlanta, inquire soon. Prime territories are awarded on a first-qualified basis. And if you're not sure where to start, our franchising experts can help guide you. Schedule a call today to learn more.