Top 6 Gardening Franchises in the UK

Alice Tuffery, writer

Published at 03/02/2018, Updated on 04/05/2022 , Reading time: 5 min

Top 6 Gardening Franchises in the UK — Photo © gardening-franchises.jpg

Post-COVID, the gardening sector is thriving and the UK public are enjoying nature like never before. If you’re looking to invest in a franchise in 2021, why not consider a gardening franchise? Here are six of the best opportunities out there right now.

If you’re interested in running your own business and you’ve got a green thumb, a gardening and lawn care franchise could be a fantastic, profitable option. Opportunities are varied in terms of specialism, cost of investment and much more, which is why it’s highly likely that the perfect franchising opportunity is out there for you in the gardening sector.

Why start a gardening business?

Though Britain is already famous for being a nation of keen gardeners, the unexpected length of time at home during the pandemic has encouraged even those without green fingers to look at growing their own veg and purchasing a plant or two (or three, or four, or five, or twenty).

Google searches in the UK for “gardening for beginners” increased by 3,800 per month, and searches for “Gardeners near me” also increased to an impressive 40,500 per month [Lakeland Furniture]. Beyond demand, becoming a franchisee with a gardening franchise has many benefits, including:

The opportunity to spend more time outdoors - Being in nature is known to substantially reduce stress and improve mental health.
The ability to stay fit and active during the working day - Carrying out gardening tasks will keep your body moving, stretching and balancing.
Flexible working hours - Your schedule will adapt with the weather and with the jobs that you have on in any given week. As long as you get the work done, your hours won’t need to be strictly 9-5.
Variety for you and your customer - As a gardener, you’ll likely offer customers a range of different services, increasing your income and making each day an exciting new adventure in nature.

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The six best gardening franchise opportunities in the UK

1. Fantastic Services

Fantastic Services is one of the fastest growing companies in the UK. Founded in 2009, the home improvement franchise has grown substantially since that time, and it now provides over 100 services to domestic and commercial clients. Fantastic Services operates on three continents, and there are three different investment tiers that you can choose between as a franchisee: Working Franchise, Area Development Franchise and Master Franchise.

Becoming a Fantastic Services franchisee: If you’re looking to run a Working Franchise, you’ll need some experience in the industry. If you’re looking to develop an area, you’ll need managerial experience. If you want to become a master franchisee, you’ll need to be able to manage a multi-service company.
How much you need to invest: To become a franchisee you’ll need to make a minimum initial investment of £6,500, with franchise fees of £1,500 and total investment costs of £6,500. Your expected revenue, after two years, is £100,000.
What you get for your investment: In return for your investment, you’ll receive access to a proven business model and in-house developed technology. You’ll also be provided with extensive training and marketing, sales and business support.

2. Greensleeves

Greensleeves is a lawn treatment expert with over 23 years of quality experience. One of the oldest and largest providers nationwide, Greensleeves offers affordable services via over 100 franchisees across the UK.

Becoming a Greensleeves franchisee: You won’t need experience in horticulture to become a Greensleeves franchisee, but you will need to be driven, committed, self-motivated, flexible and able to provide quality customer service.
How much you need to invest: You’ll need to invest a minimum of £9,000, with franchise fees of £26,950 and a total investment of £26,950.
What you get for your investment: In return for your investment, you’ll receive a 14-day training course and ongoing support and training from head office.

3. Ed’s Garden Maintenance

Ed’s Garden Maintenance is the UK's largest gardening franchise, and a great prospect if you’ve got your heart set on running a traditional horticultural business. It has developed a network of more than 35 franchisees, growing successful businesses across the country right now.

Becoming an Ed’s Garden Maintenance franchisee: You don’t need any previous experience in garden maintenance to become a franchisee, but you will need ambition, physical fitness and a great attitude.
How much you need to invest: You’ll need to invest £15,000 in order to set up your own Ed’s Garden Maintenance franchise business.
What you get for your investment: You’ll benefit from the brand name and receive all the support and training that you need to succeed. You’ll also have access to a central administration centre, providing you with a constant flow of customer enquiries.

4. Trulawn

Trulawn sells and installs quality artificial grass, offering a wide range of products suited to every budget. The franchise is constantly partaking in research and development surrounding environmentally aware materials, and is proudly the only company in the UK to supply 100% recyclable artificial grass to clients.

Becoming a Trulawn franchisee: The ideal Trulawn franchisee would be logical, organised and driven. They would be able to market their franchise, implement the Trulawn business model and recruit and retain suitably qualified staff. They would be committed to providing good customer service, attentive to detail, and able to prioritise and communicate.
How much you need to invest: You’ll need to make a minimum investment of £16,995, with total investment costs of £18,000. After two years, your expected revenue will stand at around £850,000.
What you get for your investment: In return for your investment, you’ll receive initial training, ongoing training, sales and marketing support, technical assistance and the help of an experienced business support manager who visits regularly.

5. Colourfence

Colourfence provides customers with high-quality alternatives to traditional wooden fencing, with a 25-year guarantee against rotting, warping and peeling. These Zincalume high-tensile steel fences don’t need maintenance, and can withstand 130mph winds.

Becoming a Colourfence franchisee: The ideal Colourfence franchisee would be hard-working, business-minded and driven, interested in profit and quality service provision.
How much you need to invest: To become a Colourfence franchisee, you’ll need to make a minimum initial investment of £20,000, with total investment costs of £35,000.
What you get for your investment: With Colourfence, you’ll be expertly educated on a range of management, admin, practical, technical and sales skills.

>> Read more:

Become a franchisee in the thriving home improvement industry

If gardening feels like the right fit, there’s no better time than 2021 to join the growing industry and find your place. Discover how to start a successful gardening franchise, or peruse 12 tips for marketing your landscaping franchise if you’re a little further down the line.