The Grounds Guys vs U.s. Lawns
The Grounds Guys vs U.s. Lawns: The Grounds Guys costs $75K–$225K to open; U.s. Lawns costs $30K–$825K. The Grounds Guys has 191 units, U.s. Lawns has 49. SBA loan history: The Grounds Guys = 241 loans (15.8% default); U.s. Lawns = 78 loans (9.0% default). The franchise with more SBA-funded units, lower default rate, and lower royalty load is the safer financing bet, see the comparison below.
The Grounds Guys vs U.s. Lawns: Capital, Scale & Lending Analysis
Data-driven differentiation pulled from FDD filings and SBA 7(a) loan-level data. Each pairing reflects a unique combination of capital intensity, system scale, and financing path.
Capital Intensity
U.s. Lawns requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($30K vs $75K for The Grounds Guys), a 149% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $35K for The Grounds Guys versus $25K for U.s. Lawns, U.s. Lawns has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 6% for The Grounds Guys and 4% for U.s. Lawns, giving U.s. Lawns the lighter per-unit drag on operating income.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, The Grounds Guys operates 191 units to U.s. Lawns's 49, roughly 4× the system size. U.s. Lawns has been operating 40 years (founded 1986) versus 39 for The Grounds Guys (founded 1987), a 1-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
The Grounds Guys has the deeper SBA lending track record with 241 historical 7(a) approvals versus 78 for U.s. Lawns. The Grounds Guys's peak SBA year was 2021 (38 loans); U.s. Lawns's peak was 2025 (10 loans). U.s. Lawns's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Geographically, The Grounds Guys concentrates in TX (49 SBA-funded units) while U.s. Lawns leads in FL (21). Pick the brand whose strongest state matches yours for warmest lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded The Grounds Guys deals is $171K vs $424K for U.s. Lawns, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 15.8% for The Grounds Guys and 9.0% for U.s. Lawns, U.s. Lawns has the cleaner historical loss profile by 6.8 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 67 (Strong) for The Grounds Guys and 57 (Moderate) for U.s. Lawns, giving The Grounds Guys the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 67/100 | 57/100 |
Health Tier | Strong | Moderate |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Stable | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 241 | 78 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 15.8% | 9.0% |
Peer Tier | major | established |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $75K – $225K | $30K – $825K |
Franchise Fee | $35K | $25K |
Royalty Rate | 6% | 4% |
Ad Fund | 2% | 2% |
Liquid Capital | $30K | $50K |
Net Worth Required | N/A | $150K |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 191 | 49 |
Franchised Units | 191 | 49 |
Company-Owned | – | – |
Term Length | 10 yrs | 10 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1987 | 1986 |
Franchising Since | 2010 | 2023 |
Years Franchising | 16 yrs | 3 yrs |
Headquarters | Waco, TX | FORT MYERS, FL |
Category | Landscaping Services | Landscaping Services |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2026 | 2025 |
Which Is Better, The Grounds Guys or U.s. Lawns?
Lower upfront capital required
U.s. Lawns
The Grounds Guys: $75K starting · U.s. Lawns: $30K starting
More SBA lender confidence
The Grounds Guys
The Grounds Guys: 241 SBA loans · U.s. Lawns: 78 SBA loans
Lower historical default rate
U.s. Lawns
The Grounds Guys: 15.8% · U.s. Lawns: 9.0%
Larger system & brand presence
The Grounds Guys
The Grounds Guys: 191 units · U.s. Lawns: 49 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
U.s. Lawns
The Grounds Guys: 6% · U.s. Lawns: 4%
More lender financing options
U.s. Lawns
The Grounds Guys: 29 unique lenders · U.s. Lawns: 39 unique lenders
Decision matrix uses publicly disclosed FDD and SBA loan data. Not a recommendation. Your best franchise depends on capital, market, operating capacity, and risk tolerance.
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About These Franchises
The Grounds Guys vs U.s. Lawns: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing The Grounds Guys and U.s. Lawns is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $30K to $825K.
Both brands have active SBA lending histories, The Grounds Guys with 241 SBA loans and U.s. Lawns with 78. This means proven lender acceptance and established underwriting paths for franchise buyers.
SBA 7(a) loans are the most common franchise funding vehicle, offering up to $5M with as little as 10% down. PeerSense connects franchise buyers with the specific lenders who have approved loans for these brands, not generic referrals, but lenders with actual franchise lending track records.
Data sourced from SBA loan records, Franchise Disclosure Documents, and public filings. Updated regularly. Not financial advice, consult with a lending professional before making investment decisions.
The Grounds Guys vs U.s. Lawns, Frequently Asked Questions
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