The Grounds Guys: Leading the Way in Premium Landscaping Services

Established originally as Sunshine Grounds Care in 1987, The Grounds Guys has evolved into a trusted name in full-service landscaping and lawn care. The brand underwent a transformation in 2010, reemerging under its current name and joining the portfolio of Neighborly—a prominent franchisor in the home services space.

Operating out of Waco, Texas, The Grounds Guys provides a wide array of services tailored to residential and commercial properties. Their offerings span routine lawn maintenance, custom landscape design and implementation, pest and weed management, seasonal lighting displays, snow and ice removal, and much more.

Since launching its franchise program in 2010, The Grounds Guys has seen steady growth, now operating in more than 250 locations throughout the U.S. and Canada. This expansion is a testament to the brand’s focus on delivering dependable, top-tier services through a professional and personable team.

What truly sets The Grounds Guys apart is its customer-first culture, embodied in its “C.A.R.E.S.” core values: delivering complete grounds care, tailoring creative solutions, providing real results through local professionals, ensuring an exceptional customer journey, and maintaining reliable, high-quality service.

Training

The Grounds Guys franchise provides a structured and comprehensive training program for franchisees. Here's a breakdown of the types of training offered by the franchisor:

1. Phase I Training Program (Required)
   This is an introductory training delivered primarily via online video modules. Topics include brand orientation, support from the parent company (Neighborly), and basics of national marketing. This training generally lasts 48 hours and prepares franchisees for more intensive in-person or virtual sessions later.
2. Phase II Training
   This involves 4 to 5 days of more advanced instruction typically held at the corporate office in Waco, Texas, though remote participation may be allowed. This phase includes both classroom and field training and must be completed to the franchisor’s satisfaction. Franchisees also visit a designated existing franchise location to observe operations directly.
3. Annual Training Event (Reunion)
   Franchisees are required to attend an annual conference known as “Reunion.” This event provides updates, networking, and advanced learning sessions to ensure franchisees stay aligned with system-wide standards and improvements.
4. Ongoing and Advanced Training
   The franchisor may require refresher courses or advanced sessions if a franchisee is found to be out-of-date with operational standards. This also includes regional meetings and possibly additional courses as deemed necessary.

Territory Protection

The Grounds Guys franchise provides its franchisees with a designated territory in which they can operate their business. While the franchise does not grant an exclusive territory, it offers a form of limited protection by agreeing not to establish another company- or affiliate-owned, or franchised Grounds Guys business within that territory, provided the franchisee remains in compliance with their agreement.

The franchisee is permitted to serve only within their assigned territory unless otherwise authorized in writing. This territorial protection is not absolute.

The franchisor reserves the right to allow others to sell competing products or services within the territory under certain conditions, such as servicing key accounts or if the franchisee is unable or unwilling to fulfill a customer request. Additionally, franchisees are not entitled to compensation for any business done within their territory by other parties under such exceptions.