How to Finance a ManageMowed Franchise: Commercial Landscaping
By Marc Cornella
A ManageMowed franchise loan funds a commercial landscape management business that serves property managers and business owners rather than homeowners. Each territory is locally owned and operated, and the model centers on an account manager who owns the client relationship, one contract and one invoice.
ManageMowed does not publish its franchise fee, royalty or investment range on its website, so this article covers what the company does share, the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) items that shape your loan request, what the brand’s SBA directory note means and how lenders look at a contract-based service franchise.
US Professional Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by ManageMowed; the name is used only to describe the business. Figures from the franchisor’s disclosure document can change, loan programs and terms vary by lender and borrower, and every loan is subject to review and approval. Nothing here is legal, tax or investment advice, so review the current FDD and franchise agreement with a franchise attorney and an accountant before you sign or borrow.
ManageMowed Franchise Loan at a Glance
- Concept: commercial landscape management for retail centers, office and business parks, HOA and multi-family communities, medical campuses, restaurants, banks and industrial sites.
- Headquarters: Edmonds, Washington.
- Franchising: the company says it began franchising in 2019.
- Footprint: the company’s website lists 23 US territories as of 2026 in Washington, Oregon, California, Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia and Florida.
- Services: grounds maintenance, enhancements, irrigation management, tree care, detail work, storm response and, in winter markets, snow and ice operations.
- Fees and investment: not published on the company’s website; they appear in Items 5, 6 and 7 of the FDD.
- SBA Franchise Directory: listed as ManageMowed (code S4222), with a note on the lease addendum explained below.
What Is ManageMowed?
ManageMowed is a commercial landscape management company headquartered in Edmonds, Washington. It was co-founded by James Jakobsen and Peter Roberts, former high school classmates, and the company says it began franchising in 2019. Its tagline promises “the last landscaping call you’ll ever make.”
The account manager model. ManageMowed assigns one account manager to each property. That manager runs the company’s M C.A.R.E. plan, which stands for Communicate, Act with urgency, Relationships and Easy to work with, and the client deals with one contract and one invoice. New clients start with a free Property Score walk-through that grades the site and produces a plan and pricing.
Who the clients are. The company serves shopping centers, office parks, HOAs and apartment communities, medical and campus properties, restaurants and banks, industrial and logistics sites and multi-site national portfolios, as well as single-site owners. It says it is on duty 365 days a year.
How lenders view the brand. Lenders like recurring commercial maintenance contracts because they make revenue more predictable than one-time residential jobs. The franchise system is mid-sized and spread across several regions, so lenders will still weigh the borrower’s own capital, sales ability and management experience heavily.
ManageMowed Franchise Costs
ManageMowed does not post its franchise fee or estimated initial investment online. Those figures sit in the FDD, which the franchise team provides to qualified candidates. Build your budget from Item 7 and your own quotes.
Initial franchise fee
Item 5 states the fee, when it is due and whether any part is refundable. Ask whether a larger or second territory carries a different fee.
Office, yard and real estate
A commercial landscaping business does not need a storefront. Depending on how the territory is run, costs may include a small office, a yard or storage space for equipment and materials, and related deposits.
Equipment and vehicles
Expect trucks, trailers, commercial mowers, trimmers, blowers and hand tools, plus irrigation and pruning gear. In winter markets, plows, spreaders and de-icing equipment add to the list. Ask the franchisor which work is expected to be done by your own crews and how that affects your equipment needs.
Opening costs and working capital
Plan for training, licensing, insurance, software, uniforms, marketing to property managers, and a cash reserve. Commercial clients often pay on invoice terms, so working capital carries payroll until receivables come in.
Total investment
Item 7 gives a low and high estimate for each cost and the total. Compare these categories with your own bids:
- Initial franchise fee
- Vehicles and trailers
- Landscaping, irrigation and snow equipment
- Office or yard deposits and rent before opening
- Technology, software and communications
- Training and travel
- Insurance, licenses and professional fees
- Initial marketing and sales materials
- Additional funds for the initial operating period
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your Loan
Item 6 lists the royalty, any brand or marketing fund contribution, technology fees and transfer and renewal fees. Item 8 shows any required suppliers or software.
How lenders factor these costs in. A lender projects contract revenue, subtracts royalties, fees, labor, fuel, materials, insurance and equipment costs, and compares what is left with the proposed loan payments. Landscaping is seasonal in many markets, so lenders look closely at monthly cash flow, not just the annual total. Snow and ice work can help balance winter months where it applies.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
ManageMowed does not publish minimum net worth, liquid capital or experience requirements on its website. Because the model depends on winning and keeping commercial accounts, expect the company to look closely at sales, account management and people leadership skills.
The approval process. Expect to submit an inquiry, receive the FDD, discuss available territories and complete the company’s review before signing. Ask early what liquidity and net worth the company expects, because lenders will want to see that you meet those levels with your own cash before any ManageMowed franchise loan closes.
Ways to Own a ManageMowed
A new territory. Most buyers start a new territory. A start-up loan is underwritten on projections, the buyer’s experience and personal financial strength. Our franchise start-up financing page explains how these loans are structured.
Buying an existing territory. A territory with signed maintenance contracts gives a lender real revenue to underwrite. The buyer needs the franchisor’s approval and must meet the transfer conditions in Item 17. Lenders will review contract terms, renewal dates and client concentration. Our guide to buying a franchise resale covers transfer approval and due diligence.
Multiple territories. Some owners hold more than one territory. Financing for the second territory is often supported by the first territory’s contract history.
Financing Options for a ManageMowed Franchise
SBA 7(a) loans. Because ManageMowed is on the SBA Franchise Directory, an SBA 7(a) loan can cover the franchise fee, equipment, vehicles and working capital in one loan for a borrower who qualifies.
SBA 504 loans. The 504 program is built for owner-occupied real estate and long-lived equipment. It may fit an established owner who buys a yard or shop building, but it is rarely the starting tool for a new territory.
Conventional term loans. Buyers with strong credit and liquidity may qualify for conventional business loans, which can be useful when buying an existing territory or adding one.
Equipment financing. Trucks, trailers, commercial mowers and snow equipment can be financed separately, with each asset serving as its own collateral. See our franchise equipment financing and leasing options.
Working capital and lines of credit. Commercial invoices, spring start-up costs and seasonal swings make a line of credit valuable. Learn about franchise working capital for payroll, fuel and materials.
Seller financing on resales. When buying an existing territory, a seller may agree to carry part of the price. Seller notes are typically subordinate to the senior loan, and SBA programs may limit how they are structured.
SBA Loans for ManageMowed Franchisees
The SBA Franchise Directory lists brands whose franchise agreements have been reviewed for SBA eligibility. SBA lenders generally require a brand to be listed before they can make an SBA-guaranteed loan to one of its franchisees. A listing does not approve any borrower.
ManageMowed’s listing and note. ManageMowed appears under code S4222. The directory note says that when the real estate where the franchise business is located will secure the SBA-guaranteed loan, the Form Addendum of Lease may not be executed. In plain terms, the lease addendum is meant for owners who rent their office or yard. If you own the property and pledge it as collateral, that addendum is not signed. Most new owners lease, so the note mainly matters to owners who buy a building.
Application tips. The SBA 7(a) program maximum is currently $5 million, though program rules can change. Loans are sized to projected cash flow and collateral, not to the cap. Our SBA loan calculator can help with early payment estimates for planning only.
How Lenders Evaluate a ManageMowed Deal
Personal credit and financial history. Lenders review credit, tax returns and a personal financial statement, and typically require a personal guarantee.
Net worth and liquidity. Expect to put your own cash into the project and keep reserves after closing. Our article on how much franchise you can afford walks through the math.
Industry and management experience. Experience in business-to-business sales, property management, facilities or landscaping strengthens an application.
Business plan and projections. Show how many commercial accounts you expect to sign, how quickly, at what contract size, and how you will staff and equip each route. Model seasonality month by month. Our article on writing a franchise business plan for an SBA loan explains what lenders want to see.
The FDD and franchise agreement. Lenders review the territory definition, term, renewal, transfer and default provisions. Our article on how lenders read a Franchise Disclosure Document explains which items matter most.
Contracts and history for resales. For an existing territory, expect to provide several years of financial statements, tax returns and a list of client contracts with terms and renewal dates.
Equipment, Vehicles and Seasonality
Commercial landscaping runs on trucks, trailers and mowers that work hard every week, and winter markets add plows and spreaders. Financing these assets separately keeps the main ManageMowed franchise loan smaller and matches payments to each asset’s useful life. Plan replacement cycles in your projections, and budget for maintenance so equipment downtime does not cost you a contract.
Seasonality affects more than revenue. Spring brings hiring, mulch and seasonal color purchases before many clients pay. A working capital line sized for that spring ramp keeps payroll steady.
Multi-Unit Growth and Development Agreements
If you sign for more than one territory, the development schedule in your agreement drives your financing calendar. Once the first territory has contract history, lenders can use it to support the next. Read our article on multi-unit franchise financing for how lenders view growing operators.
Real-World Scenarios
A property manager turned owner. A former commercial property manager opens a territory in a growing suburban market. She uses an SBA 7(a) loan for the franchise fee, a truck, a trailer and starting equipment, and keeps a reserve for payroll during the first spring.
A buyer of an existing territory. A sales executive buys an established territory with signed maintenance contracts. The lender underwrites the contract history and client mix, and the seller carries a small subordinate note.
A winter-market owner. An owner in a snow market adds plows and spreaders through equipment financing so winter contracts can smooth out cash flow.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Relying on investment figures from outside sources instead of the current FDD
- Underestimating how long it takes to sign commercial contracts
- Ignoring invoice payment terms when planning working capital
- Projecting even monthly revenue in a seasonal market
- Overbuying equipment before contracts are signed
- Buying a territory without reviewing contract renewal dates
For more pitfalls in this industry, read the service contractor loan mistakes that cost owners the most.
Next Steps to Finance Your ManageMowed Franchise
Step 1: Contact the franchise team. Request the current FDD and ask about open territories and capital expectations.
Step 2: Review the FDD with advisors. Study Items 5, 6, 7, 8, 17 and 19 with a franchise attorney and an accountant.
Step 3: Talk with a financing specialist. Learn how a loan would be sized before you sign.
Step 4: Build your business plan. Prepare month-by-month projections that reflect the FDD’s fees, seasonality, labor and equipment.
Step 5: Gather quotes. Get quotes for vehicles, equipment, insurance and any office or yard space.
Step 6: Apply and close. Submit your loan package, align the timeline with the franchise agreement, then fund equipment and keep your working capital reserve intact.
ManageMowed Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does a ManageMowed franchise cost?
The company does not publish its estimated initial investment online. Item 7 of the current FDD gives the full range and line items.
What are the franchise fee and royalty?
The initial fee is disclosed in Item 5 of the FDD, and the royalty and any marketing fund contribution in Item 6.
How much liquid capital do I need?
ManageMowed does not publish minimums online. Ask the franchise team, and expect lenders to require a cash injection plus reserves after closing.
Can I get an SBA loan for a ManageMowed franchise?
Yes, if you qualify. ManageMowed is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory under code S4222, with a note on the lease addendum.
Do I need landscaping experience?
The company does not publish an experience requirement. Lenders value business-to-business sales and management experience as much as field experience for this model.
Can I finance trucks and mowers separately?
Yes. Vehicles and equipment can be financed on their own, which can reduce the size of the main loan.
Does ManageMowed offer financing?
The company does not advertise franchisee financing. Item 10 of the FDD discloses whether the franchisor offers any.
Can a first-time business owner get a ManageMowed franchise loan?
Yes, if the franchisor approves you and you meet lender standards. Management and sales experience, liquidity and a strong plan help.
What documents do I need?
Expect a personal financial statement, tax returns, a resume, a business plan with projections, the FDD and franchise agreement and equipment quotes.
Does the FDD include financial performance information?
Check Item 19 of the current FDD to see whether it includes financial performance representations, and do not rely on sales claims made outside the FDD.
Final Thoughts
ManageMowed offers a commercial, contract-based landscaping model with territories in 11 states. Buyers who get the FDD early, plan for seasonality and invoice terms, and finance equipment wisely will be in a stronger position with lenders.
US Professional Funding helps franchise owners and buyers finance start-ups, acquisitions, equipment and working capital. Learn more about our franchise financing and service contractor financing solutions.
