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MISSION STATEMENT                

"Graham's Garden Care is a professional franchise system dedicated to the growth of the system and the individuals within the system by providing the highest quality professional home services.”

INTRODUCTION

The following pages generally outlay the Graham's Garden Care system which is designed to give a secure entry into the professional gardening/lawn mowing industry.

Graham's Garden Care commenced operation in Brisbane in 1992. After 18 years of successful growth, Graham's has long been established and has now a high profile name in the lawn mowing, gardening and property maintenance industry. From modest beginnings, Graham's now has over 100 franchise operators in all Brisbane Suburbs, Brisbane Bayside, Ipswich, Pine Rivers, Logan, Caboolture, Moreton, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Victoria (Geelong).

BACKGROUND

In 1994, Ron and Kerrie Sleet purchased a Graham's franchise at Hamilton on Brisbane's north side. Ron & Kerrie purchased the Regional Brisbane North / Sunshine Coast Region in April, 1995. In March 1997 with the purchase of Graham's Brisbane South, Ron and Kerrie became Graham's Garden Care Principle Franchisors. In 1998, Ron & Kerrie became sole owner of Grahams Garden Care Pty. Ltd.

After successfully owning, building and running Graham’s for the past 18 years Ron and Kerry decided to retire and sell the business. They handed over the reins in January 2012 to Ian Port and his partner, Rachael who currently owns Top Gun Landscaping.

Ian is a hands-on operator of a successful landscaping, fencing and project services business that has been operating for the last 9 years. Ian grew this company from humble beginnings when he purchased a small gardening run that was originally only 2-3 days per week. His determination and drive within the industry has seen this small one man operation turn into a successful business with a staff of up to 30 at times. Ian has a Certificate III in Horticulture, has a Structural Landscaping trade and is registered with the BSA. Top Gun specialises in large projects such as government contracts and water pipelines. His most recent is the Logan Link Project.

His partner, Rachael has a strong background in Real Estate. For 10 years Rachael worked in Property Management, Sales and Marketing and Business Development. Leaving Real Estate in 2005 she became the Qld Business Development Manager for a Real Estate software company. She takes pride in her success of this position and was regularly the number 1 salesperson throughout Australia and New Zealand. In 2007, Rachael left this company to have a family. Since this date she has been managing the Top Gun Landscaping administration team.

The Brisbane Head Office which is now located in Tanah Merah has quadrupled its data base of clients in the last 18 years. Ian and Rachael look forward to building great relationships with their Franchisees. They will constantly be seeking ways to improve the operation and returns to investors in a Graham's Garden Care Franchise.

“We are not just a lawn mowing service, our name attracts clients who want more, including garden maintenance, garden makeovers, hedging and planting and regular garden maintenance as well as landscaping . Graham's continues to develop an infrastructure with Franchisees that can deliver a complete gardening service to our clients.”

THE SYSTEM

The system is designed for each Franchisee to request work (clients) from his/her territory, or for the area which is 15 km from the edge of that territory. Client leads are distributed on a “first right of refusal” basis according to territory, plus any extra enquiries from non territory areas.

The system provides for Franchisees to “own” clients provided by the system or obtained independently. Accordingly, if a new Franchisee buys a territory where clients already exist (i.e. belong to another Franchisee), those clients remain the property of the first Franchisee. However, the first Franchisee loses any right to new clients from the new franchisee's territory, unless the new Franchisee declines work (i.e. too busy), is unavailable (i.e. sick, holidays etc) or the client is referred to by existing clients of the first Franchisee.

Leads may be for normal domestic jobs, Body Corporate (units, etc) jobs or for commercial premises. A Franchisee can request extra leads per day, however, the quality of service must not be compromised and any further requests for leads are subject to the demand.

EASY TO OPERATE

The client calls the Graham's telephone number (1300 134 035) at Graham's central office. The client speaks with a Graham's employee who will gather all relevant details and assist where relevant. The client's details, including name, address phone numbers, job codes and client's special requests, are entered into the Graham’s system and “SMS'd” to the Franchisee to react.

The Franchisee should present him/her self to the client, discuss the client's needs, perform the service and present invoice for payment. Each Franchisee should have the clear intention of converting each enquiry to a regular customer. Each client registered in the Graham's system will be recorded as “owned” by the nominated Franchisee. This means that whenever that client calls Graham's, their request will be forwarded to the same Franchisee in the first instance to maintain a strong service relationship with each client.

A VERY PERSONAL SYSTEM

The Graham's system is very personable with Graham's employees who know the Franchisee personally. Someone is always available to assist Franchisees with advice or support. If the Franchisee does not request leads on a daily basis, or they are not working on a particular day, or they are unable to assist a client at a requested time, he/she forgo  their territorial rights if there are customers within their territory seeking the services of Graham's.

HOW IT WORKS

After an initial interview, the applicant spends a TRIAL day with an experienced Franchisee to see what the work is like and to ask relevant questions. The Franchisee also reports to the office on the suitability of the applicant to join the group.

From there, if the applicant wishes to become a Franchisee, contracts and disclosure documents are provided and after 14 days minimum may be signed and the new Franchisee has a solid week of training with one or more of the nominated franchisee trainers.

JOB/CLIENT CREATION

The Franchisee and Graham's are equally responsible for job creation. A planned marketing campaign is designed to create work in and around your area from day one. Graham's works on creating leads on behalf of the Franchisee for the term of agreement, however the Franchisee is expected to actively promote his/her business and accordingly will be provided with at no additional cost, self-promotional materials, eg, leaflets, fridge magnets and real estate kits, etc.

Under the Graham's system, you as Franchisee effectively “own” the client provided, even if that client is in a neighbouring area outside of your territory. Accordingly the wise Franchisee will put every effort into service and building relationships with client.

Jobs are requested and allocated (subject to demand) to the Franchisee each day and they can be a mixture of regular and one off jobs. The Franchisee does have responsibility in servicing all clients to the best of his/her ability as well as rebooking the client for the next service. Quality service and work will lead to more jobs. Also, the high profile Graham's trailer will attract clients to you.

The good name of Graham's Garden Care attracts a large variety of gardening work, not just lawn mowing. This provides variety to your working day and the possibility for greater levels of income.
    
WHAT IF I HAVE TOO MUCH WORK?

The system is designed so that all Franchisees should get to a point where they cannot fit in any more work, provided the quality of service is maintained and repeat custom built. When you reach this stage for your franchise, then you have three choices:

   1. Stay as you are where a client is replaced if you lose one;
   2. Employ staff and or purchase/lease better equipment and continue to grow; or
   3. When you get to approximately 100 regular clients you can split your franchise and sell it at a price that
       you decide, subject to the provisions of the Franchise Agreement.

We have Franchisees who are currently earning more than $3,000.00 per week by employing staff. Although you have the independence of running your own business, you have a safety net within Graham’s system.

There are no restrictions to growing your business, providing specialized services etc, employing staff; in fact, Graham’s encourages it.

INCOME/GUARANTEE

An initial income of at least $4,000.00 per each four week period is guaranteed for the first 12 weeks of operation provided the Franchisee does all work offered. Three thousand two hundred dollars income over a four week period is equal to receiving approximately sixty regular clients. The Franchisee should have built his/her regular client base to 50+ after approximately 4 months, and accordingly should have built his/her regular client base to 80+ after approximately 6 months. Of course, regular clients will also be supplemented by one-off type jobs.

When a Franchisee has 80 regular clients, his or her income should be approximately $1,500 plus per week on average.

A FRANCHISE OR WHICH FRANCHISE GROUP?

Graham's Garden Care is now a household name in Queensland in the property maintenance industry. However, it is important that you look at the various franchise groups and independent mowing rounds so that you can decide which is best for you. Obviously, we feel that our system is the best available but this is for you to decide.

We feel that Graham's Garden Care is best suited to those people who wish to have a business that can grow as big as they want. We suggest that you look into the purchase price, noting what is included, ongoing fees and costs, ongoing support, penalties if any, sale of franchise procedure, opportunity to expand, communication systems (client to office/office to Franchisee) and the nature of the relationship between the Franchisee and Franchisor. It is vital you have a clear understanding of all of the above, and professional advice should be taken where required.

The support provided by the Franchisor is very important. Advice on all relevant areas is readily available. Support from the Franchisor or other Franchisees is only a phone call away.

SICKNESS, ACCIDENTS & HOLIDAYS

One of the biggest worries for an independent contractor is what happens if he/she gets sick or wants to have a holiday. By being part of a franchise group, this is not a problem as Franchisees are able to cover for one another; this is particularly important when servicing corporate accounts.

FRANCHISE FEES

The initial payment for the Franchise is $21,990 (including GST), and this includes a basic equipment pack (see following page). Franchisees pay fees of $123 (including GST) per week.
This fee covers all administration and advertising done by the Franchisor, and remains the same whether your income is $2000 p/w or $800 p/w. Franchise fees are subject to review each January.
Meetings

We make every effort to hold Franchisee meetings as regularly as possible for ongoing training, product awareness, business evaluation, etc., and for Franchisees to swap clients so that their traveling is reduced. This applies to Metropolitan Franchisees. Special arrangements are made for Regional Franchisees.

RUNNING COSTS

Graham’s would be happy to provide full breakdown of income and costs. Call Graham’s office 1300 134 035 for details.
   
It is recommended that you consult an Accountant to achieve maximum Taxation deductions & benefits.

STANDARD EQUIPMENT

1 *Graham's Garden Care 7x5 trailer

1 *Honda Mower

1 *Brushcutter

1 *Hedge Trimmer

1 *Blower

1 *Cap/Hat with Graham's Logo

* Business Cards & Invoice Pads

* Promotional Leaflets

* Items are standard items included. Arrangements can be made to lease/hire all equipment items
Finance

* Uniforms Supplied


Graham's Garden Care has contacts who can arrange Bank Finance to approved Buyers. Also, consider lease or rental arrangements for your equipment. If you have any questions regarding Finance, or Leasing of equipment please contact the Graham's Office.

OTHER MATTERS TO CONSIDER

There are other matters which Franchisees need to consider before purchasing a franchise, including but not limited to:

   1. Climate conditions (including climate change);
   2. Water restrictions;
   3. Petrol prices;
   4. Governmental regulations and cost; 
   5. Licensing requirements.

It is important that Franchisees consider the above matters as they are beyond the control of Graham's. Whilst Graham's is available and happy to liaise on such matters, it is the Franchisee's responsibility to make appropriate enquiries and satisfy themselves of any risks or other matters before they enter into and purchase a franchise.

FRANCHISING CODE OF CONDUCT

Top Gun Landscaping Pty. Ltd. T/A Graham's Garden Care (the Franchisor), is legally bound to comply with the Franchising Code of Conduct 1st July, 1998.

INDEPENDENT ADVICE

Before proceeding with the purchase of a franchise, we recommend that you obtain independent Legal Accounting (including Taxation) and other relevant advices.

NEXT STEP

To arrange a trial day or for any additional information please phone the following:

National Franchisor:
Ian Port & Rachael Spence
   
07 3868 3800

Thank you for taking the time to read about Graham's. To enquire and learn more about Graham's and our services please call 1300 134 035 and one of our friendly staff will be happy to assist you. Simply call or click the enquiry page now.