Q:  How does a franchise owner “mow 4 free” and still make money?
A:  The short answer is “by putting your customers to work for you.”  For additional details, see “Our Story” on the link above.  (This is different than “About Us”).

Q:  Who works for whom in this situation?
A:  MOW4FREE.COM works for the franchise owner.  The franchise owner works for the consumer.  To elaborate, MOW4FREE.COM provides leads to the franchise owner.  The franchise owner treats new accounts in precisely the same way all other accounts are handled.  All customer billing, accounting, customer service, special requests, etc go through the franchise owner, NOT through MOW4FREE.COM.

Q:  Why then, am I required to get my trucks lettered with “MOW4FREE.COM” decals?  It seems as though I’m surrendering my company to yours.
A:  Not so!  You’re enhancing your company’s visibility/desirability by placing the decals on your trucks and other advertising efforts.  This generates leads in the area(s) that you service.  You can and should maintain your own brand name, and advertise it right alongside MOW4FREE.COM.  But think, what’s going to drive more business: “MOW4FREE.COM” decals or “SMITHLAWNCARE.COM” decals?  (It’s not a bad idea to letter your personal vehicles as well, provided that you drive responsibly).

Q:  Why all the rules & requirements?
A:  We must maintain a high performance level & high customer satisfaction level for all consumers using MOW4FREE.COM franchise owners.  We protect our brand name in this way, and the brand names of all our franchise owners; the same way you’ve protected your brand name for consumers that were unhappy with your service by making it up to them somehow.  If you’ve been invited to join our family and you meet the requirements, you can rest assured that other franchise owners with MOW4FREE.COM will not tarnish your brand name.

Q:  When I get my trucks lettered and put signs in the yards, should I continue to advertise?  If so, how?
A:  Absolutely yes!  You should definitely continue to advertise.  You've built your business up until now with pure grit, determination, intelligence and reputation.  As a MOW4FREE.COM franchise owner, you'll finally have something to advertise that automatically draws consumers in.  How you choose to advertise is up to you and based on your budget.  If you can afford a highway billboard (which are getting cheaper all the time), do it.  If you want to start out smaller you can advertise on shopping carts at the grocery stores, post flyers, post bandit signs (where allowed), place an ad on the back or borders of your favorite restaurant's menus, pass out business cards, etcetera.  This is very important -- ALL FRANCHISE OWNER PUBLICATIONS OF MOW4FREE.COM MUST BE APPROVED BY MOW4FREE.COM.  We'll send you what you need to get it published, but we must have a look at it first.  This includes truck decals and yard signs should you choose to buy them from your own source.

Q:  My existing accounts will expect free services when they see MOW4FREE.COM in my ads & on my trucks, won’t they?  How do I handle this?
A:  First of all, to qualify, your customers must be (or get) on your weekly schedule.  If they’re interested in the MOW4FREE.COM program, existing accounts should start by putting a “MOW4FREE.COM WAS HERE” sign in their front yard.  This should bring you additional accounts in the same neighborhood.  Tell them that when you pull that sign up on the 12th week, they’ll know that service was free.  If they’re able to provide 3 new, weekly serviced customers to you during the first 18 weeks of your franchise ownership, give them the 18th service for free.  Then encourage them to put a bumper sticker (provided free) on their primary vehicle to get the 24th service free.  This will bring you more accounts in the same area, cutting drive time & fuel costs.  Your existing customers will love the program and so will you.

Q:  What if one of my customers can't (or won't) place a sign in their yard?  What if they don't produce referrals?
A:  In order to receive the free services outlined, the customer must do their part.  If they can't or won't participate in the MOW4FREE.COM program or benefit your business in some other way, they will understand not receiving the free services.  The important thing here is that you got the lead and the account, and they got an excellent, reliable lawn service - which is their chief concern.  This is a win/win situation regardless of whether or not they participate.  The truth is that most customers don't bother to refer 3 new customers to you during the first 18 weeks of service.  Many customers won't or can't keep a sign in their yard for 12 weeks.  All NEW customers are happy to get the 6th service for free, however, and if they want to participate in order to earn the additional free services, that is made available to them.

Q:  Can I adapt MOW4FREE.COM for my own business, using MOW4FREE.NET, MOWFORFREE.COM or other adaptations?
A:  The question here is can you use the program without paying for it.  The answers are ‘yes’ and ‘no’.  The marketing strategies outlined on this site and in our Franchise Agreement can not be protected by law.  The name and the idea behind the name has been protected by Federal Trademark Law, and the content in each is protected by Copyright Law.  If a company were to advertise using this name or a likeness of it without entering a Franchise Agreement, MOW4FREE.COM can, and is likely to prosecute.  (Have you ever seen a McDoogle's fast food diner?)  It’s much simpler, safer and more successful to utilize our services.  After all, what’s the point of giving away services if you’re not generating leads in return?

Q:  What if my zip code(s) isn’t/aren’t available?
A:  MOW4FREE.COM allows interested contractors to join a waiting list for unavailable zips.  The waiting list for each zip code costs just $5.  We’ll let you know how many contractors are on the waiting list for a specific zip so that you can make an informed decision.  Zip codes will be offered on a first come, first served basis; so if you’re the only one on a waiting list for a specific zip, you’ll be the one to get it as soon as it becomes available, provided that you meet the franchisee guidelines and pass a background check at that time.  The waiting list occupants cannot be outbid.

Q:  Can my company service accounts/continue to service accounts in someone else’s zip code(s)?
A:  Of course!  Any NEW leads generated by MOW4FREE.COM in that zip code will go to the franchisee for that zip.  But just as your trucks are advertising ‘their brand’ while you’re there, their trucks are advertising ‘your brand’ everywhere they go.  That’s why it’s a good idea to purchase as many zip codes as you can (and join the waiting list for unavailable zips you want) in the area that you service, provided that you can handle all the leads.

Q:  Franchises cost money to start up.  Is there a significant up front cost to start?
A:  No.  Many similar opportunities cost tens of thousands of dollars or more to start.  You can literally start using our program for $50.  Contact Matt Bender for more details.  Our franchise agreement requires your trucks to be lettered.  Minimum-sized truck decals can be purchased from your favorite decal center or from MOW4FREE.COM*.  You’ll also want some yard signs, which you can buy at your sign shop or from us, as well*.  Samples of each are below.  We recommend placing the signs near the house/building instead of at the roadside or curb to discourage municipalities from taking them.  *Decals, signs, and other printed materials must be approved by MOW4FREE.COM.  We’ll be glad to send the images to the store of your choice for printing.

Q:  Will the price of your service increase over time?
A:  Yes.  Our franchise fees are LIKELY to increase, but only with additional benefits to our franchise owners.  Additional exposure and advertising, and website functionality are goals in our business.  As valuable features are added, our fees are likely to increase.  Today is your opportunity to get in on the “ground floor” for your area and take early control over your market.  You’ll be thanking us all the way to the bank.

Q:  If I have additional questions, whom should I contact?
A:  Contact Matt at matt.bender@charter.net.  If he can’t answer all your questions effectively by email, he’ll call you.  Make sure to include a phone number should you wish to receive a call from Matt.