Welcome back! After 4 incredible years, Eye On Franchising is officially becoming the Franchise Fit Podcast — because it’s ALL about finding the right franchise fit. And today’s episode is a MUST-WATCH. We’re talking fake grass… real cash. 💰🌱 The founders of Waterloo Turf, Tim Lovett & Lance Ingram, join me to break down one of the hottest, most wide-open home-services niches in America. From $1.3M locations, to 800K first-year launches, to why there are ZERO other national competitors, this episode is packed with gold for anyone searching for high-profit, low-competition businesses. If you’ve ever wondered whether artificial turf is “the new normal”… the answer is YES.
Welcome back! After 4 incredible years, Eye On Franchising is officially becoming the Franchise Fit Podcast — because it’s ALL about finding the right franchise fit.
And today’s episode is a MUST-WATCH.
We’re talking fake grass… real cash. 💰🌱
The founders of Waterloo Turf, Tim Lovett & Lance Ingram, join me to break down one of the hottest, most wide-open home-services niches in America.
From $1.3M locations, to 800K first-year launches, to why there are ZERO other national competitors, this episode is packed with gold for anyone searching for high-profit, low-competition businesses.
If you’ve ever wondered whether artificial turf is “the new normal”… the answer is YES.
Sponsored by: SEO Samba — AI-driven, predictable marketing for franchises.
00:00 – Franchise Fit Podcast announcement (formerly Eye On Franchising)
01:10 – Fake grass… real cash
02:20 – “The riches are in the niches” (and why turf is wide open)
03:15 – Waterloo Turf founders welcome + industry momentum
04:30 – Is artificial turf becoming the new normal?
06:20 – Governments pushing turf + water conservation
08:00 – Why Waterloo Turf is the only national turf brand
10:05 – Competing against mom-and-pops (huge advantage!)
11:20 – Investment costs: Starts around $106K
12:10 – Revenue breakdown: $1.3M at 15.6% net
13:25 – San Antonio: $800K in first 12 months
15:00 – Owner-operator vs semi-absentee (GM model)
16:45 – What makes a great franchise fit — and who they reject
18:30 – Franchisee profitability focus (weekly coaching, P&Ls, KPIs)
20:10 – 50+ hours of turf training — measuring, installs, operations
22:00 – How Waterloo does estimates in 5–7 minutes
23:45 – Marketing power: the “network effect” of turf
25:10 – Why referrals explode in this business
26:00 – NCAA athlete franchise fee discount (and why!)
27:30 – The wild story: crew quits mid-job… and becomes his best crew
29:15 – Residential vs commercial turf jobs
31:00 – Unique putting greens & “circus golf”
33:05 – “Move that bus” makeover moment
34:10 – Advice for first-time business owners
36:00 – Why franchising beats acquisition for many entrepreneurs
37:30 – Final thoughts from Tim & Lance
38:30 – How to book your Franchise Fit call
👉 Franchise with Confidence: My services are 100% free to aspiring owners. Schedule a call today and find your perfect franchise fit.
https://www.ionfranchising.com/consultation.asp
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