The story of Spring Green Lawn Care is rooted in the heartland of America, beginning with two Illinois farm boys, Bill Fischer and Tom Hofer. Their paths first crossed at the University of Illinois, where they studied agriculture and economics and bonded as fraternity brothers. While their shared agricultural background was strong, both harbored ambitions that stretched beyond the family farm. After college, their lives took different turns initially – Tom served in the Vietnam War, and Bill ventured into the nascent lawn care industry. It was this venture that would ultimately bring them back together and pave the way for the creation of a leading lawn care franchise. In 1977, Bill Fischer officially founded Spring Green Lawn Care, setting the stage for a revolution in neighborhood lawn services.
Upon Tom Hofer’s return from service, he and Bill reconnected, and Tom quickly recognized the immense potential in Bill’s burgeoning lawn care business model. He saw an opportunity not just for a successful local business, but for a scalable franchise enterprise. Their vision was ambitious: to establish “AMERICA’S NEIGHBORHOOD LAWN CARE TEAM.” Tom became one of the very first Spring Green franchise owners, and his faith in the model was immediately validated as his business doubled in size for each of its first three years. By 1980, Tom was so convinced of the company’s future that he integrated his own thriving franchise back into the Spring Green Lawn Care Corporation, joining the executive leadership team. This pivotal moment solidified the company’s trajectory: Spring Green Lawn Care was destined to be a pioneering force in the lawn care industry, deeply committed to franchising and empowering its franchise owners.
Key Milestones in Spring Green Lawn Care’s Growth:
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1977: Foundation and First Truck. Tom Hofer starts with a single truck, offering neighborhood-based lawn and tree care services in Naperville, Illinois. William R. Fischer and Richard G. Gretz formally establish Spring Green Lawn Care Corporation, laying the groundwork for future expansion and franchise development.
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1980: Executive Leadership Takes Shape. Tom Hofer merges his successful franchise into Spring Green Lawn Care Corp. and takes on a leadership role within the executive team. His hands-on experience as a franchise owner proved invaluable in shaping the company’s franchise-focused direction.
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1981: Expanding Service Offerings with Core Aeration. Spring Green demonstrates its commitment to innovation and comprehensive lawn care by introducing Core Aeration service. This addition broadened their service portfolio and addressed a crucial aspect of lawn health, further solidifying their position as lawn service professionals.
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1982: Industry Leadership and Advocacy. Bill Fischer plays a pivotal role in shaping the lawn care industry by helping to establish its first trade association. His dedication to the industry continued as he later served as president, advocating for best practices and industry growth.
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1987: Tom Hofer Assumes Leadership. Following the untimely passing of Bill Fischer, Tom Hofer steps into the role of president and CEO. Under his leadership, Spring Green experienced significant expansion. The franchise system rapidly grew throughout the Midwest and extended its reach into the East, South, Southeast, and Pacific Northwest, becoming a truly national neighborhood lawn care team.
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1997: 20th Anniversary and National Recognition. Spring Green celebrates two decades of service and growth, achieving $15.2 million in revenue. The company earns nationwide recognition as “Your Neighborhood Lawn & Pest Control Professional,” underscoring its commitment to local, community-focused service and expanding into pest control services.
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2000: National Footprint Expands. Spring Green’s neighborhood-centric approach resonates across the country, as the company serves 7,500 neighborhood communities in 24 states. This extensive reach highlights the successful scaling of their franchise model and the broad appeal of their lawn care services.
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2002: Perimeter Pest Control Innovation. Spring Green continues to innovate its service offerings by introducing Perimeter Pest Control. This proactive approach to pest management further enhanced their reputation as comprehensive lawn and pest control professionals.
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2005: Family Leadership Continuity. Ted Hofer rejoins the company, signaling a long-term succession plan and reinforcing the family-oriented values at the heart of Spring Green Lawn Care.
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2006: Marketing and Technology Transformation. James Young is appointed President of Spring Green Lawn Care Corp. and spearheads a significant transformation in marketing systems, integrating technology to enhance efficiency and customer service.
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2007: 30th Anniversary and Franchise Recognition. Spring Green marks its 30th anniversary and receives a 4-star rating from Franchise Business Review, acknowledging the strength and quality of its franchise system.
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2008: World-Class Franchise Distinction. Revenue more than doubles in a decade to $32.4 million. Spring Green earns World-Class Franchise distinction by the Franchise Research Institute, further cementing its status as a leading franchise opportunity.
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2009: State-of-the-Art Call Center. Spring Green expands its campus with a state-of-the-art call center facility, enhancing customer communication and support for its growing franchise network.
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2010: Ted Hofer Named CEO and Growth Focus. Ted Hofer becomes CEO, intensifying the company’s focus on growth through independently owned franchises and a renewed commitment to profitable growth for its franchise owners.
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2012: 35th Anniversary and Entrepreneurial Recognition. Spring Green celebrates 35 years in business and is recognized among the 100 Fastest-Growing Business Entrepreneurs, highlighting its consistent expansion and entrepreneurial spirit.
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2014: Green Industry Franchise Program Launch. Spring Green strategically introduces its Green Industry franchise program, offering diversification opportunities to existing businesses in landscaping, hardscaping, pest control, and related sectors. Consistent year-over-year growth pushes revenue beyond $45 million annually, showcasing the strength of the Spring Green brand and business model.
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2015: Top Industry Ranking. Spring Green achieves a top-third ranking in the 2015 Top 100 Lawn & Landscape Companies, further validating its leadership position in the competitive lawn care market.
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2017: 40th Anniversary and Continued Expansion. Spring Green celebrates its 40th anniversary, reaffirming its commitment to environmental beautification through its network of high-caliber lawn and tree care professionals and ongoing franchise expansion.
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2018: Acquisition of Pet Butler Brand. Spring Green Enterprises expands its portfolio by acquiring the Pet Butler brand, diversifying its service offerings within the home services sector.
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2019: Forbes Top Franchise Recognition. Spring Green is featured in Forbes as a Top 10 Franchise to purchase, a testament to its strong franchise system, brand recognition, and business opportunity.
- 2020: Stimulus Package for Growth Amidst Pandemic. In a challenging year, Spring Green demonstrates its commitment to its franchise owners by announcing a Stimulus Package to encourage growth during the global pandemic, showcasing resilience and support for its network.
Conclusion:
From its humble beginnings rooted in Midwestern values to its position as a nationally recognized lawn and pest control franchise, Spring Green Lawn Care’s journey is a testament to vision, dedication, and a commitment to community. The story of Bill Fischer and Tom Hofer’s partnership and the evolution of Spring Green serves as an inspiring example of building something truly great from the ground up in the spring green lawn care industry. Their legacy continues to flourish, providing franchise opportunities and exceptional lawn care services across America.
