Gridiron Capital, LLC, an investment firm focused on partnering with founders, entrepreneurs, and management teams, has announced an investment in Weed Man, one of the largest lawn care franchisors, to accelerate the company’s next stage of growth. The partnership brings together Weed Man’s brand, franchise network, and operating track record with Gridiron’s extensive experience building residential services businesses. Weed Man will continue to be led by Chief Executive Officer Jennifer Lemcke and its existing management team, with no disruption to day-to-day operations for franchisees or customers.
Founded in 1970 as a single location in Ontario, Canada, Weed Man has grown into one of the largest lawn care franchisors in North America, providing season-long lawn care programs anchored by fertilization and weed control and complemented by add-on lawn care services. The company serves more than 800,000 households across approximately 1,000 exclusive territories in 39 U.S. states and 10 Canadian provinces, operating a differentiated model that pairs corporate-owned branches with a network of franchisee-owned locations. Weed Man supports its system through centralized training, marketing, and proprietary operating technology, giving franchise owners the tools to run successful local businesses while delivering a consistent experience to homeowners.
With this investment, Gridiron is deepening its presence in the residential products and services sector while supporting Weed Man’s continued expansion across its franchise network. Working alongside the Weed Man team, Gridiron will draw on its Centers of Excellence and operational resources to accelerate growth across the Weed Man system, supporting customer acquisition and retention, geographic expansion, and continued investment in the franchise network. Speaking about the impact of the investment, Tom Burger, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Gridiron Capital, stated:
“Weed Man has spent more than five decades building a trusted national brand rooted in local ownership. Jen and her team have earned the trust of franchise owners and hundreds of thousands of homeowners, and we’re thrilled to welcome them to the Gridiron family. As former entrepreneurs and business operators, we understand the importance of preserving the culture, values, and local relationships that distinguish a business like Weed Man. We look forward to partnering with Jen and the team on the strong foundation they have built.”
The partnership underscores Gridiron’s leadership and conviction in its Residential Products & Services Thematic Area of Expertise and builds on the firm’s extensive experience with consumer-facing home and residential services businesses, including current and former portfolio companies Leaf Home, Erie Home, Legacy Service Partners, Greenix, and GarageCo. Reflecting on the fit between the two organizations, Chris King, Managing Director at Gridiron, added:
“From our first conversations with Jen and the Weed Man team, it was clear that the Company has built a differentiated business around a genuine commitment to supporting its franchisees and the homeowners they serve. With its respected brand, strong franchise network, and compelling operating model, Weed Man is well-positioned to build on its momentum in the large and growing residential lawn care market. We are honored to partner with the team in its next chapter of growth.”
Jennifer Lemcke, Chief Executive Officer of Weed Man, also commented on the strategic alignment behind the partnership:
“This partnership represents the next chapter of a strategy we have been executing for years and is a testament to the work of our team and our franchise owners. We chose to partner with Gridiron because they understood our model and our people from day one, and because they share our commitment to supporting the long-term success of every franchisee in the system.”
Gridiron Capital is an investment firm focused on partnering with founders, entrepreneurs, and management teams, and creating value by building middle-market companies into industry leaders in business services, consumer products and services, and industrial growth segments across the United States and Canada. Led by former operators and entrepreneurs, the firm has been recognized as a five-time recipient of Inc.’s Founder-Friendly Investors recognition and has an extensive track record of partnering with founder- and management-led businesses. Gridiron is headquartered in New Canaan, Connecticut.
Weed Man is one of the largest lawn care franchisors in North America, providing season-long fertilization, weed control, and related lawn care services to residential customers. Headquartered in Ontario, Canada, the company serves more than 800,000 households through a network of corporate- and franchise-owned branches spanning approximately 1,000 exclusive territories across 39 U.S. states and 10 Canadian provinces.
Harris Williams served as financial advisor and Ropes & Gray LLP served as legal counsel to Gridiron in connection with the transaction. KPMG Corporate Finance Inc. served as financial advisor and Torys LLP served as legal counsel to Weed Man.
The investment in Weed Man underscores Gridiron Capital’s commitment to strategic growth and its efforts to strengthen its position as a leading investor in the residential products and services sector, while supporting Weed Man’s continued expansion.
Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
