There’s no better time to consider an environmentally friendly or green franchise than Earth Month! Let’s take a look at some green franchises that are not only taking action to reduce their impact on the planet, but are also highly rated by their franchisees on the FBR Top Franchises List.
Top-Rated Green Franchises
1. OxiFresh
Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning is an award-winning and industry-leading franchise that also happens to be deemed the “World’s Greenest” carpet cleaning service. They use much less water than other leading carpet cleaning companies (200 gallons versus the competition’s 4,000 gallons!), and they have even partnered with Water.org to bring clean drinking water to millions since 2006.
2. Clean Air Lawn Care
Clean Air Lawn Care is the nation’s leading, full-service, sustainable, and organic lawn care franchise. The company provides safe, effective lawn care maintenance with solar-powered equipment (rather than gas powered) and organic lawn treatments to provide clients with The Neighborhood’s Healthiest Lawn®. New franchisees attend a week-long training program that provides a solid foundation on the company, operations, finance, and support as well as extensive education on the science of organic lawn care.
3. Green Home Solutions
Green Home Solutions provides comprehensive indoor air assessments and treatments. Leveraging scientific data and their extensive knowledge in the use of planet-friendly treatments, rather than harsh chemicals, the company is proud to provide products and services that protect families and pets from air quality threats. Their products utilize plant-based enzymes that break down allergenic proteins in spores, eradicate mold and pollutants, and inhibit regrowth.The company’s 100% satisfaction promise to clients is to help them “breathe better, feel better, be better.”
4. USA Insulation
As the nation’s leading experts in home insulation, USA Insulation’s proprietary USA Premium Foam® insulation helps clients achieve maximum energy efficiency. The injection foam has a unique 3-blend property that is nontoxic, carries the highest R-Value rating (the capacity of a material to resist heat flow) on the market, and it’s 35% more efficient than the competition’s. USA Insulation focuses on sustainability in everything it does. The franchise is an Efficiency First–Home Performance Contractor and member of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
5. NaturaLawn of America
NaturaLawn of America’s environmentally friendly approach to lawn care has been creating green lawns quickly, more naturally, and with fewer weeds since 1987 (before “going green” was the norm). A one-size-fits all chemical program is simply not a safe approach—for you, your pets, or the environment. That’s why NaturaLawn of America customizes a natural lawn care program specific to each lawn’s needs. Using organic lawn care products, NaturaLawn of America gives you a healthier, greener lawn.
6. Kona Ice
Kona Ice delivers shaved flavored ice to eager customers via their KEV vehicles (Kona Entertainment Vehicles), which can drive anywhere and serve as traveling billboards for the brand. When CEO, Tony Lamb, founded the company he knew he wanted a better alternative to the typical truck that burned way too much fuel and created too many harmful emissions. So, he partnered up with some experts to build a truck that emitted zero emissions when parked, and used two diesel engines as opposed to the typical three.
7. Window Genie
Window Genie’s commercial window film cuts energy usage and costs, allowing for heat and glare rejection of up to 79 percent. Aside from this earth-friendly service, they also offer pressure washing, which expels water at a high velocity so no harmful chemicals are needed! Also, compared to other systems, they use approximately 75 percent less water when pressure washing.
8. Office Pride Commercial Cleaning Services
Office Pride uses Green Seal Certified cleaning products that are sustainable and safe, and they use tools that can be rewashed and reused, as well as eco-friendly vacuums and floor buffers. And, their green cleaning comes at no extra charge to the customer!
9. Fibrenew
Replacing an old couch or vehicle exterior can be costly and, not to mention, horrible for the environment as both will inevitably end up in a landfill. As mentioned on their website, Fibrenew, “Repairs damaged materials to your vehicle, boat, airplane, home, or office in an environmentally friendly and cost-effective manner that is a great alternative to replacement.”
10. Wild Birds Unlimited
Wild Birds Unlimited, a top-rated retail franchise for backyard bird feeding and nature appreciation, was the first brand to offer EcoClean® product protection. Wild Bird’s Unlimited EcoClean® products are built with antimicrobial product protection and removable bases to keep birds and critters safe from bacteria and fungi.
11. Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park
Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park is committed to environmentally friendly practices across all aspects of their business. Many locations across the country have even adopted their own policies and practices: the Williamsport, Maryland location has onsite recycling centers and provides a box in each cabin for recyclables. Many locations also incorporate nature education elements into programs for guests.
12. FASTSIGNS
In their printing processes, FASTSIGNS sources materials from renewable resources that have a low impact on the environment, and they use UV curable print technology along with eco-friendly inks.
13. Minuteman Press
Minuteman Press uses chemical-free equipment, has minimal paper waste, employs an extensive recycling program, and uses environmentally-friendly products such as soy-based ink and eco-friendly paper. One Minuteman Press franchise in Redmond, Washington even earned an Envirostars Certification for their environmentally friendly habits.
14. College Hunks Hauling Junk
College Hunks not only hauls your junk; they also haul your unused goods off to donation centers. College Hunks is the leader in eco-friendly junk removal services, donating and recycling 70 percent of everything they haul. They also partner with several non-profits and local charities including Goodwill and Habitat for Humanity ReStore.
15. Culver’s
Typically, “earth-friendly” doesn’t come to mind when one thinks of fast food. However, the popular Midwest chain Culver’s is making great strides to ensure that they do things a little greener; sourcing potatoes from farms that conserve water and reduce waste, only using sustainably caught fish, and sourcing paper products from post-consumer waste. In addition to all of this, Culver’s works closely with the U.S. Green Building Council.
Interested in Learning More Green Franchises?
If you’re ready to take on business ownership and make a positive impact on the planet, these are 18 great franchise opportunities to consider. They have all been rated highly by the people who own them, which is a great testament to these franchises. You can see the full list of this year’s Award Winning Franchises here.
