TORONTO, ON and NEW CANAAN, CT, October 5, 2026 – Gridiron Capital, LLC (“Gridiron Capital” or “Gridiron”), an investment firm focused on partnering with founders, entrepreneurs, and management teams, today announced an investment in Weed Man (“Weed Man” or the “Company”), North America’s largest lawn care franchisor, 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 experience building residential services businesses. Weed Man will continue to be led by Chief Executive Officer Jennifer Lemcke and its existing management team.
Weed Man provides season-long lawn care programs to residential customers across North America, anchored by fertilization and weed control and complemented by add-on lawn care services. Founded in 1970 as a single location in Ontario, Canada, the Company has grown into the largest lawn care franchisor in North America, serving more than 800,000 households across approximately 1,000 exclusive territories in 39 U.S. states and 10 Canadian provinces. Weed Man operates a model that pairs corporate-owned branches with a network of franchisee-owned locations, supported by centralized training, marketing, and proprietary operating technology.
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. 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.
Tom Burger, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Gridiron, said, “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.”
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, said, “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.”
Harris Williams served as financial advisor and Ropes & Gray LLP as legal counsel to Gridiron. KPMG Corporate Finance Inc. served as financial advisor and Torys LLP as legal counsel to Weed Man.
Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
About Gridiron Capital
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 & services, and industrial growth segments in the United States and Canada. We help transform growing companies by winning together through hard work, partnerships grounded in shared values and a unique culture that comes from hands-on experience building and running businesses. As a team led by former operators and entrepreneurs, we know what it takes to run successful businesses on a day-to-day basis. Gridiron Capital is 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. Additional information is available on the firm’s website: www.gridironcapital.com.
About Weed Man
Weed Man is North America’s largest lawn care franchisor, providing season-long fertilization, weed control, and related lawn care services to residential customers. Founded in 1970 and headquartered in Ontario, Canada, Weed Man 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. Additional information is available on the Company’s website: www.weedman.com.
Contacts
Gridiron Capital, LLC
Tom Burger
Co-Founder & Managing Partner
Weed Man
Jennifer Lemcke
Chief Executive Officer
Media Contact:
Madeline Jones / Erik Carlson
Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher
212.355.4449