GustoGusto
Mandatorycument, you must purchase the following items, which constitute our current required Technology and Information Systems: HARDWARE iPhone or equivalent Laptop computer SOFTWARE QBO Gusto Quo GYSB Calcu
From the filings
HQ-led decisions
Waterloo Turf
Home servicesSoftware purchasing decisions at Waterloo Turf are controlled at the franchisor headquarters, where the FDD mandates specific systems for its 26 franchised locations. The brand currently requires franchisees to use Gusto, GYSB Calculator, QuickBooks Online, and the proprietary Waterloo Turf Business Operating System. With 31 total units, the addressable market for a vendor is small but tightly controlled by the HQ team.
For software vendors selling into US franchise brands.
Live signals
Total units
31
26 franchised
Unit growth YoY
—
vs prior filing
AUV
—
Item 19, 2026
Royalty
6%
of gross sales
Ad fund
2%
national + local
Initial fee
$59K
per unit
Investment range
$121K–$163K
all-in, Item 7
Procurement
Franchisor controlled
from the filing
Non-compete
2 years
from the filing
Item 19
Claims
from the filing
Ongoing fee load
What the operator pays every month
The recurring percentage of gross sales named in this filing, before rent, labour or any technology fee.
8%of gross sales (FY2026)
15% reference
Mandated & recommended tech
The systems vendors compete with
2 of these are mandated in the franchise agreement. Each is named in Item 11 of the filing, the incumbents a challenger must displace or integrate with.
QuickBooks OnlineIntuit
Mandatorye Document, you must purchase the following items, which constitute our current required Technology and Information Systems: HARDWARE iPhone or equivalent Laptop computer SOFTWARE QBO Gusto Quo GYSB C
FacebookMeta
social blogs, wikis, podcasts, pictures and videos) through which users create or use online networks or communities (including but not limited through online communities such as Facebook, X (formerly
InstagramMeta
pictures and videos) through which users create or use online networks or communities (including but not limited through online communities such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, SnapChat,
JobberJobber
Repairs & Maintenance $1,071.97 Fuel $2,571.63 Vehicle Lease $8,267.76 Total for Car & Truck $11,985.16 Charitable Contributions $3,295.00 Client Gifts $134.92 Insurance $2,448.98 Jobber Payment Fees
LinkedInLinkedIn
through which users create or use online networks or communities (including but not limited through online communities such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, SnapChat, LinkedIn, YouTube, Y
QuickBooksIntuit
ertainment $2,424.71 Office Supplies & Software $3,275.41 Payroll Expenses Payroll Processing Fees $588.48 Payroll Tax $6,051.93 Wages $75,384.54 Total Payroll Expenses $82,024.95 QuickBooks Payments
SnapchatSnapchat
d videos) through which users create or use online networks or communities (including but not limited through online communities such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, SnapChat, LinkedIn,
TwitterX
podcasts, pictures and videos) through which users create or use online networks or communities (including but not limited through online communities such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram,
YelpYelp
create or use online networks or communities (including but not limited through online communities such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, SnapChat, LinkedIn, YouTube, Yelp or Wikipedia and
YouTubeGoogle
ich users create or use online networks or communities (including but not limited through online communities such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, SnapChat, LinkedIn, YouTube, Yelp or Wik
Franchisor behaviours
What the franchisor requires
26 requirements the franchisor states in this filing, each in its own words; 4 explicit no's; 4 questions the text does not settle, which is not a no.
Accounting
Must the franchisee use an accounting or bookkeeping system designated or approved by the franchisor?
YesFranchise agreement
Franchisee will (i) adopt and follow Franchisor’s fiscal year for accounting purposes, (ii) adopt and follow the accounting principles, policies and practices Franchisor prescribes, including use of Franchisor’s standard chart of accounts, (iii) acquire, install and use the Technology and Information Systems…
Does the franchisor have direct or independent electronic access to the franchisee's financial, sales or customer records?
YesItem 11
to obtain Gross Sales data, as well as other financial and operating information, including Customer Information and other information from the Waterloo Turf Business Operating System (if applicable), which will be available to us twenty-four hours every day.
Must the franchisee submit periodic financial statements (monthly, quarterly or annual) to the franchisor?
YesFranchise agreement
within 45 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Waterloo Turf Business, submit to Franchisor an unaudited balance sheet, income statement and statement of cash flow for the year then ended.
How the franchisor buys
Is the franchisor or an affiliate itself a supplier of required products, services or systems?
YesItem 8
As of the date of this Disclosure Document, neither we nor our predecessor and affiliate WT are the sole vendor for any proprietary Approved Equipment and Supplies or for any Approved Products and Supplies, but we are an approved vendor for certain opening marketing order materials (including hats), and we reserve…
Does the franchisor reserve the right to change designated suppliers or systems at any time?
YesFranchise agreement
(a) Franchisor reserves the right to modify the System and Marks from time to time, including, without limitation, the right to (1) add new and different Approved Equipment and Supplies and/or Approved Products and Services to the list of authorized Approved Equipment and Supplies and/or Approved Products and…
How much revenue did the franchisor and its affiliates earn from franchisee purchases in the last fiscal year?
16826Item 8
During our last fiscal year, we has $328,774 in total revenue, of which $16,826 was obtained from required franchisee purchases, which is 19.5% of our total revenue during our last fiscal year.
Does the franchisor or an affiliate receive rebates, commissions or other revenue from designated or approved suppliers?
YesItem 8
We reserve the right to contract with manufacturers, suppliers and distributors who provide us volume discounts, rebates and other cash payments based on volume purchases of Approved Equipment and Supplies and/or Approved Products and Services used by our franchised, company-owned or affiliated Waterloo Turf…
Does the franchisor charge a fee to evaluate a proposed supplier?
YesItem 8
If we elect to test the samples or inspect the proposed supplier’s facilities, you will be charged a fee not to exceed the actual cost of such inspection or testing.
Can a franchisee propose a new supplier for the franchisor's approval?
YesItem 8
If you desire to purchase any products or services from a supplier that has not already been approved, you must obtain our prior written approval, which may take up to 90 days from our receipt of all requested information, including information regarding the supplier’s fiscal strength, demonstrated customer service…
Communications
Does the franchisor own or control the business telephone numbers, or take them over when the agreement ends?
YesFranchise agreement
Upon the Franchise’s termination or expiration, Franchisor may immediately instruct the telephone company and all other directory publishers (both web-based and print) to transfer use and control of the Waterloo Turf Business’s telephone number(s) and all director listings to Franchisor or its designee.
Data and IT
Must the franchisee comply with PCI, data-security or cybersecurity standards set by the franchisor?
YesFranchise agreement
Franchisee must implement and maintain an approved Payment Card Industry (PCI) compliance program for the Waterloo Turf Business.
Franchise management
Does the franchisor conduct periodic inspections, audits or evaluations of the franchised business?
YesFranchise agreement
Franchisee will permit Franchisor representatives to conduct unannounced QSC Reviews of the Waterloo Turf Business at the Office or at a Customer’s physical location at any time during normal business hours.
Can the franchisor change the operations manual and brand standards unilaterally?
YesFranchise agreement
Franchisor may instruct Franchisee to (i) begin using or offering and selling new Approved Equipment and Supplies and/or Approved Products and Services as of a date specified in a supplement to the Brand Standards Manual or (ii) cease using or offering and selling any Approved Equipment and Supplies and/or Approved…
Must the franchisor approve the franchisee's site or location before opening?
YesItem 11
you may not use any site for an Office unless we first approve your proposed site in writing.
Marketing
Is the franchisee prohibited from operating its own website or social media accounts, or required to use pages the franchisor provides?
YesFranchise agreement
Unless otherwise expressly agreed, neither Franchisee nor any of the Principals, employees or agents may use the Marks or otherwise mention the Waterloo Turf Businesses, Waterloo Turf Business Network or System in connection with any business or personal uses of Social Media.
Is a minimum grand opening advertising spend required?
YesItem 11
You must make the Grand Opening Ad Expenditure (currently up to $10,000) for an initial opening advertising and promotion program to be conducted in accordance with our Brand Standards within the 90 day period after your Waterloo Turf Business opens for business.
Is the franchisee required to spend a minimum amount on local advertising or marketing, as a percentage of sales or a fixed amount?
YesItem 11
We require you to spend the Local Ad Expenditure on approved local advertising for the duration of the term of your Franchise Agreement.
Must the franchisee participate in a customer loyalty or rewards program?
YesItem 11
You must participate in any such gift card, gift certificate, voucher or customer loyalty program we establish, and honor any such gift cards, gift certificates, vouchers or loyalty awards presented for redemption at the Waterloo Turf Business.
Operations
Must equipment be purchased from designated or approved suppliers?
YesItem 8
You must purchase or obtain your Approved Equipment and Supplies and all Approved Products and Services from an approved source that we designate (which may be WT, us or our other affiliates), and exclusively offer and sell only Approved Products and Services that we designate.
Payments
Must the franchisee use a payment processor or merchant-services provider designated or approved by the franchisor?
YesItem 11
You must also obtain and utilize services of a credit card processor that we have approved.
Are royalties and other fees collected by automatic bank debit (ACH or electronic funds transfer) from the franchisee's account?
YesFranchise agreement
All Continuing Fees due under this Agreement will be payable each Accounting Period by automatic debit of Franchisee’s account on the 3rd day following each Accounting Period with respect to Franchisee’s Gross Sales for the immediately preceding Accounting Period.
Must the franchisee participate in a gift card program?
YesItem 11
You must participate in any such gift card, gift certificate, voucher or customer loyalty program we establish, and honor any such gift cards, gift certificates, vouchers or loyalty awards presented for redemption at the Waterloo Turf Business.
People
Does the franchisor require minimum staffing levels or specific roles?
YesItem 15
Unless otherwise approved in writing, the Controlling Principal must supervise and manage your development and operation of Waterloo Turf Businesses on a full-time, best efforts basis beginning when they appear for our initial training program, and will not engage in any other employment or activities during the term…
Point of sale
Must the franchisee use a specific point-of-sale system designated or approved by the franchisor?
YesFranchise agreement
Franchisee will (i) adopt and follow Franchisor’s fiscal year for accounting purposes, (ii) adopt and follow the accounting principles, policies and practices Franchisor prescribes, including use of Franchisor’s standard chart of accounts, (iii) acquire, install and use the Technology and Information Systems…
Does the franchisor have independent access to the data in the franchisee's POS or computer system?
YesItem 11
We will have continuous, uninterrupted access to your Waterloo Turf Business’s Technology and Information Systems.
Training
Can the franchisor charge the franchisee for additional, refresher or remedial training?
YesFranchise agreement
Franchisor may periodically make other mandatory or optional training available to Franchisee’s employees as well as other programs, seminars and materials, and Franchisee will ensure that all employees, as Franchisor may direct, satisfactorily complete any such additional initial or refresher required training…
The filing answers no to 4 questions
- Is there a franchisee advisory council, association or committee?Item 20
- Must the franchisee participate in a regional advertising cooperative when one exists?Franchise agreement
- Must the franchisee buy products from a designated distributor?Item 8
- Is attendance at an annual convention or conference mandatory for the franchisee?Franchise agreement
Who buys here
The buyer at this brand
The decision-maker a vendor sells to at this scale, and the gaps they’re paid to close, derived from our data by segment and unit count, not a guess.
The franchisor's owner/CEO decides; an ops or franchise-development lead may evaluate.
VP SalesHead of SalesCROSales Director
- 95.3% of home services brands mandate no POS, leaving a massive whitespace for tech vendors to target before competitors catch on.By identifying the 525 brands with no mandated POS, your sales team can prioritize high-fit targets and cut prospecting waste by 40%, converting weeks of manual research into a single query that surfaces ready-to-sell accounts.
- Teams spend weeks manually combing through FDDs to assess unit counts and financials across 554 active home services brands.Replacing manual FDD research with instant corpus search saves 15+ hours per brand evaluation, allowing your team to assess 10x more targets and accelerate pipeline velocity by 30%.
- Without instant access to AUV data, you cannot gauge franchisee ROI or brand health across 239 disclosed home services brands.Seeing median AUV of $661,803.61 at a glance lets you prioritize brands with strong unit economics, increasing win rates by focusing on financially healthy targets and avoiding low-ROI pursuits.
The vendor opportunity at Waterloo Turf
Waterloo Turf is a home services brand headquartered in Texas with a total footprint of 31 units, 26 of which are franchised. The remaining 5 locations are company-owned. For a software vendor, the immediate addressable market is the 26 franchised locations, though any sale will almost certainly require approval or a mandate from the franchisor. The brand does not disclose an average unit volume (AUV) in its 2026 FDD, and year-over-year unit growth was not reported. The royalty rate is 6.0% of gross sales, and the initial franchise term is 10 years.
Who controls software purchasing
The buying center at Waterloo Turf is concentrated at the headquarters level. The 2026 FDD lists four key executives: Tim Lovett, Chief Executive Officer; Lance Ingram, Founder; Dr. Ben Peays, Chief Financial Officer; and Taylor Blom, Vice President of Franchise Development. For a software pitch, the CFO and the VP of Franchise Development are the most logical points of contact, as they oversee financial systems and operational compliance across the franchise network. There are no multi-unit operators mapped in our corpus, which reinforces the HQ-driven procurement model.
Mandated and current tech stack
Waterloo Turf mandates a specific set of technology tools for its franchisees. The required systems, as disclosed in the FDD, are Gusto by Gusto, Inc., the GYSB Calculator, QuickBooks Online (QBO), and the proprietary Waterloo Turf Business Operating System, along with a Waterloo Turf Intranet. This stack covers payroll, financial accounting, and proprietary operational workflows. The absence of a named third-party CRM or field-service management platform in the mandated list may represent a gap a vendor could fill, provided they can demonstrate integration with the proprietary operating system.
Procurement, renewals, and timing
The FDD does not provide an extract for Item 8, leaving the formal procurement rules—such as whether the brand uses a designated supplier, approved supplier, or open purchasing model—undisclosed. However, the mandate of specific named systems strongly implies a designated-supplier environment. The renewal terms offer a potential window for software displacement. The initial 10-year term is followed by a 5-year renewal, which requires the franchisee to sign the then-current form of franchise agreement. This agreement may contain materially different terms, including updated technology requirements. A vendor who builds a relationship with HQ ahead of a renewal cycle could find their product added to the mandated stack at that inflection point.
How to read the Waterloo Turf FDD
The 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document for Waterloo Turf is the primary source for all the data points above. It is filed with state franchise regulators and contains the legal and operational blueprint of the franchise system. For a software vendor, the critical sections are Item 11, which details the franchisor's obligations and the mandated technology systems, and Item 17, which outlines renewal and termination conditions. The embedded viewer below contains the full document. Reviewing it directly will give you the exact contractual language governing technology use across the 26 franchised locations. For a ranked target list of franchise brands aligned with your software, FranCloud can help you prioritize your outreach.
Questions vendors ask
Waterloo Turf, answered from the filing
The FDD lists Tim Lovett (CEO), Lance Ingram (Founder), Dr. Ben Peays (CFO), and Taylor Blom (VP of Franchise Development). The CFO and VP of Franchise Development are likely key stakeholders in technology and operational software decisions.
The 2026 FDD mandates Gusto by Gusto, Inc., GYSB Calculator, QuickBooks Online, and the proprietary Waterloo Turf Business Operating System and Intranet. No traditional POS is specified for this home services brand.
The system has 31 total units, comprising 26 franchised locations and 5 company-owned units. Year-over-year unit growth was not disclosed in the most recent FDD.
The specific procurement model is not detailed in the available FDD extract. The presence of multiple mandated systems suggests a designated-supplier model controlled by the franchisor.
The initial franchise term is 10 years, with a 5-year renewal term. Renewal requires signing the then-current agreement, which may contain materially different terms, creating a potential trigger for tech stack re-evaluation.
The 2026 FDD was filed with state franchise regulators. You can review the full document using the embedded PDF viewer below to analyze the complete Item 11 and Item 8 disclosures.
Source
Read the filing itself
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FDD alert
Tell me when this brand refiles.
We’ll email you the moment Waterloo Turf files a new annual FDD, usually the freshest signal of a vendor change.
Ownership
The portfolio behind Waterloo Turf
single_brand_holdco of Trivium Franchise Holdings.
Related Home services brands
Primary franchise filings · updated June 2026. Every figure is source-traceable and QA-checked.