Nature's Select® is inviting select business owners to join an interdependent franchise partnership built on three decades of biological lawn care practice. The NS Group, Inc. is the franchisor, and our Operating Units across North Carolina have proven the model: existing partners have seen substantial customer-base growth within their first five years using our proprietary biologically-enhanced formulations, exclusive territories, and quick-start support system.
A Nature's Select® franchise is a partner-like relationship. The NS Group, Inc. supplies the program, products, brand, and systems. You supply the local market knowledge, customer relationships, and operational execution. Here is what each side brings.
Proprietary biologically-enhanced products and formulation systems, sole-sourced. Brand Book, operations manuals, mandatory and elective training. National website with automated lead routing to your territory. Collective buying power on equipment and supplies. KPI dashboards and quarterly reviews. Leadership and professional development training. Brand and intellectual property protection. Peer franchisee community.
Best efforts to grow your exclusive territory. Nature's Select® branded vehicle fleet. Operational facilities for mixing, storage, and equipment. Computer system for scheduling and customer records. Participation in KPI reporting. Adherence to brand standards for product use, formulations, safety, and partner training.
Established in 2025 with Matt Hunter.
Established in 2014 with Morris Newlin (then owner of New Garden Landscaping). Now owner/operated by Matt Hunter.
Established 2018 with Billy Gray.
The 1994 founding location, not a current franchise.
Active expansion focus across the Carolinas and Mid-Atlantic. We are interested in established lawn care or full-service landscape maintenance operators in growing metropolitan markets. Tell us your target market in the inquiry form below and the NS Group team will confirm whether it is available.
Most lawn care franchises offer the same conventional chemical-treatment playbook with a different brand on the truck. Nature's Select® is a different category. Six characteristics distinguish the opportunity..
| # | Differentiator | What It Means for You |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proprietary biological products | Sole-sourced from The NS Group, Inc. No other lawn care franchise can offer this product line. |
| 2 | Exclusive territories | No other Operating Unit competes inside your market boundary. Growth is yours alone to develop. |
| 3 | Brand credibility built on 30+ years | Premium pricing capacity, stronger retention, customers self-select for the biological approach. |
| 4 | Coaching and ongoing support | KPI dashboards and peer franchisee community give working benchmarks against other Operating Units. |
| 5 | Quick-start model for existing operators | Leverages your customer base, reputation, and operational know-how. Accelerated growth from day one. |
| 6 | Purpose that retains team members | The biological approach gives technicians genuine craft. Hiring and retention costs drop. |
Active expansion focus across the Carolinas and Mid-Atlantic. We are interested in established lawn care or full-service landscape maintenance operators in growing metropolitan markets. Tell us your target market in the inquiry form below and the NS Group team will confirm whether it is available.
Nature's Select® was founded in Winston-Salem in 1994 by the late Bill Hildebolt and Gene Queen. Bill held a Ph.D. in Food Technology, was credited with over 20 patents at Campbell Soup Company (including Prego Spaghetti Sauce), and served as Vice President of the Food Division at R.J. Reynolds before returning to nature. He founded Nature's Select® Premium Turf Services with Gene Queen and a vision to apply soil science to lawn care. Bill served as President of the Professional Landcare Network and authored The Professional Entrepreneur in 2009.
Between 2009 and 2014, green-industry consultant Robert Hayter helped Bill Hildebolt shape a multi-unit expansion approach for the biological lawn care model. Morris Newlin opened the Greensboro Operating Unit in 2014, and The NS Group, Inc. was formed in 2017 to own the intellectual property and business development rights. Additional Operating Units followed across North Carolina. In 2024, the model was formally converted to a franchise structure, giving existing owners full Franchise Partner protections and opening the door for new partners across the state.
Nature's Select® discloses the ongoing investment commitments openly. Full initial investment ranges are reviewed during the discovery conversation.
Royalty on gross annual revenue (or $500 monthly minimum)
Each Operating Unit serves an exclusive territory defined in the Franchise Agreement. The Operating Unit must be located within its territory and operate from a facility suitable for product mixing, storage, equipment, and Nature's Select® branded vehicles. Vendors for biologically-enhanced products and treatment equipment are sole-sourced through The NS Group, Inc.
Proprietary biologically-enhanced products (sole-sourced). Brand and trademark license. National website with automated local lead routing. Collective buying power on equipment and supplies. KPI dashboards and quarterly review meetings. Operational, leadership, and professional development training. Operations and training manuals. Brand and intellectual property protection.
Ongoing commitments are an 8% royalty on gross annual revenue (or a $500 monthly minimum). Initial investment includes franchise fee, facilities build-out, branded vehicles, computer systems, initial inventory, and working capital. Specific dollar ranges are reviewed during the discovery conversation as you explore fit.
Yes. Nature's Select® is designed for established business owners in lawn care or full-service landscape maintenance who have 250+ residential customers in a growing market. The Quick-Start approach leverages your existing customer base, reputation, and operational know-how with our proprietary program.
Each Operating Unit serves an exclusive territory defined in the Franchise Agreement. No other Nature's Select® Operating Unit may sell into your territory without your written consent. Territory definition happens during enrollment based on your target market and existing customer footprint.
Most lawn care franchises offer conventional calendar-based chemical programs with a different brand on the truck. Nature's Select® is built on proprietary biologically-enhanced formulations, sole-sourced from The NS Group, Inc. The program creates healthy soils that produce higher customer retention, premium pricing capacity, and a story technicians can actually tell.
Tell us about your current business and target market. Conrad Hayter and The NS Group team review every inquiry personally. Qualified candidates receive an invitation to schedule an exploration call. Initial review takes 5 to 7 business days.
Your inquiry is reviewed by The NS Group, Inc. leadership team. We do not share inquirer information outside the Nature's Select® partnership development process.
A few looks from properties we care for across North Carolina. Every lawn is different, and every one gets attention built around what the soil, the grass, and the season actually need.
Let's start the conversation. Contact our franchise development team today to learn about available territories, investment requirements, and what it takes to become a Nature's Select® franchise owner. Call 888-786-9735 to get started.