Grasshopper Lawns Lawn Care… As Michael Kravitsky IV tells the story, his grandfather was the chief of police in town and also sold aluminum awnings. After the business declined in the early 1960s, Kravitsky’s father, Michael Kravitsky III took over. He soon added lawn care to its repertoire by purchasing two Lawn-A-Mat franchises from his aluminum supplier, the first one in the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton territory and the second in Allentown. The initial Lawn-A-Mat franchise offered services to approximately 300 customers. “For two cents a square foot, a technician would spray on weed control, aerate, roll, and apply seed and fertilizer in one pass,” Kravitsky remembers. “Customers, we call them clients now, signed up for four applications.” He continues, “Lawn-A-Mat developed the application equipment. It was a neat system, but with lots of moving parts that required maintaining. I learned how to fix equipment, and running the machines honed my driving skills.” The family operated the two franchises until Lawn-A-Mat (the corporation) ran into financial difficulties in the mid 1980s, at which time the Kravitskys changed their company name to Grasshopper Lawns, Inc. A service change accompanied the new nomenclature.

At first, customers were offered a wide-ranging weed-and-feed program that also included aeration, seeding, lime, grub control, and two applications of fungicide. Later, when the market became more competitive, a pared down “Maintenance Program” that included weed, feed, and aeration was added, followed by an even less costly program, weed and feed only. “Times have changed,” Kravitsky admits. “We have several thousand customers today, employ 20+ people, track our crews with GPS, and everything is computerized, even the handheld units that our technicians use to record their work in the field. Instead of offering three lawn care packages we offer one, a weed-and-feed program that customers augment by selecting from a menu of services.

Thirteen years ago, we added Christmas Décor to level out seasonality of our business and give our employees some income during the off season.” One thing hasn’t changed over the years, he emphasizes. “Our coworkers continue to make us successful. I don’t know how business owners can sleep at night without having a solid team to back them up. Our associates truly make it happen, and we are fortunate to have built loyalty and good rapport with them. In fact, I’ve watched many of our team members grow in the business from the time they started with us 10, 15, even 20 years ago to today. It’s the old adage, treat people the way you want to be treated.” Grasshopper Lawns pays up to 85 percent of company benefits. Long-time employees get three weeks vacation, and the company sponsors special family gatherings during the year and at Christmas. They also receive cell phones and uniforms, although these items are not entirely free. “We avoid paying 100 percent of any benefit, because we want our employees to know that there are costs involved,” says Kravitsky.

“My brother Shawn and I were raised with a good work ethic and understanding the value of a dollar. We carry that upbringing over into our business operation.” To make sure they’re tracking with employee expectations, a human resource consultant is on call. That individual meets with employees and then reports back to management about any suggestions or issues. The key, says Kravitsky, is to be responsive to concerns and ideas so employees know you’re listening and willing to act.

Michael Kravitsky IV, CTP-CSL
PLANET ADVANTAGE, Fall 2008

Our Mission Statement

We will use the highest quality products and resources available to achieve our commitment of superior service in a safe, healthy, professional, fun, family oriented atmosphere with a continuous pursuit of excellence to our employees and customers.

Our Vision Statement

To be a significant leader in our profession with empowered employees, so that we may all achieve a successful livelihood.

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