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The Best Pet Franchises to Invest In Now

There has never been a better time to own a dog franchise. Nearly half of all American Households have dogs, thats an estimated 90 million dogs and growing. Pet ownership has been on the rise every year during the past two decades with no end in sight. All of the factors above contribute to strong revenue growth in the Pet Franchise and dog grooming industry

So what does this information mean for possible pet franchise owners?

Investing and managing your own pet franchise has never been easier. Pet care services is a $80 billion (and growing) industry, according to the American Pet Products Association (APPA).

Now is the perfect time to capitalize on the increasing demand and invest in one of the many successful pet franchises available. It’s not only time to achieve your financial goals and dreams, but to exceed them. The best part about owning a pet franchise is that it is one of the most stress-free careers possible, you’re dealing with adorable little doggie clients coming in for their dog grooming. No more typical office job, your daily routine will look completely different compared to corporate America.

should i invest in a dog groomer franchise

Should I invest in a pet franchise?

This depends, are you a pet/animal lover? The most successful franchisees are in love with dogs. This isn’t a skill that can be taught, however it is one needed to be truly successful in the pet franchise industry. No matter how much franchise training is completed, you need to be passionate about animals.

Do you need previous business experience?

Although previous business ownership is not required, it is important for a prospective franchisee to have the ability to make quick decisions and show good judgement. You want to be involved in the community in whichever city you end up operating your dog franchise in. It is important to be respectful and respected by the community in order to become a successful franchise.

dog groomer investments

What are the Pros and Cons of owning a Pet Franchise?

Pros:

  • The biggest advantage of buying into an established franchise is the strength of the brand and loyalty of the customers.
  • Marketing support, Franchises often have the support of a national campaign, as well as prepared marketing materials for a local campaign.
  • The business support, there’s a saying in franchising “You’re in business for yourself, but not by yourself”, this is important because it’s less-stressful when you know you have a network of support always behind you.
  • Training, this is important because they know the best techniques to become the most successful franchisee possible.
  • Financial assistance, this is great because many franchisors provide loans and other assistance to help franchisees.
  • Billionaire Investors such as Jimmy Buffett (Krispy Kreme) recommend investing in franchises that have the most yearly growth.

Cons:

  • The initial payout is always inevitable, however some Franchise fees and start-up costs can be very expensive.
  • Royalty payments can be also very expensive, and as long as you are a franchisee you will have to pay some percentage of the monthly gross back to the franchisor.
  • Limited Creativity can also become a factor considering most franchise contracts have very explicit standards (however this isn’t the biggest “con” considering these are usually in place for you to be as successful as possible, franchisors know the most successful techniques and they WANT you to be successful).

 

What is the best pet franchise for me to invest in?

Now that you have decided you want to invest in a franchise, specially a pet franchise, which one is the best franchise to invest in? We have chosen the best and most successful pet franchises available to invest in. All of these franchises have their own “pros” and “cons” so it’s ultimately up to you as the investor to choose which one best suits you.

franchise investment dogs

The Best Pet Franchises (no specific order)

 

Dogtopia

Dogtopia is one of the biggest names when it comes to Dog Franchises, and for good reason.

Dogtopia is an award-winning dog daycare, boarding and spa provider. Dogtopia, prides itself on being a place where pets are valued as family and dogs enjoy playtime. Dogtopia does not breed discriminate and welcomes social dogs of all ages, sizes, and abilities. The company was founded by Amy Nichols in 2002 and began franchising in 2005.

From the Dogtopia website:

“Our modern facilities provide a health, safe and fun environment for dogs to socialize and play in, supervised by a highly trained and loving team. Our multiple, spacious playrooms allow us to separate our guests by size and temperaments.”

Dogtopia Pros:

  • Their target customer is the largest demographic in North American history – the female millennial, the secondary customer is the second largest, the baby boomer.
  • Strong business model with labor costs as the only key variable expense
  • Best-practice sharing workshops with leading franchises.
  • Being one of the biggest names means good brand recognition

Dogtopia Cons:

  • High turnover rate, which leads to owners having to constantly train more employees (quoted by a former employee)
  • The main problem with accepting every breed of dog no matter what is that many can cause conflicts and this can end with dogs being injured (or worse) from fights. (quoted by a CURRENT employee)
  • Overall negative employee outlook about the company and the high reported incidents of dog bites and dog fights.
  • Huge Upfront Investment (Nearly 200% greater upfront investment needed compared to the competitors on this list).

 

Splash and Dash Groomerie & Boutique

Splash and Dash Groomerie & Boutique is a relatively new and fast growing dog franchise that has been breaking growth records along the way. Splash and Dash has been featured in the Inc. Magazine’s 500 list of the country’s fastest-growing companies, not once but three times.

From the Splash and Dash website:

“Walking into a Splash and Dash is a unique experience. A bright and eye-pleasing color palette is the first thing customers notice – an inviting, upscale ambiance. Splash and Dash offers the healthiest all-natural foods and treats for their dogs. The toys are eco-friendly. The haircuts are adorable. Remarkable, the prices are affordable and very competitive compared to other pet franchises.”

Splash and Dash Pros:

  • The signature service membership is one of a kind and easily the biggest advantage when investing in a Splash and Dash franchise. No other franchise has anything like this. The signature service offers customers unlimited monthly bath & brush for a fixed price, which means a shop owner profits from the signature service with a recurring revenue stream.
  • Top of the line IT support and Proprietary software, this allows the owner to know that a franchisor is always 100% behind you. Their proprietary software helps a franchise owner run and operate their business, a key element for success. Shop owners receive extensive training to learn the Splash and Dash terminal software and have the corporate team at their disposal for IT support.
  • The marketing resources provided by Splash and Dash Groomerie & Boutique allow the franchises to be backed with a proven business plan. The company aims for franchisees to break even, six months after opening.
  • The online reviews are always 4 & 5 star unlike many other dog groomers. This is because of the extensive training and small business-type model Splash and Dash have created. The best thing that comes from these online ratings is that your Splash and Dash will rate the highest on Google Search so that customers will always see your business at the top naturally.
  • Modest overall investment compared to the competitors on this list. Low initial franchise fee.

Splash and Dash Cons:

  • Being a new and growing company means that Splash and Dash doesn’t have the highest name recognition yet.
  • Strict guidelines that are emphasized in order to keep franchisees on track, although this has been very successful for Splash and Dash dog franchisees in the past.
  • Big-Box competition from warehouse pet stores like Petco, although these type of dog groomers don’t offer niche products and services like small-scale franchises.

 

Camp Bow Wow

Camp Bow Wow provides a fun, safe and upscale environment for dogs to play, romp and receive lots of love and attention. They provide doggy day camp for clients wishing to drop their dogs off in the morning and pack them up in the evening, as well as overnight boarding for travels.

From the Camp Bow Wow website:

“Overnight campers play in the day camp program during the day and have their own individual cabins at night. Some of our camps also offer a variety of other services including grooming, training, and an assortment of retail items, including Camp Bow Wow branded dog bowls, collars, clothing, bandanas and more.”

Camp Bow Wow Pros:

  • Overnight dog boarding is a great service provided by Camp Bow Wow that isn’t common for many dog franchises.
  • Facilities are monitored 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  • Great business model that comes with good brand recognition.

Camp Bow Wow Cons:

  • Unfortunately the biggest “con” on this list is that the CEO Christina Russell has one of the worst ratings (2.6 out of 5) on Glassdoor. This can negatively impact the outlook possible future consumers can have on your franchise.
  • “Not a good screening program for dogs so some were very mean and hostile, breaking up dog fights and not being allowed to get band-aids from bleeding”. (quoted by a former employee).
  • Similar to Dogtopia and Woof Gang Bakery, there is a very high turnover rate which involves more training needed for new hires, and more bad reviews by former employees which gives your franchise a bad name.

 

Woof Gang Bakery

Woof Gang Bakery is a specialty retailer of pet food, pet-related supplies and pet grooming. The company is committed to the well-being, health and happiness of pets. Woof Gang Bakery is considered a dog spa while maintaining the dog franchise tag within local communities. Woof Gang Bakery Dog Franchise is mostly located in the South-Eastern part of the United States, with many of those locations being in Florida.

From the Woof Gang Bakery website:

“At Woof Gang Bakery, we know that pets are a part of our families, our faithful companions and they bring us great joy. We’ll help you show your love and appreciation for their unconditional affection and devotion.”

Woof Gang Bakery Pros:

  • Woof Gang Bakery offers quality products and a unique concept that aligns with a growing, million dollar industry.
  • Extensive training provided so that you can operate your own successful Woof Gang Bakery dog spa.
  • Woof Gang Bakery dog spa assists you with site selection.

Woof Gang Bakery Cons:

  • Brand recognition is very limited to only the South-Eastern part of the united states which is already overpopulated with Woof Gang Bakery dog spas.
  • Similar to Camp Bow Wow and Dogtopia, there is a very high turnover rate which leads to the need for owners to consistently train new employees. “Owner is very unprofessional, the high turnover rate with show that” (quoted by former employee).
  • Although it’s a small-business pet spa franchise, the CEO operates Woof Gang Bakery pet spa like it’s a corporation with very strict guidelines that owners must follow. “and to corporate, it is dangerous to put clueless people in charge of an animal’s well being, you should be fully educating your franchisees”. (quoted by a former employee).

pet groomer franchises comparison

The Final Say

Before deciding to own a pet franchise or dog franchise, one should do their due diligence and research prospective companies from inside out. Understanding how consumers already feel about a certain pet franchise and brand should be very important to a prospective franchisee. Also, understanding how current and former employees feel about the franchise should give you a great inside look on how operating a specific dog franchise will be like.

Investors should have a comprehensive understanding of local store marketing and community involvement to drive sales and a clear understanding of the real estate development process. Owning a pet franchise can be a very rewarding experience for an investor who is passionate about animals.

 

What Makes a Splash and Dash a Lucrative Franchise?

Lucrative Franchises backed with Passion, Pride and Love: Splash and Dash Groomerie & Boutique

Right now, there are huge reasons to get involved in the pet franchise industry. First, and most importantly, owning your own pet franchise is a truly rewarding experience. Your daily routine looks completely different from the typical office job in corporate America. Instead, you’re working alongside the adorable little doggie clients coming in for their salon grooming.

“I’ve always been surrounded by animals all my life, says San Diego shop owner, Montana. “I think that’s where my love and passion really came from.” Montana uses her shop to host adoption events on top of the daily pet care her team provides. Like all Splash and Dash shop owners, Montana uses the same products and services featured in her shop on her own dogs at home.

The second reason many individuals are opening lucrative franchises in the pet franchise sector is the market is growing. Last year, the U.S. expenditures ended at $66.75 billion, a 62% increase from ten years ago. Combined, the pet services and supplies accounted for over 30% of the U.S. annual pet owner spending. Dog owners know that dog grooming can get expensive. Depending on where you live, even a small dog’s grooming can cost up to $150 and higher at big-box pet stores.

Things are done differently at Splash and Dash Groomerie & Boutique. The franchise is a place where our family can treat your family. A team of lucrative franchises that have some notable advantages in the industry. “One thing that excited us about Splash and Dash was the opportunity to bring a new concept in pet care to the area,’ says Jayme, shop owner in Grand Rapids, Michigan. “Our Membership program is unique, and has many benefits for pets and pet parents!”

The Signature Service Membership

In our minds, we are a big box pet store, yet in our hearts, we are a mom and pop business. We bring the selection, technology, and knowledge a large pet store offers, combined with the passion, pride and love for pets you find with a small dog grooming business. This gives you the best of both worlds. The connection to our customers is what drove us to change the industry with our signature bath membership.

The Splash and Dash Signature Service is a membership program completely unique to the company. No other pet franchise has anything like this. The signature service offers customers unlimited monthly bath & brush for a fixed price. This means customers can bring their dogs into any Splash and Dash location at their convenience. Membership customers are also entitled to discounted prices of various spa services and add-ons.

A shop owner profits from the signature service with a recurring revenue stream from membership dues. The membership program also allows for shop owners to engage customers with more retail opportunities. “We had never heard of the signature service membership before Splash and Dash,” says Jayme. “We also like the potential to have both a retail and service side to appeal more.”

Lucrative franchises like Splash and Dash capitalize on being a one-stop-shop for customers. Members can have their dog groomed, buy food & treats, and pet supplies all conveniently at Splash and Dash.

Proprietary Software and On-Going IT Support

One of the best feelings is knowing that a franchisor is 100% behind you. This is the feeling at Splash and Dash Groomerie & Boutique, a personalized support system that is invested in you!

Many small business owners fall behind because they spend too much time trying to find the software and technology to expedite operations. Even if you can find the technology—cookie cutter software falls short in comparison.Splash and Dash franchise owners have access to proprietary software specifically designed to operate a pet salon. The software allows owners to deal with more immediate tasks rather than tedious projects. This is important, especially in the first few years of opening.

“We went from basically a card file, not even having a computer in the store, to having four computers in the store,” says Beth, shop owner of Monroe, New York. “Now we couldn’t live without it. The reports are phenomenal! We love to see where we are as far as membership sales, it inspires [my team] to sell more.”

Technology Capabilities include:

  • Customer Database & Database
  • Email & Text Notifications for Clients
  • Appointment Scheduling
  • POS
  • Project & Sales Reports
  • Kennel/Hook Status
  • Employee Scheduling
  • Payroll
  • Marketing Tools
  • More!

 

Shop owners receive extensive training to learn to use the Splash and Dash terminal software and have the corporate team at their disposal for IT Support. You have help every step of the way.

Strong Brand

“The concept was different. It was something I haven’t heard of—nothing exists like this,” says Valayia, shop owner of Alamo Heights, Texas. “I hadn’t really found a groomer I like to take my dogs too. I wanted to come to a shop where they treat their pet babies like I treat mine.” After discovering a market gap existed in her area, Valayia opened her own shop to provide for pet parents like herself, that want something special for their dogs. Shop owners like Valayia have the chance to offer customers loving service for their dogs, all-natural human-grade pet foods & treats, and eco-friendly recycled products that lower the carbon ‘pawprint.’   

The Splash and Dash Groomerie & Boutique store design was hand-crafted and specifically designed to appeal to pet-owning demographics. Walking into a Splash and Dash is different from walking into any other pet store. Customers are greeted with smiling faces and an inviting brand—stylized with elegant, accessible decor. “It needs to be clean. It needs to smell good, Says Valayia. “It needs to be upscale.”

Marketing Resources

Lucrative franchises are backed with a proven business plan. The company aims for franchisees to break even, six months after opening. This is accomplished with the corporate team initiating national marketing campaigns while shop owners focus on their local community. Customer promotions that generate more customer traffic are built into the company’s business plan. Digital marketing and social media are also included. The company’s automated marketing provides shop owners with real-time feedback from customers and posts positive ratings on crowd-sourced review sites like Yelp.

Are you a fit for Splash and Dash?

The company is looking for franchisees who have a passion and dedication to operational excellence. You must be driven toward success. Franchise owners also need to demonstrate an ability to build a high-performing team. Strong leadership skills are a must, as you will be managing a top quality organization. Shop owners should also have a comprehensive understanding of local store marketing and community involvement to drive sales and a clear understanding of the real estate development process.

If you would like more information on one of the most lucrative franchises in the pet industry, click here!

Live Dirty. Play Clean!

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