5 Reasons to Buy a Hounds Town USA Franchise

Hounds Town USA, a brand that started 20 years ago in Long Island, New York has in recent years emerged as a challenger brand in the doggie daycare segment. Although the nearly $100 billion dollar pet care industry is full of competitors, Hounds Town USA has set itself apart through specialized pet care, a strong support system, low cost of entry, a simple operational model and an established franchise system.

We talked to the company’s CEO Mike Gould and President Jackie Bondanza to find out five reasons Hounds Town USA is the best doggy daycare franchise.

1. Hounds Town Knows What Dogs Want

Gould has nearly 40 years of experience working with and managing police, military and working canines. As a founding member of the elite NYPD K-9 unit, Gould has a deep understanding of dogs and their needs.

“At Hounds Town, we bridge the gap between the dog brain and the human brain,” said Gould. “Our specialty is understanding the real needs of the dog—which don’t always translate into what the owner thinks—in order to create a fully interactive method of care.”

Hounds Town USA features a proprietary, soft science method which involves placing dogs in specialized packs that help them thrive and optimize their socialization experience, Bondanza explained. These techniques help the dogs become well-balanced pups who can be spotted building confidence, overcoming anxiety and controlling weight issues.

“Our facilities are built 18-inches off the ground—or said another way: from the dog's perspective,” said Bondanza. “This allows us to focus on providing an environment that enriches the life of the dog first.”

Since its inception, the brand has cared for more than 1 million visitors, both canine and feline, providing an interactive petcare space that doesn’t discriminate by breed. (Although the same can’t be assured of its guests).

2. A Low Cost of Entry

According to Bondanza, Hounds Town USA’s build-out costs are less than half those of most competitors.

“Our method of building our townhomes costs about $700 per kennel versus pre-fabricated enclosures that can cost thousands of dollars each,” said Bondanza. “Why pay a million dollars for something you can get for $350,000, especially when that additional $750,000 isn't garnering any additional revenue? We use materials you can find at your local hardware store and don't require franchisees to use expensive equipment or materials that won't provide a return on investment, like hardwood floors or very high-end finishes.”

The Hounds Town executive team provides franchisees with a low investment business model that is committed to faster ROIs—in 2018, the brand saw a staggering 40% year-over-year sales growth average. Hounds Town USA’s low-cost offering also translates to customers, providing a consumer value proposition via one flat fee as opposed to the overly-expensive à la carte services of other brands in the space.

3. A Fun and Supportive Attitude

The Hounds Town executive team knows that their franchisees don’t want to be told how to run their business from someone who doesn’t understand the industry. According to Gould, Hounds Town USA is a family-run business with the structure of a corporation—offering personalized assistance and creative support tailored to each franchisee's personality.

“Our atmosphere is fun, engaging and approachable,” said Bondanza. “Our experienced and passionate corporate team wants to help franchisees achieve their goals and dreams while making them feel like a part of our extended family. Instead of being part of a franchise system that is weighted down with rules and regulations, we encourage creativity and ideas from our franchisees as we continue to build our brand.”

Hounds Town USA also encourages franchisees to get involved in their local communities through the brand’s non-profit charity program, Hounds Town Charities, which partners with municipal and local shelters to provide rehabilitation for at-risk dogs.

4. Flexibility and Freedom

Gould and Bondanza have created a strategic plan to continue partnering with passionate, business-savvy dog lovers to grow the brand’s footprint.

“We don't require franchisees to quit their current careers,” said Bondanza. “This business can be run semi-absentee with the right management and staff in place. We want franchisees to have the appropriate income and capital to fund their business that first year or two so it can grow, instead of requiring them to leave their paying jobs and work in the business.”

The Hounds Town leadership team works with each franchisee to craft a plan for success based on their financial needs, business requirements and personal goals.

5. Keeping It Simple

Hounds Town has spent years developing its business model to ensure that simplicity, alongside profitability, is a priority.

“We recently opened a corporate location in Atlantic City in order to test the remote absentee model and perfect operations,” said Gould. “The Hounds Town team is not just sitting in an office—we are engaged and active in the day-to-day operations.”

The simple operations mean lower monthly costs, translating to a proven franchise model that poises franchisees to grow.

“Hounds Town operates on an all-inclusive pricing model and strives to make pet care affordable to people by providing honest and straightforward service,” said Bondanza. “We don’t upcharge—if we can't can’t provide water or belly rubs for free, well, there's something wrong with us.”

The startup costs for a Hounds Town franchise range from $263,800 to $422,500. The franchise fee is $45,000. To learn more about franchising with Hounds Town, visit https://www.houndstownfranchise.com/.