Bark & Mane is a mobile pet grooming franchise that provides one-on-one grooming services for dogs and cats at customers’ homes. Groomers work from fully equipped, climate-controlled vans and provide services including bathing, blowouts, trims, breed clips and other grooming treatments. The brand emphasizes certified expert care, convenience and pets’ long-term well-being.

1. What Is the Brand Overview for Bark & Mane?

About the Brand

Bark & Mane was founded as Aussie Pet Mobile in Australia in 1996 by married entrepreneurs Ian Moses and Vivienne McIntosh. The couple saw how difficult and stressful it could be for pet owners to transport dogs and cats to grooming appointments and created a business that would instead bring professional grooming directly to customers’ driveways. The concept expanded to the United States in 1999, when the company established its global headquarters there. In 2021, Aussie Pet Mobile joined the Home Franchise Concepts family of brands. In June 2026, during its 30th anniversary year, Aussie Pet Mobile unveiled a new brand identity and became Bark & Mane, while continuing its mobile pet grooming model.

Mission: Bark & Mane’s mission is to improve the lives of pets and their families by delivering loving, expert mobile grooming care that keeps pets looking great and feeling their best while giving pet parents peace of mind.

Vision: Bark & Mane’s vision is to become each pet’s well-being partner for life by providing a higher standard of mobile grooming care.

Unique Selling Points (USPs)

  • Mobile Convenience: Bark & Mane brings a full-service grooming van directly to the customer's home, eliminating the need to transport a pet to and from a grooming facility.
  • One-on-One Attention: Pets are groomed individually in a cage-free environment without noisy waiting rooms or other animals competing for the groomer's attention.
  • Certified Grooming Professionals: Bark & Mane groomers complete AKC S.A.F.E. certification, with an emphasis on proper grooming techniques, safety and pet comfort.
  • A Focus on Pet Well-Being: Every appointment includes a Well-Being WrapUp® designed to give pet parents additional insight into their pet's condition and ongoing grooming needs.
  • Care for Dogs and Cats: Bark & Mane provides mobile grooming for both dogs and cats and can accommodate nearly all breeds and sizes.
  • Regular Grooming Made Easier: The BARK & MANETAIN program places pets on an ongoing grooming schedule, typically every four to six weeks, while allowing customers to adjust or reschedule appointments when needed.
  • Self-Contained Grooming Vans: The brand's climate-controlled vans carry their own water and electricity, allowing groomers to provide a complete grooming service without relying on the customer's utilities.
  • Local Service With National Backing: Customers work with grooming professionals in their own community while receiving service from a national mobile pet grooming brand that has operated since 1996.

2. What Are the Franchise Opportunity Details?

Why Franchise With Bark & Mane?

  • No Grooming Experience Required: Franchise owners focus on operating and growing the business while hiring experienced groomers to provide services.
  • Protected Territories: Bark & Mane provides franchisees with protected territories as part of a model designed to support local growth.
  • Scalable Mobile Model: The business operates from grooming vans rather than a brick-and-mortar facility, and Bark & Mane structures its systems to allow owners to expand as their business grows.
  • Lower Inventory Needs: The mobile service model requires relatively little inventory, helping simplify the operational side of the business.
  • Initial and Ongoing Training: Franchisees receive one week of initial business training along with continuing education, monthly webinars and an annual convention.
  • Business Coaching: Owners receive ongoing guidance from the brand's operations team to help establish goals and manage the growth of their businesses.
  • Groomer Development Support: Bark & Mane provides access to AKC S.A.F.E. certification at no charge, sponsors one groomer for the AKC Professional Grooming Credential and offers discounted access to additional virtual grooming education.
  • Full-Service Marketing Support: Franchisees receive support with email, social media and paid digital marketing, along with print and multimedia collateral and a local marketing toolkit.
  • Technology for Day-to-Day Operations: The brand provides scheduling and customer relationship management software that supports online booking, automated reminders, service upgrades and customer reviews.
  • Home Franchise Concepts Resources: As part of the Home Franchise Concepts family of brands, Bark & Mane franchisees have access to the resources and franchising experience of a larger home services organization.
  • Franchisee Network: Owners can connect with other Bark & Mane franchisees to share ideas, learn best practices and draw on the experience of the broader system.
  • Recurring Service Potential: Because dogs and cats require grooming on an ongoing basis, the model is designed around services customers need regularly rather than relying solely on one-time purchases.

Available Territories

Bark & Mane is currently offering franchise opportunities throughout the United States, with the exception of Rhode Island, which is sold out.

Prospective franchisees may contact the franchisor directly for more information on available territories.

Investment Overview

Initial Costs: The estimated initial investment required to begin operation of a Bark & Mane franchise ranges from $167,325 to $208,650. The 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) breaks these costs down as follows:

Type of Expenditure

Min

Max

Initial Franchise Fee

$19,950

$19,950

Territory Fees

$100,000

$100,000

Van Down Payment (Financed)

$25,000

$30,000

Van Down Payment (Leased)

$10,000

$10,000

Van Payments (Financed - 3 Months)

$6,300

$7,800

Van Payments (Leased - 3 Months)

$2,400

$2,400

Computer Hardware & Software

$0

$750

Business Licenses

$350

$350

Grand Opening & Ongoing Advertising

$9,000

$11,000

Insurance (3 Months)

$2,400

$2,400

Expenses During Training

$1,475

$3,650

Shipping of Van

$0

$3,400

Optional Basic Groomer Training

$1,200

$1,200

Online Marketing Package (3 Months)

$1,650

$1,650

Van Storage

$0

$1,500

Additional Funds (3 Months)

$15,000

$25,000

Initial Franchise Fee: The initial franchise fee for a Bark & Mane franchise is $19,950, which is due in full at the time of franchise agreement signing for the first territory.

A 15% discount is available to currently serving or honorably discharged veterans of the United States armed forces and their spouses.

Ongoing Fees: According to the 2026 FDD, Bark & Mane franchisees are responsible for the following ongoing payments and fees:

Type of FeeAmount
Royalty5% - 6% of gross revenue/month
National Advertising Fund Payment2% of gross revenue/month
Technology Fee

$450/month for the first territory

$100/month for second and subsequent territories

CMS Fee$400/month
Van Support Subscription Fee$225/van/month

ROI Potential: According to the 2026 FDD, 74 franchisees (representing a total of 367 vans) reported the following gross sales figures for FY 2025:

Number of Vans

Average 

Median

High

Low

1-3 Vans (38)

$314,387

$295,828

$792,711

$41,412

4-6 Vans (14)

$717,069

$750,815

$1,022,374

$345,855

7-10 Vans (15)

$1,230,386

$1,072,618

$1,793,504

$635,770

>10 Vans (7)

$2,089,878

$1,809,690

$3,035,878

$1,437,159

Total (74)

$744,197

Not Reported

$3,035,878

$41,412

3. What Franchisee Support Does Bark & Mane Provide? 

Pre-Opening Support

Bark & Mane helps franchisees establish their territory, secure and outfit their grooming van and prepare for launch with access to operating resources, training materials and brand systems. The mobile model is typically run from home, eliminating the need for a traditional storefront.

Training Programs

Franchisees complete a four- to five-day initial business training program covering operations, marketing, hiring, pricing, financials and dispatching. The brand also provides groomer training resources, ongoing education and access to certification programs.

Operational Support

After opening, franchisees receive ongoing guidance on managing and operating the business through phone, email, online resources and on-site support when needed. Bark & Mane also provides access to systemwide meetings, marketing materials and other resources designed to support day-to-day operations.

Technology and Tools

Bark & Mane provides technology for customer management, reporting, accounting, analytics and recruiting, along with online booking and digital marketing tools. Franchisees also have access to brand platforms and resources that help manage customers and streamline daily operations.

4. What Are the Franchise Requirements for Bark & Mane?

Eligibility Criteria

  • Liquid Assets: $105,000

No previous pet grooming or pet care experience is required. Franchise owners focus on running and growing the business while hiring experienced groomers to provide services.

Operational Commitments

Bark & Mane franchise owners focus on managing and growing the business rather than performing grooming services themselves. Day-to-day responsibilities include managing schedules and grooming routes, hiring and managing groomers, handling customer relations and overseeing van maintenance. The model is designed to scale, with franchisees starting with a three-territory package and growing to as many as nine to 12 vans.

Funding Assistance

Bark & Mane offers qualified franchisees direct financing for up to $80,000 of the initial franchise fee and certain territory fees. Financing is available for up to 60 months at 10% interest, with no down payment or prepayment penalty.

5. Are There Franchisee Success Stories?

"Not only do I love what I do, and it's fulfilling, but I'm successful. I love coming in first thing in the morning and seeing six vans parked in front of my shop. That is a fantastic feeling."

Julia Krauss, Franchisee — North Charlotte, North Carolina

"I have the freedom to do what I want to do when I want to do it and can still run the business effectively with the good people that I've hired." 

- Tony Carilo, Franchisee — Coachella Valley, California

Visit the Bark & Mane franchise website for more franchisee testimonials and success stories.

6. What Is the Market Potential for Mobile Pet Grooming?

The U.S. pet grooming services market reached an estimated $2.19 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow to $3.23 billion by 2031, a compound annual growth rate of 6.67%. Mobile grooming stands to benefit from demand for convenience and flexible scheduling, while digital booking is making these services easier for pet owners to access.

Competitor Analysis

Bark & Mane distinguishes itself in the specialized pet services realm by super-serving the consumer and prioritizing convenience, bringing the idea of mobile pet grooming and care directly to the customer’s driveway or curb.

While pet care chains like Petco or PetSmart focus on brick-and-mortar retail, Bark & Mane sets itself apart in an increasingly crowded sphere by prioritizing convenience without a mess while catering to consumer schedules and locations.

7. What Is the Application Process for Bark & Mane Franchisees?

  1. Submit Your Inquiry: Complete the online inquiry form to receive more information and schedule a conversation with a franchise advisor.
  2. Initial Call With Bark & Mane: Speak with the franchise team about your goals and whether the Bark & Mane opportunity could be a good fit.
  3. Follow Up With a Franchise Advisor: Take a closer look at the business model, franchisee requirements, available territories and expected opening timeline.
  4. Review the FDD: Review the FDD for detailed information about the investment, fees, franchisee responsibilities and other aspects of the opportunity.
  5. Start the Validation Process: Connect with existing Bark & Mane franchisees through individual conversations and group calls to learn more about ownership and day-to-day operations.
  6. Review Your Territory: Work with the franchise team to identify and review available territory for your Bark & Mane business.
  7. Submit Your Franchise Application: Provide financial information and complete the required background and credit checks.
  8. Attend Meet the Team Day: Meet the home office team and learn more about Bark & Mane's marketing, training, technology and franchisee support.
  9. Sign the Franchise Agreement: Complete the franchise agreement after receiving final approval to officially become a Bark & Mane franchise owner.
  10. Complete Initial Training: Attend initial franchisee training at the Home Franchise Concepts Experience Center and prepare to launch the business.

Want to learn more about franchise opportunities on 1851 Franchise? Be sure to visit our Power Rankings to read more on brands making moves. 

Every great franchisee had help buying a franchise. Want to learn more about how 1851 helps franchisees find the right franchise opportunity? Visit www.1851growthclub.com and start your journey.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only. You should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice. Nothing contained on this site constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, endorsement, or offer to buy or sell any franchises, securities, or other financial instruments in this or in any other jurisdiction in which such solicitation or offer would be unlawful under the franchise and/or securities laws of such jurisdiction. 

All content in this article is information of a general nature and does not address the detailed circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Nothing in the article constitutes professional and/or financial advice, nor does any information in the email constitute a comprehensive or complete statement of the matters discussed or the law relating thereto. You alone assume the sole responsibility of evaluating the merits and risks associated with the use of any information or other content in this article before making any decisions based on such information or other content.

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Chris Irby

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Chris Irby

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