Franchisor Stories
Franchise Opportunity Deep Dive: This grooming franchise offers a fun, community-focused experience for pet owners while giving franchisees a chance to tap into a fast-growing industry.
Bubbly Paws is a modern pet grooming and self-service dog wash concept that gives pet owners a fun, clean, and social place to care for their dogs. Each store combines professional grooming, self-service stations, and a retail experience designed to build community among pet lovers.
About the Brand
Bubbly Paws was founded in 2011 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, by Patrycia and Keith Miller. The couple launched the brand after noticing a gap in the market for an upscale but approachable dog-washing and grooming experience. Their goal was to create a welcoming, stress-free environment for both dogs and their owners, where customers could either handle the wash themselves or let professionals take over.
Mission: Bubbly Paws’ mission is to make dog grooming simple, enjoyable and social. The brand focuses on providing a high-quality, community-driven experience that pet owners can trust.
Vision: The company envisions expanding across the United States as the go-to neighborhood destination for self-service baths, full-service grooming, and retail pet care essentials.
Unique Selling Points (USPs)
Bubbly Paws stands out for its bright, spa-like design, self-wash concept and focus on customer experience. Each store offers easy scheduling, transparent pricing and retail add-ons that make grooming convenient and fun. The brand also emphasizes community engagement and local ownership.
Why Franchise With Bubbly Paws?
Franchisees benefit from a proven business model backed by more than a decade of operational experience. Bubbly Paws offers comprehensive training, marketing support and access to proprietary grooming products and technology systems. The franchise allows entrepreneurs to enter the growing pet care industry with an established brand and a recurring-revenue model.
Available Territories
Bubbly Paws does not explicitly list available territories on its franchise website. Contact the brand for more info.
Investment Overview
Initial Costs: The estimated initial investment required to begin operation of a Bubbly Paws franchise ranges from $197,409 to $370,920. The 2023 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) breaks these costs down as follows:
| Type of Expenditure | Min | Max |
| Initial Franchise Fee | $44,900 | $44,900 |
| Leasehold Improvements | $88,000 | $181,500 |
| Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment | $30,599 | $58,400 |
| Plans, Permits & Licenses | $100 | $500 |
| Signs | $4,500 | $14,000 |
| Initial Supplies & Inventory | $4,000 | $9,200 |
| Grand Opening Advertising | $2,500 | $5,000 |
| Initial Training Expenses | $500 | $6,000 |
| Professional Fees | $200 | $5,500 |
| Utility Deposits | $610 | $3,620 |
| Lease Deposits | $6,000 | $16,000 |
| Insurance | $500 | $1,300 |
| Additional Funds (3 Months) | $15,000 | $25,000 |
Initial Franchise Fee: The initial franchise fee for a single Bubbly Paws business is $44,900, due upon signing the franchise agreement. Multi-unit packages are also available at discounted rates — $83,065 for up to two units (Multi-2) and $116,740 for up to three units (Multi-3).
The brand offers a 10% discount on the initial fee for qualified U.S. military veterans and first responders.
Ongoing Fees: According to the 2023 FDD, Bubbly Paws franchisees are responsible for the following ongoing payments and fees:
| Type of Fee | Amount |
| Royalty | 3-6% of gross sales/monthly |
| Brand contribution fund | 1% of gross sales/monthly |
| Technology | $500/monthly |
ROI Potential: Bubbly Paws does not provide information on sales or revenue for its franchises in Item 19 of its 2023 FDD. However, it does provide FY 2022 annual gross sales per grooming room for five of its affiliates:
| Affiliate Business | Annual Gross Sales per Grooming Room |
| Minneapolis Affiliate Business | $151,144 |
| Meridian Affiliate Business | $60,730 |
| St. Louis Park Affiliate Business | $171,103 |
| Saint Paul Affiliate Business | $151,144 |
| Maple Grove Affiliate Business | $154,702 |
Training Programs
New owners complete a five-day training program in Minneapolis, Minnesota, or online. The program covers operations, customer service, grooming processes and use of the franchise operations manual. Training is led by CEO Keith Miller, who has more than a decade of experience in the pet care industry. Ongoing training and refresher courses are available, and additional attendees may join for $500 per person per day.
Operational Support
The corporate team provides guidance on real estate and lease negotiations, build-out design and store opening timelines. Franchisees also receive ongoing support with marketing, day-to-day operations and quality control. Each franchise must open within 12 months of signing the franchise agreement.
Technology and Tools
Bubbly Paws requires franchisees to use its proprietary computer system, which includes iMac computers, iPads, digital signage, scheduling software and QuickBooks Online. The system costs between $3,850 and $9,850 and manages sales tracking, scheduling, inventory and customer experience.
Eligibility Criteria
Franchisees do not need grooming experience but should have strong people skills, basic business management ability and a passion for pets.
Operational Commitments
Owners are expected to be involved in daily operations, especially during the startup phase. Semi-absentee ownership may be considered for candidates who hire a full-time manager and meet financial requirements.
Funding Assistance
Bubbly Paws does not advertise direct financing, but franchisees may explore SBA or third-party loan programs to fund startup costs.
The global pet grooming services market was valued at $6.89 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $134.71 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.33% from 2025 to 2030. Rising consumer spending on pets, the expansion of companion groomers and service providers, and the growing humanization of pets are key factors fueling this growth.
Competitor Analysis
Competitors include Dogtopia, Pet Supplies Plus, Scenthound and EarthWise Pet. Bubbly Paws differentiates itself with its boutique-style environment, community-driven approach, and hybrid grooming/self-service model.
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