Dogdrop is a modern, day care-only pet care franchise that leverages a small footprint, a recurring membership model and proprietary technology to provide convenience for pet parents and scalable opportunities for franchisees.

1. What Is the Brand Overview for Dogdrop?

About the Brand

Dogdrop was founded in 2019 in Los Angeles, California, by Shaina Denny and her team, with the mission of modernizing the dog day care experience. The company began franchising in 2021, offering entrepreneurs a way to enter the $120 billion pet care industry with a lean, efficient, day care-only model that avoids the overhead of kenneling or grooming services.

Mission: Dogdrop’s mission is to provide safe, convenient, and community-focused dog daycare that fits seamlessly into the lives of busy pet parents.

Vision: Dogdrop envisions becoming a national leader in dog day care by focusing on high-quality care, customer convenience and cutting-edge technology that enhances both owner and pet experiences.

Unique Selling Points (USPs)

  • Dogdrop centers are designed to fit into busy lives, with smaller, accessible spaces in urban and suburban communities. That means your pup has a safe, fun place nearby whenever you need it.
  • Instead of paying by the day, Dogdrop offers modern membership plans that give pet parents flexibility and predictability. You can drop off your dog for play and care as often as you need, without the hassle of one-off bookings.
  • By focusing solely on day care (not grooming or boarding), Dogdrop provides specialized attention to dogs’ socialization, exercise, and well-being. Every visit is about your pup having a safe, stimulating day.
  • Dogdrop’s proprietary app makes life easier for pet parents. You can manage your membership, schedule visits, and receive real-time updates and personalized notes about your dog’s day — keeping you connected no matter where you are.

2. What Are the Franchise Opportunity Details?

Why Franchise With Dogdrop?

  • Proven, daycare-only model tailored for scalability.
  • Centralized support system handling back-office functions like appointment scheduling, vet record retrieval and customer service.
  • Comprehensive training and onboarding with operational playbooks, employee handbooks and modules.
  • Marketing support including local campaigns, social media content and digital ad management.
  • Tech-driven operations powered by proprietary software for payments, customer engagement and data analytics.

Available Territories

Dogdrop is expanding into high-demand U.S. markets, including Los Angeles, California; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Dallas and Austin, Texas; and Denver, Colorado, with more territories available nationwide.

Visit the Dogdrop franchise website for more information on available territories.

Investment Overview

Initial Costs: The estimated initial investment required to begin operation of a Dogdrop franchise ranges from $360,800 to $650,160. The 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) breaks these costs down as follows:

Type of Expenditure

Min

Max

Initial Franchise Fee

$12,000

$12,000

Initial Training Fee

$6,500

$6,500

Platform Onboarding Fee

$15,000

$15,000

Site Selection & Construction Fee

$7,000

$7,000

Marketing & Design Fee

$7,500

$7,500

Technology Setup Fee

$7,500

$7,500

Your Training Expenses

$10,000

$15,000

Third Party Training Expense

$225

$360

Lease Deposit

$6,050

$20,000

Utility Deposit

$0

$600

Rent (3 Months)

$18,050

$18,050

Utilities (3 Months)

$900

$1,800

Millwork & Fixtures

$27,000

$55,000

Leasehold Improvements, Construction, Remodeling

$140,000

$320,000

Architect/Design Fees

$10,000

$15,000

Appliances

$3,000

$6,000

Signage

$5,000

$16,000

Business Licenses & Permits

$750

$1,000

Technology Purchases

$4,000

$5,500

Internet Service (3 Months)

$375

$450

Third-Party Software Fees

$900

$1,200

Initial Inventory

$3,000

$3,000

Professional Fees

$3,000

$10,000

Association Membership Fees

$300

$750

Initial Launch Marketing & Promotions

$20,000

$20,000

Additional Monthly Marketing Fee

$2,450

$2,450

Insurance

$3,500

$5,000

Communication Center Fees

$1,800

$1,800

Additional Funds / Working Capital (3 Months)

$45,000

$60,000

Initial Franchise Fee: The initial franchise fee is $12,000, due upon signing the franchise agreement. Multi-unit developers pay an additional $12,000 per location beyond the first, applied as a credit toward future franchise fees.

Ongoing Fees: According to the 2025 FDD, Dogdrop franchisees are responsible for the following ongoing payments:

Type of FeeAmount
Royalty Fee2% of gross sales (may increase to 3%)
Brand Development Fund3% of gross sales (may increase to 4%)
Local AdvertisingGreater of $2,000 or 2% of gross sales/month
Digital Marketing Fee$350/month
Communication Center Fee$450/month
Digital Infrastructure Fee3% of Gross Sales

ROI Potential: Dogdrop does not provide Item 19 financial performance data in its FDD. Franchise candidates should review the disclosure for specifics and speak with current franchisees for real-world insights.

3. What Franchisee Support Does Dogdrop Provide?

Training Programs

  • Initial training for up to three individuals
  • Digital training modules via Dogdrop Wiki
  • Ongoing learning and employee handbooks

Operational Support

  • Site selection and construction guidance
  • Pre-opening marketing campaigns and launch support
  • Ongoing marketing campaigns, reputation management and social media content
  • Localized advertising programs

Technology and Tools

  • Proprietary Dogdrop software for check-ins, payments, customer communications and performance analytics
  • Integrated CRM and marketing funnel management
  • Scheduling, vet record retrieval, and centralized call center support

4. What Are the Franchise Requirements for Dogdrop?

Eligibility Criteria

  • Liquid Assets: $150,000
  • Net Worth: $500,000

Prior experience in pet care is not required; ideal candidates are business-minded, community-driven and passionate about pets.

Operational Commitments

Dogdrop is designed for owner-operators but allows for semi-absentee ownership if a qualified general manager is in place. Franchisees should be prepared to commit time to managing staff, driving memberships and engaging with their local community.

Funding Assistance

Dogdrop does not directly provide financing but may maintain relationships with third-party lenders who can assist qualified candidates.

5. Are There Franchisee Success Stories?

“Dogdrop's commitment to quality, convenience, and community made it the perfect partner for us to bring exceptional dog care to our area.” – Adam Bennett, franchisee in Orange County, California

“We chose Dogdrop for their modern approach to pet care and a business model so simple it makes growth easy while ensuring top quality care.” – Diego Andronie, franchisee in Austin, Texas

Visit the Dogdrop franchise website for more franchisee testimonials and success stories.

6. What Is the Market Potential for Pet Care?

The U.S. pet care industry exceeded $120 billion in 2024, with dog daycare representing one of the fastest-growing segments. Rising rates of pet ownership, urban living, and humanization of pets are fueling demand for high-quality, convenient daycare solutions.

Competitor Analysis

Dogdrop differentiates itself from competitors such as DogtopiaCamp Bow Wow and local independent dog day cares through several key aspects. Firstly, it operates in smaller, more flexible footprints, allowing for convenient locations. Secondly, it utilizes a membership model, which provides predictable revenue streams. Lastly, Dogdrop maintains a strict day care-only focus, opting not to offer additional services like grooming or boarding, thus streamlining its operations.

7. What Is the Application Process for Dogdrop Franchisees?

The path to ownership follows a structured process:

  1. Intro Call: Schedule an initial conversation with the Dogdrop team.
  2. Franchise Evaluation Form: Submit your background and qualifications.
  3. Review FDD: Participate in a review call to understand the disclosure.
  4. Overview Call and Software Demo: Learn about the proprietary tech.
  5. Franchisee Call: Speak with existing owners about their experience.
  6. Discovery Day: Visit the Dogdrop team in Los Angeles.
  7. Sign Location Agreement: Finalize your commitment and begin site development.

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Disclaimer: This content is for information 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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Luca Piacentini

About the Author

Luca Piacentini

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1851 Managing Editor