DoodyCalls

<a href="https://doodycallsfranchising.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=doodycalls-franchisee-jason-heimberg-frederick-2730546" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">DoodyCalls</a> franchisee Jason Heimberg's career has been anything but ordinary. He graduated from George Washington Law School with dreams of joining the FBI, but life had other plans. Instead, he followed a creative calling to Los Angeles, where he spent several years writing comedy screenplays with his brother.“We sold eight or nine scripts from about 1999 to 2005,” Heimberg said. “Only one actually got made — Ace Ventura Jr.”After years in entertainment, Heimberg wanted to return to Maryland and build something stable. When he came across pet waste management franchise&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/doodycalls/info">DoodyCalls</a>, the idea clicked. "I thought it was a great idea," he said. "It's a thing people hate to do. It's a great service. People with kids who work all day, the last thing they want to do when they come home is scoop poop."&nbsp;With pet ownership on the rise and busy families seeking more convenient solutions, Heimberg saw DoodyCalls as the kind of essential, service-based business that only grows in demand year after year.<h2>Building a Business That Fits</h2>Heimberg opened his DoodyCalls franchise in 2008 and quickly realized it was more than just a clever concept. “I love dogs. I’ve always had dogs,” he said. “And honestly, I’m an immature dude — I can make poop jokes all day. It came together as the perfect storm."&nbsp;His law background came in handy for contracts and business operations, while his creative side helped him connect with customers and build the brand locally. Over time, he expanded into a full-time operation serving hundreds of households and businesses across Frederick, MD and the surrounding area.<h2>Why Pet Waste Management Matters</h2>When Heimberg first started, most people didn’t even realize pooper scooper services existed. “We had to explain that it's just like someone coming to mow your lawn or coming to clean your house. It's just a service that helps you save time and do a chore that you don't want to do."Today, Heimberg also focuses on educating clients about the environmental impact of pet waste. “Some people think it just washes away in the rain, but it doesn’t,” he said. “It carries parasites and bacteria that end up in the waterways, especially the Chesapeake Bay.” His team emphasizes the health benefits for both families and pets, helping customers understand that DoodyCalls is about more than convenience — it’s about keeping the community clean.<h2>Backed by a Strong Franchise System</h2>Heimberg credits DoodyCalls’ support team with helping him grow from a one-man operation into a successful business.&nbsp;"One of the appeals of this was not starting from scratch and totally having to do it myself," he said. "There was a dedicated franchise and the headquarters for this. They had the website, a call center and the marketing."&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Having the franchise manage key marketing and administrative tasks has made it easier for Heimberg to focus on customer service and expansion.<h2>Giving Back and Looking Ahead</h2>After 17 years in business, Heimberg knows what it takes to make it in franchising. “People think they’ll be millionaires in a year,” he said. “It takes time. Being an entrepreneur, it's great because the more you hustle, the more events you do, the more door-to-door you do, the better you're going to do."&nbsp;Heimberg’s business now serves nearly 500 clients — about 450 residential and 50 commercial. But for him, success goes beyond numbers. “We’re starting to do more community work,” he said. “We sponsor the Frederick Keys minor league team — we’re the hot dog toss sponsor, which is perfect for us.”DoodyCalls of Frederick also partners with local parks, including maintaining pet stations at Monocacy Battlefield and organizing cleanups. “Every poop we pick up is less bacteria and disease going into the waterways,” Heimberg said. “We’re proud of that."&nbsp;For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://doodycallsfranchising.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=doodycalls-franchisee-jason-heimberg-frederick-2730546" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://doodycallsfranchising.com/.</a>&nbsp;

How Jason Heimberg Rescripts Success as a DoodyCalls Franchise Owner

Jason Heimberg’s DoodyCalls Franchise Success Story

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After years in law and screenwriting, Heimberg built a thriving business picking up after pets, and discovered a new way to serve his community.

From Law School to Screenplays to Scoops: How Jason Heimberg Rescripts Success as a DoodyCalls Franchise Owner

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For&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-thomas-pmp-capm-0697a574">Rob Thomas</a>, the path to entrepreneurship — and eventually to building a family-run operation with his parents and wife — began with a desire for better balance and the chance to bring an overlooked service to his hometown of Greensboro, North Carolina. Today, just three years after opening, his&nbsp;<a href="https://doodycallsfranchising.com/">DoodyCalls</a> franchise is one of the area’s fastest-growing pet waste removal businesses, powered by a unified family mission.<h2>Rooted in Greensboro, Ready for Something New</h2>Thomas grew up in Greensboro and still lives in the house he was raised in. His early exposure to franchising came through summer jobs working for a local Mosquito Squad location. “I got to know the franchise owner and by the fourth year, I had a good sense of what that business looks like and what home services entail,” he said.But after earning a business degree, Rob’s career took a turn into the corporate world. “My career path led me to being an IT project manager, doing software implementations,” he said. “What got me into looking into the franchising route was having that better work-life balance to escape corporate life and the grind.”Working remotely at the time, he began researching franchise opportunities that could be launched and managed alongside his career.<h2>Discovering DoodyCalls and an Untapped Market</h2>Thomas quickly zeroed in on&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/doodycalls/info">DoodyCalls</a>. “I instantly saw an opportunity to come into this market and bring a business and service into this area that really focused heavily on marketing — to really jump on something and bring awareness to a whole area of a service that is out there,” he said. “I still run into people who haven’t realized that we are a service that is available.”<a href="https://1851franchise.com/doodycalls/scoop-success-5-smart-reasons-why-doodycalls-is-the-ideal-franchise-opportunity-2730174">The simple model, low barrier to entry and strong franchisor support</a>, made the decision easier. “The best thing about this business model is that it is very lean and streamlined with getting started and building up from there,” Thomas said. “It’s so helpful to have the support of the franchisor and the company.”Thomas opened in February 2022, and growth came quickly. “We have been growing exponentially year-over-year,” he said. “We are starting to break into multi-home and commercial spaces. We just hired a third truck to run full time.”<h2>A True Family Business</h2>Thomas’ family didn’t just cheer him on; they became part of the operation.“My parents, my wife and I went into this venture together,” he said. In the early days, he handled everything himself while working full time. But as the business expanded, more hands (and hearts) were needed.About 18 months in, Thomas realized he couldn’t keep up with demand on his own. He brought in his mother to manage commercial accounts and help drive sales. “That was a huge asset,” he said.In the past six months, his wife joined as well. “She is running scheduling routes, answering customer questions, operations, etc.,” he said. Meanwhile, his father serves as the investor and strategic guide, while Thomas handles finance and overall business direction.The result is a rare family ecosystem where everyone contributes according to their strengths — and everyone wins.“It’s great to have another thing that we can focus on together on a mission,” Thomas said. “If I’m stuck, I can have my family there that can help.”But the biggest surprise has been the way the business strengthened his marriage.“Since my wife has come on board, it’s taken our relationship and partnership to a whole new level,” he said. “I see the great job that she is doing, and then she and I can have additional interactions and support each other through something else. This isn’t just my venture anymore. It has truly become our venture.”For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/doodycalls">https://1851franchise.com/doodycalls</a>.

How This Family Built a Fast-Growing DoodyCalls Business in Greensboro, North Carolina

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Pennsylvania remains a major opportunity for&nbsp;<a href="https://doodycallsfranchising.com/">DoodyCalls</a>. According to the brand’s 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, only one franchise was operating in the state as of the end of 2024. This leaves the majority of the state wide open for expansion. Among the most promising areas is the Lehigh Valley metro, anchored by Allentown, making it a strong starting point for growth.Here are several reasons to consider opening a DoodyCalls franchise in Allentown.<h2>A White Space Market With Room To Grow</h2>Allentown is more than a single city. It anchors a broader tri-state opportunity that extends into the Philadelphia suburbs and across the border into New Jersey, creating a growth pathway few other mid-sized markets can match. The brand’s expansion in areas such as West Baltimore, Maryland, shows how well this model performs in the Mid-Atlantic and builds confidence that similar opportunities are available in Pennsylvania.“I am currently at 71 residential and five commercial properties. Revenue-wise, I am doing well and on track for the year three target,” said Pennsylvania-based franchisee&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/wayne-christie">Wayne Christie</a>. “The response has been great. Nobody really even knows this industry exists. Once you start getting the word out there, it picks up steam.”<h2>Pet Ownership and Local Demographics</h2>The Allentown market is built on a strong foundation of stable homeowners. With a&nbsp;<a href="https://censusreporter.org/profiles/16000US4202000-allentown-pa/">median home value of $211,400</a>, residents are invested in maintaining their property. Pennsylvania also has high rates of pet ownership —&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dogster.com/statistics/pet-ownership-statistics-pennsylvania">about 39 percent of households</a> own a dog and more than 60 percent own a pet of some kind — making for a large base of potential customers already spending money on their animals. The Lehigh Valley’s suburban neighborhoods and single-family homes create an ideal layout for service routes, while its working- and middle-class demographics align well with&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/doodycalls/info">DoodyCalls’</a> affordable weekly service model.“We have three dogs, and if I knew I could hire someone to come in and clean the yard every week, it would have been a no-brainer,” Christie said. “You get that time back.”<h2>Regional Advantages</h2>Allentown offers access to Philadelphia, New York and Baltimore while avoiding the higher costs and heavy competition of those larger metro areas. The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com/cost-of-living/allentown-pa-vs-philadelphia-pa/">cost of living is lower than in Philadelphia</a>, which provides opportunities to run a home-based business while keeping overhead manageable. Mature neighborhoods with lawns and landscaping can potentially add to the demand for cleanup, while the region’s four-season climate provides opportunities for year-round services, from spring snowmelt to peak summer months when outdoor activity is at its highest. DoodyCalls’ home-based franchise model is particularly well suited for the Lehigh Valley, where most customers live within short driving distances.<h2>Competition and Market Education</h2>The competitive landscape in Allentown and the surrounding Lehigh Valley is largely open. Few, if any, companies focus solely on pet waste removal. That leaves room for a recognized brand like DoodyCalls to step in and define the market. Part of the opportunity involves educating customers — many homeowners may not realize this type of service exists. Once they learn it is affordable and saves time, adoption is typically strong, with owners in nearby regions reporting that customers often stay with the service long term because of its convenience.As new markets open up and awareness grows, franchisees often lean on each other for advice and encouragement.“My favorite part of being a franchise owner is all of the relationships I am making with the other franchise owners,” Christie said. “I’ve met some great people and they are always willing to help. You can always pick up the phone and call on other franchises, whether they are new or legacy franchises. They are really the biggest asset in trying to build the business — they’ve already gone through what you are going through.”<h2>Business Climate and Operations</h2>Pennsylvania provides a business-friendly environment for small, home-based service brands. Costs are&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/rankings/opportunity/affordability">lower than in neighboring states</a>, and zoning and licensing requirements are generally manageable. The customer base extends beyond single-family homes to include apartment complexes, commercial properties and dog-friendly parks —&nbsp; all of which provide opportunities for recurring contracts that add stability and scale.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>The Next Step in Geographic Growth</h2>Allentown is well positioned to be the springboard for DoodyCalls’ growth in Pennsylvania. From here, franchise owners can look to expand into additional territories like the Philadelphia suburbs and nearby New Jersey. With most of the state still wide open, Allentown has the potential to become a hub for future operators building surrounding markets. The combination of growing franchises in nearby regions and little direct competition in the Lehigh Valley makes this one of the brand’s strongest opportunities for expansion.Backed by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.authoritybrands.com/">Authority Brands</a>, DoodyCalls has already demonstrated that its simple, recurring-revenue model works nationwide. Franchisees gain the tools and support they need to launch and scale a business that provides valuable, in-demand service. With Pennsylvania still wide open and Allentown sitting at the center of an underserved market, the timing could not be better for smart operators to step in and secure their territory.For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://doodycallsfranchising.com/">https://doodycallsfranchising.com/</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Why Smart Franchisees Are Racing To Claim Pennsylvania's Wide-Open Pet Waste Market in Allentown

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From Law School to Screenplays to Scoops: How Jason Heimberg Rescripts Success as a DoodyCalls Franchise Owner

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