DoodyCalls Franchise - Melissa Dalziel - Franchisee Feature - 1851 Franchise

How a Navy Veteran Built a DoodyCalls Franchise in Omaha  and Turned Discipline Into Results

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Leaving Corporate Life and Seeking Structure, Suzanne Fowler Turned to Franchising With DoodyCalls

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Making the Pivot From Medicine to Mobile, Kimberley Dilley Thrives as DoodyCalls Franchise Owner

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Why This IT Professional Invested in a DoodyCalls Franchise After Being Laid Off From Corporate America

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

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Succession in Motion as the Lanagans Expand The Cleaning Authority and DoodyCalls Franchises in Wisconsin

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A Fitness Pro's Perfect Franchise Fit with DoodyCalls

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How Jason Heimberg Rescripts Success as a DoodyCalls Franchise Owner

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

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Julie Dickens - From NICU Nurse to DoodyCalls Franchisee

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COLUMBIA, Md. —&nbsp;<a href="https://doodycallsfranchising.com/">DoodyCalls</a>, the pet waste management franchise, has once again earned a place on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.entrepreneur.com/franchise500">Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500</a>, ranking No. 350 overall for 2026, and No. 1 overall in the ‘Pet Waste Management’ category.&nbsp;The Franchise 500 is considered one of the most thorough franchise evaluations in the industry, examining brands across criteria that include unit growth, financial strength and stability, brand presence and the level of support provided to franchise owners.“Making the Franchise 500 list year after year speaks to the consistency of our system and how vital the services our franchise owners provide are to people's daily lives,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/larryamos1024/">Larry Amos</a>, Brand President. “The mix of a recurring service model and the steady need for pet services keeps us growing strong all across the country.”Now in its 47th year, Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 ranks franchise systems based on a cumulative score built from analysis of more than 150 data points. The list is widely used by prospective franchise owners as a reference point when comparing opportunities across industries, which makes DoodyCalls overall and category rankings significant milestones for the brand.&nbsp;DoodyCalls presents an exciting opportunity for aspiring business owners in the pet services industry, offering essential pet waste removal services for both homes and businesses in their local areas. The brand thrives on a model focused on recurring service, reliable scheduling and fostering strong connections with local customers.&nbsp;DoodyCalls franchise owners also have access to an array of shared resources as part of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.authoritybrands.com/">Authority Brands</a> family, which includes several other popular home services brands in the franchise space."We're really focused on making sure our franchise owners have all the support they need to grow alongside the brand," Amos said. "Getting recognized as the top brand in our category confirms how solid our base is and that we're on the right track."To view DoodyCalls’ full profile on Entrepreneur’s 2026 Franchise 500, visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.entrepreneur.com/franchises/directory/doodycalls/319574">https://www.entrepreneur.com/franchises/directory/doodycalls/319574</a>.&nbsp;ABOUT DOODYCALLS DoodyCalls was founded in 2000 by Jacob and Susan D'Aniello in the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C. In 2004, the company began franchising its pet waste removal business nationwide and established corporate headquarters in Charlottesville, Virginia. DoodyCalls provides pet waste removal services for residential and commercial customers in 26 states and the District of Columbia. For more information about DoodyCalls, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.doodycalls.com">www.doodycalls.com</a>.

The "pooper scooper" franchise continues its strong run on the annual ranking, driven by consistent system growth and ongoing high demand for its services.

DoodyCalls Ranks on Entrepreneur’s 2026 Franchise 500®

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Before opening her&nbsp;<a href="https://doodycallsfranchising.com/">DoodyCalls</a> franchise in Omaha, Nebraska, Melissa Dalziel built her career in leadership and operations. She now provides pet waste removal services for local homeowners and is steadily growing a route-based business built on recurring customers.A Navy veteran, Dalziel later moved into management in Omaha, working as an office manager before becoming the general manager of a retail chain location. Those years gave her hands-on leadership experience and pushed her toward a bigger realization: She wanted to own the business, not just help run one.“It took me a while to figure out what I actually wanted to do and to take that first step,” Dalziel said. “I was terrified to make the jump. I probably could have done it a few years ago, but I was scared, to be perfectly honest with you. Finally, I decided I was done with what I was doing, and it was time to do it. So I went all in on my goals.”<h2>Why Franchising Made Sense</h2>For Dalziel, franchising made sense because it removed some of the early lift that comes with starting a business from nothing. She saw the appeal of building something on her own, but she also knew how many decisions have to be made before a new business starts to feel established.Franchising offered her a shortcut on the pieces she didn’t want to rebuild. More importantly, it offered a support system she could actually use in real time, not a binder of generic advice.“I really liked the help DoodyCalls gives you,” Dalziel said. “I work really closely with my Franchise Business Consultant, and I love that I can call her with any questions. I considered doing it on my own, but with franchising, the branding is already there and I don’t have to do any of that. The wrap for my truck was already done, and I really appreciate the way they support marketing.”<h2>Finding the Right Fit</h2>Even after deciding franchising was the right direction, Dalziel still had doubts as she looked at different opportunities and tried to figure out which brand felt like the right fit. Those conversations gave Dalziel a better sense of how the business worked in practice and what kind of support system would come with it. The more she learned, the easier it became to picture herself moving forward with the brand.“The Franchise Development Manager for DoodyCalls gave me a completely different perspective,” Dalziel said. “I really connected with what the company stood for, and after that, I felt confident this was the right fit for me.”<h2>Building Momentum in the Early Months</h2>The first stretch of ownership, Dalziel said, was about turning a new operation into a routine. That meant building enough demand to create the consistency that lets an owner plan, budget and grow.Marketing was part of that early effort. So was patience. Early traction came through online search visibility, and then the business started to benefit from the oldest marketing channel in any local service business: customers talking.“Google helped so much with gaining the customer base I needed just to get started,” she said. “Now I’m getting to the point where word is getting out and new leads are coming in that way.”<h2>Confidence in a Service Business</h2>Dalziel went into the business expecting some people might question her as a woman in a service-based field. That has not really happened. If anything, she said the experience has been a reminder that once the work speaks for itself, most of those worries start to fade.“I was definitely fearful of that perception coming into it,” she said. “I guess it’s almost like a personal thing where I’m afraid somebody’s going to choose a man over a woman. But I really have not run into that at all. It’s been quite pleasant as far as that goes.”That calm confidence shows up in how she talks about leading: staying clear about what she wants, refusing to shrink the expectations for her business just to make other people comfortable.“Knowing what you want, going for that, and standing your ground,” Dalziel said. “There are certain ways I need things done or want things done, and I’m not willing to bend for anybody. It’s my business, and I’m going to do it how I want.”<h2>The Role of Support</h2>For Dalziel, one of the biggest lessons of ownership has been that independence does not mean isolation. She wanted to build something of her own, but she also wanted a network of people in her corner who could answer questions, troubleshoot problems and help her keep going through the rough days.When Dalziel talks to other women about ownership, that support system is one of the first things she brings up. She sees it as something that can make the process feel less overwhelming, especially in the early stages.“I really like the support DoodyCalls gives you, and I would never tell people not to go with a franchise at this point,” Dalziel said. “There are so many people I can call within the franchise if I need help, people who are there for me and can offer a shoulder to cry on if I’m having a rough day. I’ve got people there to support me, and I think that’s huge in a business like this.”<h2>Betting on Herself</h2>Dalziel also hopes her story resonates with other women who may be considering business ownership but aren’t sure about taking the leap. For her, the biggest hurdle wasn’t the work itself. It was deciding she was ready to try.Dalziel is still growing the business while juggling the responsibilities that come with raising a family on her own. That reality has shaped the way she thinks about risk, resilience and what it takes to bet on yourself.“I’m a single mom,” Dalziel said. “I’ve got two boys — my 16-year-old still lives with me — and if I can do it, anybody can. I wasn’t brought up with everything handed to me. I worked my way up, got a small business loan and made it happen.”To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/doodycalls/info">https://1851franchise.com/doodycalls/info</a>.

Drawing on her military background and management experience, Melissa Dalziel found a path to small business ownership through franchising and is now building a recurring-service business of her own.

Last year,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberley-dilley-1742966a/">Kimberley Dilley</a> made a career move that surprised her colleagues, trading her full-time career in pharma and biotech for the world of franchising. Today, Dilley owns and operates a&nbsp;<a href="https://doodycallsfranchising.com/">DoodyCalls</a> franchise in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, having made the leap from pediatric medicine and clinical research to mobile pet waste removal.&nbsp;“I worked in academic medicine for many years. Then in 2016, I transitioned to pharma and biotech on the clinical research side. In 2025, I decided to stop being employed by a corporate entity,” Dilley said. “One reason I decided to pull the trigger was as a pre-retirement income diversification move. I used the ROBS program to invest retirement funds from previous jobs into the business instead of the stock market.”For Dilley, making the move to franchise ownership was a proactive attempt to diversify her income as she neared retirement. Launching her&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/doodycalls/info">DoodyCalls</a> franchise this past May, she now operates a single-unit business, balancing the demands of running a new franchise alongside her consulting work.<h2>Learning the Business</h2>Making the transition to a more hands-on role in entrepreneurship wasn’t without its challenges, especially this past spring and summer during her earliest days as a franchise owner. However, the period ultimately taught Dilley franchising intricacies like scheduling, proper customer management and general employee oversight. Support from franchisor&nbsp;<a href="https://www.authoritybrands.com/">Authority Brands</a> helped, too.&nbsp;“I learned the system and had a handful of clients. But, in August, we bought a competitor client list in conjunction with other Chicago owners and grew from five customers to 70 overnight,” Dilley said. “That period kept me busy. I had to schedule, enter and manage all customers. But, now, I have a routine, a couple of part-time employees and a daily route.”<h2>Why Franchising Worked</h2>Strong support and an established model offering consistency are franchising hallmarks. Founded in 2000, DoodyCalls has consistently tweaked its system over the course of more than two decades, and operating under the Authority Brands umbrella helps offer both brand recognition and strong support to franchise owners.&nbsp;For DoodyCalls, which operates in a largely mobile setting, there’s also the added benefit of lower overhead with the ability to scale the business in time. All of which made the idea of franchising an appealing prospect for Dilley.“I liked DoodyCalls because it’s well-established, rapidly growing and doesn’t require a storefront like other franchises. There’s some overhead — branded trucks, uniforms — but much less than a retail location,” Dilley said. “Plus, DoodyCalls has a well-established training system and software for managing operations. And the national call center has also been a huge benefit, managing leads and client inquiries. Overall, the support has been invaluable.”<h2>Looking Ahead</h2>Stabilizing her new business in 2025, Dilley is looking ahead to a 2026 predicated upon further growth. By increasing her number of residential clients while pursuing commercial contracts, she hopes to increase overall revenues with the long-term goal of stepping into a more strategic, oversight-focused role.&nbsp;Making the leap from medicine to franchising is a significant one. But Dilley is proof that franchising can bridge the gap for those pondering a career shift, delivering dependability, support, consistency and resources without sacrificing greater autonomy. Reflecting on 2025, Dilley has a message of affirmation for those pondering the idea of entering entrepreneurship.“For someone with small-business experience, franchising is actually a great move. You get support and resources. For a first-time owner making a major career change, a franchise can bridge the gap and provide structure. There’s also vendor support for payroll, insurance and other needs,” Dilley said. “Starting a business in 2025 had challenges. But it’s been rewarding. Despite the challenges, it was the right decision for me. And I’m looking forward to growth and positivity in 2026.”About DoodyCalls:DoodyCalls was founded in 2000 by Jacob and Susan D'Aniello in the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C. In 2004, the company began franchising its pet waste removal business nationwide and established corporate headquarters in Charlottesville, Va. DoodyCalls provides service to 26 states and the District of Columbia with dog waste pickup with consumer and industrial services. For more information about DoodyCalls, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.doodycalls.com">www.doodycalls.com</a>.About Authority Brands:&nbsp;Headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, Authority Brands' companies include 15 leading home service franchise brands: America's Swimming Pool Co. Company, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, The Cleaning Authority, DoodyCalls, DRYmedic Restoration Services, Homewatch CareGivers, The Junkluggers, Lawn Squad, Mister Sparky, Monster Tree Service, Mosquito Squad, One Hour Heating &amp; Air Conditioning, Screenmobile, STOP Restoration, and Woofie's. Together, these brands provide home services through more than 2,700 territories operated by more than 1,000 franchise owners. Authority Brands is dedicated to supporting individual franchise owner growth by providing strong marketing, technology, and operational support. See&nbsp;<a href="http://authoritybrands.com">authoritybrands.com</a> for more information.

Leaving her health care career behind to run a mobile pet waste removal franchise, Dilley’s entrepreneurial leap has grown into a hands-on business, making a real impact at the local level.

For more than two decades,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/wayne-christie">Wayne Christie</a> built a career in information technology, working for the same company for 22 years. But when his position was eliminated in 2022, he saw an opportunity to rewrite his future.“When that happened, I got a severance package and had some savings and then decided it was time for something new,” Wayne said. “We started looking for something to do. I knew I wanted to do a business because I didn’t want to go back to the corporate world.”Like many corporate professionals exploring their next chapter, Wayne turned to franchising for a structured path to business ownership. “A franchise recruiter was in touch with my wife and he sent a few options,” he said.&nbsp;Initially skeptical, Wayne admits he had misconceptions about franchising. “I wasn’t sure about franchising at first, but I didn’t realize that the industry was more than fast food. When we saw all the different options, it really opened up our eyes,” he said. “Franchising is kind of like a business in a box, some guidance to get started and people to help you through the journey, because it’s definitely a journey.”After researching multiple brands,&nbsp;<a href="https://doodycallsfranchising.com/">DoodyCalls</a>, the pet waste management franchise under the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.authoritybrands.com/">Authority Brands</a> umbrella, emerged as the clear choice.&nbsp;“We whittled it down to about three or four franchise brands, looking at cost of entry, whether you needed staff and a brick-and-mortar, etc.&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/doodycalls/info">DoodyCalls</a> was small enough that we could start it by ourselves and scale without the crazy investment,” Wayne said. “It seemed like a better choice because the inventory wasn’t a lot and there were several factors that made it ideal for us.”<h2>Building Momentum in Pennsylvania</h2>Wayne launched his DoodyCalls franchise in October 2023 in West Chester, Pennsylvania. “The business is coming along. Being a business owner is challenging but all in all, I’m in it to win it and excited to take it as far as it can go,” he said. “It’s working, and we are growing.”Wayne runs a lean operation, managing everything himself with occasional help from his family. “Right now I am still scooping. I am pretty much doing everything, and my family helps me out,” he said. “For the day to day, I’m doing around eight to 10 hours in the field, and the rest of the day is following up on new customers and looking at different marketing tactics.”His efforts are paying off. “I am currently at 71 residential and five commercial properties. Revenue-wise I am doing well and on track to the year three target,” he said. “The response has been great. Nobody really even knows this industry exists. Once you start getting the word out there, it picks up steam.”According to Wayne, the service&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/doodycalls/doodycalls-pet-waste-removal-benefits-2730088">resonates with busy pet owners</a> who value their time. “We have three dogs, and if I knew I could hire someone for about 25 bucks to come in and clean the yard every week, it would have been a no-brainer,” he said. “You get that time back.”<h2>Backed by a Strong Franchise Network</h2>DoodyCalls is one of the fastest-growing pet waste removal franchises in the country. With a&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/doodycalls/why-doodycalls-is-cleaning-up-in-the-pet-waste-industry-2730087">recurring-revenue model, low overhead and the backing of a national support system</a>, franchisees like Wayne are finding both freedom and scalability in the business.“My favorite part of being a franchise owner is all of the relationships I am making with the other franchise owners,” Wayne 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>Looking Ahead</h2>Wayne has a clear vision for where he wants the business to go. “My long-term goal is to bring this into a million dollars a year in revenue,” he said. “Eventually, I want to be able to separate myself from the business and maybe hand it down to my kids and sell it.”As pet ownership continues to rise,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/reports-statistics/us-pet-ownership-statistics">with over 96 million households now owning at least one pet</a>, and the demand for convenience grows,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/doodycalls/doodycalls-franchisee-jason-heimberg-frederick-2730546">DoodyCalls franchisees like Wayne</a> are proving that even the simplest services can create meaningful careers and strong communities.For more information on franchising with Doody Calls visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/doodycalls">https://1851franchise.com/doodycalls</a>.

Former IT professional Wayne Christie found his second career and entrepreneurial path by leveraging the structured support and winning model of the DoodyCalls franchise.

<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzanne-f-4bb7233/">Suzanne Fowler</a> didn’t enter franchising on a whim. By the time she had launched a&nbsp;<a href="https://doodycallsfranchising.com/">DoodyCalls</a> franchise in Westfield, Indiana, Fowler had already walked away from a corporate role to build her own personal training business. At the same time, the community around her was changing quickly. Once a small town, Westfield had become one of the&nbsp;<a href="https://lifeinindy.com/neighborhoods/westfield/">fastest-growing communities</a> in the country, with new housing developments rising in every direction.That convergence of timing and place helped clarify Fowler’s decision. Rather than dealing with the level of difficulty involved in starting another business from scratch, she opted for a franchise model that offered structure, support, and room to scale within her growing home market.&nbsp;Today, Fowler stands as the first&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/doodycalls/info">DoodyCalls</a> franchisee in the state of Indiana, operating in a region where expanding neighborhoods, dog parks, and planned communities are driving steady demand for the mobile pet waste removal services provided by DoodyCalls.&nbsp;1851 Franchise sat down with Suzanne Fowler to discuss her franchising pivot, plan for scaling her business in 2026 and the explosive suburban growth that makes it possible. Here’s what she had to say:1851 Franchise: Can you frame your personal story for us? What’s your franchising journey?Suzanne Fowler: Two years ago, I walked away from my corporate job and opened my own personal training business. I moved into a 55-and-over neighborhood and, as luck would have it, that community needs help with balance, strength and all of those things.I’ve been in different aspects of health care and fitness for pretty much my entire career. My husband was in construction, and it was literally killing him health-wise. Then, someone from DoodyCalls reached out to us on LinkedIn about a franchise based on my background because I’ve started other companies and worked in some startups.Before we decided to do&nbsp;<a href="https://everybodyfitwestfield.com/">Everybody Fit</a>, my personal training business, we looked at some franchises. My husband was the one who actually saw the value in DoodyCalls because of where we are. I was a little slower on the uptake.&nbsp;About a year later, we decided to move forward. He wanted out of construction, so I called to see if DoodyCalls was still available. And it was. And away we went.1851: Do you work in the business together?Fowler: Yes. He’s out in the field doing the scooping. I’m doing more of the administrative work.1851: What did you do before franchising and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?Fowler: We decided it made sense because I didn’t want to start another business from scratch. I had just gotten my own business up and going and wanted structure.&nbsp;We’re growing fairly well, and we’re excited to be going into our busy time of year.That’s still a growth opportunity for us, and we’ll probably be hiring in the first quarter.1851: What made you pick DoodyCalls?Fowler: I liked the fact that it was under the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.authoritybrands.com/">Authority Brands</a> umbrella. I figured they’d be able to help us get it up and running. Everyone we talked to at DoodyCalls, we really enjoyed. It just seemed like a good fit for us.1851: What was your perception of franchising before becoming a franchisee and what do you want people to know now that you’re in it?Fowler: I liked that a lot of what we needed to get started was already done for us. It just made a lot of sense.One of the first people I talked to after we got involved was a local business owner here. She called me and was upset about the idea of franchising. She said she’d built her business herself and was building it for her kid. She said that she didn’t know why anyone would franchise. Well, I told her what I’ve told you: We wanted the structure. We just didn’t want to start from scratch again.&nbsp;Having just gone through setting up my own website and everything else involved with starting a new business from scratch, I didn’t want to do it again.1851: What are you hoping to achieve with the DoodyCalls business? Is there a plan for growth looking ahead?Fowler: One of the things we want to do is provide opportunities for people in these communities — veterans or maybe individuals on the autism spectrum — to have a job where they can be independent. We have another territory we’re interested in, and we want to build it up.But I want to give back in that way. I’m hoping to get several employees and a few more trucks. I have a lot of management experience and, with the growth in this area and being the first DoodyCalls franchisee in Indiana, I’m hoping to grow fast. This will probably be our retirement. My husband’s younger than I am, so I’m a little closer to wanting to retire than he is.&nbsp;But it’s been fun. With my husband having been in construction, he knows a lot of the builders in this area. The communities they’re putting in now are requiring pet waste stations and dog parks, so we’re right in the middle of that. We’re building something together. And we have ideas about how to give back to the community. Westfield, Indiana, was a really small town when we moved here. The growth has just been amazing.1851: What advice do you have for people who might be thinking about becoming franchise owners?Fowler: Make sure you have the resources to adjust and grow. You really need to make sure you can give the business time to grow and adapt. We asked a lot of questions and thought about it long and hard before doing it. We had several meetings with the recruiters, and we’ve learned a lot, but it’s been nothing but a positive experience.&nbsp;With my husband’s construction experience and my background running my own business, I feel like we’re on a good path.About DoodyCalls: DoodyCalls was founded in 2000 by Jacob and Susan D'Aniello in the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C. In 2004, the company began franchising its pet waste removal business nationwide and established corporate headquarters in Charlottesville, Virginia. DoodyCalls provides service to 26 states and the District of Columbia with dog waste pickup with consumer and industrial services. For more information about DoodyCalls, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.doodycalls.com">www.doodycalls.com</a>.

Based in one of Indiana’s fastest-growing cities, Fowler explains why the brand fit her goals, why the timing aligned and how market growth shaped her franchising pivot.