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

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Scoop Success: 5 Smart Reasons Why DoodyCalls Is the Ideal Franchise Opportunity

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Why DoodyCalls Is Cleaning Up in the Pet Waste Industry

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What Makes DoodyCalls Every Dog Owner's Best Friend 

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DoodyCalls Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2026

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<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.

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

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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.

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

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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;

With plenty of room for growth, Lehigh Valley, Allentown, represents the kind of white space opportunity franchise dreams are made of.