The Dog Stop Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2026

The Dog Stop is an all-inclusive pet care franchise designed as a one-stop destination for dog owners. Each location combines day care, boarding, grooming, training and pet retail within a single facility. The concept is built around operational efficiency, safety and convenience, allowing customers to meet multiple pet care needs through one trusted provider.

1. What Is the Brand Overview for The Dog Stop?

About the Brand

The Dog Stop was founded in 2009 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania by Jesse Coslov. The brand was created to elevate standards within the dog care industry by combining professional operations with a deep understanding of canine behavior and safety.

Mission: To be the industry’s premier dog care provider while remaining committed to integrity, performance and dedicated support of franchise partners and the communities they serve.

Vision: To grow thoughtfully with the right franchise partners while prioritizing quality, safety and long-term brand strength over rapid expansion.

Unique Selling Points (USPs)

All-inclusive dog care model under one roof.
Focus on dog behavior, psychology and safety protocols.
Purpose-built facilities designed specifically for canine care.
Emphasis on quality over aggressive unit growth.

2. What Are the Franchise Opportunity Details?

Why Franchise With The Dog Stop?

Established operating model refined over more than a decade.
Comprehensive training covering business operations and dog care.
Real estate, design and construction guidance from day one.
Ongoing marketing, operational and field support.
Vendor relationships that reduce build-out and equipment costs.

Available Territories

The Dog Stop is offering new franchises throughout the U.S., with an emphasis on markets in California, Utah, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Texas, Arizona, Massachusetts and “all NFL and major metro cities nationwide.” For more information on available territories, contact the franchisor.

Investment Overview

Initial Costs: The estimated initial investment required to begin operation of a The Dog Stop franchise ranges from $493,850 to $1,373,500. The 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) breaks these costs down as follows:

Type of Expenditure	Min	Max
Initial Franchise Fee	$55,000	$60,000
Lease Payments	$9,000	$34,500
Leasehold Improvements	$275,000	$675,000
Blueprints/Design Documents	$5,000	$30,000
Furnishings, Fixtures & Equipment	$95,000	$285,000
Signage	$2,500	$25,000
Initial Inventory	$3,500	$17,500
Utility & Security Deposits	$3,500	$17,500
Insurance (Annual Premium)	$1,500	$7,500
Grand Opening Advertising	$20,000	$45,000
Travel & Living Expenses While Training	$2,500	$5,000
Point-of-Sale & Computer System	$750	$2,500
Technology Fees	$500	$3,000
Permits & Licenses	$100	$1,000
Professional Fees	$0	$5,000
Financing Fees	$0	$25,000
Construction Management	$0	$25,000
Additional Funds (3 Months)	$20,000	$110,000

Initial Franchise Fee: The initial franchise fee is $60,000 for a single The Dog Stop location and is due when the franchise agreement is signed.

Honorably discharged U.S. military veterans may receive a $5,000 discount on the initial franchise fee for their first location, reducing the fee to $55,000, provided they submit acceptable military discharge documentation before signing the franchise agreement.

Ongoing Fees: According to the 2026 FDD, The Dog Stop franchisees are responsible for the following ongoing payments and fees:

Type of Fee	Amount
Royalty	6% of gross sales/week
Brand Development	2% of gross sales/week
Convention Attendance	$1,000/year

ROI Potential: According to the 2026 FDD, the 36 franchises open for the entirety of 2025 reported the following annual revenue:

Months Open	Average	Median	High	Low
12-23 (11)	$583,583	$455,464	$1,132,985	$311,450
24-48 (9)	$833,530	$826,983	$1,330,505	$314,308
49+ (16)	$971,943	$872,955	$2,550,968	$390,641

3. What Franchisee Support Does The Dog Stop Provide?

Pre-Opening Support

The Dog Stop provides franchisees with site selection and lease negotiation assistance to help identify suitable locations. The brand offers design, construction and build-out guidance throughout the development process. Franchisees receive vendor sourcing support for equipment, kennels, flooring and required supplies.

Training Programs

The Dog Stop delivers comprehensive training that covers operations, marketing, financial management and staffing. The training program includes education on dog behavior as well as canine CPR and first-aid. Ongoing education is provided to both owners and staff to support long-term operations.

Operational Support

The brand conducts field visits before, during and after a franchise location opens. Scheduled ongoing support visits are used to help franchisees maintain operational standards. Franchisees have access to day-to-day operational guidance as needed.

Technology and Tools

The Dog Stop provides franchisees with proprietary Pet Care Management Software (PCMS). The system includes integrated point-of-sale, reservation and reporting capabilities. The platform allows franchisees to track client information, dog records and veterinarian details.

4. What Are the Franchise Requirements for The Dog Stop?

Eligibility Criteria

Liquid Assets: $175,000
Net Worth: $650,000

Prior business or management experience is preferred but not required.

Operational Commitments

Franchisees are expected to be actively involved in operations, particularly during the ramp-up phase. Semi-absentee ownership may be possible after stabilization but is not positioned as an entry-level option.

Funding Assistance

The Dog Stop works with third-party lenders and financing partners to assist qualified candidates with funding options.

5. Are There Franchisee Success Stories?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44FmzmaFZPM

“My wife and I are absolute dog lovers…we actually had an incident at a boarding facility, and that really opened my eyes to what I'm looking for in a boarding facility, and I found it was very hard to find one that met my standards. And I know I'm not alone, so I wanted to be able to bring something that met my standards to the community to serve all the folks like me who love dogs. Franchising, to me, made a lot of sense. They can handle a lot of the back-end stuff that's vital for business in the modern age, myself and my staff can focus more on the caring for the dogs. I chose The Dog Stop mostly because of the CEO, Jesse … He's still in charge. He's very much a dog person. He knows what it's like, what the customers are looking for and what's important.”

- Justin Steiner, Franchisee — Oviedo, Florida

6. What Is the Market Potential for Pet Day Care?

The U.S. pet care industry continues to show remarkable resilience, fueled by consumers' willingness to prioritize spending on their animals even during periods of economic uncertainty. Americans spent a record $158 billion on their pets in 2025, and expenditures are projected to climb to $165 billion in 2026 as demand grows across categories ranging from food and veterinary care to grooming, boarding and other services. The broader U.S. pet care market is expected to expand from roughly $55.2 billion in 2025 to $84.4 billion by 2033, reflecting steady long-term growth as pet ownership remains widespread and owners increasingly seek premium products and services that support their pets' health and well-being.

Competitor Analysis

The Dog Stop competes in the premium dog day care, boarding and grooming segment. Key competitors include other multi-service dog care franchises and regional day care operators. The brand differentiates itself through its all-inclusive model, focus on canine science and controlled, support-driven growth strategy. Notable competitors in this space include Camp Bow Wow, Dogtopia, Pet Suites and Central Bark.

7. What Is the Application Process for The Dog Stop Franchisees?

Request Information: Submit an inquiry to start the conversation with the franchise team and get the initial overview of the opportunity.
Confirm Financial Fit: Align on the expected total investment range and the capital requirements needed to get to opening day.
Explore the Support Model: Review how the franchisor supports owners across real estate, operations, marketing and technology, and what that looks like in practice.
Site Selection and Lease Negotiation: Partner with the brand’s real estate support to identify a location, evaluate layout needs and negotiate lease terms.
Design, Construction and Build-Out: Move through the construction and build-out process with guidance on layout and project execution.
Pre-Opening Playbook: Follow pre-opening procedures that cover staffing, systems, operations setup and local marketing readiness.
Operational Training and Systems Setup: Complete training across operations and administration, and implement the Pet Care Management Software (PCMS) used to track activity and run reservations/POS reporting.
Marketing and Launch Planning: Build a local marketing plan with corporate support (budgeting, planning, media buying, events, PR and social) to prime demand ahead of opening.
Grand Opening Support: Execute opening week with franchisor guidance, then transition into an ongoing support cadence designed to keep operations running smoothly.
Ongoing Operations and Performance Coaching: Use ongoing operations resources, day-to-day support and scheduled visits to troubleshoot, refine execution and keep performance on track.

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