1851

<a href="https://happycatfranchising.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=guide-to-franchising-your-business-qa-with-chris-raimo-happy-cat-hotel-spa-2727076" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Happy Cat Hotel &amp; Spa</a> was founded by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-raimo-75b17a1b/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=guide-to-franchising-your-business-qa-with-chris-raimo-happy-cat-hotel-spa-2727076" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Chris Raimo</a> and his wife,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/meg-raimo-48357863/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=guide-to-franchising-your-business-qa-with-chris-raimo-happy-cat-hotel-spa-2727076" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Meg</a>, who noticed a gap in the market for specialized care for cats while operating their pet care business, Home Sweet Home Pet Care. They observed that many cats experienced stress and behavioral issues when left alone at home, leading them to explore better care solutions. Through research, they discovered that cats thrive in environments where they have plenty of stimulation, attention and affection. This realization sparked the idea of creating a luxurious, cat-exclusive facility that offers not just basic care, but a high-end experience with amenities like a spa and a boutique shop.The first&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/franchise-deep-dive-happy-cat-hotel-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2722849">Happy Cat Hotel &amp; Spa</a> opened in 2014, offering a serene and quiet environment tailored to the unique needs of cats. The concept quickly gained traction as it provided a much-needed alternative to traditional kennels and catteries. The Raimos’ vision was to revolutionize pet care by delivering the best possible experience for cats and their owners. Their approach proved successful, leading to the growth of Happy Cat into a franchise. The brand has expanded to six locations across five states, attracting franchisees who share their passion for feline well-being.To help demystify the process of franchising a business, 1851 Franchise spoke with Chris Raimo about his journey to franchising and advice for others looking to follow a similar path.A transcript of Raimo’s interview with 1851 has been provided below. It has been edited for clarity, brevity, and style.1851 Franchise: Why did you decide to franchise your business?Chris Raimo: My background isn’t the typical one. I’m a college dropout who got into the workforce and started building opportunities for myself. I spent a lot of time in restaurant and hotel management and eventually got into construction when I met my future wife, whose family was in that industry. I became a foreman, running projects, and later moved to Colorado to work with my brother building houses.That’s when we got the entrepreneurial bug. We decided to return to Connecticut and start a business. There was nothing like what we envisioned out here — house call animal care. We launched that in 2007, and by 2014, it had grown into a significant business. Around that time, we started receiving a lot of feedback about the demand for a cat hotel, so we opened our flagship location in 2014. In 2020, we sold the original house call service and ventured into franchising with Happy Cat.My previous experience really came into play when we started building the business. We knew we were meant for the small business world, not the corporate world. We managed every aspect of the project — hanging every door, laying every tile. That construction experience gave us a clear path to build these facilities.The response was tremendous early on. We expanded about two and a half years after the grand opening and then opened a second unit about three years after that to meet demand. That’s when we seriously started looking into franchising. We read books, went to conferences, and listened to podcasts. We created the FDD [franchise disclosure document], built the infrastructure and officially launched in May 2020.1851 Franchise:&nbsp;What’s one thing you wish you knew about the franchise process?Raimo: How hard it is and how expensive it is. It’s almost impossible to estimate how difficult it is to build that runway before you start seeing returns. As entrepreneurs, we solve challenges every day, but this is entrepreneurship on steroids. It’s like starting your initial business but multiplied by ten. The investment can reach millions of dollars, and that’s hard to fully grasp when you’re just starting out. And the investment only grows every year.1851 Franchise:&nbsp;What advice would you give to someone thinking about franchising their business?Raimo: Find the right community in the franchising space. Like any industry, you have to use your sixth sense to sift through who’s genuinely there to support young franchisors and who’s just after your money. It’s important to make a clear distinction about how you want to grow. Do you want to put all your money in and shoot for the moon, prepping for a sale to private equity? If that’s your goal, that’s a different setup than growing a legacy family business you plan to hold onto for 30 years. You really need to know your end game and build a responsible path forward.1851 Franchise:&nbsp;What made you pick the advisor that you picked?Chris Raimo: We worked with an advisor, not a broker consultant. What drew me to them was my sense of people. I’m thankful I have the ability to judge character. It was this person’s authenticity and genuine desire to help a young franchisor that stood out. I met them at a franchise conference in New York, and it sparked a conversation. We’re still friends and colleagues to this day.1851 Franchise:&nbsp;How has franchising been going?Chris Raimo: Growth has been satisfactory for us. We’re growing at our own pace. Measured against industry standards, it might not be the quickest, but we’re okay with that. Our goal is to have the best franchises in the most successful situations possible, rather than just focusing on the number of units. I’d rather have 100 franchisees who are super happy than 500 who leave the system. We measure twice and cut once. Everyone involved knows that when we reach the end of this path, we’ll have a very strong brand.Growing and selling franchises is difficult. No great franchise did it alone. Want to learn more about how 1851 helps franchisors grow their franchises with confidence? Visit<a href="http://www.1851growthclub.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=guide-to-franchising-your-business-qa-with-chris-raimo-happy-cat-hotel-spa-2727076" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">&nbsp;www.1851growthclub.com</a> and see what we can do for you.

Franchising a Business: A Guide With Advice From Happy Cat Hotel & Spa

1851 Franchise

Raimo discusses how he came to franchise his business, shares some of the key lessons he learned during the process and offers advice for others considering the model.

Guide To Franchising Your Business: Q&A With Chris Raimo, Happy Cat Hotel & Spa

guide-to-franchising-your-business-qa-with-chris-raimo-happy-cat-hotel-spa

Sola Salons

Sola Salons Eyes Southern Connecticut for Strategic Franchise Expansion

sola-salons-eyes-southern-connecticut-for-strategic-franchise-expansion

Woodhouse Spas

Photo of exterior of Woodhouse Spa location with people walking around outside

Woodhouse Spas: A Recession-Resistant Franchise Opportunity With Unmatched Support

woodhouse-spas-recession-resistant-franchise-opportunity

Sylvan Learning

Pasadena Weekly: Sylvan Learning Pasadena Offers Free Tutoring for Students Impacted by Local Fires

sylvan-learning-pasadena-free-tutoring-fire-support

BIGGBY COFFEE

BIGGBY® COFFEE Names Erin Kaylor as President, Reinforcing People-First Vision

BIGGBY® COFFEE Names Erin Kaylor as President, Reinforcing People-First Vision and Growth-Focused Future

biggby-coffee-names-erin-kaylor-president

Workout Anytime

Design with Workout Anytime logo and photo of Larry Brayman

Workout Anytime Welcomes Larry Brayman as Chief Marketing Officer, Strengthening Leadership Team Amid Growth Surge

workout-anytime-larry-brayman-cmo

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

The Future of Franchising: Trends and Predictions for 2025 and Beyond

the-future-of-franchising-trends-and-predictions-for-2025-and-beyond

Restaurant Business: Crumbl Cools Its Expansion, Refocuses on Profitability

restaurant-business-crumbl-cools-its-expansion-refocuses-on-profitability

Franchise Face-Lifts: Why Major Restaurant Brands Are Betting Big on Remodels

franchise-face-lifts-why-major-restaurant-brands-are-betting-big-on-remodels

How New Tariffs Are Causing Price Hikes and Surcharges for U.S. Businesses and Franchises - 1851

Tariffs Prompt Price Hikes, Surcharges as Businesses (and Franchises) Brace for Rising Costs 

tariffs-prompt-price-hikes-surcharges

Pizza Hut - EYM Group - Chapter 11 Bankruptcy - 77 Pizza Hut Locations Sold - 1851 Franchise

77 Pizza Hut Locations Sold After Franchisee Bankruptcy Filing

pizza-hut-franchisee-bankruptcy-eym-group

Photo of powerlifter, wearing red singlet and white socks, preparing to deadlift

The 5 Business and Life Lessons I Learned from Powerlifting

the-5-business-and-life-lessons-i-learned-from-powerlifting

franchise supplier award design with Locate AI logo and 1851 Franchise badge

Franchise Real Estate Services | Locate AI — Emerging Leaders in Franchise Support

locate-ai-emerging-leaders-in-franchise-support

Consulting and Development | Big Sky Franchise Team — Emerging Leaders in Franchise Support

Big Sky Franchise Team: Expert Consulting for Scalable Growth

consulting-and-development-big-sky-franchise-team-emerging-leaders-in-franchise-support

Emerging Leaders in Franchise Support: 1851 Supplier Highlights

Emerging Leaders in Franchise Support: List of Franchise Suppliers

emerging-leaders-in-franchise-support

Franchisee spotlight image with Randy and Sandy Craft, Children's Lighthouse logo on blue background

The Crafts’ Successful Journey from New Parents to Children’s Lighthouse Franchisees

the-crafts-successful-journey-from-new-parents-to-childrens-lighthouse-franchisees

Franchise Success Stories: Inspiring Tales from the Front Lines

franchise-success-stories

Image of building outline hovering over person's hand

How To Choose the Right Franchise: A Step-by-Step Guide to Success

how-to-choose-the-right-franchise-step-by-step

Most Profitable Restaurant Franchises To Own in 2025 - 1851 Franchise

The Most Profitable Restaurant Franchises to Own in 2025

most-profitable-restaurant-franchises-to-own

Amateur Bodybuilder and Business Partner Bring Passion for Fitness to World Gym Franchise in Fulton, New York

amateur-bodybuilder-and-business-partner-bring-passion-for-fitness-to-world-gym-franchise-in-fulton-new-york

DonutNV Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

franchise-deep-dive-donutnv-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

Guide To Franchising Your Business: Q&A With Chris Raimo, Happy Cat Hotel & Spa

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS