Hounds Town USA Closes Out 2021 With 46 Franchise Units Sold, Aims To Open 45 in 2022

Hounds Town USA, the 21-plus-unit doggie daycare franchise, is entering 2022 on a high note. In 2021, the brand signed 28 franchise agreements for 46 new units, opened six locations and celebrated the signing of its 100th territory. Now, the brand is aiming to open 45 stores in 2022, with the goal of signing on another 30 to 40 franchisees. 

“This past year has really been extraordinary when it comes to franchise sales,” said COO Rob Flanagan. “Not only do the economics of our core business model really stand out compared to competitors, but we are also seeing an increased interest in franchising in general. Individuals are really questioning their purpose in life and they’ve always had this dream of owning their own business. Many of those people love dogs and love being around animals, so Hounds Town USA naturally fits as the perfect choice for that major life change.”

Business is booming across the segment as the pet boarding industry experiences a significant rise in consumer demand. Hounds Town USA has seen an outsized share of that growth, experiencing a more than 20% increase in system-wide occupancy rates for fully matured stores.

Additionally, the brand’s system-wide revenue surpassed $11 million in 2021 up from $4 million in 2020 and $4.4 million in 2019. As a result, six Hounds Town USA single-unit franchisees are opening their second store, and three of the brand’s multi-unit franchisees are already reinvesting in new units.

As Hounds Town USA continues to grow, the team is making sure it has the support infrastructure needed to promote success for everyone in the system. Flangan says another big milestone for the Hounds Town USA brand in 2021 was expanding its “townie” headquarters. The internal team made seven new hires this past year and also saw brand president Jackie Bondanza step into the CEO role in May. Flanagan came on board himself as COO that same month. 

Flanagan also pointed to another one of the brand’s biggest support initiatives of this past year: the cradle-to-success program. The concrete project management system helps guide incoming Hounds Town USA franchise owners through the real estate, construction, pre-opening and post-opening process. 

"When I first stepped foot in Hounds Town USA nearly nine years ago, this is the vision I had for the brand,” said Bondanza. “As the need for straightforward and affordable pet care reaches new heights, Hounds Town USA is shooting for the moon and is set to become the premier pet care brand in the country. Our vision for the brand has always been to give every dog in America access to a Hounds Town location, and as we enter new U.S. markets at record speeds, we are well on our way to achieving that goal.”