Local Lawyer Brings Pet-Centric Business to Westchester

Local lawyer Brad Bettridge discovered the interactive doggie daycare, pet boarding, dog grooming, pet taxi and retail service franchise, Hounds Town USA, when he took his own dog to visit a nearby location. He immediately saw the safety and the care that went into the brand and couldn’t wait to bring it to Westchester.

Bettridge is excited to bring Hounds Town USA to Westchester to be involved in the local community and help animals in the process. After signing for three locations, Bettridge doesn’t plan on stopping there. He aims to bring a safe and fun space for people to bring their pets to even more locations in the future.

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Brad Bettridge: I’ve been practicing law for 14 years. I met my business partner, Lauren, in law school, and I guess you could say we were lawyers looking for something to do on the weekends. So when I discovered Hounds Town USA as a customer, I immediately loved the brand. I think I looked up franchising information that night. I thought this could be a good fit for us because we are passionate about dogs and pets, and it’s an industry where we can be involved but hire someone to run the day-to-day.

1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?

Bettridge: I knew very little about franchising before I got into it. It was something I had never considered. It took Lauren and me a while to look through what it meant to be a franchisee through Hounds Town USA. Throughout my career I’ve represented several national franchisors, but I didn’t truly understand what it meant to be a franchisee until I got started the process of becoming one. 

1851: What makes you stand out as business owners in your local community?

Bettridge: My partner, manager and I all come from diverse backgrounds. which will allow us to be devoted to the business, its growth and the community that we serve. Also, being a Hounds Town customer prior to a franchisee, I understand the care the customers are looking for.  We will treat their pets like our own.

1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?

Bettridge: They are basically a local company because the corporate office is so close. I also found them first as a customer, so I trust them, and I trust their processes and techniques for keeping pets safe. 

1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth? 

Bettridge: I want to fill our locations! I love the idea of being at max capacity every day and hiring team members that would watch over and care for the dogs. Overall, I have a goal of three stores within five years. We want to strategically place them around Westchester. There are a lot of dogs in this community, and with so many people going back into the office for work, I want to create a safe place for them to bring their pets for the day.

1851: What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?

Bettridge: We aren’t a faceless corporation. We know the communities, and we wouldn’t be providing a service we wouldn’t use ourselves. Our own dogs will be at our locations. We trust the team members we hire and want to ensure a safe space for pets.

1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?

Bettridge: Do your homework. When you are talking to corporate or other franchisees, ask any question that is on your mind — I promise someone else has asked it. And make sure you’re comfortable with the brand and its values. You need to make sure it’s more than just a financial match.