petbar

For anyone who's ever dreamed of building a business that makes people — and their pets — genuinely happy,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.petbarinc.com/franchise/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=petbar-franchise-dan-ashley-o-loughlin-qa-2729676" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">petbar</a> hits a sweet spot.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-o-loughlin-b6a6b911a/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=petbar-franchise-dan-ashley-o-loughlin-qa-2729676" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Dan</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-wible-o-loughlin-b889831b/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=petbar-franchise-dan-ashley-o-loughlin-qa-2729676" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Ashley O’Loughlin</a> didn’t set out to create just another grooming concept. They built a brand that feels like a destination, a place where dogs run through the doors excited to see their friends and franchisees run their businesses with the full support of a family-first system. It’s not just about baths and blowouts — it’s about culture, consistency and creating something franchisees can be proud to scale.“Think of our locations as ‘Disney World for dogs,’” Dan said. “That’s what we really want to be. That’s what excites us, and that’s what we try to emulate.”As the brand expands, the O’Loughlins aren’t interested in signing anyone who just wants to play business owner — they’re looking for partners who understand the long-term commitment. That’s why getting to know each candidate is so important. “We’ve learned over the years what we’re looking for,” Ashley said. “It’s like a marriage — you really have to know what you’re getting into and take time to get to know people.”The O’Loughlins recently joined 1851 Franchise Publisher Nick Powills for an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4MwIYJluyA&utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=petbar-franchise-dan-ashley-o-loughlin-qa-2729676" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">episode of “The Franchisor Hot Seat.”</a> A transcript of their interview has been provided below. It has been edited for brevity, clarity and style.Nick Powills: All right, Dan and Ashley, I'm very excited for our conversation today. I'm staying on brand — we're focused. So, the first question is the only one I script, then we’ll go off script. How did you guys accidentally fall into franchising? What's your franchise backstory?Dan O'Loughlin: Well, it basically came out of business. We were in the gym and tanning business. We got out of that, and were looking for our next thing — was it going to be fast food or something like that?We kind of stumbled in. We were looking for a groomer for our dog, Bella — she's passed since — but we found a self-wash facility here in Dallas. I felt the energy I really loved, kind of like boutique fitness or that Starbucks coffee shop vibe. At that point, I told Ashley, “This is worth exploring; let's look into it.” I didn’t know what facet — kennel, day care, vet, grooming — but we landed on grooming.Nick: So you decided on the business model. Did you have any experience in franchising? Were the tanning salons franchised?Dan: No, we never had any franchise experience. We weren’t even sure about franchising. We wanted to explore it, but we were nervous. You hear the stories — what is it all about? It was intriguing. I've done business, we’ve done a ton of business, but what does the franchise side look like? How can we scale and build something quickly? That’s how it all came to be.We actually, in a wild way, flipped a coin and said, “Either we franchise or we go corporate stores.” It was really on the table. We decided to put some serious coin into franchising and see if it had traction — and that’s when it took off. We sold a few territories and license agreements, and that’s when we knew franchising was the path.Nick: Take me through the process of franchising the business, specifically around expectations. When you picked a consultant to help you franchise, what were you hoping for, and how has that played out?Dan: Our expectations were pretty simple — we didn’t have a lot. We weren’t sure if it would sell. It was a subscription business for dogs, very nuanced. Would it even sell? Did it have scalability? We talked to a couple of brokers and consultants, got on board, and that’s when the sales started happening. We went with it from there.Nick: So has it met your expectations? And give me a lay of the land — how many current locations, and what’s the state of the business?Dan: We have 32 units open — 28 are franchised, and four are corporate, with some multi-unit operators.Nick: So has that hit your expectations?Dan: We have high expectations. We want to grow this thing. We're on a fire from afar, for sure. We want to see this really gain traction. Every sale and every store opening is exciting. I still get nervous — is it going to work in that market, that community?So yeah, we’ve definitely met some expectations.Nick: This may sound like a crazy comparison, but in tanning — before all the health concerns — the demand was huge, and supply couldn’t keep up. You could open down the street and still have business. I see the same thing in pet grooming — high demand, limited supply. Do you see that similarity?Dan: Absolutely. We’ve seen new players enter the market, trying to scale quickly. Some of them have legs.In tanning, I saw the shift from a tanning bed in the back of a hair salon to full-scale salons with 40–50 beds in 5,000–6,000 square feet. That kind of momentum feels the same in pet grooming. Every time we turn around, someone else is talking about opening. The recipe’s there.Nick: And I’m sure the other side of that is protecting your culture — making sure you get the right people. You want to grow fast, but also grow smart. How do you qualify the right candidates?Dan: Absolutely. Some of our first franchisees are wonderful people. They made a real commitment to being in a franchise system. It’s always a changing atmosphere. We’re constantly trying to find the right person for the right community and storefront — and that’s not easy.Nick: You didn’t need much differentiation back in tanning. I’m sure that’s changed in this space. How do you set petbar apart?Ashley O'Loughlin: We feel like a lot of our competitors focus on health and wellness — that’s their point of view. We’re trying to make ours happy and fun and clean. We want a great experience not just for the pet parents, but also for the pets.We want them to feel like we know their name, we know their dog’s name — just a super special experience in the store.Nick: So what you’re describing is culture. That totally connects with me. Right now, whether it’s the vet or the groomer, we’re just a number. Get in line, pay a lot, and leave. You’re trying to make it more than a transaction.Ashley: Yeah. Much more personalized. We want everybody to feel special.Dan: Think about the Disney World for dogs. That’s what we really want to be. That’s what excites us, and that’s what we try to emulate.Nick: Do your franchisees come in as fans of the brand? Have any gone from customer to franchisee? Or are they just fans of the industry?Dan: I would say both. Hopefully, they’re all dog lovers. That’s something we ask in the process. But yes, it coincides.Ashley: We’ve definitely had franchisees who were customers first. We’ve also had people looking for something in the children or pet market and found us that way.Nick: Ashley, you mentioned “health and wellness.” Do you think those are just buzzwords? Because to the customer, the experience often doesn’t feel different. Is the real value the relationship?Dan: Exactly. We’re not handing out report cards at the end. We want the dog to be happy and excited.I picture a convertible pulling up and dogs jumping out to run in. Honestly, they try to come back in! We have a “party room” in the back, and they race to get there and see their friends. That’s what we’re aiming for.We're all about the dog. Of course, we care about the human too, but the dog is our true customer.Nick: What keeps you up at night?Dan: Worrying about business. That’s been 35 years. It’s always “what if?” What if something happens? We’re always trying to prepare.It’s not the best place to be, but it’s part of business. If you’re not nervous, I think something’s wrong. If you can sleep well owning a business — more power to you. I just can’t imagine that being true.Nick: It’s tough. In business, especially franchising, there’s no clear definition of “winning.” Even people who exit a business talk about feeling lost. You think you’ll feel accomplished, but then it’s like — now what?It becomes something that just occupies your time. And because there's no scorecard, a dip in sales one month sends people into panic mode. It’s a false sense of anxiety, but it’s so real.Dan: Absolutely. We know a couple who exited a fast-growing brand. The husband had to seek counseling afterward because he was so used to being “on fire” all the time. Suddenly, he had all this time and didn’t know what to do with it. It was eye-opening.Nick: I often think about franchise buyers. A lot of them don’t understand franchising, which creates chaos. But also, some candidates play hard to get — and that’s the opposite of what you should do.Dan, when you said “always on fire” — that’s the kind of person I want on a team. Someone who’s responsive and kind. That’s a great franchisee.Ashley: Yeah, exactly. We’ve learned over the years what we’re looking for. It’s like a marriage — you really have to know what you’re getting into and take time to get to know people.Nick: Let’s talk investment. What’s the range, and what are you putting in Item 19?Ashley: Item 7 ranges from&nbsp;$256,700 to $585,950. The high end is a 2,000-square-foot space. The lower end is around 1,000 square feet — we’re exploring smaller footprints.In Item 19, we include sales rankings. We’re ranking stores by age and giving averages — membership metrics and grooming metrics.Nick: What do you budget for grand opening marketing?Ashley: Between $15,000 and $20,000.Nick: That’s solid. I tell clients 10% of total investment. It’s better to over-budget and not need it than under-budget and be forced to spend later. You need to set the right expectations.Dan: Absolutely. Marketing is huge. Especially in new markets — people don’t know who we are. We’re strong in Dallas and Houston, but in other states, we’re still building awareness.Sometimes people call asking what time the bands start. We’ve gotten restaurant guides. It’s funny — people don’t know what petbar is. That’s the challenge when entering new communities.Nick: Dan, now you’re giving out new business ideas — bands and dogs. So, what’s the vision? What do you want to accomplish this year or next?Dan: We want to grow, of course. We’re bringing more family into the business — our son, our daughter, our youngest daughter. It’s a family affair, and we love that.We want to grow as far and as fast as possible, but responsibly. Growth can be bad too. We’ve seen franchises in Dallas open too fast — they’re on every corner, and six months later, they’re gone.That’s not what we want. We want to build something special for our family and for everyone involved.Nick: I love that your family is involved. That speaks to your culture. Every franchise buyer I’ve spoken to buys based on two things — business opportunity and culture.And when you build your family around this, it shows you’re not in it for the short term — you’re playing to win. You have to win. It’s your livelihood. That culture sets the tone.And what you just said — “this literally is family” — that belongs on your franchise website, front and center.I think what you’re doing is great. I’m excited to see how this plays out. There’s so much demand in this category, and it’s nice to see someone doing something different.I appreciate you sharing your story today.Watch the full interview above or on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4MwIYJluyA&utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=petbar-franchise-dan-ashley-o-loughlin-qa-2729676" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">YouTube</a>.To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.petbarinc.com/franchise/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=petbar-franchise-dan-ashley-o-loughlin-qa-2729676" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://www.petbarinc.com/franchise/</a>. &nbsp;

Petbar Franchise: A Boutique Dog Grooming Business Built for Growth and Culture

1851 Franchise

https://www.youtube.com/embed/s4MwIYJluyA

Dan and Ashley O’Loughlin built petbar to deliver joy for pets, trust for customers and a culture that supports franchisees as they scale with purpose.

Why petbar Wants to Be the “Disney World for Dogs” — and a Dream Business for Franchisees

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In franchising, there is no stronger signal of confidence than when founders continue to put their own capital back into the system they created. At&nbsp;<a href="https://www.petbarinc.com/franchise/">petbar</a>, the boutique dog grooming franchise, that signal is unmistakable. Husband-and-wife founders&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-o-loughlin-b6a6b911a/">Dan</a> and<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-wible-o-loughlin-b889831b/"> Ashley O’Loughlin</a> are not only the visionaries behind the boutique pet grooming brand, they are also its largest multi-unit franchise owners. For prospective franchisees, that choice speaks volumes about&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/petbar/info">petbar’s franchise opportunity</a>.<h2>From a Single Store to a Scalable Model</h2>petbar’s story began in Texas in 2015, long before franchising was even part of the plan. Dan came from the gym and tanning industries, while Ashley brought a corporate consulting background.“We started seeing signs that the industry was eroding,” Dan said. “We were looking for something different, something more durable.”When they signed a lease for what would become the first petbar, they were ready for a new challenge but unsure exactly where it would lead. The opportunity appeared unexpectedly when the couple’s groomer moved away. Rather than scramble for a replacement, they began researching the pet grooming space.&nbsp;“We stumbled into a dog concept because our groomer was leaving,” Dan said. “We realized this was a need not just for us but for other people too. We opened our own location in 2015 in Texas, and it just took off. Within two years, we were exploding at the seams. The second location took off like crazy. That’s really where it all started.”<h2>Passion First, Profit Second</h2>Unlike many franchise stories, petbar was not born from a spreadsheet. “We didn’t get involved because we were trying to make money per se,” Dan said. “We got involved because we had that passion.”After the second location, the O’Loughlins had a big decision to make. “We were deciding whether to open more stores ourselves or look into franchising,” Dan said. “The idea of spreading petbar faster in different markets was exciting.”They launched franchising with a business model centered around low overhead, recurring membership revenue, and simplified operations. In the first two years,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/petbar/petbar-10-years-strong-franchise-growth-2730938#featured">the brand opened a whopping 25 locations</a>.“The reason petbar was able to grow so fast was because our owners love animals,” Dan said. “They want something driven by the community. Once they walked into a location and saw what was going on, it was kind of magical.”Yet even as petbar grew nationally, the founders never stepped away from store-level operations. Instead, they doubled down.“We had the two locations, and we really enjoyed the business,” Dan said. “It felt like something we wanted to keep doing. We started growing it, and before we knew it, we owned more stores.”Today, they operate six locations themselves, making them the brand’s largest multi-unit owners. “We can’t help ourselves,” Dan said. “We want to keep growing every which way we can.”<h2>A Family Business, Literally</h2>petbar’s reinvestment story is also a family story. All three of the O’Loughlins’ children are involved in the business.“My oldest daughter operates two locations in Houston,” Dan said. “My son works a lot on the franchise side and at the store level, and our youngest helps operate the front area. It really is a family business.”That hands-on involvement strengthens the brand’s culture. “We really love building teams and watching people grow,” Ashley said. “Our stores feel like a work family.”<h2>Why Founder-Owned Units Matter to Franchisees</h2>The significance of founder-owned units goes beyond optics. “We’re knee-deep in the trenches,” Dan said. “We’ve built this from the ground up. There’s nothing that surprises us because we’ve seen every angle of the business.”That firsthand experience is a key to the brand’s&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/petbar/petbar-franchise-opportunity-2729672#franchisor-stories">franchisee support</a>. “A lot of my time is fielding calls from franchisees,” Dan said. “We know what we’re talking about because we live it.”Ashley noted that their corporate stores can also serve as testing grounds for innovation. “We can pilot new marketing ideas, new services and different approaches in different markets before rolling them out systemwide,” she said. “That’s a huge advantage.”<h2>A Signal to Prospective Franchisees</h2>In franchising, alignment between the franchisees and the franchisor matters. When founders choose to remain operators, they tie their personal financial outcomes to the same unit-level performance as their franchisees.For Dan and Ashley, owning six locations is about conviction. Their continued reinvestment sends a clear message: petbar works at the unit level. It scales across markets and it is built for the long term.“We’re building something for the long haul,” Dan said. “That’s always been the goal.”To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit<a href="https://www.petbarinc.com/franchise/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=petbar-franchise-opportunity-2729672">&nbsp;</a><a href="https://1851franchise.com/petbar/">https://1851franchise.com/petbar/</a>.

Why the Largest Multi-Unit Owners Are Also the Founders of the petbar Franchise

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When husband-and-wife team&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-o-loughlin-b6a6b911a/">Dan</a> and<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-wible-o-loughlin-b889831b/"> Ashley O’Loughlin</a> opened the first&nbsp;<a href="https://www.petbarinc.com/franchise/">petbar</a> in Highland Park, Texas, in 2015, they had no idea they were building the foundation for one of the most exciting boutique pet grooming franchises in the country. What began as a passion project has become a thriving national brand — one that continues to grow, evolve, and bring joy to pets and their owners a decade later.“The 10 years really flew by — it’s hard to believe it’s been that long,” Ashley said. “We are very excited to celebrate it, and we are hosting a storefront reveal of our lobby refresh at our original location. We’ve done it in a few other stores, but this felt like the perfect time to showcase the new look and feel. It’s bright, joyful, and fun — just like our customers and their pets.”The refresh is more than cosmetic; it reflects&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/petbar/info">petbar’s</a> brand evolution. Over the past decade, the company has grown from a single neighborhood boutique to a 32-unit system with locations open or in development across Texas, Florida, Arizona and Georgia.But for the O’Loughlins, that growth didn’t come overnight. “We actually didn’t start franchising until about four years ago,” Dan said. “For the first six years, we were focused on developing the brand and getting the systems and operations in place. The self-wash concept, the grooming services, and the membership program — we spent years piecing it all together. We didn’t even know at the start that we’d eventually franchise.”<h2>An Idea That Clicked</h2>Before launching petbar, Dan and Ashley had run a successful tanning business. When they signed a lease for what would become the first petbar, they were ready for a new challenge but unsure exactly where it would lead.“We were moving over from tanning into this space, and the store just took off,” Dan said. “The community loved it. Within the first six months, we even had an equity group looking at us — that’s when we realized there was something really special here.”From the start, petbar was designed to be different. Its open, boutique-style layout, cheerful décor and transparent grooming areas created an experience that both pets and owners loved. The O’Loughlins soon added&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/petbar/why-petbar-is-the-best-franchise-opportunity-in-the-pet-space-2730196#featured">self-wash stations, professional grooming, and a membership program</a> to keep customers coming back month after month.“People loved having options,” Ashley said. “They could wash their own dog or leave it to a professional. And because people are busier than ever, our membership model made it convenient and affordable. It just fit the way people live now.”<h2>The Rise of a Resilient Brand</h2>When the O’Loughlins decided to franchise in 2019, their goal was simple: share their model with&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/petbar/petbar-franchise-arcadia-arizona-brant-michaels-dustin-carlson-why-i-bought-2729878">like-minded entrepreneurs</a> who loved dogs and community as much as they did.“The franchise side of it came about because we were trying to determine if we would grow corporate or move into the market more swiftly with more development,” Dan said. “We love helping other entrepreneurs pursue their own business.”Today, petbar’s franchise model stands out in the fast-growing&nbsp;<a href="https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/us-pet-grooming-services-market-report">$2 billion U.S. pet grooming industry</a>. With low overhead, recurring membership revenue, and simplified operations, the brand has become an ideal opportunity for franchisees looking for a lifestyle business that’s both emotionally rewarding and financially strong.“The pet care space is an exciting space to be in right now as a franchisor and franchisee,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregg-koffler-a55b5833">Gregg Koffler</a>, Chief Development Officer. “Our differentiation — the ability to wash your own pet, our subscription model, and our focus on strictly bathing and grooming — really sets us apart. We’re not retail heavy, which keeps operations simple. The potential for growth is tremendous.”<h2>Community at the Core</h2>Even as it scales nationally, petbar has stayed grounded in its community-first culture. In 2025, the brand partnered with&nbsp;<a href="https://salvagedsoulspetrescue.org/">Salvaged Souls Pet Rescue</a> to raise more than $8,000 for animal welfare — one of many local partnerships that reinforce petbar’s “for the love of dogs” mission.“One of our big initiatives is to partner with our local communities,” Ashley said. “As we’ve grown the franchise, we’ve really focused on giving back to local shelters and rescue organizations that share our same kind of culture and values.”That commitment to connection extends to franchisees as well. “We’re looking for people with great energy,” Dan said. “They don’t have to have experience with dogs — we can teach them that. What matters most is that they love the community and want to build something meaningful. The profitability comes when you love what you’re doing and people can feel that.”<h2>A Vision for the Next 10 Years</h2>As petbar looks to the future, the brand plans to&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/petbar/petbar-franchise-opportunity-2729672">continue expanding responsibly</a> — both through new territories and smaller footprint models designed for urban markets.“We’d like to get into a lot of communities and a lot of different areas,” said Dan. “We’re looking for the right franchisees who want to grow with us. Right now, we have 32 locations, but we hope to reach 200. We’re going to keep marching to our own drum.”For the O’Loughlins, that drumbeat is powered by the same passion that started it all: a love of entrepreneurship, community, and, of course, dogs.“A lot of our customers have stayed with us for years, which is really special,” Ashley said. “We still have people who remember walking into that first Highland Park location. To see how much it’s grown — and how many other people are now part of the petbar family — it’s incredible. We’re proud and just getting started.”For more information on franchising with petbar, visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/petbar">https://1851franchise.com/petbar</a>.

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10 Years Strong: How petbar Turned One Dallas Boutique Into a Fast-Growing National Franchise

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petbar Franchise - Q3 2025 - Press Release - 1851 Franchise

petbar Celebrates 10 Years of Growth With Record Q3 Performance and New Franchise Signings

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How Petbar Creates a Happy Environment for Pets & Owners

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Why petbar Wants to Be the “Disney World for Dogs” — and a Dream Business for Franchisees

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