1851

New Jersey local Steve Garibell worked in the retail and financial service industry for 20-plus years, but it wasn’t until he adopted his dog, Cooper, that he understood Bergen County’s vast need for a trustworthy dog care facility. Through a conversation with his friend and Marine Corps Veteran, Anthony Mitchell, Garibell discovered he was not alone in the search for a pet care franchise.&nbsp;Mitchell, a local entrepreneur, had experience starting multiple small businesses in the New Jersey area. He decided to join Garibell in his search for an affordable pet care franchise that they could bring to Bergen County.The duo opened their first Hounds Town USA location in 2018. The interactive doggy daycare model that fosters healthy play in a natural pack environment boomed. After four years of success, the two are opening their second location in Fairfield this month. The brand’s commitment to culture and giving back encouraged them to expand.1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us.&nbsp;What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?Garibell:&nbsp;I&nbsp;started out in retail apparel at Aeropostale and Gap and rose the management ranks throughout the years. I then went into banking with Wachovia, and moved over to TD Bank, where I am now the vice president of diverse business development strategy. I spent years as a branch manager and small business relationship manager, covering upper Manhattan and the Bronx. I love working with small business owners, and that’s where my passion for it originated.&nbsp;I look at all the jobs I’ve had in my life, and it’s always been about helping people reach a goal.Now, it’s the same thing with doggy daycare. We make pet ownership available for everyone by offering them a safe and productive place to care for their dog. We started in Bergen and were the first franchise outside of Long Island. Early on, we partnered with the Bergen County Animal Shelter and provided free services for them for the first 1.5 years. We got the first animal behavior contract in Bergen County by helping board their dogs and shelter them. We have seven of them staying with us right now, and we’ve helped them get adopted.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?Garibell:&nbsp;When I was in retail apparel, I worked in the store line. We taught our store managers to treat their stores like a franchise. Then going into banking, I lent to many franchisees looking to open a franchise. We knew how to run a business, but we weren’t sure about the dog piece. We needed the model to show us the way.&nbsp;1851: What makes you stand out as business owners in your local community?Garibell:&nbsp;We are community driven. We’re approachable and want to have a conversation. We set very clear expectations and are very transparent with our team and our customers. Even though Anthony and I are not on location daily, we are still very involved. Customers and people in the community see me taking my dogs to Hounds Town, and I try to get to know them as much as possible.&nbsp;1851:&nbsp;What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Garibell:&nbsp;I adopted my dog Cooper who is very high-strung and needs to play. I knew nothing about dog daycare, and my vet didn’t have great recommendations for a place to go. So, I found one locally. Cooper got injured, which happens frequently, but when I went to pick him up, the staff was very unapproachable and uncommunicative with me. I kept going back and would get report cards that said he was “too much.” I realized their model just wasn’t the right model for Cooper. So, I started researching. I knew going into business was something I wanted to do anyways.Hounds Town came up, and the more I read about it, the more it made sense to me. When we went to discovery day, it felt comfortable for us. The model and the relationship I built with Mike and Jackie were great. It is really important to watch the franchise grow and still see them in it the way they are. Keeping culture is so important, and that’s the one thing that’s on top of everyone’s agenda at Hounds Town corporate.We’ve been open for four years in Bergen, and we have more dogs that got “kicked out” of other daycares just because it wasn’t the right fit for them, not because they were bad dogs. Even employees who have worked at other places have said it’s a very different atmosphere that allows for much more engagement and freedom.1851:&nbsp;What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?&nbsp;Garibell:&nbsp;We are talking about a third location and strategies for running multiple units. I would love to be able to retire from my day job in the next few years and focus on running these businesses and helping other small business owners achieve their dreams. We have two employees who have been with us since day one. It’s amazing to watch them grow and learn, and we want to help them continue to do that.1851:&nbsp;What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?Garibell:&nbsp;If you’re going into this with a partner, understand your goals. Understand you can’t do it all on your own; you need assistance. And make sure you’re capitalized. Look at all of the options in funding your dream. Labor is the most challenging piece, so really look at the industry you’re going into and make sure you really want to be in it.

The Winning Franchisee | Former Marine and Finance Industry Veteran Open Second Hounds Town USA Location in Fairfield, NJ

1851 Franchise

New Jersey natives Steve Garibell and Anthony Mitchell are expanding their interactive doggy daycare, achieving their business dreams and helping dogs in need along the way.

This brand page has been paid for by 1851. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

the-winning-franchisee-former-marine-and-finance-industry-veteran-open-second-hounds-town-usa-location-in-fairfield-nj

Mosquito Squad Plus

How This Marine Corps Veteran Found Freedom and Purpose With Mosquito Squad

how-this-marine-corps-veteran-found-freedom-and-purpose-with-mosquito-squad

Spadea Lignana Franchise Attorneys

How The DeFelice Brothers Turned a $10,000 Loan Into an Award-Winning Franchise With Help From Spadea Lignana

how-the-defelice-brothers-turned-a-10000-loan-into-an-award-winning-franchise-with-help-from-spadea-lignana

Caring Transitions

How This Gilbert Entrepreneur Found Purpose Helping Families Through Life’s Transitions

how-this-gilbert-entrepreneur-found-purpose-helping-families-through-lifes-transitions

USA Ninja Challenge

Where Passion Meets Purpose: USA Ninja Challenge Gives Franchisees the Power to Change Lives

where-passion-meets-purpose-usa-ninja-challenge-gives-franchisees-the-power-to-change-lives

SweatHouz

From Finance to Wellness: Natalie Siewers’ Path to Leading SweatHouz in Northern Virginia

sweathouz-franchise-northern-virginia-natalie-siewers

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 Development Website Builder

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

Thursday 1851 Franchise Agg - NASAA’s Noncompete Push

NASAA’s Noncompete Push Puts Franchise Growth on Uncertain Ground

franchise-noncompete-nasaa-advisory-reasonableness-standard

How a Steady Economy Could Help Franchisors Plan Their Next Move

how-a-steady-economy-could-help-franchisors-plan-their-next-move

Bed Bath & Beyond - Franchise Expansion - Retail Strategy - 1851 Franchise

Bed Bath & Beyond Launches Franchise Model as Part of Comeback Strategy

bed-bath-beyond-franchise-expansion-retail-strategy

Senior Entrepreneurship - Franchising - 1851 Franchise

Senior Entrepreneurship Is Rising — And Franchising Is a Key Outlet

senior-entrepreneurship-franchising-silver-startups

U.S. Government Shutdown - Impact on Franchises - 1851 Franchise

Government Shutdown Stalls SBA Loans: How the Shutdown Could Impact Franchises

government-shutdown-impacts-sba-loans-tourism-franchises

image of jerome hanway from right at home Las Cruces, New Mexico 1851 franchise franchisee spotlight

Jerome Hanway Is Building His Right at Home Franchise Around His Mission To Serve

right-at-home-franchise-las-cruces-jerome-hanway

1851 Franchisee Spotlight graphic with photo of Barb Volk and KidStrong logo

Why This Orangetheory Fitness Franchise Owner Is Developing KidStrong Franchises

kidstrong-franchise-owner-barb-volk-2025

1851 Franchisee Spotlight with photo of Mike Rippey and Sola Salons logo

How This Former Franchisor Is Using His Industry Experience To Help Beauty Pros Thrive With Sola Salons Franchise

mike-rippey-sola-salons-franchisee

photo-of-laynes-chicken-fingers-dalton-dennis-southern-oregon

23-Year-Old Entrepreneur Brings Soon to Be Famous Chicken™ to Southern Oregon With 3-Unit Layne’s Chicken Fingers Franchise Signing

laynes-chicken-fingers-dalton-dennis-southern-oregon

NJCAR v. Ford - New Jersey Supreme Court Limits Standing Under Franchise Practices Act

New Jersey Supreme Court Limits Standing Under Franchise Practices Act

new-jersey-franchise-practices-act-njcar-v-ford

A Practical Playbook: Who To Call First When Franchising Your Business

franchising-your-business-who-to-call-first

image of franchise deep dive from 1851 franchise on doody calls franchise authority brands

DoodyCalls Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

doodycalls-franchise-deep-dive

Power Eats: Smoothie King Rolls Out Food Nationwide To Fuel Franchise Growth

smoothie-king-food-menu-power-eats

The Winning Franchisee | Former Marine and Finance Industry Veteran Open Second Hounds Town USA Location in Fairfield, NJ

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS