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1851 Growth Club
Top Emerging Pet Franchises Under 50 Units
Keep an eye out for these breakout, fast-growing concepts that are expected to do big things in 2019.
In today’s world – pets are rarely just pets. They become a member of the family and are treated as equals. That means that pet owners are spending more money on their pets, whether on the food, health or lifestyle. In fact, FOX Business reported that Americans spent over $69 billion on their pets in one year. The time is now to invest in the franchise pet care segment, as the segment is already hot and only expected to get hotter.
While some concepts have already grown past the fifty unit mark, it’s time to keep an eye out for the small but mighty pet franchises that are really expected to kick start 2019 with a bang. These concepts provide an opportunity for franchisees to get in at the ground level and help shape the concept into what it will be in the next five years. Make sure to watch for these ten brands as they are expected to break through as the best of the best.
Wag N’ Wash Natural Food & Bakery
Unit Count: 17
Investment Range: $510,910 - $843,410
Wag N’ Wash is definitely one to watch in the fast-growing pet care franchise segment. With nearly 20 units under their belt, the pet store franchise concept offers pet food, supplies and dog grooming. Franchises can maximize on multiple revenue opportunities through the retail center that offers high quality food, toys, bedding and supplements, as well as a bakery with human-grade freshly-baked treats, a self-service wash with its own line of proprietary shampoos, and a professional grooming services.
In 2018, Wag N’ Wash landed on the Entrepreneur Franchise 500 list, as well as Franchise Gator’s Top 100 list. With a winnable model with AUV’s of $1.5 million, this one is definitely a concept to keep an eye on.
Unit Count: 45
Investment Range: $233,000 - $568,000
EarthWise pet was founded in 1977 where the owners developed strong operations of pet retail, dog wash and pet grooming businesses. Now, more than 40 years later, those core operations still exist in the fine-tuned franchise model.
Across the board, the franchise has a mission of ensuring that pets are an integral part of the family and providing the best care possible. At each location, franchisees use green products and practices and support local shelters and rescues in their market. On trend and environmentally friendly, keep an eye out for the fast-growing EarthWise Pet.
Unit Count: 6
Investment Range: $175,300 - $249,000
Since its founding in 2001, Hounds Town USA has already seen incredible success throughout the New York and New Jersey and are looking to mimic this success in markets across the U.S. like Richmond, Virginia. In addition to daycare services for dogs, the brand offers overnight boarding for both cats and dogs, as well as dog and cat grooming and a pet taxi. Unlike other facilities in its segment, Hounds Town USA does not discriminate against specific breeds – so-called “bully dogs” are welcome, like pit bulls and pit bull mixes.
The initial investment for a Hounds Town USA franchise location ranges from $175,300 to $249,000, with a franchise fee of $39,000.
Unit Count: 15
Investment Range: $59,950 - $85,150
Pets Are Inn is a family business, started by Jim Platt and his wife Ann. The duo started off as franchise owners and eventually bought the 15-unit system. The boarding concept was founded based on the notion that families should have peace of mind when they go away on vacation, knowing that their pet will be taken care of and spend time with its “second family.”
Instead of requiring a facility for boarding, the dog or cat is matched up with a dog sitter that fits your pet’s needs. Not only does this allow for a great consumer offering, but also means no inventory, no receivables and no payables because there is no need for a facility.
Unit Count: 13
Investment Range: $9,200 - $35,100
In Home Pet Services Inc. allows entrepreneurs to pair their passion for animals with becoming their own boss. The pet sitting and dog walking franchise is a low investment, home-based operation, and was founded by a former zookeeper Robyn Elman. Elman has a degree in Biology and spent the better part of her professional career as a zookeeper at the Wildlife Conservation Society at the Bronx Zoo. Her original location has grown to service more than 1,200 clients in the New York area.
Franchise owners who are looking to mimic this success can own their own In Home Pet Services Inc. location for a low-cost initial investment, as well as have their pick of exclusive territory.
Unit Count: 8
Investment Range: $36,100 - $138,250
As cities become more dog-friendly, grooming becomes a necessity. This is the notion that Zoomin Groomin was founded on, and why it is so determined to constantly be on the look-out for new technology in mobile pet grooming, upcoming pet care trends, ways to help the planet and ways to increase pet business profitability.
For franchise owners looking to get into pet care, they can look to Zoomin Groomin for an environmentally friendly technology and product offering. The leadership team is continuously innovating its offering based on what’s new in the industry and nationwide trends to ensure the concept remains ahead of the game.
Units: 10
Investment Range: $187,725 - $471,925
Unlike other boarding facilities, Camp Run-A-Mutt was founded on the notion that boarding should be cage-free. This means that their K-9 guests get to socialize, exercise, splash, back in the sun and enjoy a stress-free stay.
Camp Run-A-Mutt is a strong, fast-growing and privately owned company that recently landed on the Inc. 5000 list of America’s fast-growing private companies. The leadership team offers protected territory, assistance in site location, advanced training and support, as well as several additional support features to ensure the franchisee has an easy time getting up and running.
Units: 4
Investment Range: $429,000 - $548,500
Before anything else, D.O.G. Hotels requires that any owner “Must Love Dogs.” The retail franchise specializes in top of the line dog services, including dog boarding, dog daycare and dog grooming. The mission is simple: provide the cleanest, safest and most enjoyable boarding experience for your dog.
As far as the franchise opportunity, the initial investment ranges from $429,000 to $548,500, with a $40,000 franchise fee. In entering the franchise family, franchisees will be getting into the franchise family before it hits the five unit mark and can look forward to extensive training in operations from the committed leadership team and existing franchisees.
Units: 9
Investment Range: $254,650 - $488,600
The mission is simple: be the industry’s premier dog care provider. With the dog stop franchise, previous pet or dog service experience is not required because the small but mighty leadership team is determined to train you and provide ongoing support.
The Dog Stop locations offer retail, training and walking, and franchisees are able to get into the system for an investment ranging from $254,250 to $488,300, with a franchise fee of $47,000. While the average competitor requires a multi-unit signing for a reduction in fees, The Dog Stop offers this discount starting with the second store, however, there is no pressure to grow past the first unit.
Splash and Dash Groomerie & Boutique
Units: 16
Investment Range: $118,250 - $218,500
Anthromorphization. Do you know what this means? It means that we think of our pets as human beings, and it’s a big part of what makes up Splash and Dash Groomerie & Boutique. The franchise was founded on the notion that there are pet parents that want to treat their pets like a family, and they shouldn’t have to look far to do so!
Last year, the franchise concept announced a membership program completely unique to the customer which offers customers unlimited monthly bath and brush for a fixed price. The brand also offers a proprietary software and on-going IT support for their franchisees. Franchisees are able to get into the system at an investment cost that ranges from $118,250 to $218,500, with a franchise fee of $48,500.
*Brands marked with an asterisk are clients of 1851 Franchise or No Limit Agency*.
*This brand is a paid partner of 1851 Franchise. For more information on paid partnerships please click here.
