Pet Franchises

A Comparative Analysis

Below we have provided a table of some of the most relevant statistics when choosing a pet franchise. As you research other pet franchises, it’s also important to consider the following:

• Liability – Any boarding kennel, dog daycare, pet sitting, dog walking or grooming business means people leaving their dogs with you. Even for a home-based business the liability implications are enormous. The Zoom Room is not a drop-off facility; owners are with their pets 100% of the time.
• Management – If you’ve managed low-paid employees before, the headaches of employee management require no explanation. High turnover and subpar standards of animal care are commonplace. The Zoom Room was designed to be run by a single proprietor or a couple.
• Hours – Any facility that offers overnight boarding or pet care is by definition open 24/7. That means you are on the clock 24/7. That means your phone will ring. A lot. The Zoom Room permits highly flexible hours for franchisees; you could even stay open only evenings and weekends, if you choose.
• Revenue Streams – On the list below, only one franchise costs less to start than a Zoom Room, but they offer only one product: dog cookies. You know the importance of a diversified portfolio; the same applies to a business. If you haven’t already, check out the Zoom Room’s multiple revenue streams.
• The Fun Factor – We saved the best for last. Selling cookies, grooming dogs and kennel management just can’t compare with your new daily life as a Zoom Room owner. Throwing dog birthday parties, running the agility course, teaching therapy dog training, puppy preschool, dog tricks. Conducting a Pup-Lates class. Hosting a Doggy Disco night. As jobs go for dog lovers, this one simply cannot be beat.

After reviewing the competition, only two questions should remain:

1. Why didn’t someone else think of this first? – We have an answer. Because there’s only one Jaime Van Wye, who’s spent the better part of her life running her own dog businesses or being hired to help others troubleshoot and improve theirs. After seeing what works and what doesn’t, she specifically designed the Zoom Room to be the perfect pet franchise.
2. Where do I sign up!? – That’s an easy one. Right here.

A Comparison of Pet Franchises

Note: Home-based and mobile pet franchises are not included on this chart, as they represent a completely different business model – one with generally lower initial costs and lower earning expectations.

That said, we should at least mention one home-based pet franchise, Bark Busters, as they are currently the most widespread in-home dog training franchise. Although you might expect your costs to be lower, since you’re operating out of your house, they charge a $37,500 franchise fee plus an additional $19,500 training fee and territory fee, for a total fee of $57,500 – that’s a higher franchise fee than any of the pet franchises listed here. (We do not charge a training fee; once you become part of the Zoom Room family, we consider providing you with excellent training to be part of our job.)

With Bark Busters, when you find clients to train their dogs, you give them a Lifetime Guarantee – so if the owner fails to follow your instructions and the dog’s behavior problems continue, you are required to continue providing training without being paid. Sit Means Sit is another home-based dog training franchise that relies heavily on electronic collars. At the Zoom Room we practice only positive-reinforcement dog training.

Pet Franchises

Listed in increasing order of total cost

Pet Franchise	Franchise Fee	Minimum Initial Investment	Min. # of Employees	Min. Sq. Ft.	Live Animal Zoning Restrictions	Initial Training
Just Dogs! Gourmet	$25,000	$85,000	4-6	varies	No	3 days
Zoom Room	$35,000	$95,185	0 (Just you)	2,800	No	3 weeks
Preppy Pet Suites	$29,500	$125,000	4	5,000	Yes	1 week
Canine Grande Resort	$30,000	$192,550	varies	8,000	Yes	varies
Animal Supply House	$20,000	$200,000	5	5,000 – 10,000	No	2 weeks
Laund-ur-mutt	$25,000	$205,000	3-5	varies	Yes	1 week
Central Bark	$40,000	$213,000	6-8	5,000 – 10,000	Yes	2 weeks
Dogtopia	$40,000	$242,900	12	5,000	Yes	2 weeks
Pet Depot	$30,000	$265,000	varies	2,500 – 6,000	Yes	2 weeks
Camp Bow Wow	$50,000	$255,000	8-12	5,000 – 20,000	Yes	2 weeks
Three Dog Bakery	$25,000	$200,300	4-5	1,200 – 1,500	No	9 days
PawSpa Resort	$30,000	$381,800	varies	4,500	Yes	1 week
All American Pet Resorts	$50,000	$415,000	2-4	8,000	Yes	1 week
Pet Supplies Plus	$25,000	$450,000	18-20	7,500 – 9,000	No	4 weeks
KennelWood Pet Resorts	$55,000	$799,300	15-30	5,000	Yes	4 weeks

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