Opens in a new tab

FRANCHISE RESALES

Buy a Pets Are Inn Franchise

Pets Are Inn is a pet boarding franchise founded in 1982 that offers an alternative to traditional kennels by caring for dogs and cats in pre-screened, approved private “host family” homes rather than cages or runs. Round-trip pickup and delivery is included, so pets stay in a home setting while their owners travel.

The company is based in Minneapolis, where the franchisor also runs its own location, and franchises operate across the United States. Each owner is assigned an exclusive territory based on market research. The model is largely home-based and service-led: owners recruit and manage a roster of vetted host families, coordinate bookings and transport, and handle local marketing rather than running a physical kennel building.

With no boarding facility, retail premises or product inventory to maintain, the operation centres on scheduling, customer relationships and host-family quality control. Pets Are Inn’s long operating history and distinctive in-home concept set it apart in a category dominated by kennels and larger pet-resort chains.

Latest Resales

  • There are currently no Pets Are Inn resales available
Register your interest

Why buy a Pets Are Inn Franchise?

Buying a Pets Are Inn franchise gives an owner an established, differentiated position in pet care: a service built around in-home host families rather than capital-intensive kennels. The concept has operated since 1982, a long track record in pet lodging, and it appeals to the many pet owners who dislike traditional boarding within a category that has proved resilient across economic cycles.

The ownership model is low-overhead. There is no kennel facility to lease or build, no product inventory and minimal fixed assets, so franchisees can run the business from home while focusing on bookings, host-family recruitment and local marketing. Owners join a national buying group for supplies and promotional materials, receive a web-based reservation and management system, and benefit from a referral network that passes on inquiries from the national 800 number and website, including customers relocating between Pets Are Inn territories.

Pets Are Inn Franchise Costs & Information

Based on 2023 data reported in the 2024 FDD

  • Brand Profile

    • Year Founded

      1982

    • Franchising Since

      1993

    • New Startup Cost

      $74,250 – $121,500

    • Avg. Resale Price

      Contact us for details

  • Franchise Fees

    • Initial franchise Fee

      $65,000

      for new territories

    • Transfer Fee

      50%

      of then-current Franchise Fee

    • Royalty Fee

      5–10%

      of Gross Sales

    • Marketing Fee

      1%

      of Gross Sales

  • Unit Performance

    • Total Units *

      5

    • New Units Opened *

      0

    • Units Transferred *

      0

    • Avg. Unit revenue *

      $242,854

    * Based on 2023 data reported in the 2024 FDD

Pets Are Inn – Additional  Information

  1. Training & Support

    Incoming owners complete a four-day program at the Minneapolis office combining classroom and hands-on instruction in operations, sales, marketing and pricing; the existing FF listing records this as roughly 40 classroom and 20 on-the-job hours. Franchisees receive a full operations manual, a web-based reservation and management system, national buying-group access, and the PAI Master Insurance Program. Ongoing support includes national and regional meetings, monthly teleconferences and a referral network. Resale buyers should confirm what transfer training and system access the franchisor provides when ownership changes.

  2. Ideal Owner

    Pets Are Inn suits a hands-on, animal-loving operator who enjoys customer service and local relationship-building; absentee ownership is not permitted. The day-to-day is organisational rather than clinical: recruiting and vetting host families, scheduling bookings and transport, and marketing the service locally. No prior pet-industry experience is required, but owners should be comfortable managing a roster of caregivers, earning customer trust, and personally driving sales within their territory.

  3. Recognition & Awards

    Operating since 1982, Pets Are Inn is one of the longer-established names in the in-home pet boarding niche, and its distinctive host-family concept has drawn national media coverage, including features in The New York Times and USA Today. The brand's reputation rests on its long track record and franchisee and customer feedback rather than franchise-ranking accolades. For resale buyers, brand-level recognition should be weighed alongside the specific territory's local reputation, online reviews and referral sources.

  4. Industry / Market

    The US pet industry reached about $158 billion in spending in 2025, up 3.7% on the prior year, with the American Pet Products Association projecting roughly $165 billion in 2026. Services such as boarding, grooming and pet sitting are among the faster-growing segments as most US households own a pet and increasingly treat them as family. Demand for boarding follows travel and holiday cycles, so seasonality and local pet-owning demographics are key factors a resale buyer should weigh for a specific territory.

Learn more about
how to own a Pets Are Inn franchise resale

Please fill out the form below and a Franchise Flippers expert will be in touch with you shortly.

The Franchise Brand Index

This page is part of Franchise Flippers’ independent franchise Index, designed as an educational resource to help potential buyers explore the franchise resale market and compare brands.

Trademark & Affiliation Disclaimer

This website is an independent, informational resource. All trademarks, logos, and brand names displayed are the property of their respective owners and are used solely for identification and educational purposes. Their use does not imply any affiliation with, endorsement by, or sponsorship from the respective trademark holders.