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FRANCHISE RESALES

Buy a Sit Means Sit Franchise

Sit Means Sit is a dog training franchise built around an attention-based, off-leash method that pairs remote-collar communication with positive reinforcement. Founded in 1998 by competitive trainer Fred Hassen and headquartered in Las Vegas, the brand has franchised since 2009 and grown to a network of well over 100 locations across the United States.

Franchisees serve everyday dog owners as well as clients dealing with reactivity, anxiety and aggression, offering basic obedience, puppy training, board-and-train, day-training and group classes; the same system has been applied to service, therapy and police dogs. Most owners begin home-based or mobile, training in clients’ homes and public settings, and many later add a commercial facility for boarding, day-training and visibility. Each franchise runs a protected trade area.

The brand positions itself as one of the largest dog training franchises in the country, distinguished by its proprietary method and a founder who stays hands-on with trainers and owners across the network.

Latest Resales

  • There are currently no Sit Means Sit resales available
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Why buy a Sit Means Sit Franchise?

Buying a Sit Means Sit franchise gives an owner an established, recognisable training method and brand in a pet-care category that has stayed resilient across economic cycles. The system is proprietary, and incoming owners are taught it directly rather than having to build their own curriculum.

The model is flexible and low-overhead: owners can start from home or a vehicle and scale into a commercial facility as demand grows, with revenue coming largely from the owner’s time with clients and their dogs. Founder Fred Hassen, a current world-champion competitive trainer, stays personally involved with franchisees, and the brand’s long-running national media presence supports local lead generation.

Sit Means Sit Franchise Costs & Information

Based on 2025 data reported in the 2026 FDD

  • Brand Profile

    • Year Founded

      1998

    • Franchising Since

      2009

    • New Startup Cost

      $40,175 – $137,250

    • Avg. Resale Price

      Contact us for details

  • Franchise Fees

    • Initial franchise Fee

      $30,000

      for new territories

    • Transfer Fee

      $5,000

    • Royalty Fee

      6%

      of Gross Sales

    • Marketing Fee

      Not Disclosed

  • Unit Performance

    • Total Units *

      148

    • New Units Opened *

      4

    • Units Transferred *

      13

    • Avg. Unit revenue *

      Not Disclosed

    * Based on 2025 data reported in the 2026 FDD

Sit Means Sit – Additional  Information

  1. Training & Support

    Initial training is a three-week program at the Las Vegas headquarters, covering 63 classroom hours and 84 hours of on-the-job training across dog-handling, operations and marketing. Owners can repeat the bi-annual basic course (held each March and September) at no tuition. Ongoing support includes an annual three-day conference, a daily-active private franchisee forum, Franchise Working Group teleconferences, an Owners Portal with the SMS Franchise Manual, and direct access to founder Fred Hassen. Resale buyers should confirm what initial Las Vegas training and portal access transfers to incoming ownership.

  2. Ideal Owner

    The model suits hands-on local operators who genuinely enjoy working with both dogs and people. It is sales- and relationship-led: owners consult with clients, set training plans, deliver sessions and build a local referral reputation, often hiring and developing additional trainers as the business grows. Prior dog-training experience helps but is not required, since the franchisor teaches its full method during initial training. Comfort with marketing, customer service and the discipline of running a service business matters more than animal-care credentials.

  3. Recognition & Awards

    Sit Means Sit has been ranked in Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 and named a Top Franchise by Franchise Business Review (2019), and Entrepreneur has recognised it among low-cost franchises (#37) and its "Simply the Best" category leaders, with CNBC also listing it among low-cost franchises that can build wealth. The brand carries extensive consumer-media exposure (Today, CNN, USA Today, Animal Planet, ESPN), and founder Fred Hassen holds multiple competitive titles, including a 2025 PSA Level 3 World Championship. For resale buyers, brand recognition should be weighed alongside the location's local reviews and referral strength.

  4. Industry / Market

    Dog training sits within a large, resilient US pet-care market: Americans spent roughly $137 billion on pets in 2022, around 65 million US households own a dog, and millions more add dogs each year (APPA). Demand for professional training is supported by high pet-ownership rates and growing owner awareness of behaviour and socialisation. The category tends to hold up across economic cycles, and training services generate repeat and referral business, which matters to buyers assessing a territory's recurring client base.

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