FRANCHISE RESALES

Close-up of a grey dog with its mouth open and tongue out, in front of a red and yellow blurred background—perfect for showcasing our dog day care or pet grooming services.

Buy a The Dog Stop Franchise

The Dog Stop® is an all-inclusive dog care franchise founded in 2009 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Each location is a purpose-built brick-and-mortar facility offering daycare, boarding, grooming, obedience training, and a natural pet retail store under one roof. The model generates revenue across multiple streams, with Daycare Membership and Happy Healthy Pup Membership programmes anchoring repeat business alongside one-off service revenue.

The brand began franchising in 2013 and has grown to a network of locations across more than a dozen states. The all-inclusive approach positions each Stop as a single trusted provider for dog owners seeking coordinated care rather than separate specialists. Staff are trained in canine behaviour, animal first aid and CPR, and kennel sanitation; the brand also holds Fear Free certification, a third-party standard for low-stress animal handling.

Operations are managed through a proprietary Pet Care Management Software (PCMS) covering reservations, client records, and point-of-sale in one platform. In early 2025, the brand expanded its corporate team with new leadership across operations, franchise development, real estate, and franchisee support.

Latest Resales

Why buy a The Dog Stop Franchise?

Rather than competing in a single category such as boarding or grooming, The Dog Stop® combines daycare, boarding, grooming, training, retail, and membership services in one location, giving franchisees multiple ways to grow revenue and deepen customer loyalty. As the US pet care market continues to expand, the all-inclusive format addresses that demand directly.

The membership programme is a notable feature of the model. Daycare and wellness memberships generate predictable recurring visits and support revenue stability. A well-established membership base is a tangible asset in a resale situation; buyers should review membership count and retention rate as part of due diligence. The brand’s Fear Free certification and emphasis on canine science support differentiation in markets where general boarding or grooming operators are the main competition.

The Dog Stop Franchise Costs & Information

  • Minimum Qualifications

    • Initial Franchise Fee

      $49,500

    • Initial Investment

      $543,000 - $1,037,300

  • Royalty

    • Royalty Fee

      6%

      of gross sales

  • Training & Support

    • 35 Hours on the job training

    • 24 Hours classroom training

    • Ongoing support

    • Marketing support

    A man leads a dog on a lead through an indoor obstacle course at The Dog Stop Training & Fitness Centre, where Dog Daycare and Dog Boarding services are also available.

The Dog Stop – Additional  Information

  1. Training & Support

    Training covers 24 hours of classroom instruction and 35 hours of on-the-job training across dog behaviour, canine CPR and first aid, financial administration, marketing, customer service, and retail operations. Franchisees access the proprietary Pet Care Management Software (PCMS), which integrates reservations, client records, and point-of-sale reporting, alongside a franchisee intranet, co-op advertising, and social media marketing support. Scheduled field visits and day-to-day operational guidance continue after opening. Resale buyers should confirm what initial training and PCMS access are provided to incoming owners.

  2. Ideal Owner

    The ideal Dog Stop franchisee is a business-oriented operator who is passionate about dogs but leads through a general-manager-led team rather than working the floor personally. Prior business or management experience is preferred but not required; what matters more is the ability to hire, develop, and retain staff in a service environment that runs seven days a week. The role centres on people management, local community engagement, and operational oversight of a multi-service, staffing-intensive facility.

  3. Recognition & Awards

    The Dog Stop® has been named to Inc. Magazine's Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in the US for three consecutive years, including 2024, when the brand rose more than 1,000 places in the rankings. The brand holds Fear Free certification, a recognised industry standard for low-stress animal care. For resale buyers, brand-level recognition should be weighed alongside the reputation of the specific territory, including local reviews, community standing, and the tenure of the existing team.

  4. Industry / Market

    The US pet daycare market was valued at approximately $1.7 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a compound annual rate of 8.6% through 2034, according to research cited by industry analysts. Growth is driven by rising pet ownership, the humanisation of dogs, and demand from dual-income households for reliable professional care. The broader US pet care industry exceeds $100 billion annually, with premium services such as daycare, boarding, and grooming representing a growing share. For resale buyers, a unit's local demand history and membership retention rate are practical indicators of ongoing business strength.

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