How to Choose a Pet Franchise: What to Ask Before Investing

Before you settle on a pet franchise, be sure to ask franchisors these make-or-break questions to choose the franchise that will be the right fit for you.

Dig into Franchising

One of the many advantages of owning a franchise is that you will be going into business for yourself, but never by yourself. The right franchise will provide you with all of the tools and support you need to be successful.

The International Franchise Association defines a franchise as a "method of distributing products or services involving a franchisor, who establishes the brand's trademark or trade name and a business system, and a franchisee, who pays a royalty and often an initial fee for the right to do business under the franchisor's name and system." A franchise provides qualified entrepreneurs the opportunity to own an established brand that already has a proven business model, a support network, and a marketing system in place.

Do Your Research

If you have committed to the idea of owning a pet franchise, you still need to pare down your potential investment by concept, startup costs, and various other factors. Finding the right franchise can be an extremely personal process, but here are some things to keep in mind, regardless of the market:

What is my initial investment? Like any industry, the business model you choose will affect the cost of opening your franchise. Initial investment costs will include the franchise fee, marketing fees, travel, build-out, and more. Pet care offers a wide range of franchise types, from toys and food to pet-sitting to training and grooming, some of which will require a larger investment than others.

What is their reputation? Whether a pet franchise has 10 locations or 10,000 it’s important to align yourself with a brand that is positively regarded both locally and nationwide. A good reputation can go a long way to provide built-in business when you first open your doors.

What is their financial track record? It’s worth researching a franchisor’s history of profitability to see if they’ve managed to maintain financial strength and where or why they have faltered.

Are they part of a growing market? Choose a market that is positioned for opportunity and growth for years to come. A hot concept may be great in the short term, but franchisors with long-term focus and growth potential will provide a richer business experience.

What’s the competition? Many franchisors have already done the market research to find the ideal locations for their brand, but it’s equally important for you to do your own research. By getting a sense of what area businesses do well in, which others seem ill-positioned, and what neighborhoods are underserved, you can focus on the type of pet franchise that will work best in your community.

Will I get repeat business? What is the potential for return customers with a pet franchise? Scenthound offers customers a unique membership model that provides reliable services for their four-legged family members while giving franchise partners a consistent source of recurring income.

Lastly, and sometimes most importantly, is it a great cultural fit for me? Do you know why the company exists? Do their core values align with yours? Does the company live out those values?

Sniffing Out the Right Franchise

As you are selecting the right franchisor, some other things to consider:  

What is offered in terms of training and ongoing support? Most people who get into the pet franchise industry are already animal lovers, but not everyone has a background in pet care — and that's ok! The right franchisor will offer comprehensive training for franchise partners and an education program for your staff to ensure that everyone is fully prepared to run the business and provide the best possible services for dogs and their humans.

What sets this brand apart? Scenthound stands apart by offering a membership-based, blue ocean model that focuses not just on haircuts but also their overall health and wellness.

What is offered in terms of marketing my business? One of the major incentives to becoming a Scenthound franchise partner is the guaranteed backing of a winning marketing team. As opposed to opening your own independent enterprise, owning a franchise comes with the support of a known brand and its team of industry experts who are always available to help make your business a success.

What return can I expect to make on my investment? Review the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD). Item 19 of the FDD will give you detailed information about the franchise system, including a financial performance representation. Not all franchisors provide Item 19, but when they do, it can help you get a sense of what to expect in terms of financial return on your investment.

A franchise’s FDD also supplies information about the people who make up the franchise network. They will be able to provide a wealth of information about their experience with the franchise and prepare you for your future within the brand.

Scenthound is the Answer

If you are interested in opening a pet franchise, Scenthound checks all the boxes. Scenthound stands out from the traditional dog grooming franchise model by offering a well-rounded focus on dogs’ health, giving pet parents a reliable resource to provide their furry friends the professional, loving, routine care they need.

Simultaneously, Scenthound franchise partners benefit from a membership-based, blue ocean strategy that is revolutionizing the pet grooming industry. Scenthound has already established itself as a leader in the pet care world by upending antiquated concepts and providing comprehensive service to dogs, pet parents, and franchise partners.

With an initial investment between $180,950 - $297,950, Scenthound franchise partners receive top-notch training and support in all areas of the business, including customer service and grooming. Scenthound focuses their grooming approach on five core areas: S.C.E.N.T – skin, coat, ears, nails, and teeth. All of our franchise partners get hands on grooming experience before opening their location.

Scenthound has secured its spot as an essential business during even the most challenging times, providing next-level care for our four-legged family and a promising business opportunity for prospective franchise partners.

Learn more about franchising with Scenthound at franchise.scenthound.com.