Doggie Daycare Franchise Hounds Town USA Sees 100% Franchise Growth in 2017
With five locations and at least four set to open in 2018 in various states, pet care franchise Hounds Town USA is on an upward climb to becoming a significant emerging franchise in the booming pet care industry. Founded in 2001 by former NYPD canine unit and police dog handler Michael Gould, Hounds Town USA has had a long history of providing fully interactive doggie daycare, overnight boarding, grooming, and pet taxi services to thousands of customers. Since its inception, the system has hosted more than 700,000 canine visitors (as well as some feline ones, too).
The pet care franchise has seen significant growth over the past several years in particular, with a 100% growth rate in 2017, doubling the size of the system from two franchised units to four with one corporate store. “This is a strong indication of the growth potential of our system and the demand not only for affordable pet care by our customers, but for affordable businesses to invest in for franchisees,” says Hounds Town USA President Jackie Bondanza.
Many competing pet care franchises cost franchisees upwards of $1 million to get into the system, making it very out of reach for the average entrepreneur looking to take control of their own destiny and become a small business owner. “Our philosophy is: why pay $1 million for something you can pay $250,000 for and achieve the same result? Dogs don’t care about hard wood floors, expensive kennels, and televisions,” explains Jackie. “What we strive for at Hounds Town is to provide a safe, fun, and secure environment for dogs to be dogs at an affordable price for their parents. This can be achieved for much less than $1 million.” Less investment up front means more money in franchisees’ pockets.
The strategy seems to be working. Gross, system-wide revenue increased nearly 25% from 2016 to 2017, thanks to the new locations—both of which have exceeded revenue goals and growth expectation—as well as the veteran locations, who continue to add revenue to their businesses year after year. The franchise’s highest performing store this year was Hounds Town Farmingdale, sold in 2015 as a turnkey business to current franchisees Maria Gillen (a former customer), Jennifer Jung, and Candice Lorenzana (former kennel attendants at the location).
The location has increased revenue nearly 30% from 2016 to 2017, becoming the highest grossing store per square foot as well. It’s the first year in many that a franchisee has earned top system-wide revenue as opposed to the franchise’s corporate location. “I feel we should be setting the bar for our franchisees at our corporate location, but if they can meet that, and then exceed it, more power to them. It gives other franchisees something to strive for,” explains Jackie. Veteran location Hounds Town Port Jefferson, the system’s first franchised store, has previously held the top revenue spot, and continues to be a top performing location.
What sets Hounds Town USA apart from other pet care franchises (including those large big box stores), is the founder. Gould spent more than 35 years in the commercial dog field, and retired to found the fully interactive pet care franchise. “Hounds Town USA is founded on a deep knowledge and understanding of dogs,” explains Gould. “This knowledge is a significant part of our initial and ongoing franchisee training, and it really enables our franchisees to offer something different than any other pet care franchises out there, who simply lack the understanding of the animal brain to be able to provide what we provide at Hounds Town.”
In addition to not discriminating against dogs because of their breed, Hounds Town USA also keeps things simple–something many of their customers appreciate most. “Many pet care franchises are missing the mark,” explains Jackie. “They are overcharging for services and taking advantage of customers’ wallets … and their emotions. What customer is going to say no to an up-charged belly rub, a cookie before bed, extra play time, or specialized attention? At Hounds Town, we offer all of these things for FREE.”
The pet care franchise works off of an all-inclusive pricing system, which allows customers the opportunity to drop their dogs off in the morning as early as 6 a.m. and pick them up as late as 8 p.m. for one single price. “We will never take advantage of our customers,” says Jackie. “Our straightforward and honest approach to pet care has translated very well to our business model, and we intend to gain significant traction over the next 12-18 months with our brand expansion.”
For more information on Hounds Town USA franchising, visit www.houndstownfranchise.com.