Analyze pet franchise opportunities with real FDD data. Compare Camp Bow Wow, Pet Supplies Plus, Bark Busters, and more on costs, royalties, and unit growth.
Americans spent $136.8 billion on their pets in 2022, according to the American Pet Products Association — a figure that has grown every single year for over three decades, including through the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. By 2026, the market is projected to exceed $150 billion.
This spending is distributed across several categories:
| Category | Annual Spending | Growth Trend |
|---|---|---|
| Pet food and treats | $58.1 billion | Premiumization driving growth |
| Veterinary care | $35.9 billion | Steady, essential spend |
| Supplies and medicine | $31.5 billion | Online shift accelerating |
| Other services (grooming, boarding, walking, training) | $11.4 billion | Fastest-growing segment |
The “other services” category — worth $11.4 billion and growing at 8-10% annually — is where pet franchises primarily compete. This includes grooming, daycare, boarding, training, and pet retail.
Our database contains 61 pet service franchise systems. Here’s what the FDD data reveals about the opportunity.
| Franchise | Investment Range | Franchise Fee | Total Units | Royalty | Item 19 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AmerisourceBergen (pet division) | $43,797 – $575,205 | N/A | 2,361 | $599/mo | Yes |
| C.T. Franchising (Camp Run-a-Mutt) | $70,760 – $117,150 | $53,900 | 372 | 6% of Gross Receipts | Yes |
| Better Together (Pet Supplies Plus) | $543,095 – $1,399,180 | $49,500 | 263 | 7% of Gross Sales | Yes |
| Camp Bow Wow | $943,606 – $1,199,536 | $50,000 | 223 | 3.5%–7% tiered | Yes |
| Bark Busters | $77,900 – $117,000 | $49,500 | 133 | 10% of Gross Revenue | No |
| CoolVu (pet concept) | $68,450 – $106,850 | $19,900 | 110 | $400–$1,600/mo | Yes |
| Aussie Pet Mobile | $167,325 – $208,650 | $19,950 | 105 | 5%–6% | Yes |
Source: Data extracted from 2025-2026 Franchise Disclosure Documents filed with state regulators. Figures may have changed since filing. Verify current terms directly with the franchisor.
| Metric | Pet Services Average |
|---|---|
| Average minimum investment | $292,603 |
| Average maximum investment | $593,210 |
| Average franchise fee | $47,063 |
| Average system size | 308 units |
| Item 19 disclosure rate | 76.9% |
Source: Data extracted from 2025-2026 Franchise Disclosure Documents filed with state regulators. Figures may have changed since filing. Verify current terms directly with the franchisor.
The 76.9% Item 19 disclosure rate ties with Senior Care as the second-highest of any industry in our database (behind Child Services & Education at 88.2%). This transparency is valuable for prospective buyers trying to model expected returns.
Pet Supplies Plus (Better Together, LLC) represents the premium end of pet franchising with investments from $543,095 to $1,399,180. These are full retail stores with:
Revenue drivers: Product sales (highest volume), grooming services (highest margin), and customer frequency (pet owners visit 2-4 times monthly).
Camp Bow Wow operates at the $943,606 – $1,199,536 range with facilities designed for:
Revenue drivers: Daycare memberships (recurring), boarding (seasonal peaks around holidays), and add-on services.
Aussie Pet Mobile ($167,325 – $208,650) and Bark Busters ($77,900 – $117,000) represent mobile concepts that eliminate facility costs:
| Aspect | Mobile Grooming | Mobile Training |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle | Custom-equipped grooming van ($80K-$120K) | Standard vehicle |
| Staff | 1-2 groomers per van | Owner-operator |
| Service area | 15-25 mile radius | Territory-based |
| Revenue per service | $60-$120 per grooming | $200-$400 per session |
| Daily capacity | 6-10 dogs per van | 3-5 sessions |
Source: Data extracted from 2025-2026 Franchise Disclosure Documents filed with state regulators. Figures may have changed since filing. Verify current terms directly with the franchisor.
Dog training franchises like Bark Busters offer the lowest entry point in the pet category:
| Advantage | Detail |
|---|---|
| Low overhead | No facility, minimal equipment |
| High margins | Service-based with low material costs |
| Recurring revenue | Multi-session training packages |
| Flexible schedule | Sessions booked by appointment |
| Scalable | Add trainers without adding locations |
The pet franchise category has a notable split in growth patterns:
The AmerisourceBergen situation illustrates why raw unit counts can be misleading. Despite having 2,361 total units and opening 174 new ones, the system is shrinking due to high closures. Any prospective buyer must understand why 264 units closed in a single year before investing — this is exactly the kind of red flag that Item 20 data reveals.
Pet spending has increased every year since 1994, including during:
This resilience stems from the “humanization” of pets. Americans increasingly view pets as family members and prioritize their care even during economic downturns. Pet food spending in particular is highly inelastic — pet owners will cut their own food budget before switching their dog’s premium food brand.
However, discretionary pet services (grooming, daycare, boarding) are more price-sensitive than food and veterinary care. During recessions, some pet owners may groom at home or reduce daycare frequency. Franchise buyers should model conservative scenarios for these revenue streams.
When calling existing pet franchise operators, focus on:
Pet care businesses face specific regulations that vary by state and municipality:
| Revenue Stream | Monthly Range | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Grooming services | $15,000-$40,000 | Per appointment |
| Daycare | $10,000-$30,000 | Monthly memberships |
| Boarding | $8,000-$25,000 | Nightly rate |
| Retail products | $5,000-$20,000 | Per transaction |
| Training | $3,000-$10,000 | Per package |
| Add-on services | $2,000-$8,000 | Per visit |
Source: Data extracted from 2025-2026 Franchise Disclosure Documents filed with state regulators. Figures may have changed since filing. Verify current terms directly with the franchisor.
| Expense | % of Revenue |
|---|---|
| Labor (groomers, attendants) | 35-45% |
| Rent and facilities | 10-18% |
| Royalty + ad fund | 7-12% |
| Supplies and products (COGS) | 8-15% |
| Insurance | 3-5% |
| Marketing | 3-5% |
| Utilities and maintenance | 2-4% |
| Target operating margin | 10-20% |
Source: Data extracted from 2025-2026 Franchise Disclosure Documents filed with state regulators. Figures may have changed since filing. Verify current terms directly with the franchisor.
The pet industry combines recession-resistant demand, emotional customer loyalty, and growing per-pet spending. For franchise buyers, the question is which model fits your investment capacity and market:
Regardless of the model, check the FDD data: unit growth trends, Item 19 earnings (available for 76.9% of pet franchises), and the franchisee contact list in Item 20. The numbers will tell you what the franchisor’s sales pitch can’t.
Browse all pet service franchises in our library to compare costs and unit data, or take our franchise readiness quiz to see if franchise ownership fits your goals.
Pet franchise investments range from $68,450 for mobile/training concepts to over $1.4 million for full retail stores like Pet Supplies Plus. The average across 13 pet FDDs with data is $292,603 to $593,210. Mobile grooming and training concepts offer the lowest entry points.
The pet industry has grown every year since 1994, including through recessions. Americans spend over $136 billion annually on pets. Pet franchises have a 76.9% Item 19 disclosure rate, meaning most share earnings data. However, success depends on local competition, staffing availability, and your ability to execute.
Profitability varies by location and model. Camp Bow Wow (daycare/boarding) and Pet Supplies Plus (retail) have higher revenue potential per location but require $500K-$1.4M investment. Mobile concepts like Bark Busters have lower revenue ceilings but much lower overhead and faster break-even.
You don't need to be a groomer, trainer, or veterinarian to own a pet franchise. Most systems train you on animal care basics and hire certified staff for hands-on services. Management, marketing, and business operations skills are more important than pet industry experience.
This page is part of VetMyFranchise. View all pages: llms.txt · llms-full.txt