Key Numbers
41
Total units open
3
Units opened last year
1
Units closed last year
2
Net unit growth
Central Bark Franchise
Pet Services FDD 2026 Founded 2022 · 4+ yrs Item 19 disclosed
Data extracted from Central Bark's 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document, filed under FTC Rule 16 CFR 436. How we analyze FDDs →
Initial investment
$569K - $1.4M
Franchise fee
$55K
Median unit revenue
$770k
System size
41 (+3)
The Verdict
Quick Verdict · who it fits
Central Bark fits first-time franchise buyers looking for an emerging pet services concept.
✓ Strengths
- ✓Discloses Item 19 financial performance
- ✓No disclosed Item 3 litigation
⚠ Risks to review
- ⚠No exclusive territory — franchisor can open nearby
Key FDD Facts
The numbers a buyer needs first — straight from the filing.
Initial investment (Item 7)
$569K - $1.4M
Franchise fee (Item 5)
$55K
Royalty (Item 6)
6% + 2% ad
Item 19 median rev
$770k franchised units
System size (Item 20)
41 +3
Agreement term
10 yrs
Years in business
4+ yrs
Item 3 litigation
None disclosed
Model Central Bark's costs in the investment calculator → Prefilled from this filing — startup cost, cash flow and break-even.
Buyer qualifications
•No exclusive territory•Owner-operator required✓No bankruptcy disclosed✓No Item 3 litigation
Data extracted from the 2026 FDD filed with state regulators. Fees and terms may have changed since filing — request the current FDD from the franchisor before deciding. Not legal, financial, or investment advice. Full disclaimer.
What you'd pay the franchisor
Drag to your projected annual sales. Royalty 6% + ad fund 2% on gross sales.
PROJECTED ANNUAL SALES$770,000
$100k$2M
Royalty (6%)
—
Ad fund (2%)
—
Total / year
—
▪ Of-sales fees only · excludes rent, labor, COGS, and one-time costs · for illustration
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What's inside
Franchise Overview
Costs & Fees Breakdown
Your Obligations
Franchisor Obligations
Financial Statements
Contracts Summary
Unit Economics
Network Health
Litigation Risk
Earnings Analysis
Financial Fit Analysis
Buyer Verdict
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Research, not legal advice. Use this report alongside professional legal and financial review before signing any franchise agreement.
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Competitive intelligence for franchisors →Executive Summary
Free AI summary — the first read on the filing.
AI Due Diligence Findings PREMIUM
What our analysis flagged across the 2026 filing.
5
Risks to review
4
Strengths identified
5
Questions to ask
Industry Benchmarks
How Central Bark ranks against 51 Pet Services peers we've analyzed.
Initial investment
84th pct · of 51 peers
Franchise fee
79th pct · of 51 peers
System size
60th pct · of 51 peers
Pet Services industry averages
Avg investment
$292K - $625K
Avg franchise fee
$46K
Avg system size
73
Franchises analyzed
51
How Central Bark stacks up
Closest concepts by category and investment.
| Brand | Item 19 | Fee | Investment | Royalty | Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Bark | Disclosed | $55K | $569K - $1.4M | 6% | 41 |
| The Dog Stop Similar price | Disclosed | $60K | $494K - $1.4M | 6% | 40 |
| Psp Franchise Operations Biggest system | Disclosed | $50K | $541K - $2.0M | 2–3% | 502 |
| Petland Top-rated in category | Disclosed | $50K | $316K - $1.1M | 2.25–4.5% | 69 |
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a Central Bark franchise cost?
Central Bark requires a $55,000 initial franchise fee and a total initial investment range of $569,200–$1,394,250, per the most recent FDD on file.
Who owns Central Bark?
Central Bark franchises are sold by Central Bark, the franchisor entity of record on its Franchise Disclosure Document. Item 1 of the FDD discloses the corporate structure, including any parent companies and predecessors.
Does Central Bark disclose financial performance (Item 19)?
Yes. Central Bark discloses Item 19 financial performance representations with reported revenue around $770,229. See the financials sub-page for the full distribution.
What ongoing fees does Central Bark charge?
Franchisees pay a royalty of 6% of Gross Sales and an advertising fund contribution of 2% on gross sales as defined in Item 6 of the FDD.
How many Central Bark locations are there?
As of their 2026 FDD, Central Bark has 41 total locations, with 3 new locations opened in the most recent reporting year. This information comes from Item 20 of the FDD.
Does Central Bark grant exclusive territory?
No. Central Bark does not grant exclusive territory rights under Item 12. The franchisor retains the right to operate or grant additional units inside or adjacent to your trade area.
What are the renewal and exit terms?
Per the FDD, Central Bark discloses an initial agreement term of 10 years, a renewal fee of $15,000, a transfer fee of $15,000. Review Items 10 and 17 for the full renewal and termination provisions.
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