The Dog Stop

The Dog Stop

Franzy VerifiedInformation based on 2026 FDD

Pets · Dog Daycare

Investment min
$494K
Total: $494K–$1M
Avg gross revenue
$833K
Unit-level, 2026
Franchise fee
$60K
Veteran discount available
Royalty
6%
of gross revenue
Locations
40
Franchising since 2013

Description

What is The Dog Stop?

The Dog Stop is a comprehensive pet care franchise that has revolutionized the dog service industry since 2009. This premier destination offers a complete suite of services including professional grooming, daycare, boarding, and training, all delivered in state-of-the-art facilities designed with both pets' and owners' needs in mind.

What sets The Dog Stop apart is their unwavering commitment to providing exceptional care in a clean, safe, and monitored environment. Their facilities feature separate play areas based on size and temperament, ensuring every dog receives appropriate socialization and exercise. The innovative UV sanitation systems and advanced HVAC technology maintain pristine conditions, while real-time webcam access gives pet parents peace of mind through transparent monitoring of their furry friends.

Their professional groomers are highly skilled and experienced, specializing in breed-specific cuts and handling dogs with various temperaments. The boarding services include both traditional and VIP luxury options, accommodating dogs who prefer private spaces or those who thrive in social settings. Their daycare program incorporates enrichment activities and supervised play, ensuring dogs return home happy and well-exercised.

The Dog Stop's success is built on their team of passionate pet care professionals who treat every dog as their own. Their commitment to personalized attention, detailed 'report cards' for pet parents, and flexible service options has earned them an outstanding reputation in the communities they serve. Whether it's a quick nail trim or an extended boarding stay, The Dog Stop provides the complete solution for modern pet parents seeking quality care for their beloved companions.
  • 9
  • 500+ square foot indoor/outdoor dog facility
  • Five comprehensive revenue streams under one roof
  • Professional grooming with relaxing spa-like atmosphere
  • DogCams with smartphone app for real-time pet monitoring
  • 15+ years operational experience since 2009

Location Analysis

Where The Dog Stop wins

The Dog Stop demonstrates concentrated regional strength in the Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, and Southeast corridors, with established footholds in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, North Carolina, and Florida. The brand's geographic clustering in markets like Pittsburgh, Philadelphia metro, Northern Virginia/DC suburbs, Charlotte, and Tampa/St. Petersburg reflects logical expansion around urban-suburban interfaces where target demographics—dual-income households with disposable income and limited yard space—create natural demand for premium pet services. The 4.6-4.8 star average rating with moderate review volume (50-200+ per location) indicates solid customer satisfaction, with recurring praise for staff expertise, facility cleanliness, transparent operations, and comprehensive service integration. This consistent positive sentiment across multiple markets suggests transferable operational standards and effective training protocols. However, criticism regarding premium pricing and restrictive daycare evaluation processes highlights potential friction points that may limit customer acquisition in price-sensitive or less affluent territories. The ideal location profile—retail/mixed-use centers with visibility, parking, and co-tenancy drawing complementary traffic within a 5-10 minute residential drive—requires disciplined site selection in suburban markets with sufficient pet ownership density and willingness to pay for premium services. Territory evaluation should prioritize median household income levels, pet ownership rates, percentage of dual-income households, and competitive landscape analysis. Prospective franchisees must validate local market demographics align closely with the brand's upscale positioning and conduct thorough territory-level feasibility studies before committing capital.
Total US locations
26
Franchise units
40
Corporate locations
6
Avg. sq. footage

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Financial Analysis

The numbers behind The Dog Stop

Avg gross revenue$833,084
Investment range$493,850 – $1,373,500
Investment midpoint$933,675
Brand fund2%
Royalty6%
Franchise fee$60,000
Min. net worth$750,000
Min. liquid capital$350,000

Veteran discount available

The Dog Stop participates in a veteran discount program on the franchise fee. Ask your Franzy advisor or the brand for current eligibility and terms.

The Dog Stop operates in the premium pet services segment with an investment range of $493,850 to $1,373,500, positioning it as a mid-to-upper tier franchise opportunity requiring substantial initial capital. The reported gross revenue of $833,084 per location suggests modest top-line performance relative to the investment ceiling, warranting careful scrutiny of unit-level economics and operating margins. Founded in 2009 with 26 units after 15 years indicates measured growth—neither aggressive expansion nor stagnation—which may reflect selective franchisee recruitment, capital intensity constraints, or market saturation challenges in core territories. The multi-service model (daycare, boarding, grooming, training) creates operational complexity requiring skilled labor management and sophisticated scheduling systems, but offers revenue diversification and higher customer lifetime value compared to single-service competitors. The 3,000-4,500 square foot requirement and ground-floor specifications suggest significant real estate and build-out costs, likely explaining the wide investment range. Premium pricing strategy noted in reviews aligns with the upscale positioning but creates vulnerability to economic downturns affecting discretionary pet spending. Investors should conduct rigorous unit-level financial validation, focusing on labor costs as percentage of revenue, utilization rates across service lines, and realistic ramp-up timelines given the brand's limited market penetration. The combination of high capital requirements and moderate unit count raises questions about franchisee profitability and return timelines that demand transparent Item 19 analysis.
Did you know? The Dog Stop is a premium pet services franchise in the dog daycare and boarding sector requiring an initial investment between $493,850 and $1,373,500. Founded in 2009, the brand operates 26 locations primarily across Mid-Atlantic and Southeast markets, offering integrated daycare, boarding, grooming, and training services. The investment reflects the capital-intensive nature of the 3,000-4,500 square foot facility requirement and comprehensive service model.

Financing partners

Vetted partners, tailored to franchisees

Your Franzy advisor can connect you with these partners later in the process — competitive rates, specialized in franchise financing.

FranFund

Lender

CRF USA

Nonprofit SBA lender; provides financing for franchise acquisitions, startups, and expansion.

Lender

First Bank of the Lake

Lender

Pension Pros

Lender

The model

How The Dog Stop works

01
Ownership
Part-Time (Executive)

Owner stays in an executive role — sets strategy, hires a manager, and oversees crews. Typically 5–20 hr/wk after ramp; many keep their day job.

Full-Time

Owner runs the business as their primary job — leads the team day-to-day on the ground, 40+ hr/wk.

02
Revenue
Recurring revenueTransaction-basedBig-ticket salesService-basedProduct sales (retail)Hybrid model
03
Customer
B2B

Sells to businesses, contractors, or property owners.

B2C

Sells directly to consumers and homeowners.

Mixed

Serves both businesses and consumers.

FDD Item 7

Initial investment range

$494K–$1M
Most common
$493,850
Minimum
$933,675
Midpoint
$1,373,500
Maximum

Per FDD Item 7, total initial investment ranges from $493,850 to $1,373,500. The midpoint $933,675 is what most franchisees report at signing — financing typically reduces cash-at-close by 80–90%. Knowing the investment range helps you plan confidently and ensure you're fully prepared to make the leap.

FDD Item 19

Average gross sales

$2M$1M$900K$600K$300KN/A
$755K
$955K
$1M
2022
2023
2024
Avg
$907K
YOY change (2023 -> 2024)
+6%

According to Item 19 of the Franchise Disclosure Document, The Dog Stop has an average gross revenue of $1M. (Note: This information is based on the latest FDD in our records. Please review the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and confirm this information directly with the brand. We make no claims of accuracy for the information presented.)

Growth over time

Franchise footprint

+8% YoY
3024181260
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
26 units open as of 2026 FDD+2 in last 12 mo

2026 Franchise Disclosure

FDD documents

Below are items 2, 3, 4, 7, 11 and 19 for The Dog Stop's 2026 FDD. The complete FDD is delivered to you directly by the franchisor, per the FTC Franchise Rule.

Estimated initial investment
FDD Item 7 · PDF
Financial performance representations
FDD Item 19 · PDF
Members-only items
Executive team
FDD Item 2 · PDF
Litigation
FDD Item 3 · PDF
Bankruptcy
FDD Item 4 · PDF
Franchisor assistance
FDD Item 11 · PDF
Members only
Unlock the 2026 FDD

Connect to download Items 2, 3, 4, and 11 — direct from the franchisor.

Buyer FAQs

Frequently asked questions

The initial investment for a The Dog Stop franchise typically ranges between $493,850.00 and $1,373,500.00. This includes the franchise fee, equipment, real estate, and other startup costs. To get a detailed breakdown and better understand the financial requirements, we recommend scheduling a call with the Franzy team. We'll walk you through the specifics and answer any questions you might have. For more detailed information, refer to the financial sections of the FDD.

Disclaimer. The information provided on this page is based on the latest Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) we have on record, which was issued in 2026. This information is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal, financial, or business advice. We make no guarantees or claims regarding the completeness or accuracy. Only the franchisor can confirm that the information is complete and accurate and we recommend consulting the franchisor directly for the most recent FDD and regarding any questions that you may have about the information provided.

The Dog Stop
The Dog Stop
$833K avg revenue · 40+ US franchises

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