Franchise Journal June 2021

FRANCHISE Journal LEARN Why The Opportunity To Start A Business Is Now p. 70

pet

JUNE 2021/FranchiseJournal.com

the

issue

TAIL-WAGGING GOOD FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITIES!

THE SCOOP On Investing In A Pet Care Franchise p. 44

HOW TO Overcome Franchise Buying Hurdles with Full-Service Funding p. 94

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TAMPA

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SAN ANTONIO

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Cobb Galleria

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WASHINGTON DC Dulles Expo Center

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contents

JUNE 2021

50

THE ARK PET SPA EXPANDS

16 FETCH! PET CARE.

A national brand with a local fee

20 FRAN FUND Nine Reasons to Use Retirement Plan Funding to Start Your Business

by Sherri Seiber

32

DOODYCALLS DoodyCalls Proves Picking Up Poop Is Serious Business

36 DRIPBAR

DRIPBar is Expanding—Helping People Obtain Their Best Health

by Carl Gould

24 FRANCHISE FASTLANE The brothers that just do gutters partners with franchise fastlane to accelerate growth

28 BARNES LAW

44 I Love Animals. Should I Invest in a Pet Care

YES… The Franchise Agreement is Negotiable!

By Houston Barnes

6

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40 Freedom is One Franchise Away

by Greg Mohr

Franchise?

by Seth Lederman

64

60

86

50 THE ARK PET SPA

78 ZOOM ROOM

rom Inception to Expansion, Their F Business Plan Proves Strong 17 Years Later

by Camantha Magoon

56 THE DOG STOP®

he Dog Stop® Promotes Healthy and T Happy Dogs

60

COVER STORY Dogtopia Continues Explosive Growth On Heels Of Pandemic

64 FLOOR COVERINGS INTERNATIONAL

Love Your Pets And Your House? This Top Franchise Offers Pet-Friendly Flooring that Looks Fantastic

by Rhonda Sanderson

70 Why The Opportunity to Start a Business

is Now

by Rick Morgin

Poised to Lead the Future of Franchising

82 LANDARD & ASSOCIATES

ou Have Invested in a Pet Franchise; What Y About the Lease?

by Nancy Lanard

86 PET SUPPLIES PLUS

Pet Supplies Plus Continues to Grow During Pandemic

90 The Numbers Tell the Story About Pets

by John Ovens

94 TENET FINANCIAL GROUP Overcoming Franchise Buying Hurdles with Full-Service Funding

by Symara Rog 98 Pet franchises are booming!

by Rob Petka

104 PET WELL CLINIC Millennial Entrepreneurs – the next generation of franchise business owners

by Colin Jones

74 The Pet Industry by the Numbers

by Dave Cooley WWW.FRANCHISEJOURNAL.COM | JUNE 2021

7

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The World's Most Trusted Source of Franchise News

welcome T THE NEW DOG

by Linda Pastan

Into the gravity of my life, the serious ceremonies of polish and paper and pen, has come this manic animal whose innocent disruptions make nonsense of my old simplicitiesas if I needed him to prove again that after all the careful planning, anything can happen.

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he last year will no doubt go down in the books as one of the most challenging years in recent history, but one of its biggest (and most delightful) surprises was the wave of pet adoptions that resulted because of the pandemic.

Quarantined under stayat-home orders, people were isolated, looking for companionship, and pet adoption soared. Perhaps you adopted a pet during the pandemic. My family adopted 2 little Shihtzus; Hippo and Bobo.

A tumultuous world is the perfect place for a furry bundle of love. With the world slipping into the pandemic, as pet adoptions soared, the commensurate spending that goes along with new family members has driven the entire pet industry. Across all categories of pet spending we are seeing the ripple effects.

PetCo has filed to be publicly traded on the stock market again on the Nasdaq under the ticker “WOOF.” The company’s sales hit nearly $4 billion this year, a jump of almost 10% from 2019. PetCo is also expecting a 4% rise in households that own pets.

The American Pet Products Association projects Americans will spend a record-high $99 billion this year on all things pet, ranging from food to veterinary care. Online pet

NOTES

food sales jumped 77% in the U.S. in March 2020 YOY. Pet merchandise is expected to be one of the top gift-giving categories, according to a survey by consulting firm Deloitte. On average, half of those surveyed plan to spend $90 on pet items.

Franchising in the pet category has a long and robust history. From grooming to boarding to walking to cleaning up after them and everything in between, there is a franchise to help you make a business from something you love.

Our cover story franchise system, DogTopia, has over 160 locations open in North America and hundreds more in development. Their typical client is a female millennial who probably treats her dogs better than many human children!

If you want to see what the growth in this category looks like longer term, just take a walk down your supermarket dog food aisle and look at the range, and prices, of the variety of goods shoppers have the choice of when thinking of their furry family member.

Nick Neonakis

Editor, Franchise Journal

FOUNDER

NICK NEONAKIS DESIGN DIRECTOR

Pete Neonakis DIGITAL DIRECTOR

Abel Beyene ART DIRECTOR

Marty Greenbaum

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Chantae Arrington

SENIOR DESIGNER Patrick Elsner

MANAGING EDITOR Brenda Lesch

VIDEO PRODUCER Matt Panepinto

DEPUTY EDITOR Faizun Kamal

CONTRIBUTORS Houston Barnes Dave Cooley Carl Gould Colin Jones Nancy Lanard Seth Lederman Camantha Magoon Greg Mohr Rick Morgin John Ovens Rob Petka Symara Rog Rhonda Sanderson Sherri Seiber

SENIOR EDITOR Bill Polk ONLINE EDITOR Seth Lederman STAFF WRITER Megan Neonakis SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR Abel Beyene ASSOCIATE EDITOR Mariel Miller ONLINE EDITOR Mike Ciccarelli

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THE PET ISSUE

Fetch! Pet Care. A National Brand With A Local Feel Come Experience The Fetch! Difference!

Fetch! Pet Care is the nation’s largest franchise provider of professional pet sitting and dog walking services, serving thousands of pets and parents from coast to coast. Founded in 2002, Fetch!

Pet Care is an alternative to kennel boarding and offers a wide range of services for four-legged family members including puppy care, private dog walking, pet sitting, overnight care and pet taxi services.

According to the American Pet Products Association, more than 70% of American households have at least one pet. It can be difficult when leaving them over long periods of time whether it be for work or pleasure. Pets can feel their

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owner’s anxiety which makes them uneasy in return. Fetch!

Pet Care helps to alleviate some of this for both the pets and the pet owners with a focus on exceptional service and reliable care. The brand sets itself apart by offering locally owned and operated inhome pet care and is “COVID resistant” because interactions are with the pets.

With annual sales of $99 billion, the pet industry is the 6th fastest growing and 7th largest industry in the USA. Fetch! Pet Care is currently expanding its

franchise offering looking for professionals who have a passion for pets and exude an entrepreneurial spirit.

Fetch! offers an affordable, flexible and turnkey solution designed to enable prospective applicants to become successfully self-employed.

They streamline all operations and provide training, marketing, technology, and

operational support needed to grow a business in the booming pet industry.

“We’ve been doing this for over 19 years and have found that both women and men, who may be just getting started on their career path or who have more work experience - and want to be more involved in their local community - make great franchisees,” said Greg Longe, Fetch! Pet Care chief executive officer. “Thanks to our streamlined process, you can open your franchise in less than 14 weeks, enabling you to be in business in no time.”

Additionally, Fetch! provides a fully integrated Client Concierge Center that is staffed 365 days a year to handle customer service and scheduling (among other services) so franchisees can focus on local marketing and building teams.

“From our cutting-edge mobile scheduling and communication app, to our sophisticated virtual communications platform, you’ll have access to technology that will give you a competitive edge,” said Longe. “Being a franchisee with Fetch! Pet Care is extremely rewarding on many levels. You get the ease of being your own boss, you are stimulating your local economy by offering jobs and you are providing comfort & happiness to not only pets but to your customers, the busy pet parents.”

Fetch! Pet Care currently has

over 80 franchised locations in 24 states from coast to coast and has identified another 170 geographical territories to expand into around the country. The company has been heavily investing in sophisticated technology, advanced processes, procedures, and world-class support systems that are producing outstanding service reviews from Fetch! Pet Care’s clients nationwide.

“When our prospective franchisees leave “Meet the Team Day” in our home office, where they meet each key member of the Fetch! corporate team, they feel confident knowing they will be in the competent hands of our support staff to help launch and grow their business,” said Erica Poynter, Fetch! Pet Care director of franchise

development. “The passion we have for this franchise system and each individual franchisee is unwavering. Above all else, they feel like they’re joining a second family.”

FOR FRANCHISING OPPORTUNITIES VISIT, call 855-813-3824 or visit us at www.PetFranchisingOpportunities.com.

WWW.FRANCHISEJOURNAL.COM | JUNE 2021

17

EXPERT ADVICE

NINE REASONS to Use Retirement Plan Funding to Start Your Business

by Sherri Seiber, COO, FranFund “Whatever you do, don’t touch your retirement funds!” How many of us have heard that before? Financial advisors, friends, family, and even television experts tell us that these funds are sacred. This philosophy probably makes sense if you plan to access retirement savings to put a new roof on your house or go on a month-long vacation.

But what if you invested those funds in the stock of a company that you had a high certainty would continue to

grow and increase in value?

Would you consider that?

What if you invested your retirement savings into a business in which you have complete control and a high expectation of a healthy ROI? When you review your financial statement, you see your checking accounts, savings accounts, investment accounts, retirement accounts, etc. Realistically, these are all funds that you hope to have available during retirement.

The difference in these

accounts is whether the taxes have already been paid or if the taxes are deferred.

Funds in checking and savings accounts are almost always post-tax. Your 401(k) or IRA are tax-deferred. The Rollover for Business Startup (ROBS) strategy gives you the ability to access your tax-deferred savings for investment into your own franchise.

In this article, we are going to review nine reasons to consider using qualified retirement funds to invest in your own business:

REASON #1:

The ROBS process was created and governed by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Department of Labor (DOL) and has been legal since the ERISA Act of 1974. The ROBS program is not a loophole developed by providers to avoid taxation or circumvent rules and regulations in your retirement accounts.

REASON #2:

Your pre-tax retirement funds (an IRA, 401(k), or other nonRoth retirement accounts) can be structured as an investment

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in your business. The ROBS program allows you to utilize the full potential of these funds to purchase your own business, tax-deferred and penalty-free.

Using these funds to capitalize your business enables you to invest in yourself. By avoiding unnecessary taxes and penalties, you can access more of your funds and save more money for retirement.

REASON #3:

Using your retirement funds may enable you to eliminate or reduce the need for additional small business loans. Unlike a loan, using this process allows you to start your business debt-free with available cash, having no debts to increase your overhead. It is also a great source of funds to use as an equity injection for a loan if borrowing is part of your overall funding strategy.

REASON #4:

This strategy allows you to invest cash into a business without changing the value of your savings account. You still have the ability to hold on to your liquid cash for personal living expenses or a rainy-day fund while getting your new business up and running.

REASON #5:

There is no application or approval process. Your personal credit score or financial health is not a consideration. Best of all, your retirement funds can be accessed and ready for use for business expenses within 15-20 business days.

REASON #6:

This process includes creating a new 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan that your business will sponsor. Eligible employees of the company (including yourself) have the ability to contribute to the plan with pretax dollars. Your company has the option to make matching contributions and extra profit-sharing contributions to attract and maintain quality employees with a valid employee retirement plan.

REASON #7:

After using the ROBS strategy to fund your new business, the value of your retirement plan grows with the value of your business rather than being dependent on market conditions.

REASON #8:

REASON #9:

WHY FRANFUND™?

The partner you choose to assist you with the financing of your new business or your business expansion is as important as deciding which business to buy. The FranFund team of experts provides you with support throughout the process, backed by years of experience. We appreciate the opportunity to work with you today.

WHAT IS A FRANPLAN™?

FranFund facilitates the ROBS program through our proven, compliant FranPlan™ program.

As Chief Operating Officer and Co-Owner at FranFund, Inc., Sherri Seiber is exceptionally passionate about providing funding solutions to aspiring or expanding entrepreneurs.

In addition, she focuses on the company’s crucial aspects in her day-to-day, including business development, strategic direction, and creating a culture around customer service and teamwork.

A few years down the road, when you decide to retire and sell your business, you will follow the proper steps to facilitate this sale and, in the end, pay off your shareholders. If the 401(k) you set up is still a shareholder, you will “pay off” that shareholder, more than likely with a handsome growth in value.

Why Wait? If identifying a source of funds has prevented you from becoming the entrepreneur you want to be, you can start today!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

WWW.FRANCHISEJOURNAL.COM | JUNE 2021

21

Kids Coding, STEM and Career Readiness Education.

Own a Franchise That Makes a Difference Low start-up costs | Flexible business model | Thriving education sector Preparing students for tomorrow’s workplace, while helping you build a b r i g h t fi n a n c i a l f u t u r e .

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THE BROTHERS THAT JUST DO GUTTERS PARTNERS WITH FRANCHISE FASTLANE TO ACCELERATE GROWTH Franchise FastLane only partners with the best brands in franchising to change lives and drive results. Emerging franchise brands go through a thorough evaluation process to verify that they are prepared for the accelerated growth that Franchise FastLane can drive. “It’s not easy to find brands that check all of the necessity boxes, as we hold our FastLane standards high ensuring we are changing lives with the best brands in the industry. We call these brands “the chosen few” or “The Next Big Thing” and this one is definitely that,” said FastLane President and Co-Founder Carey Gille.

The Brothers That Just Do Gutters franchised their business model in 2015 after running a successful gutter company

since 1999 in New York. The brothers, Ken and Ryan Parsons, recognized a gaping hole in the gutter industry which their model filled perfectly. Gutters are a repeat need, not a want. The Brothers That Just Do Gutters reinvents contractor service by providing their clients 5-Star services for installation, cleaning, and repair of seamless rain gutters and leaf guards in a differentiated way by focusing on an often-overlooked aspect of the industry... the customers. The Brothers That Just Do Gutters treats each project as a unique opportunity to help homeowners protect their investment by providing trustworthy, skilled employees and quality products.

Ken and Ryan spent eight years perfecting their business prior to franchising the opportunity

and this has really set up their franchisees for fast growth and tremendous support from day one.

“A major attraction and leg up from the competition is the logo and branding. Our branding is unforgettable, sells itself, and puts a smile on people’s faces. Our brand says exactly what we do; promotes family, quality, and high value. We are invested in helping our franchisees take our business model from startup to semi-passive and eventually to a passive business,” said Ken Parsons, Co-Founder and President of The Brothers That Just Do Gutters.

With such a winning model (simple, home-based, low-investment, and quick-to-open), Franchise FastLane is confident The Brothers That Just Do Gutters will appeal to prospective franchisees across the country. “With 21

franchisees already open and operating, validation is strong and the results they are seeing are incredible,” says Gille.

“This is the first time I have seen a comprehensive 23-page Item 19 with full earnings reports for franchisees and location by location proforma reporting an average of over a million in revenue! They even included a Pandemic report which shows an average 80% year-over-year growth in the midst of COVID! It was so hard to believe that I had to get on the phone with their franchisees and the validation blew me away as well!”

One franchisee even said, “We beat last month’s goal and we are already close this month! The warm leads from corporate are amazing and the back-end team is so helpful. It’s honestly the best sales process I’ve ever been a part of!”

Ken Parson notes, “Right out of the gate, after speaking with Carey, it was evident Franchise FastLane had a systematic approach to helping franchisor’s scale and do it fast. As we continued down the path of onboarding, we saw the inner workings and culture of the

organization. Experiencing this firsthand confirmed to our team that we had made the right choice in our decision to partner with FastLane.”

The tremendous business opportunity that The Brothers That Just Do Gutters creates for entrepreneurs coast to coast is designed for candidates full of passion and grit. Combine that with integrity, “do the right thing” values, and a “Gutter Done” attitude, you get a brand that is reinventing and disrupting contractor services providing a 5-Star service in a 1-Star industry.

To learn more about The Brothers That Just Do Gutters email, brothersguttersleads@franchisefastlane.com

To learn more about how Franchise FastLane can help grow your brand, visit: www.franchiseFastLane.com

A DIVISION OF KEYSER

DON’T HAVE A REAL ESTATE DEPARTMENT?

WITH F.R.E.D.

NOW YOU DO WHAT’S F.R.E.D.?

Franchise Real Estate Department (F.R.E.D.) is your team of franchise commercial real estate experts.

F.R.E.D. IS ALWAYS

ON YOUR SIDE

As a franchise-focused division of Keyser, F.R.E.D. gives you all the power and resources of a commercial real estate brokerage, with a focus on franchising.

F.R.E.D. only represents tenants, never landlords, so you know we’ve always got your back and are ready to negotiate aggressively for you and your franchisee.

From site selection, to lease negotiations and hanging your official “Now Open” sign, F.R.E.D. helps remove the hassle by coordinating with construction, legal, and your landlord throughout the entire process at no cost to you or your franchisee.

CHAT WITH F.R.E.D. ROCCO FIORENTINO

rf@keyserco.com 609.206.4300

TY BREWSTER

tbrewster@keyserco.com 623.332.3201

OR VISIT US ONLINE www.keyserco.com/fred 602.9.KEYSER

"Passive ownership and a fully absentee model is what Sharkey's is all about, says CEO Scott Sharkey. We have been able to combine a passive ownership franchise with a model that is 100% recession proof for today and years to come. Sharkey's Cuts for Kids is not one of those trendy franchises where maybe you make back your ROI within 3-5 years before your concept gets replaced by something bigger, better, or more trendy.

Our franchise offers people the opportunity to invest in a brand that has longevity, is fun to run, is recession proof and has very little competition.

40 New Locations in 2021! SharkeysFranchisingCompany.com

EXPERT ADVICE

YES… The Franchise

Agreement is Negotiable!

by Houston Barnes, Founder, Barnes Law and Southern Franchise Law

O

ne of the biggest issues in franchising is lawyers. But before you start with the jokes, the problem is actually lawyers who don't understand franchising.

By their nature, franchise agreements are relatively onesided and allow little room for negotiation. Many attorneys look at a franchise agreement as simply a contract, and not a contract that lives within the ecosphere of the franchising universe. Often, this leads the attorney to give varied advice and scares their clients away.

Since you’re reading this article, I can assume that you are curious about entering the world of franchising. Central to this world are the legal, financial, and operational systems that are fixed in a way to assure everyone's greatest chance of success– though it may look to some like it limits your ability to act autonomously.

The franchisor may try to tell you that the franchise agreement is not negotiable, but this is simply not the case! While the franchisor does not have to negotiate the franchise agreement, the

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only thing keeping them from negotiating is themselves.

I have reviewed hundreds of franchise agreements and about 75 percent of the time we end up successfully negotiating an addendum.

The franchisor and other franchisees are concerned with the issue of fairness. They don't want to create a system where different parties feel like some locations are favored

over others.

That is just simply not conducive to a good franchising model. The way franchising works is that all parties want the optimal opportunities for success so everyone can be successful.

However, this does not limit your ability to negotiate.

The first step when you're looking at negotiating a franchise agreement may seem obvious, but is often overlooked. You need to read the entire franchise disclosure

THE MOST IMPORTANT PIECE OF ADVICE I CAN OFFER YOU WHEN GETTING INTO FRANCHISING IS TO GET YOURSELF A GOOD LAWYER WHO IS FAMILIAR WITH THE TERRITORY AND CAN GUIDE YOU THROUGH ANY ISSUES OR CHANGES THAT MAY ARISE THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS. document. Not just the first part, not just the part you think are important, but all 300 pages of it! While your lawyer will (or at least should) read the entire document, they can't read it for you. If in general you are not happy with the terms, it may be better to walk away now.

When negotiating a franchise agreement we're talking about making incremental changes– not about making major changes to the system. I always tell clients to read the franchise agreement with the idea of how it can be made better for you, not how you can make the franchise system better overall.

We all want to make more money, so the easiest and most obvious thing to do is to ask that the fees be reduced.

Keep in mind that the fees are where the franchisor is going to make its money, and believe it or not, that is not where you can get the most value. I have seen franchisors negotiate the fee – maybe they offer you a lower fee because that's what they've offered in the past, or maybe they offer you a lower advertising fee because you have some expertise in that area. When it comes to negotiating fees, I never say never, but I do tell clients to temper their expectations.

Another piece of the franchise agreement that is negotiable

are the resources provided during the start of your franchise. The beginning stages of a franchise are oftentimes the most important. The amount of time and resources that the franchisor provides in the early stages of your company, for example, the grand opening marketing, are areas where you can ask for more. This is often an easy ask because all parties are on good terms and everybody wants the other to be successful.

After looking at ways to negotiate the opening of the franchise, it is also important to consider the final stages of the franchise. Whether you are hoping to sell the franchise one day, or hoping to own it for the rest of your life, it is important to realize there's a chance that something could go wrong and to plan for that.

How much is it going to cost you to get out of the franchise?

How long will it take you? What will it look like? All important considerations that are much easier to deal with now when there's less at stake and less emotion in the mix, compared to when you’re actually faced with the prospect of ending your time with a franchise.

Dealing with these issues now will save a lot of heartache and set you up for success in the long-term.

The most important piece

of advice I can offer you when getting into franchising is to get yourself a good lawyer who is familiar with the territory and can guide you through any issues or changes that may arise throughout the process.

A good franchise attorney will look at a franchise agreement and figure out what needs to change for their client to have an optimal chance at success.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer and it is a team process, but it is certainly possible to negotiate a franchise agreement in your favor.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Houston Barnes is a successful franchise attorney, and is the founder of Barnes Law and Southern Franchise Law. Houston has written FDDs for many clients, but has recently shifted his practice to focusing on franchisees, where he has successfully negotiated many franchise agreements for clients and franchises across the country. Barnes Law is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina and Houston lives with his wife and two children in Florida.

WWW.FRANCHISEJOURNAL.COM | JUNE 2021

29

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THE PET ISSUE

DoodyCalls Proves Picking Up Poop Is Serious Business Over 20 years ago, Jacob D’Aniello and his future wife, Susan, wanted to start a business together. After bouncing a few business ideas off of each, they had a moment of clarity.

Poop! Yes, poop was the answer.

Fast-forward to 2021, DoodyCalls is one of the largest pet cleanup companies in the world and currently operating in 13 states. In 2021, the company was acquired by Authority Brands, one of the nation’s largest home service franchisors.

“People didn't like picking up dog poop then, they don't know, and we bet that nobody ever will,” D’Aniello said. “The plan we came up with was making the world a happier and healthier place by picking up what dogs left behind. Once we settled on that vision, it was all we could think about.”

Headquartered in Charlottesville, Virginia, and with operations in more than 45 territories in 16 states, DoodyCalls has made its mission to put the company's customers first while always

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continuing to solve pet waste problems for the planet using its unmatched industry expertise.

DoodyCalls know that pet waste is an annoying (and smelly) problem. There are millions of dog owners in the United States — and none of them like to pick up after the dog. Plus, they know that cleaning up is an even bigger problem for communities.

That is why the company offers two types of services.

For dog owners, DoodyCalls offers year-round twice weekly, weekly, bi-monthly, monthly, or one-time pooper scooping services for yards of all sizes. For communities and homeowner associations, the company develops and implements comprehensive pet waste management plans designed to meet their specific needs.

With these easy solutions, DoodyCalls offers entrepreneurs a can’t-miss opportunity rarely seen in other franchises: A business with recurring revenue, high earnings potential, and builtin marketing, training, and education programs.

Earning themselves the reputation of one of the biggest and best pet cleanup companies in the nation, DoodyCalls has proven that picking up poop is no laughing matter. Paired together with the growing home services industry, the

EARNING THEMSELVES THE REPUTATION OF ONE OF THE BIGGEST AND BEST PET CLEANUP COMPANIES IN THE NATION, DOODYCALLS HAS PROVEN THAT PICKING UP POOP IS NO LAUGHING MATTER.

pet cleanup industry is poised for breakout success.

Their success has also earned them rave reviews from their franchise owners.

“When we decided to pick up poop for a living, that got a lot of laughs from friends and family members… until they realized how lucrative it actually is,” franchisee Craig Hammer said. “I would definitely recommend starting a DoodyCalls franchise. It’s been very successful for us, and we continue to grow.”

“I absolutely recommend DoodyCalls for anyone who

wants to start a business,” franchisee Amy Wise said.

“One of the main reasons why is Jacob, Susan, and the support staff, who are there to help when you’re in need.

In all my dealing with them, they are fair and have my best interest at heart.”

With their recent acquisition

by Authority Brands, DoodyCalls is currently looking for franchisees to help them reach their goals of expansion and helping people reach their goal of business ownership. To learn more about the brand, visit doodycalls.com.

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DRIPBar is Expanding— Helping People Obtain Their Best Health

by Carl Gould, The DRIPBar

THE DRIPBaR is

expanding across New Jersey with the help of worldwide leading authority on business and entrepreneurship, Carl Gould. Founded in 2016 and franchising since late 2019,

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THE DRIPBaR is a Rhode Island-based franchise focused on helping people obtain their best physical and mental health using intravenous therapies.

Through advances in cellular

and biological science, THE DRIPBaR helps clients fight the consequences of chronic illness, address the effects of aging, and achieve a balanced wellness. With five locations currently open and operating

in Rhode Island, Georgia, Colorado, Florida, and Texas, THE DRIPBaR has nearly 200 additional locations in various stages of development across eight states.

Gould a client and true believer of IV therapy loves the health aspect behind the brand and is looking to expand THE DRIPBaR through franchising partnerships across the state of New Jersey and in metro areas like Newark, the suburbs of Philadelphia, and Atlantic City.

His first location is expected to open later this summer in Butler, a borough in northern New Jersey.

“I whole heartedly believe in THE DRIPBaR’s concept and mission. Their overall goal is to help people through IV therapy. From cancer patients to the busy mom, THE DRIPBaR has something to help everyone.” said Gould. “I

want to bring New Jersey the best IV therapy you can get, and for me that is what THE DRIPBaR does. They go to the extra lengths to be as high quality as possible.”

THE DRIPBaR’s Chief Development Officer, Ben Crosbie, could not be happier to have Gould on board.

Gould’s company, 7 Stage Advisors, has mentored the launch of over five thousand businesses in 35 countries.

The serial entrepreneur built three multi-million-dollar businesses by age 40 and is now committed to growing THE DRIPBaR. “THE DRIPBaR is focused on helping people and that mission is what I have been committed to my whole life,” said Gould. “THE DRIPBaR’s dedication to the community, cutting edge treatments, and excellence in the industry will lead us to success across the state.”

Intravenous therapy, which is also known as IV vitamin therapy, is the administering of nutrients and hydration directly into the bloodstream for immediate absorption and use by the body. It is the fastest way to deliver nutrients

“I WHOLE HEARTEDLY BELIEVE IN THE DRIPBAR’S CONCEPT AND MISSION. THEIR OVERALL GOAL IS TO HELP PEOPLE THROUGH IV THERAPY. FROM CANCER PATIENTS TO THE BUSY MOM, THE DRIPBAR HAS SOMETHING TO HELP EVERYONE.” —Carl Gould, The DRIPBar

throughout the body, because it bypasses the digestive system and goes directly into the organs, resulting in a high absorption rate. THE DRIPBaR leverages this benefit and provides IV therapies that are designed to do everything from slowing the signs of aging to reducing brain fog and boosting energy.

At THE DRIPBaR, clients have 18 different IV lifestyle or health-support drips to choose from, including the “flu fighter” that can help the common cold and High C, which is typically for current or former cancer patients. For those who don’t have time for a full vitamin infusion but want the benefit, clients can choose one of seven “quick shots” that give the body an added boost. Each session ranges in price from about $100 to $200 and last from 25 to 40 minutes.

“The quality and range of our offerings, and the consistent excellence of our services, will distinguish us as IV therapy grows in popularity,” said Crosbie.

“COVID-19 has created a new understanding in people that they need to be as healthy as they can be. Healthcare is no longer a passive activity, where people wait for an illness to strike and then react to it. More than ever people want to be in control of their own health, they want to be proactive. They want nondrug therapies to support their best health.”

For more information about the franchise opportunity, visit www.thedripbar.com/own-adripbar.

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BUSINESS ADVICE

Freedom is One Franchise Away

by Greg Mohr, Consultant, The Franchise Consulting Company

What is the driving factor causing you to look into franchising at this time?

When we look at getting people into franchising, answering this is the first goal. We need to know what is driving you to look into franchising. What doesn’t feel right in your life? Not enough time for yourself? Not enough time for the family? Is your corporate job just not doing it for you? The main theme here is “What are you really looking to accomplish?” or, “What is your goal?”

Perhaps you don't have any issues. You might be doing great right now, and maybe you have no problems. But if that’s the case, you probably want to do better, generally. A lot of my people are doing that, too. In all cases, it’s important to look at where you’ve been, what you’re accomplishing, and goals you want to set for yourself.

The next question we ask essentially flows from the first: What do you consider wealth?

Is it simply more money? Is it more time for yourself? More time for your family? Is there something you want that requires more of your time?

If you're in the corporate world, you might want an extra income on the side in

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WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER WEALTH? IS IT SIMPLY MORE MONEY? IS IT MORE TIME FOR YOURSELF? MORE TIME FOR YOUR FAMILY? IS THERE SOMETHING YOU WANT THAT REQUIRES MORE OF YOUR TIME? order to increase your options.

You might enjoy having something that you can step away from your job now and again. Or perhaps you don't like that corporate job at all and it's time to just leave (like it was for me). When you reach that point, it is clearly time to move on.

You might be approaching retirement, but you don’t have quite enough to make that happen. As you ponder possibilities, perhaps diversifying your stock options doesn’t seem to be the answer. If this is your situation, wealth is most likely found in security.

Something has led you to this point. You are now thinking about getting into a business—particularly a franchise business. And if you're doing great already and you just want to do better overall, we work with that as well. Quite a few of my people that I've worked with are doing just fine running their own business—but investing in the stock market just isn’t doing it for them, so they want another form of investment.

No matter the details, you’re looking into a business that will be the solution to your problem. You don't want to just spend all those hours working a job with nothing

to show for it at the end of the day except the paycheck, and maybe some form of a 401(k)-retirement plan. You want something to build up; something that you can continue to have a manager run while you reap the benefits. You might even be looking for a business you can

sell when you’re done with it.

So, where are you going?

As you spend time thinking about your ultimate goals, where do you find the next great investment? Do you look through the trade magazines to see which companies are doing good? Do you come up with your own idea?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Greg Mohr is much more than someone who just matches you with a franchise.

When you get to the heart of what a franchise consultant really does, you will discover they provide you with a wealth of information so you can make informed decisions and know how to invest in a proven success system. Contact Greg at 361-772-6401 or at GregMohr@TheFranchiseConsultingCompany.com. He will find opportunities for you.

WWW.FRANCHISEJOURNAL.COM | JUNE 2021

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BUSINESS ADVICE

I Love Animals.

Should I Invest in a Pet Care Franchise?

by Seth Lederman, Consultant, The Franchise Consulting Company

“A DOG IS THE ONLY THING ON EARTH THAT LOVES YOU MORE THAN YOU LOVE YOURSELF.” —Josh Billings, American Comedian Deciding to pursue franchise ownership is a big decision that requires a lot of thought. Many people mistakenly believe that the best path to success lies in selecting a franchise that reflects a personal love or interest of theirs. So if you love dogs, invest in a pet-related franchise, right? Wrong!

Just because you love your dog doesn’t mean you want to make it the source of all your professional, personal and financial goals. In fact, opting to purchase a franchise based on a personal passion may actually result in you coming to hate your beloved hobby. What’s more, most franchisors don’t expect you to have industry knowledge or experience. They actually prefer you to be a blank slate so that you don’t come into the relationship with bad habits or outdated ways of thinking.

Instead, focus on finding a franchise business that will allow you to succeed so that you have more time to enjoy your hobby!

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ASK SETH

Dear Seth, I’ve been stuck in a rut at my job, working in the same role for the past 15 years. I’m bored and unhappy. On top of that, my company has recently done a round of layoffs, and I’m worried I will be next. I don’t love my job, but I don’t want to be unemployed either.

I’ve been thinking of investing in a franchise, but I wasn’t sure it would generate enough revenue to allow me to replace my current salary. Is that possible?

I am struggling with what kind of franchise to pursue.

I’ve heard you should look at franchises that are based on something you enjoy. I have three Pomeranian show dogs who are my life and bring me so much joy.

Should I invest in a pet care franchise? I feel like I’d really enjoy that.

Sincerely, The Dog Lady Dear Dog Lady, That’s an excellent question, and one I get a lot. The key to finding the right franchise isn’t only about your tastes and preferences. What makes a franchise the right match is when you’ve determined the business model and operating style that best suits the lifestyle and goals you'd like to achieve, in addition to your industry personal preferences and interests.

Ask yourself if you are willing to spend full-time in that business or not? It’s also essential to figure out the business model operating style. Does it fit with your preferred working method?

Of course, you also have to ask

if you can afford to make the investment needed to start a franchise.

When you narrow down your franchise choice options, make sure you understand the total investment required, including what liquidity you need and what net worth you should have to make the franchise a viable option.

Finally, your significant other needs to be on board with this life-changing decision. Buying a franchise is a serious financial AND time commitment, especially during the early days. If they aren’t supportive, it will impact your business as well as your relationship.

Good luck!

Seth OTHER MISTAKES TO AVOID WHEN BUYING A FRANCHISE When it comes to selecting a franchise that will work for you, what matters the most is having basic business skills in marketing, sales, operations, and finance. These will give you a basis for future success no matter what type of franchise you decide to invest in. And don’t worry that you need top-notch skills or experience in all of these — a basic understanding to start is enough. Here are some common mistakes to avoid when you decide to buy a franchise: 1. Not Doing Your Research.

While you don’t need to know a great deal about the franchise industry you are pursuing, you need to understand the market for the franchise. From the basic — Is there a need for this

business in my area? Do I have the necessary funding? — to more significant questions — Does location matter? Will this industry’s market be changing soon? — all need to be researched to ensure that moving forward is a sound decision for you.

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2. Not Reaching Out to Other Franchise Owners.

Maybe you think you’ve had great business instincts in the past, so you’ll make your decision based on the data available to you. But that would be a mistake. You should not only reach out and connect with owners before you invest, but you should also continue to use them as a sounding board and as a means of learning once you invest.

3. Not Having a Financial Cushion.

It can take some time for a franchise investment to begin to pay off. If you don’t have the proper level of funding before you open, you are setting yourself up to struggle.

Whether it is budget shortfalls while the business gets up to

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speed or not having the cash on hand to take advantage of windows of opportunity, not having sufficient funds set aside will make your early franchise life more challenging or even ruin it altogether.

4. Not Following the Franchise System.

What makes investing in a franchise so great is you don’t have to create the system.

You simply have to follow the one they give you. If you don’t take the proven systems and processes they have in place seriously, you are setting yourself up for failure.

Avoid falling into the common pitfalls that trip up many novice franchise buyers.

Every year, about 85% of the investors I work with end

up picking a franchise they were unfamiliar with or in an industry they never saw themselves in. Franchise consultants like myself offer expertise, a fresh perspective, and the opportunity to explore emerging franchises or brands you’d never consider on your own that align best with your lifestyle goals. Frannexus can help.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Seth Lederman, a Franchise Acquisition and Development Specialist, is a Multi-faceted entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience in small business success, including ownership and sale of his own business enterprises.

He is a frequent contributing author to The Franchise Journal and is on the exclusive Forbes Business Council. Contact him at 312-307-1297 or at seth@ thefranchiseconsultingcompany.com.

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THE PET ISSUE

From Inception to Expansion,

Their Business Plan Proves Strong 17 Years Later

by Camantha Magoon, Communications & Content Specialist, FranDevCo

THE ARK PET SPA & HOTEL IS WHERE PETS PLAY ALL DAY!

P

ets are an important part of the family, and they should be treated that way. At The Ark Pet Spa & Hotel, they do exactly that. These industry experts are in the pet hospitality business and provide several pet services including boarding, daycare, and grooming along with a well-chosen retail section in their Slobberbones Bakery & Market featuring baked dog treats, bones, toys, and so much more!

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THEIR HISTORY Back in 2006, Jay Floyd founded The Ark Pet Spa & Hotel, but the idea for such a place came long before that. “I created the original business plan for The Ark while living in Los Angeles in 2003.

After 20 years in that area, I moved back to the South where I was raised, settling in Chattanooga, Tennessee in 2004. It was there that I decided to build and launch the first Ark location that ultimately opened in 2006.

My dog at that time in L.A., "Sophie" was a 60lb Rottweiler that thought she was a lap dog and literally was our first child. She was the motivation to create a loving, caring place like The Ark to watch over her when we were away” says Jay. In 2003 there weren’t any good options for the type of pet service that The Ark currently provides. While there were veterinarians and pet sitters in the area, none gave Jay and his family the safe, fun, and loving feeling they wanted for their beloved fur baby.

So Jay sat down and created a type of pet boarding and daycare concept that is a place for all pets, regardless of size, breed, or age restrictions! This is where The Ark was born.

Before this incredible business idea, Jay worked at McCann Erickson, one of the largest advertising agencies in the world. He then left to go into the real estate market and after moving to Chattanooga to raise his kids, finally decided to make the jump into fulfilling his business plan.

“Even to this day,” Jay says, “I could pull out my 17 year old business plan and I would say 90% of it is pretty accurate to how we operate our business to this day, which is pretty astounding in itself.”

When the real estate market crashed in 08’, Jay noticed that people were pulling back on spending and real estate wasn’t the best option anymore. “Through that period of time when people were pulling back on spending, The Ark was growing. I fell in love with the idea of a kind of turnkey type of business as well as the whole idea of going

Adam Harbin, VP of Development sharing his presentation with Jay Floyd, Julia Ellis, and Sarah Rivas!

“EVEN TO THIS DAY, I COULD PULL OUT MY 17 YEAR OLD BUSINESS PLAN AND I WOULD SAY 90% OF IT IS PRETTY ACCURATE TO HOW WE OPERATE OUR BUSINESS TO THIS DAY, WHICH IS PRETTY ASTOUNDING IN ITSELF.” —Jay Floyd, Founder, The Ark Pet & Spa Hotel and finding a great location that would be convenient for our customers. It was sort of like I was back in real estate” Jay admitted, “working with architects and coming up with the layout and the model that I knew would work based on my first location was an incredible process. All so I could build another one. I ended up going to the other side of town, found a perfect location, and opened up the second Ark location on East Brainerd road, just miles away from the first.”

It was then, in 2011 that Jay was first contacted about

franchising. “After I got the second location opened, the local paper did an article on me and within a couple of days, a local attorney contacted me directly.” He congratulated Jay on opening his second location and asked if he had ever thought about franchising his business. “I told him, it's funny you say that because I had always dreamed of franchising it” said Jay, “but I just never thought that I could.”

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he would have to show a pattern of growth outside of Chattanooga. “At that time, I started looking in Atlanta, Georgia thinking that if The Ark does well in another market, then it would be another piece to the puzzle and prove my model could be franchisable” explained Jay. “It was at that point I felt like I really needed to start building a team of people to help me grow my brand and try to expand it because I really loved everything about it.” Enter Adam Harbin. Adam joined Jay on the marketing and advertising end of the brand as an intern, and Jay brought him on full-time right out of college. He helped develop 4 more locations alongside Jay and was promoted to Vice President of Development. Finally, Jay felt he was able to take on what franchising had to offer. “I decided that we should create our first FDD and launch into the franchise industry. It took us about a year, and Adam was there by my side every step of the way to help.”

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FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITY The Ark’s Franchise concept has fully developed policies and procedures with a proven service/retail mix, and professional management systems that allow them to be successful while also doing something they love. Their pet boarding offering is unique in the fact that they provide pet services for a variety of domesticated pets including dogs, cats, birds, pigs, rabbits, hamsters, ferrets, and more!

Their locations are conveniently located near heavily trafficked areas and they welcome a diverse array of domesticated pets. With their extensive guest services that include live cams, report cards, boarding, daycare, and grooming, they cover a wide variety of consumer needs, and their awardwinning concept is backed by a founder with 15+ years of extensive industry experience.

Their proof of concept is in their 6 highly successful corporate locations and incredible crew. They don't just watch their customer’s

pets, they really care for them!

Each crew member is trained and certified in Dog Body Language, CPR & Pet First Aid, Play Group Management, and sanitization procedures, but one thing they cannot coach is passion. Their crew is filled with dedicated, passionate pet lovers who want what is best for every pet! Come join this $103.6 billion Pet Care Industry that is a highly lucrative opportunity for strong, detail-oriented leaders with a genuine passion for pets!

For Franchising Information To learn more about Franchising opportunities available with The Ark Pet Spa & Hotel, visit their website at www.thearkfranchise.com or reach out to theark@frandev.co!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR FranDevCo’s Communications & Content Specialist, Camantha Magoon, has a background in Linguistics and Anthropology f rom Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan.

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ABOUT JEFF DU DAN BRAND BUILDER, FORBES CONTRIBUTOR, AND FRANCHISE EXECUTIVE Jeff Dudan is a franchise executive with 25 years of experience founding, building, operating, and ultimately exiting a national brand. He is a published author, Podcaster, Forbes contributor, speaker, and consultant to emerging brands.

Jeff has served as a YPO Chapter Chair, is a member of CEO, and has served in various capacities with the following organizations: Novant Health, IFA Franchisor Forum St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. and The Minority Wealth Commission.

ABOUT THE SHOW Unpacking experiences from today's proven visionaries, action-takers and business athletes to understand the perspective, decisions and fundamentals that can be applied to your life.

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THE PET ISSUE

The Dog Stop Promotes Healthy and Happy Dogs ®

The Dog Stop® opened

its doors in 2009 after owners Jesse Coslov and Chris Kane spent several years researching the pet care industry, surveying the needs of local pet owners, and planning an all-inclusive facility. Their goal was to create a fun and safe environment where dogs would love to come and play and pet owners would feel 100% confident in the superior care that their dogs were receiving. The

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Dog Stop® aims to deliver a superior experience for the dog(s) and his or her whole family by providing a safe environment, offering educational opportunities, and exceeding the needs of our clients and their pet companions, instilling complete peace of mind for those we serve—and to earn their trust every day!

They were bred from the beginning to be America’s best all-inclusive indoor/

outdoor dog care facility offering dog grooming, dog daycare, dog boarding, dog training & in-home services, and a pet retail store. The Dog Stop® facilities exist to promote healthy and happy dogs through socialization, physical and mental exercise, and a holistic retail approach.

Whether it’s running in our play yards, socializing with friends, or just lounging around, The Dog Stop® is your one-stop-shop for all of your

DOGSTOP DIFFERENTIATES THEMSELVES FROM OTHER DOG CARE FACILITIES BY HAVING AN OPEN-DOOR POLICY FOR ALL DOGS, GROUPING THEIR PLAY YARDS BY AGE AND PLAY STYLE. pup’s wants and needs.

They differentiate themselves from other dog care facilities by having an open-door policy for all dogs, grouping their play yards by age and play style, and offering all-weather play in their year-round outdoor areas and expansive climatecontrolled indoor spaces.

The Dog Stop® only uses the

highest quality equipment in its facilities and trains all staff to manage packs of dogs according to AACPH standards.

The Dog Stop® established a franchise business model that positions them to be the best franchisor in the industry. An industry that brought in $99 billion in sales in 2020, $9 billion more than 2018. Looking to the future, Morgan Stanley projected the pet care industry to continue this rapid growth to reach $275 billion in 2030, reflecting an 8% topline compounded annual growth rate driven by tailwinds from pandemicera purchasing and pet ownership trends.

As the industry has grown, so has The Dog Stop® family with 20 different facilities in 10 different states including Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. To provide the most complete franchise service program, The Dog Stop Franchising has assembled a team of executives and management personnel with over 100 years of experience in building and supporting franchise programs.

The Dog Stop is currently seeking highly motivated, like minded individuals to join our growing family of franchise owners nationwide!

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THE INDUSTRY/SPACE - CycleBar® is a premium boutique fitness model dedicated to offering a dynamic fitness experience - Boutique fitness has 450% growth year over year since 2010 - CycleBar® is the first & only indoor cycling studio offered as a franchise

BUSINESS MODEL - Listed on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 list 2019 - Revenue can be generated online 24 hours a day / 7 days per week - Simple human resources: semi-absentee, front desk help and instructors

THE MARKET/FINANCIAL TRANSLATION - Many different markets (urban or suburuban) offer indoor cycling classes - Financial performance representations show net margins over 50% of gross revenue - 250+ CycleBar® studios open in the U.S., Canada, U.K. and The UAE with more coming each month

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New POS/CRM for greater retail sales New sales based component for employees New marketing strategy for membership based model Now part of the Xponential Fitness family

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT

SALESINFO@STGBRANDS.COM EBD CB, LLC (“EBD CB”) is a franchise seller/broker representing CycleBar Franchising, LLC (“CycleBar”). This advertisement does not constitute a franchise offering or the solicitation of an offer to buy a CycleBar franchise which may be made only after your receipt of the CycleBar Franchise Disclosure Document, which first must be registered with certain states. CycleBar franchises are offered solely by means of the franchise disclosure document issued by CycleBar Franchising, LLC, 3185 Pullman Street, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, and at (949) 346-9794. Certain states and foreign countries have laws governing the offer and sale of franchises.

If you are a resident of one of these states or foreign countries, CycleBar will not offer you a franchise unless and until it has complied with all applicable legal requirements in your jurisdiction. Please consult with your franchise seller/broker at EBD CB for an updated list of jurisdictions where franchises can be sold.

Copyright © 2018 EBD CB, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

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THE PET ISSUE

LOVE YOUR PETS AND YOUR HOUSE? This Top

Franchise Offers Pet-Friendly Flooring that Looks Fantastic

Photos Courtesy of Floor Coverings International

by Rhonda Sanderson, CEO, Sanderson & Associates

Norcross, Floor Coverings International has

added an amazing 43 new franchises in less than two years, including the pandemic year of 2020! According to President and CEO Tom Wood, “we have gone from 142 franchises to 186 in large

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part because our excellent development team and new technologies identify the right candidates for our concept.

In addition, new franchisees have taken particular notice of the convenience of our mobile business, especially during the past year when customers wanted their homes to be

beautified with as little personal interaction to get that job done.”

The Norcross, Georgia based shop-at-home floor covering retailer offers more than 3,000 flooring options from the top brands in flooring at competitive prices. Their

franchisees operate the business with professional Design Associates who are instrumental in the company’s success and presentation to customer process. These are knowledgeable professionals who bring product and design leadership to consumers when considering their flooring needs, style, and budget.

Floor Coverings International’s products include carpet, hardwood, laminates, luxury vinyl, ceramic tile, and area rugs. Professional installation services are also provided, creating a complete turn-key solution for the homeowner.

“Some of our most popular floors are those that are ‘petfriendly’”, said Sean O’Rourke, Director of Merchandising at Floor Coverings International.

HERE ARE EXAMPLES OF THOSE: 1. Luxury Vinyl Plank/tile in many different formats with “click-float” installation, waterproof construction and 25 Year - Lifetime waterproof warranties. The products are extremely realistic and replicate hardwood flooring and tile. Almost all the vinyl products on our website have these features.

2. Laminate Flooring- several new laminate introductions now feature “water-resistant” (read pet) or “waterproof” core technology like Shaw Repel that is in our new Cascade Peak Collection. Laminate is extremely dent and scratch resistant an impervious to household stains and pet scratches.

3. Pet Friendly Carpet- many carpets today feature new technologies that protect the actual carpet fiber from absorbing moisture and pet stains and special secondary backing on the carpet that prevents stains from transferring to the padding and subfloor- makes for much more efficient cleaning and prevents lasting odors.

O’ROURKE ALSO ADDED TIPS TO CARE FOR ALL KINDS OF ’PET-FRIENDLY’ FLOORING: • Standing water is hardwood floors worst enemy. Make sure to lay a mat under your pets’ water bowl and clean up any messes as quickly as possible.

• When it comes to marking, usually your pet (dogs mostly) like to mark the

same spot repeatedly. Clean the area up with water and vinegar to cut the smell so your dog won’t go back due to scent. Do not use ammonia because dog urine contains ammonia and that will just attract them more.

• A good tip is to have diapers handy to soak up the urine. If you don’t have any diapers on hand a sponge or paper towel will do. Never wipe, just pat the area until most of the liquid is absorbed.

• Avoid putting heat on the stain; heat will cause it to bind with the fibers.

• Cleaning urine from carpeting is almost the same process. Do it quickly

President and CEO Tom Wood displaying flooring samples.

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and don’t let it sit too long.

Use 50% vinegar and 50% water and spray the area.

Soak up with a paper towel or rag to absorb the stain and dry the area. This method can also be used for a stain that has dried.

• If the stain does not come up completely and leaves an odor, cover the stain with baking soda and let it sit over-night, then vacuum the area the next day. This should take out the odor

completely and dissipate whatever is left of the stain.

• Claws are common enemies to soft wood. If you have a pet go with a harder wood flooring such as Brazilian Teak, Walnut, Acacia, or Hickory. The hardwood should be at least ¾ “thick to provide and protect floors from pet scratches.

• Laminate flooring is also a great choice for pets. Most laminate flooring is scratch resistant.

• Tile floor is the most pet friendly. Now, there is tile available that looks like hardwood so you get the best of both worlds! Make sure to seal the grout of the tile floor because marking will seep in and cause discoloration.

For franchise information, please visit www.opportunities. flooring-franchise.com and to find your closest location go to www.floorcoverings international.com.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Rhonda Sanderson is a franchise expert who has owned and operated Sanderson & Associates and Sanderson PR, both specializing in, traditional, social media and crisis PR in the franchise space since 1986. She has authored many articles, helped grow numerous franchise chains is considered one of the Top 30 Small Business Influencers (Fit Business) in the U.S. Find her at Rhonda@sandersonpr.com or on LinkedIn where she is the author of Franchise Stars at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonda-sanderson-a6b658/

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START YOUR OWN

CASINO PARTY RENTAL BUSINESS 21fun.com

NOW IS THE BEST TIME! Thousands of Event & Party Planners, and probably hundreds in your area, are looking for ways to entertain their clients, family, and friends with smaller gatherings during this year’s pandemic. At this point, everyone is completely Zoomed out. America wants to get back to celebrating and having fun again.

NOW, is the perfect time to build relationships with Event Planners and local businesses. Today smaller parties are the safe trend, and in 2021, there will be a steep increase in demand for entertainment accommodating larger gatherings.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

Hi, Welcome to 21 FUN, we are very excited to offer franchise opportunities for a very unique & niche business Casino Party Rentals.

It means it’s a great time to get in, and be the first in your area to start this high growth potential niche franchise. There is no limit to the type of events and revenue opportunities we offer, including; Weddings & Anniversaries Celebrations, Birthdays & Graduation Parties, Fundraiser & Charity Events, Team Building & Employee Appreciation gettogethers, Poker Tournaments & Poker Nights, Holiday Parties, Private and Social Events, all types of Corporate Events, Tradeshows & Conventions, Bachelor(ette) Parties, and more. The list goes on and on!

17 years ago, I started 21 Fun

POTENTIAL FOR GROWTH

so much growth potential

The 21 Fun team will offer unrivaled training and support to each franchisee as they join our 21 Fun family. The company’s operating model is simple and has been structured with well-defined processes and growth systems in place, allowing for ease of replication.

Initial training will be held at the headquarters in the San Francisco Bay Area or Las Vegas. Summer training is available in Lake Tahoe, as well. For almost 20 years, we have mastered the ability to market, sell, and execute private & corporate Casino Parties & Events. 21 Fun is poised to expand operations in major metropolitan areas across the United States.

that is not only stress-free,

MAKING CONNECTIONS 21 Fun has an A+ Better Business Bureau Rating and an impressive reputation with Event & Party Planners. Event Planners are VERY particular who they bring on to represent them for events. 21 Fun will guide you with the ins and outs of securing the event planning business and will reach out to introduce ourselves on your behalf, if you wish. Generally, Event and Party Planners will not risk their reputation of bringing onboard any new contractor without knowing about their history. 21 FUN has the experience and reputation to help you succeed.

INCREASED BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY From photo booths, to prop rentals, and the latest trend of piping hot mini donuts for all kinds of events. We’ve done it all. There are so many fun ways to increase your earnings potential to the max! Ask us about high value potentional add-ons to your 21FUN Franchise.

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Casino Party as a hobby and here we are today offering franchises. I just love it!

Truly, this is a business with

but is FUN! Please feel free to browse our page, imagine the FUN and if you have any questions, please contact us.

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BUSINESS ADVICE

Why The Opportunity to Start a Business is Now

by Rick Morgin, Consultant, The Franchise Consulting Company

T

hink back to 20082009. Unemployment was at 10% and more than 170,000 small businesses closed. But wait, not everyone’s finances suffered during that period.

There are industries that performed well during those hard-economic times. That is the same with business conditions during our current pandemic.

Franchising performs well in all economic conditions.

For example, in periods of

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growth catching the next wave of opportunity drives franchise growth. During a slowdown, the motivation of controlling one’s career and livelihood drives investment into franchising. Innovation in Franchising is not stopped by an economic slowdown.

There is no perfect time to buy a business. If you are looking for a franchise that has weathered a recession, start by asking yourself a couple of questions: are the products or services luxury

items or necessities? How will your customers change their purchasing decisions during a downturn?

Some industries that have shown resilience and endurance during a recession are: RETAIL CONSIGNMENT Customers can rationalize buying gently used goods versus new. According to CNN Money, in 2009 clothing store sales dropped 10%, but consumer spending in second

hand or thrift stores increased an average of 35%.

HEALTH AND SENIOR SERVICES The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimate that the demand for home health care aides is expected to grow by 70% as the U.S. population continues to age.

PETS Why not look at the Pet Industry? Over 85 million U.S. families now own a pet and our pet owners are spending more every year. The number of U.S. households has increased 2% annually since 2011. But consumer spend on their pets has increased 7% annually in the same period. Thompson Reuters reported that Pet Care spending grew during the last two recessions: 29% during the 2001 recession and 17% during the 2008-09 recession.

What’s trending and why the Pet Industry will continue to grow.

MILLENNIALS WHILE BEING

25%

OF THE U.S. POPULATION OWN

35%

OF ALL PETS.

85 MILLION

OVER U.S. FAMILIES NOW OWN A PET AND OUR PET OWNERS ARE SPENDING MORE EVERY YEAR. • “65% of 18- to 34-year-olds plan to acquire or add a pet in the next five years, helping drive what's expected to be a 14% increase in pet ownership by 2030,"Simeon Gutman, Equity Analyst, Morgan Stanley • Baby Boomers and Empty Nesters own and spend on pets. Fewer than half of the Baby Boomer generation has reached their 70’s. This means there is plenty of room to grow.

• Millennials are not the largest group of pet owners but are some of the biggest spenders. Owners ages 18-24 outspend all age groups with an average of $173.67 per month. Pet owners between 25-34 of age spend an average of $141.50 per month.

• The Institute of Family Studies cites that millennial (born 1980 to 2000) are marrying later and they turn to pets for companionship till they marry and even after.

• Spending on veterinary care is outpacing all areas.

From 1991 to 2015 spending catapulted from $4.9 billion to $35 billion per year. Pet owners will not skip their pet’s medication during

difficult economic times Pets are part of our families; the humanization of pets has propelled the long-term trends of this industry. Once can argue that the products and services for Pets are necessities. Owners will cut back on other things before changing the grades of dog food and other pet supplies, especially medication. The Pet Industry brings a wide variety of opportunity. From mobile grooming, boarding, daycare for socialization, training, retail, and CBD, there are great business models to research. Do not discount retail, one Franchise system reached a milestone in achieving $1 Billion in Franchisee revenue.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Rick Morgin is a Consultant with The Franchise Consulting Company and alumnus of Santa Clara University. We assist clients with the educational process of researching and selecting available f ranchise businesses that best suit desired lifestyles and f inancial goals. The research, qualif ication, and application service we provide is f ree; our fees are paid by the Franchise company when a client opens their business. For more information please email rick@ thef ranchiseconsultingcompany. com, call/text at 925324-6371 or visit https:// thef ranchiseconsultingcompany.com http://www. f ranchisematchmakerserver.com

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BUSINESS ADVICE

The Pet Industry by the Numbers

by Dave Cooley, Consultant, The Franchise Consulting Company

T

he pet food, supplies and services industry is already huge and the industry is ever-growing.

That’s a pretty frank statement, but the numbers back that statement up.

According to the American Veterinary Medicine Association, 38.4 percent of all American households own dogs and 25.4 percent own cats. Cats and dogs make up the lion’s share of the pet industry.

According to the same source, 48.3 million American

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households have dogs while 31.9 households have cats.

The average number of dogs per dog-owning household is 1.9 and cat-owning households average 1.8 cats per household.

That brings the estimated number of pets in American households to around 76.8 million dogs and 58.4 million cats.

That’s a lot of dogs and cats! But, perhaps the more important numbers describe how much money pet owners spend on their pets each month.

A survey of the pet industry

by the Allied Market Research organization found that total annual spending for pets in 2020 was $99 billion. The estimated total spending on pets for the current year, 2021, is estimated to grow to $107 billion! This same organization found that the tremendous amount of spending in the pet industry today and in the future is due to the fact that spending on pets has literally doubled in the past 10 years.

The American Pet Products Association reports that expected 2021 spending for pet food and treats to

exceed $44 billion. Spending on other services, such as boarding, grooming, insurance, training, pet sitting and pet walking, is expected to top $9.7 billion in 2021.

This doubling in spending on pets over the past 10 years can be attributed to two factors. First, millennials are delaying marriage until much later in life than their parents’ generation, and when millennials do marry, they delay having children much later in their marriages than their parents’ generation. So … you could characterize many millennials as “pre-empty nesters” as they don’t have children to love and care for.

Instead, they have pets.

The “real” empty-nesters are those in the Baby Boomer generation. The Baby Boomers started reaching the age of 65 at a rate of 10,000 per day since about 2012 and most Baby Boomers become empty-nesters well before they turn 65 years old.

This huge and ever-growing market accounts for a growing majority of pet ownership and associated pet spending.

THE ESTIMATED TOTAL SPENDING ON PETS FOR THE CURRENT YEAR, 2021, IS ESTIMATED TO GROW TO

$107 BILLION!

A report at businessinsider. com found that average monthly spending for cat food, products and services at $92.98 per cat. The average amount pet owners spend on dogs each month is even more at $139.80 for each dog. With a combined total of dogs and

cats in American households numbering at about 135 million, that’s a huge market opportunity!

As you can see, the pet industry is very large, lucrative and growing – the market is real and the demand is constant and very high. That’s why you’ll find many excellent franchise opportunities that operate in the pet industry.

From pet food and supply stores, to dog training services, to boarding and day care operations, you’ll find top quality franchises offering opportunities in just about every facet of the pet industry.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Dave Cooley is a f ranchise consultant with The Franchise Consulting Company. Contact Dave at dave@ thef ranchiseconsultingcompany. com.

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WHY FRANCHISE WITH BODYBAR PILATES? Low-Cost Start-Up Simple, High-Profit Business Model Ground Floor of Nationally Recognized Pilates Brand Open North American Territories Experienced & Supportive Executive Team Turn-Key Build Out & Execution Recurring Monthly Revenue Stream 17% Greater Revenue Capacity Than Competitors

CLAIM YOUR TERRITORY NOW franchising@bodybarpilates.com 817.862.9550 bodybarpilates.com

THE PET ISSUE

Zoom Room: Poised to Lead the Future of Franchising

H

eadquartered in Southern California since 2007, Zoom Room began franchising in 2009 and today comprises 16 franchisees and three company-owned locations. Mark Van Wye, CEO, drives day-to-day operations and the growth of its indoor dog training gyms across the United States. Under his leadership, average unit volumes have more than doubled, with year-over-year growth four times that of the pet industry as a whole, and all locations profitable in the six figures with net profit margins north of 30%.

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WHAT IS ZOOM ROOM? Zoom Room is a venturebacked indoor dog training gym that emphasizes socialization. Our motto is: We don't train dogs. We train the people who love them. With a strong appeal for millennials and welleducated active individuals, we offer small group classes, private training, playgroups, a popular dog agility league, workshops and special events. Combined with our robust pet retail product offerings, we create the perfect atmosphere for dog owners to Train, Socialize & Shop.

WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN AN IDEAL FRANCHISEE CANDIDATE? We welcome well-capitalized entrepreneurs who possess strong leadership skills and the desire to succeed while making a positive impact in their community. Absolutely no prior pet-related experience is required.

WHERE ARE YOUR CURRENT LOCATIONS? Our pet franchise is offered in all U.S. states except Hawaii, North Dakota, South Dakota.

Current and upcoming Zoom Room locations are in CA, TX, FL, WA, CO, NV, VA and AZ.

HOW IN DEMAND ARE ZOOM ROOM’S SERVICES? American pet spending has continued to rise every year and is projected to hit $100 billion by the end of this decade. During 2020, there was a 700% spike in dog acquisition, creating a new wave of pet owners in need of dog training and socialization.

Zoom Room trains owners to train and understand their dogs; the humans are with their dogs at all times, and the learning therefore naturally continues back at home. As such, Zoom Room enjoys more 5-star reviews than any other dog training business in the country, a retention rate of 87%, and a Net Promoter Score of 90, indicating the incredible rate at which our clients refer us to their friends – and these days, everyone has a friend with a new dog.

HOW DO YOU SUPPORT YOUR FRANCHISEES? We provide 360˙ support every step of the way, with dedicated teams to assist with financing, site selection, lease negotiation, build out, technology, marketing, customer acquisition, cash flow management, staffing, merchandising, scheduling, pricing, customer care and retention, social media, and, of course, dog training. The journey begins with our proprietary online training program under the watchful nurturing of a mentor, then progresses to handson practical instruction in all aspects of business operation. We are available 24/7 and pride ourselves on extraordinarily brisk response times. Ongoing support continues with

granular data analytics to drive up performance and a breezy dissemination of new curricula and programs.

HOW DID ZOOM ROOM FARE IN 2020? WHAT DOES THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE HOLD? In 2020, our book Puppy Training in 7 Easy Steps became the best-selling dog training book in America, providing guidance to countless new dog owners and introducing the brand across the country even in states where we’ve yet to open. During the pandemic we also opened three new locations and sold 15 additional ones, while our existing stores enjoyed double-digit year-over-year growth. This year we’re on track to open ten new units and to franchise at least 30 more.

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FASTSIGNS of New Orleans, LA

When Did You See The Sign?™

FASTSIGNS of Arlington, TX

FASTSIGNS provides candidates with an Item 19 including full profitability information. And you’ll enjoy owning a business with these compelling features: • Business-to-business hours

• Professional business clientele

• Low staffing requirements

• Attractive margins

Fast Franchise Facts Franchising Since: Founded 1985 ®

Total Franchise Operating Units: Over 700 in 9 countries Minimum Liquid Capital: $80,000

Franchisor Support

Minimum Net Worth: $300,000

• Site selection and build-out

Total US Investment: $218,596 - $298,679 Total Canadian Investment: $257,626 - $338,718 CAD

• Four weeks of training, including one week of training in a FASTSIGNS center, followed by two weeks at our Dallas Headquarters, and one week of onsite training in your new center

Franchise Fee: $49,750

• Pre-opening marketing blitz to drive your sales and reduce ramp time

VetFran & First Responders Discount: $24,875 Franchise Fee

• Grand opening support and guidance from an Outside Sales Manager and Brand Ambassador

Royalty (per unit): 6% (Reduced to 3% for 12 months)

• Dedicated Business Consultants to assist with business/finances training, marketing and sales, production and staff management

Advertising Fund (per unit): 2% (Reduced to 1% for 12 months) FASTSIGNS has over 400 markets approved for development in the US and Canada and is also seeking Master or Area Developer expansion in markets worldwide

• Franchisee Mentor Program to guide you and lend support in every aspect of your business • 24-hour web-based learning management system that keeps you and your staff up-to-speed and in-the-know in this fast-paced market

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON FASTSIGNS:

214-346-5679 | mark.jameson@fastsigns.com | www.fastsigns.com

BUSINESS ADVICE

You Have Invested in a Pet Franchise; What About the Lease?

by Nancy Lanard, Senior Partner, Franchise Attorney, Lanard and Associates, P.C.

W

hen someone invests in a franchise business that is retail, what is the significance of the lease to their business? Isn’t the lease purely boilerplate and the only issues are the business terms such as the rent, square footage, length of the term, renewal periods, etc.? The answer to this question is “no”.

Let’s explore the key provisions of any retail lease that a franchisee/tenant should consider.

A retail lease can be critical

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to the success or failure of any retail business. In addition to the business terms that are typically negotiated by the franchisee with his or her local realtor and the landlord and his or her realtor or management firm, there are some significant legal provisions that can make a huge difference in the bottom line of a retail franchisee/ tenant. For example, many leases often have a provision that allows a landlord to relocate the tenant’s business to other parts of the shopping center or mall. Imagine if the

landlord demands that this relocation occur during your busiest time of the year. If you are a pet business franchisee, imagine if the relocation occurs where none of your customers can find you or where they cannot easily bring their pets into the store. What about the costs involved in the relocation? Who pays these?

What is included in those costs; are signage and new marketing materials included, for example? This is just one provision in the lease out of many that is critical to any business.

Another key provision is the right to freely assign the lease to another franchisee or to the franchisor if you want to sell the business down the road. I recently represented a client who owned two (2) very high-end massage businesses that were franchises that she wanted to sell. The buyer and seller had agreed on all the key points, the legal documents were prepared for both and the attorney for the buyer and I had agreed on all the negotiated legal concerns. All that remained to a successful and fairly quick closing (which both parties wanted) was the landlords’ approvals for both locations. We had not negotiated either of the leases involved in this transaction. In one case the landlord quickly approved the new buyers and consented to the assignment.

In the other, the landlord negotiated the terms of the consent to assignment for over six (6) months holding up both transactions for that period of time. This holdup almost cost the deal for the seller as the buyer was getting ready to walk away. Making sure that the franchisee/ tenant can freely (without costs or conditions that are unreasonable or prohibitive) assign a lease to a potential buyer is a key provision that is often overlooked. Without this type of provision, when the time comes that the franchisee/tenant is ready to sell the business it is

possible that the deal will not occur simply because the landlord does not approve the new buyer or because the conditions that the landlord sets are unreasonable.

One more example of a clause to negotiate in any retail lease, is the personal guaranty. There are many ways to limit a personal guaranty in a retail lease.

Often a landlord will agree to a period of a full guaranty followed by a rolling guaranty of 12 or 24 months. For example, in a ten (10) year lease, a five (5) year guaranty followed by the remaining term having a twelve (12) month rolling guaranty is common. Many people assume this means that if there is a default in year four (4) of the lease that they are only personally liable for one (1) year of rental obligations.

However, this is usually not the case. In most cases, this means that the franchisee/ tenant is personally liable for six (6) years of rental obligations. In other words, during that first five (5) year period of the ten (10) year lease, the personal guaranty is a full, unlimited guaranty and it only becomes limited

after the 5th year. Another issue with a personal guaranty is making sure that it is released upon an approved assignment of the lease. Can you imagine selling your business to another franchisee and remaining personally responsible for the buyer’s financial obligations under the lease? I cannot fathom anyone would willingly agree to that.

The above provisions are just a mere sampling of the many types of clauses in a typical retail lease that should be negotiated. A retail lease is a critical document to any franchisee/tenant and the business terms are just the beginning of the provisions that need to be negotiated.

Contact Nancy Lanard, Esquire at Lanard and Associates, P.C. for more information. ©2021 Lanard and Associates, P.C.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Nancy Lanard is a f ranchisee attorney who represents individuals investing in a f ranchise, sets up the entity and reviews and negotiates the lease for their business, along with the legal documents for resales of f ranchises.

Contact Nancy at 215-392-0030 or nlanard@lanardassociates.com lanardandassociates.com

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NANCY LANARD

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THE PET ISSUE

Pet Supplies Plus Continues to Grow During Pandemic

P

et Supplies Plus, founded in1988 in Redford, Michigan, is the nation’s largest specialty pet food retailer franchise in the US and has over 30 years of franchising history.

Driven by its mission to become “America’s Favorite Neighborhood Pet Store”, it operates more than 560 locations in 36 states. Pet Supplies Plus is consistently recognized for its outstanding growth and attractive franchise opportunities. Entrepreneur magazine named Pet Supplies Plus as one of this year’s “Fastest-Growing Franchises” and Franchise Times, as part of its annual Zor Awards program, named the company the best franchise to buy in the “Pet Care/Store” category for 2021.

There has never been a better time to be a part of the US

Pet Industry. While 2020 was a challenging year for a whole host of reasons, it was the pet industries best year with pet spending reaching an all-time high of $103 Billion and pet ownership/adoptions breaking previous records. The spikes in revenue and ownership can be directly attributed to pet parents realizing the important role their fur (and feather and scale) babies play as families spent more time together during the pandemic.

Not surprisingly, the pet retail industry has not seen a down year in over the last twenty years. "We've always been a recession-resistant franchise and our strength and stability during 2020 has only solidified our brand's track record of success," said Chris Rowland, Chief Executive Officer of Pet Supplies Plus. "One of the reasons pet passionate candidates are joining Pet Supplies Plus, is because of our continuous growth and

"WE'VE ALWAYS BEEN A RECESSIONRESISTANT FRANCHISE AND OUR STRENGTH AND STABILITY DURING 2020 HAS ONLY SOLIDIFIED OUR BRAND'S TRACK RECORD OF SUCCESS," — Chris Rowland, chief executive officer of Pet Supplies Plus

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innovation benefits both for our locally-owned stores and corporate locations."

The pet product retailer has been on a steady highgrowth path for several years and becomes an integral part of the fabric of the local community when they open.

In fact, many of Pet Supplies Plus’s neighbors (what they call customers) are surprised to learn that their local store is part of an independently owned and operated network of pet stores. The accolades are too numerous to count and they are always being featured on “Top” lists throughout business publications.

It’s an honor to be recognized by these highly-respected publications, and it’s a testament to the resiliency of the pet industry, our franchise model and passionate owners who are integrated within their communities,” said Chris Rowland, president and CEO of Pet Supplies Plus. “When the pandemic hit, our leadership team was quick to act by

increasing inventory, rolling out delivery capabilities and additional support methods for our owners. Our franchisees trusted and believed in our plan, which allowed us to maintain the type of shopping experience neighbors know and love.”

In fact, Pet Supplies Plus ranks No. 1 in the “Pet Store” category for the seventh consecutive year on the 2021 “Fastest-Growing Franchise” list and ranked No. 21 overall up from No. 50 in 2020.

Pet Supplies Plus is on track to open close to 80 stores in 2021 and sign 100 new store commitments from new franchise owners, existing franchise owners and owners of independent pet stores who

will convert their stores to Pet Supplies Plus. These new store commitments along with the 200+ commitments that are currently in the pipeline will ensure that Pet Supplies Plus’s ‘pawprint’ continues to grow as quickly as a Great Dane puppy over the next five years.

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Do what you love with an essential business everybody loves.

Lori Nebel | Multi-Unit Franchise Owner

Fetch the retail pet franchise that outruns the competition with a $2.4M AUV*.

Now’s the time. Get in on an award-winning franchise that’s growing fast — giving pet lovers and their pets the supplies and services they need. 2020 was a banner year, and the momentum continues with markets available nationwide.

Omni-channel options keep pet lovers shopping.

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Learn more at petsuppliesplusfranchising.com *This information can be found in Item 19 of the 2021 Franchise Disclosure Document issued by PSP Franchising, LLC. The data reflects the calendar year beginning January 1, 2020, and ending December 31, 2020, and shows the data for 220 Reporting Franchised Stores which were open and operating for 12 months as December 31, 2020. There is no assurance you will do as well. If you rely upon our figures, you must accept the risk of not doing as well. This is not an offer to sell you a franchise. Franchises are offered by prospectus only. Franchises are not currently offered in MN, SD, and VA. ©2021 Pet Supplies Plus. All rights reserved. Pet Supplies Plus is a trademark of PSP Franchising, LLC.

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THE PET ISSUE

The Numbers Tell the Story About Pets

by John Ovens, Consultant, The Franchise Consulting Company

F

ranchising continues to expand into many industries. It’s wise to take a look at the industry statistics to see if an industry or industry segment is a short-term trend or has the potential to be a long-term player when considering franchise ownership.

The pet industry continues to grow. If you’re on social media, you will notice it’s not uncommon to see photos of people’s pets as often as, if not more often than, seeing photos of children and grandchildren.

Most people spoil their pets and love to show them off to their friends!

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In 2020, the US pet industry reached

$99 BILLION. Here are a few statistics from PetPedia to show the explosive growth in the pet industry: • In 2020, the US pet industry reached $99 billion.

• 12% of adults with kids under 18 adopted pets due to pandemic • Almost a quarter of pet

owners spent more money on pets during the COVID-19 pandemic • Almost a third of pet industry customers are Millennials • 69% Millennials opt for their pets’ natural and organic products The pet industry isn’t just toys and food. It includes treats, vet care, supplies, boarding companionship, pet insurance, clothing and more!

The industry grew 1.5 billion from 2019 to 2020. By 2027, the global pet care market will reach $358.62 billion. (Globe Newswire) The pet food industry is one of the most significant parts of the pet industry. Pet owners are more aware of the impact pet food has on their pets’ health. Online pet food sales statistics reveal that 73% of pet owners buy food online. At the same time, 68% of pet owners buy food in pet specialty stores.

The growth in the pet products industry can be attributed to the number of choices, including multiple types of canned food, dry food, and wet and dry food for puppies and kittens.

Think about vet care and product sales. This segment of the industry was $30.2 billion in revenue in 2020 and includes skin care products, vitamins, toys, collars, GPS trackers and more. Also, the pet industry was fairly pandemic proof.

Pet Food Industry reported 70% of pet owners spent more time with their pets in 2020 and during the height of social distancing and almost

a quarter of pet owners spent more money on their pets during the pandemic.

Millennials are the largest group of pet owners (31%) with Baby Boomers not far behind (29%). Millennials with pets tend to use technology to purchase products and services. This has helped form a robust market with an abundance of new pet-related business ventures.

According to Packaged Facts, 69% of Millennials opt for their pets’ natural and organic products, which come with a premium price. Products with natural ingredients, especially CBD, are on the rise.

If you’re wondering what the most profitable pet businesses are, here are a few to consider: • Dog clothing: In the US, $52 billion is spent on pet clothing and accessories • Pet grooming is $50-$300/ hour • Pooper scooping business is approximately $40/hour • Food and treats: $36.9 billion per year • Vet care and product sales: $29.3 billion per year • Supplies and OTC meds: $19.2 billion per year (Source: APPA)

There are multiple pet franchises available for consideration, from pet supplies and food to grooming, home visits and walking and more. Before you consider reinventing the wheel and starting a pet business from scratch, take a look at what franchises are available.

Systems and processes with a franchise can help you get a jump start of being part of this booming industry!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR John Ovens has over 30 years of leading domestic and international businesses in the US and overseas, extensive experience operating multi location businesses globally. For over 13 years he has helped individuals find alternative business opportunities for corporate employment. Contact John at 770-516-2184 or at johnovenas@ thefranchiseconsultingcompany.com.

By 2027, the global pet care market will reach

$358.62 BILLION. (Globe Newswire)

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EXPERT ADVICE

Overcoming Franchise Buying Hurdles with Full-Service Funding

by Symara Rog, CFE, Senior Consultant, Tenet Financial Group

I

t’s an exciting time in the franchise industry!

The International Franchise Association anticipates that 21,000+ new franchise businesses will open in 2021. Choosing a career in franchising involves research, validation, and much more, including multistep discovery processes in many cases. With a trusted partner in place, there is one major hurdle franchise buyers can easily clear…the funding process.

Tenet Financial Group has over a century of combined funding experience and our

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approach is simply this…a One-Stop Shop funding resource for each client. With an established reputation as a consultative, thorough and responsive team, Tenet Financial Group helps thousands of dreamers become f ranchise owners every year in hundreds of industries – f rom home-based and mobile

“THE ABILITY TO ACCESS MULTIPLE FUNDING OPTIONS THROUGH ONE EXPERIENCED ENTITY IS A KEY DIFFERENTIATOR OF TENET FINANCIAL GROUP.” franchises, to service-based and brick-and-mortar, to B2B and B2C. Funding should always be a key consideration early-on in the franchise decisionmaking process. The franchise opportunity you select needs to not only match your passion, but also your investment comfort level and that of your spouse or business partner, if applicable. Bottomline, being as informed as possible allows you to make the best decision as you move along your path to franchise ownership.

FUNDING OPTIONS

SBA LOANS The Small Business Administration continues to be the first place many people think of for business funding, and rightfully so. Parameters are consistently changing and delays are par for the course due to the volume of new loan applicants as well as relief programs. Tenet Financial Group is seeing loans closing in four to five months, sometimes more quickly, and we’re accessing all available lenders and options for franchise candidates.

401(K) ROLLOVERS Equity funding through a Rollover continues to be a fast,

non-debt option for buyers with pre-tax retirements funds. And, these funds can also be used to the complete the funding package for nonborrowed equity injection or to demonstrate further liquidity needed for an SBA loan. SBA Loans and Rollovers play together quite nicely.

Compliance is key for this particular funding type; no shortcuts allowed. Tenet Financial Group is a leading Third-Party Administrator of 401(k) Rollovers with thousands of plans and clients, stellar reviews and BBB rating.

NON-SBA TERM LOANS Term loans offer the benefit of fixed rates, no collateral or cash injection required, and the ability to stack up to five loans. Startups and existing businesses qualify, but the franchisee must demonstrate a minimum income level.

UNSECURED LINES OF CREDIT Unsecured funding is generally pretty flexible with no collateral and no income required. And, with this option also being pretty quick, many prospective franchisees choose this route as an alternative to a

Loan, especially when they need less than $100,000.

Tenet Financial Group is seeing many service-based and mobile brands take advantage of this option when a brick-and-mortar space is not needed for the business to operate.

The ability to access multiple funding options through one experienced entity is a key differentiator of Tenet Financial Group. As a former multi-unit franchise owner myself, I’ve experienced exactly what our clients are going through, the challenges they face, their concerns, and their excitement.

I also know research shows that 80% of businesses fail because they are undercapitalized. Tenet Financial Group works daily to prevent this issue by guiding clients through all of their options for startup funding through ongoing working capital and even exit strategies for the future. We love what we do, and it shows!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Symara Rog, CFE, is a senior consultant with Tenet Financial Group. Her previous background includes not only franchise ownership but also franchise development. Contact Symara at symara@tenetfinancialgroup.com.

WWW.FRANCHISEJOURNAL.COM | JUNE 2021

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FRANCHISE FUNDING YOU CAN TRUST

Tenet Financial Group specializes in franchise funding from initial startup through the lifespan of the business.

Focused on consultative service with each individual client, we understand that funding is not one-size-fits-all.

WHY WORK WITH TENET FINANCIAL GROUP? • Thorough, consultative approach - you are not a number to us!

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diane@tenetfinancialgroup.com Toll-Free: (888) 901-3335, Opt. 9, Ext. 2 Direct: (413) 754-3298

tenetfinancialgroup.com Tenet Financial Group does not provide tax, legal or investment advice. All decisions concerning these matters should be made in conjunction with your professional advisors. ©2021 Tenet Financial Group

THE PET ISSUE

Pet franchises are

BOOMING!

by Rob Petka, Consultant, The Franchise Consulting Company

A

s the pandemic hit more Americans adopted new dogs cats and other cozy critters to keep them company at home. The demand for pet franchises and pet supply franchises obviously grew as well. Most owners treat their pets as family spending more money on toys, accessories and healthy food. Gone are the days of leaving your best friend at home while you go to work. They can now go to camps or even get a walker to stop by your own house. Pet care is a great industry that is recession resistant.

People in the United States really adore their pets, and this is clearly reflected in how much they are willing to spend on their furry (or scaly) friends. In

The average US pet owner spent roughly

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2016, pet spending statistics per country revealed that Americans were among the highest spenders on pet care.

The average US pet owner spent roughly $160 on pet care compared to around $93 in Britain, $65 in Germany, $45 in Japan, and less than $8 in China.

Here are a few industry statistics that will make you want to sit up and wag your tail!

1. The US pet industry reached nearly $99 billion in sales by the end of the last year.

According to projections from APPA, by the end of the last year, the amount Americans spend on their pets grew to reach $99 billion – that is nearly $9 billion more than two years ago. Pet food and treats make up the biggest portion of the market at $38.4 billion, followed by vet care and products at $30.2 billion.

2. Annually, owners spend an average of around $1,380 on pet dogs’ basic expenses.

At 63.4%, dogs make up the majority of pets in US households. Data from APPA’s

pet spending statistics per year on dogs reveal that owning a dog costs an average of $1,380 in basic expenses annually. On cats, average annual expenses amount to roughly $908.

In the case of dogs, surgical vet visits make up the biggest expenditure, while the single biggest expenditure for cats is food.

3. Dogs are the biggest influence when it comes to driving first home purchases among millennials.

So, if millennials and younger generations are willing to buy a house with a backyard just for Fido to run around, can you imagine how much Americans spend on their pets? The answer is a lot.

Rather than getting married or having kids, needing more space for their pets (dogs specifically) is the main reason a third of millennials cite for purchasing their first home.

For those yet to purchase a home, nearly 42% admitted that their pet or the desire to have one would be a key factor in their decision to buy a house.

grew by a remarkable 23%. For comparison, the pet supply and products industry grew by around 4% during that time.

5. More than half of millennial pet owners buy their pets gifts at least once a month.

Pet spending statistics – or more specifically a millennial pet ownership statistics report from pet retailer Zulily – show that younger generations are incredibly generous towards their pets, whom they treat as part of the family (or even better). In total, 92% of millennials who own pets buy their pets gifts, while 51% do so on a monthly basis.

Millennials are also twice as likely to purchase clothes for their pets than baby boomers.

4. Only 2.1% of all pets in the US are insured.

US pet spending and ownership statistics show that a mere 2.1% of all pets within the country are covered by any form of insurance. Of these, dogs represent roughly 88.9% of the total.

However, the pet insurance industry is currently experiencing rapid growth.

From 2016 to 2017, the market WWW.FRANCHISEJOURNAL.COM | JUNE 2021

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the fastest growth rates of any channel. By 2023, eCommerce is expected to double its share and make up 26% of the total pet market. Currently, the best online pet store in terms of popularity is Amazon, followed closely by Chewy.

6. Pet apparel is among the fastest-growing categories in pet eCommerce. eCommerce pet spending statistics from Zulily reveal that pet apparel is experiencing some of the fastest-growing sales of any pet supply product category online. Between 2017 and 2018, sales of pet dresses, t-shirts, and sweaters each grew by over 200%. In the case of pet hoodies, sales grew by a staggering 622%.

7. Over the past 10 years, the amount of money Americans spend on pets has more than doubled.

In 2010, the total money spent on pets was roughly $45.53 billion. Within the next decade, this spending has

mushroomed to $95.7 billion annually. The biggest annual increase was between 2017 and 2018, when spending quickly jumped from $69.51 billion to $90.5 billion – a growth of 30%.

8. By 2023, online sales are expected to make up around a quarter of the total American pet supply market.

Despite its rapid rise in popularity and it being the default method of shopping among the younger demographic, online shopping is yet to reach its true potential when it comes to buying pet products. In 2018, online sales of pet products only reached an estimated $9.5 billion.

However, this field is currently undergoing one of

9. Pet dry food is the most common item purchased by pet owners online.

In the case of both pet cats and dogs, the biggest pet category bought online was dry foods; 43% of cat owners who shop online buy dry food, while 44% of dog owners do the same.

Among cat owners, litter and wet food make up the second and third most commonly purchased items online, at 37% and 34% respectively. For dog owners, the second and third most commonly bought items online are pet treats/chews and flea medication, at 43% and 30% respectively.

Who would have thought that owning a pet could have such a profound impact not only on people’s financial health, but also on their personal lives?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR A life long dog owner, Rob Petka helps people purchase great pet franchises that allow them to have fun and grow a business. You can reach him at 561234-5500 or by email at robpetka@ thefranchiseconsultingcompany.com to answer any of your questions or discuss the opportunities available.

By 2023, eCommerce is expected to double its share and make up 26% OF THE TOTAL PET MARKET. 100 JUNE 2021

| WWW.FRANCHISEJOURNAL.COM

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THE PET ISSUE

MILLENNIAL ENTREPRENEURS The next generation of franchise business owners

by Colin Jones, Operating Partner, PetWellClinic

M

illennials were the largest generation group in the U.S. in 2019, with an estimated population of 72.1 million. Born between 1981 and 1996, Millennials recently surpassed Baby Boomers as the biggest group, and they will continue to be a major part of the population for many years.

Millennials also make up a staggering 29% of entrepreneurs, according to a Pew Research study.

Like generations that have

MILLENNIALS also make up a staggering

29% OF

entrepreneurs, according to a Pew Research study.

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come before, today's younger generation is motivated by innovation and growth and looking for ways to progress quickly.

The majority of Millennials own a pet, and during the last six months, they've been spending to pamper these furry family members… Millennials are a generation of pet parents.

YPulse's recent survey found that 76% of 20-38-year-olds have a pet, with over half reporting they have dogs and 35% owning cats.

So, who can argue with these facts and trends? I certainly cannot have chosen to find a path forward and hop on the train to prosperity, independence, and wealth accumulation through securing a franchise business called PetWellClinic.

When you ask most entrepreneurs what is their “Why”, most will say that they want to become their own boss and achieve freedom, satisfaction, and flexibility that only business ownership provides, according to Business Daily News Editor in a February 2020 article. This certainly is not surprising or earthshattering news, but what cannot be ignored is the rate of growth that Millennials are demonstrating as new business owners.

I personally chose to get in the game by researching what is arguably the most Amazon Resistant, Recession Resistant, and yes, even Pandemic Resistant vertical market – the Pet Industry in general and Veterinary Care in Particular.

A LITTLE MORE ABOUT MY CHOICE OF FRANCHISE TO LAUNCH MY ENTREPRENEURIAL CAREER: • What industry can I commit to and gain confidence and comfort that it will be resilient?

• What franchise can I keep my consulting position while growing an asset semiabsentee?

• What franchise has high barriers to entry to allow me to have a competitive edge?

• What business satisfies a true need versus a want/desire, and is largely price inelastic?

In summary, unlike many baby boomers who often bring years of corporate experience and enviable capital, millennials also bring a different array of talents and energy including, but not limited to, more current technology skills, sometimes a motivating social cause, risk tolerance born out of watching an unstable corporate world, and ultimately an energy and motivation to build an asset to achieve the proper work / life balance.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Colin Jones is an Operating Partner at PetWell Clinic in Pennsylvania.

To learn more about PetWell Clinic visit, www.petwellclinic.com/wp/ franchiseopportunities.

WWW.FRANCHISEJOURNAL.COM | JUNE 2021

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