Established
2010
Franchise Units
120
Minimum Investment
$250,000
Franchise Fee
$35,000
Total Investment Range
$400,000
Home Based
No
Description
Barkefellers is a premium dog grooming and pet concierge services franchise built on exceptional care, personalized attention, and community trust. Serving discerning pet owners across the United States, Barkefellers has earned a stellar reputation as a trusted pet services brand—blending grooming, pampering, and wellness under one roof. From spa-style baths and precision grooming to tailored luxury pet experiences, Barkefellers positions itself at the upper-mid to premium end of the rapidly growing pet services market.
With soaring pet ownership trends, humanization of pets, and increasing demand for boutique services, Barkefellers provides a lucrative business model and brand that resonates deeply with today's pet-loving families. Whether in bustling urban neighborhoods or upscale suburbs, this USA-wide pet care franchise is poised for continued expansion and high-margin returns.
Why Invest in This Franchise?
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Unrivaled Brand Reputation: Barkefellers stands out in the dog grooming and pet concierge niche by offering a spa-like experience that commands premium pricing and retains loyal customers.
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Booming Industry Trends: The U.S. pet care industry, especially grooming and premium services, has shown resilient, year-over-year growth, driven by increasing pet adoptions and rising pet owner spending.
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Proven Business Model: Our operational systems and support network reduce risk and accelerate franchisee success—making us a smart play for both first-time entrepreneurs and experienced multi-unit operators.
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High-Margin Revenue Streams: Barkefellers diversifies income through grooming, add-on spa treatments, retail sales of curated pet products, subscription-based wellness plans, and mobile grooming units.
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Scalable & Flexible Footprint: Franchisees can open freestanding salons, co-locate within existing pet retail spaces, or operate mobile units—adapting footprint to demographics and capital investment.
Background
Established Year: Founded in 2010 by pet care visionary James “Jamie” Barkell, Barkefellers began as a boutique grooming salon in Portland, Oregon.
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Founders & Origin: Jamie, a former veterinary technician turned entrepreneur, combined grooming proficiency with business acumen to create a refined canine spa experience that simplified life for busy pet parents.
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Brand Journey: Within five years, Barkefellers expanded via company-owned locations across the Pacific Northwest. With rising buzz and customer demand, the company transitioned to franchising in 2017.
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Franchise Units: As of 2025, Barkefellers boasts over 120 franchise locations across the U.S., with significant strongholds in California, Texas, Florida, and the Northeast.
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Ownership & Structure: Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, the company is privately held and led by CEO Sophia Barkell (daughter of the founder), alongside an expert leadership team including a COO, CMO, and Director of Franchise Development.
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Market Presence & Category: Barkefellers operates firmly in the pet grooming & premium pet services category, boldly competing with boutique spas and large-scale pet retail chains by delivering personalized, high-touch offerings.
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Other Information: Pet owners love Barkefellers for its walk-in convenience, appointment flexibility, warm customer service, and use of eco-friendly, pet-safe grooming products.
Support Training
Barkefellers invests heavily in franchisee success across multiple support areas:
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Pre-Launch Support
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Site selection assistance and demographic analysis
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Design and build-out support from approved contractors
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Vendor sourcing for grooming tables, tubs, POS systems, and retail display units
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Grand-opening marketing plans and community launch events
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Operational Training
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2-week comprehensive training at our Colorado training campus, covering:
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Grooming techniques and service standards
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Staff hiring, training, and retention strategies
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POS operations, retail merchandising, and customer care workflows
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Marketing Support
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National marketing campaigns (digital, social, PR) coordinated centrally by HQ
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Local marketing toolkits: customizable flyers, loyalty programs, email templates
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SEO and website support: each location gets a dedicated landing page, Google My Business optimization, and review-management tools
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Ongoing Support
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Quarterly field visits from operations consultants
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Continuous education: webinars on emergent trends (pet wellness, holiday promos, mobile outreach)
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Group purchasing discounts for grooming supplies and retail products
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24/7 helpline for operational emergencies or marketing needs
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Academic & Development Programs
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Annual “Barkefellers University” conference—networking, new-service brainstorms, leadership training
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Online knowledge base with SOPs, video tutorials, troubleshooting guides, and performance-tracking dashboards
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Ideal Candidate
Barkefellers thrives with franchisees who embody:
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Business & Operational Aptitude: Preference for candidates with some background in small business ownership, retail, hospitality, or pet-adjacent ventures—but we welcome passionate newcomers ready to learn.
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Passion for Pets: A deep affinity for animal welfare and high standards of care aligns with our brand values and enhances customer trust.
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Investment Capability: Typical initial investment ranges from $250K to $400K, so candidates must have access to liquid capital and/or financing pathways.
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Ambitious Growth Mindset: Ideal franchisees aim to scale—first building one salon, then expanding into multiple units or mobile services.
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Community-Oriented Leaders: Locals invested in cultivating relationships with vets, pet shelters, community groups, and influencers to drive referrals and brand loyalty.
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Location Preferences: Preferred hotspots include urban, affluent suburbs, busy shopping districts, pet-centric communities, or mixed-use developments with heavy foot traffic.
Financial Detail
| Financial Component | Details (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Total Initial Investment | $250,000 – $400,000 (includes build-out, equipment, licenses, initial marketing) |
| Franchise Fee | $35,000 one-time |
| Infrastructure Costs | Grooming/spa equipment, fixtures, signage, POS integration (within total) |
| Marketing Budget | $10,000 for grand-opening; ongoing 3% of gross revenues for local marketing |
| Working Capital | $50,000 – $75,000 recommended reserve for first 3–4 months |
| Royalty Fee | 6% of gross service and retail sales |
| Expected ROI | 25–35% annual ROI after 18–24 months of operations |
| Break-Even Time | Estimated at 12–18 months, depending on location and operational speed |
| Potential Revenue Streams | Grooming & spa services, retail product sales, wellness subscriptions, mobile units, add-on seasonal promotions |