2010
120
$250,000
$35,000
$400,000
No
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Established Year: Founded in 2010 by pet care visionary James “Jamie” Barkell, Barkefellers began as a boutique grooming salon in Portland, Oregon.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Barkefellers invests heavily in franchisee success across multiple support areas:
Pre-Launch Support
Site selection assistance and demographic analysis
Design and build-out support from approved contractors
Vendor sourcing for grooming tables, tubs, POS systems, and retail display units
Grand-opening marketing plans and community launch events
Operational Training
2-week comprehensive training at our Colorado training campus, covering:
Grooming techniques and service standards
Staff hiring, training, and retention strategies
POS operations, retail merchandising, and customer care workflows
Marketing Support
National marketing campaigns (digital, social, PR) coordinated centrally by HQ
Local marketing toolkits: customizable flyers, loyalty programs, email templates
SEO and website support: each location gets a dedicated landing page, Google My Business optimization, and review-management tools
Ongoing Support
Quarterly field visits from operations consultants
Continuous education: webinars on emergent trends (pet wellness, holiday promos, mobile outreach)
Group purchasing discounts for grooming supplies and retail products
24/7 helpline for operational emergencies or marketing needs
Academic & Development Programs
Annual “Barkefellers University” conference—networking, new-service brainstorms, leadership training
Online knowledge base with SOPs, video tutorials, troubleshooting guides, and performance-tracking dashboards
Barkefellers thrives with franchisees who embody:
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.
Passion for Pets: A deep affinity for animal welfare and high standards of care aligns with our brand values and enhances customer trust.
Investment Capability: Typical initial investment ranges from $250K to $400K, so candidates must have access to liquid capital and/or financing pathways.
Ambitious Growth Mindset: Ideal franchisees aim to scale—first building one salon, then expanding into multiple units or mobile services.
Community-Oriented Leaders: Locals invested in cultivating relationships with vets, pet shelters, community groups, and influencers to drive referrals and brand loyalty.
Location Preferences: Preferred hotspots include urban, affluent suburbs, busy shopping districts, pet-centric communities, or mixed-use developments with heavy foot traffic.
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 |