Established
2018
Franchise Units
185
Minimum Investment
$78,000
Franchise Fee
$45,000
Total Investment Range
$1,036,250
Home Based
No
Description
GROOMBAR offers a flexible approach to pet grooming and wellness through three franchise formats: GROOMBAR Mobile, GROOMBAR Salons, and GROOMBAR + Nutrition Centers operating under the EarthWise Pet name. These options bring together professional grooming, personalized care, and premium pet nutrition, giving owners different ways to serve their local market.
GROOMBAR Mobile delivers grooming directly to customers’ homes in fully equipped vans. With one-on-one appointments and no immediate need for a storefront, owners can start with a single van and add vehicles and groomers as demand increases. Franchisees can also pair mobile services with a salon in the same territory, offering customers a choice between at-home convenience and an in-store visit.
GROOMBAR Salons provide a dedicated grooming destination in a modern, pet-friendly setting. Owners can operate a standalone salon or combine it with a mobile business to reach more customers and expand service capacity within their territory.
GROOMBAR + Nutrition Centers, branded as EarthWise Pet, combine full-service grooming with premium pet food, treats, supplements, and supplies. Personalized nutritional guidance rounds out the offering, creating a convenient destination for customers seeking grooming services and everyday pet wellness products.
franchise-groombar
Background
Support Training
Franchise Support & Training
- Financing Assistance: Access to vehicle loan and lease partners, with SBA lending options for brick-and-mortar salons.
- Site Selection Support: Third-party brokers help franchisees identify suitable locations.
- Lease Negotiation Support: Third-party brokers assist with lease negotiations.
- Recruiting Assistance: Training on attracting and recruiting grooming professionals.
- Cooperative Advertising: No.
Initial Training
Franchisees and managers receive training tailored to their chosen GROOMBAR model. Delivered primarily remotely, the program covers brand standards, business and grooming management, marketing, customer service, scheduling, operating systems, profitability, and technology.
Salon and EarthWise Pet operators receive additional instruction on point-of-sale systems, service offerings, and merchandising. Pet nutrition and product knowledge are included where applicable.
Ongoing Support
Support continues after opening through operational guidance, supplemental training, digital resources, system updates, and refresher programs. Training prepares owners to manage the business and lead their teams without needing to be professional groomers themselves.
Ideal Candidate
Franchise Owner Responsibilities
GROOMBAR and EarthWise Pet franchisees oversee staffing, customer service, local marketing, finances, scheduling, and brand standards. Responsibilities vary by format and may include managing grooming teams, salon operations, mobile vans, inventory, and merchandising.
Owners do not need to perform grooming services themselves. Their focus is on leading the business, developing employees, maintaining service quality, and building customer relationships.
A semi-absentee structure is also possible, with a manager or experienced team lead handling daily operations. The owner remains involved in financial oversight, staffing decisions, performance management, and growth planning.
Ideal Franchisee Profile
The ideal candidate understands that pet care depends on trust. Customers want confidence that their pets will receive attentive, consistent care, making the treatment of both pets and their owners central to the business.
Strong candidates bring leadership skills and experience managing people, solving problems, and delivering excellent customer service. Relevant backgrounds may include business ownership, management, operations, sales, retail, hospitality, healthcare, or other service industries. Grooming and pet-industry experience are not required.
Successful owners should be comfortable with financial management, recruiting and retaining employees, and holding teams accountable to brand standards. They should also welcome technology that improves scheduling, communication, reporting, customer follow-up, and administrative efficiency.
Experience with appointment-based services, multiple locations, hourly or commission-based teams, local marketing, and community engagement is helpful. An affinity for pets is valuable, alongside a clear respect for the responsibility of caring for someone’s family companion.
Financial Detail
Investment & Franchise Fees
- Cash Investment Required: $75,000–$200,000
- Total Investment: $78,000–$1,036,250 across all three models
- Minimum Net Worth: $500,000
- Single-Unit Franchise Fee: $45,000
- Each Additional Unit: $36,000
- Veteran Discount: 10% off the franchise fee
- Other Fees: Not specified
Royalty & Advertising Fees
| Revenue Category | Royalty Fee | Advertising Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Grooming Salon, In-Store Salon, and In-Store Salon Addition sales | 5% of the preceding week’s gross revenue | 2% of the preceding week’s gross revenue |
| Pet Nutrition Center retail sales | 4% of the preceding week’s gross revenue | 0% |
| Mobile Pet Grooming sales | 7% of the preceding week’s gross revenue, subject to a $100 weekly minimum beginning 120 days after the effective date | 2% of the preceding week’s gross revenue |
Ownership & Operating Requirements
- Employees at Startup/Maturity: 1–5, depending on the model
- Item 19 Financial Performance Disclosure: Yes
- SBA Registry: Yes
- Visa Candidates: Yes; E-2 candidates must retain their own legal counsel for guidance on visa requirements.
- Passive Ownership: No
- Semi-Passive Ownership: Yes
- Home-Based Business: No
- B2B Model: No
- Master Franchise Opportunities: Yes
Semi-Passive Ownership Model
GROOMBAR and EarthWise Pet allow owners to build a team and management structure to oversee daily operations. Owners do not need to perform grooming services themselves and can focus on financial performance, business oversight, and strategic growth.
Technology and AI tools help streamline scheduling, customer communication, reporting, and administrative work, supporting owners in monitoring the business and managing their teams.