Established
2003
Franchise Units
20
Minimum Investment
$150,000
Franchise Fee
$25,000
Total Investment Range
$280,000
Home Based
No
Description
Just Dogs! Gourmet has carved a special place in the booming pet industry by offering something truly uncommon—gourmet, handcrafted dog treats made with premium, human-grade ingredients. As pet owners continue to humanize their dogs and invest heavily in nutrition, wellness, birthdays, and special moments, Just Dogs! Gourmet stands out as a brand that blends creativity, fun, and nutrition under one franchiseable retail concept.
The franchise is celebrated for its boutique, bakery-style experience that appeals directly to pet parents seeking healthy alternatives to mass-produced treats. With custom dog cakes, seasonal collections, gourmet biscuits, party packs, chews, and a rotating menu of baked specialties, the brand secures strong visibility and repeat customer traffic. Over the years, Just Dogs! Gourmet has positioned itself as a trusted specialist in premium dog treats—combining a playful retail environment with high-quality production standards.
Today, the brand is gaining momentum nationwide as more buyers look for pet-focused business ownership opportunities that are affordable, turnkey, and backed by a high-growth consumer segment. With its strong brand identity, loyal customer base, and flexible footprint, Just Dogs! Gourmet is an attractive investment for entrepreneurs who want to enter a recession-resistant, emotionally driven industry where spending continues to rise year after year.
Background
Just Dogs! Gourmet was established in 2003 with a simple but powerful idea: create a specialty dog bakery that offers premium, human-grade treats crafted with care, creativity, and nutrition at the forefront. Founded by passionate pet enthusiasts who recognized the early shift toward healthier, artisanal pet products, the brand began as a charming boutique selling freshly baked dog treats, custom cakes, and seasonal snack collections.
The concept quickly attracted loyal pet parents, leading the founders to develop a scalable franchise model based on handcrafted recipes, proprietary blends, and a warm, bakery-style retail experience. Over the years, Just Dogs! Gourmet expanded its product line to include gourmet biscuits, decorated cookies, birthday cakes, festive assortments, chews, and event-friendly treat packages—creating a category-leading brand in the premium dog bakery segment.
Current Active Franchise Units: Approximately 20+ locations across the United States
Each location reflects the brand’s playful identity and commitment to product quality. Franchisees benefit from strong operational systems, ongoing product innovation, streamlined supply chain support, and marketing resources designed to help them build a loyal customer base in their local communities.
With more than two decades in the pet specialty industry, Just Dogs! Gourmet maintains a strong presence in suburban shopping centers, downtown retail zones, tourist districts, and pet-friendly neighborhoods. The brand continues to grow steadily as Americans invest more in pet wellness, natural treats, and special-occasion products—positioning Just Dogs! Gourmet as a trusted leader in the premium dog treat and boutique bakery category.
Support Training
Just Dogs! Gourmet offers an extremely hands-on, structured support system designed for first-time owners, experienced entrepreneurs, and multi-unit investors.
Pre-Launch Support:
• Detailed site selection guidance, including demographic analysis and traffic recommendations
• Lease negotiation assistance and layout planning
• Store design, branding standards, and interior concept templates
• Vendor setup, equipment guidance, and supply chain onboarding
• Pre-opening marketing playbook to promote a successful launch
• Initial inventory planning and merchandising support
Operational Training:
• A multi-day, in-person training program covering daily operations, production techniques, safety standards, and store management
• Comprehensive training on baking processes, custom orders, product display, and quality control
• Technology training on POS systems, customer orders, online sales, and inventory tracking
• Hiring and staff training materials to simplify team onboarding
Marketing Support:
• National and regional marketing strategy templates
• Digital assets for social media, email campaigns, posters, and local promotions
• Seasonal marketing calendars for holidays, events, and new product launches
• Brand-approved content for local advertising campaigns
Ongoing Support:
• Dedicated franchise support team
• Continuous product innovation and new menu rollouts
• Regular field visits and operational audits
• Access to the franchise intranet for resources, updates, and best practices
Ideal Candidate
A Just Dogs! Gourmet franchise attracts individuals who care deeply about pets and want to build a business that brings joy to their community.
Best-Suited Entrepreneurs:
• First-time business owners wanting a simple, high-margin retail concept
• Pet lovers who enjoy interacting with customers and local dog owners
• Investors seeking a boutique franchise with a creative and fun environment
• Multi-unit operators exploring fast-growing specialty retail brands
• Owners interested in participating in local events, farmers markets, and birthday celebrations
Preferred Background & Skills:
• Strong people skills and comfort interacting with customers
• Basic management or retail experience (though not mandatory)
• Ability to follow established recipes and maintain quality standards
• Interest in community engagement, events, and local marketing
• A mindset geared toward customer service and building repeat business
Financial & Operational Expectations:
• Comfortable with a reasonable upfront investment
• Prepared to manage daily operations or appoint a reliable manager
• Ready to follow brand guidelines while adding local community charm
Location Preferences:
• Downtown shopping areas
• Pet-friendly neighborhoods
• Malls, lifestyle centers, convention districts
• Tourist-heavy or foot-traffic-dense locations
• Suburban retail plazas with strong household income
Financial Detail
Below is a general breakdown of the typical investment range for opening a Just Dogs! Gourmet franchise in the USA. (Figures may vary by market size, store format, and local construction costs.)
Total Investment Required: $150,000 – $280,000
Minimum Investment Required: Approximately $150,000
Franchise Fee: $25,000 – $35,000
Store Build-Out & Infrastructure Cost: $80,000 – $150,000 depending on size and design
Initial Inventory & Product Setup: $8,000 – $15,000
Equipment & Fixtures: $15,000 – $40,000
Marketing Budget (Grand Opening): $5,000 – $12,000
Working Capital: $10,000 – $20,000 for the first 3–6 months
Royalty Fees: Typically 5%–7% of gross sales
Marketing Contribution: 1%–2% of gross sales
Expected ROI:
Many franchise owners experience strong repeat business from local shoppers, tourists, and online orders. With high margins on baked goods and specialty items, profitability can scale quickly once community awareness builds.
Break-Even Timeline:
An estimated 12–24 months depending on market, traffic, and operational management.
Potential Revenue Streams:
• In-store gourmet treat sales
• Custom dog cakes and special-occasion orders
• Bulk and wholesale accounts with groomers, boarders, and dog daycares
• Seasonal product collections
• Pup-birthday party packages
• Online sales and local delivery
• Dog-friendly event merchandising
• Gift baskets and holiday kits