Established
1974
Franchise Units
10
Minimum Investment
$650,000
Franchise Fee
$50,000
Total Investment Range
$1,500,000
Home Based
No
Description
Kennelwood Pet Resorts is widely recognized as a premier name in the pet-care industry, offering upscale boarding, daycare, grooming, spa, training, and enrichment services for pets across the Midwest. What began as a single location built on passion, trust, and high-standard pet care has grown into a respected and influential brand. With decades of proven operations, a strong reputation, and a loyal customer base, Kennelwood has become a go-to choice for pet parents seeking reliable, high-quality care.
As demand for pet services continues to surge across the United States, Kennelwood Pet Resorts presents a powerful business opportunity for entrepreneurs who want to own a recession-resistant, high-margin, service-driven franchise. Their commitment to safety, hygiene, enrichment, and customer satisfaction helps set them apart in a competitive market. For investors with a passion for animals and a desire to operate a meaningful business, Kennelwood’s model offers scalability, brand equity, and long-term growth potential.
Why Invest in this Franchise?
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Trusted reputation built over decades
Kennelwood Pet Resorts has earned deep customer loyalty by treating pets like family and maintaining exceptionally high standards in pet care, cleanliness, and customer service. -
Multiple revenue streams
Boarding, daycare, grooming, training, spa services, pet photography, shuttle transportation, retail add-ons, and enrichment programs drive consistent revenue and strong profit margins. -
Fast-growing industry
The U.S. pet-care sector continues to expand as more families adopt pets and spend significantly on premium care services, making this a recession-resistant and booming category. -
Proven systems & operational excellence
Kennelwood offers a well-documented service model, structured training, and reliable protocols for staffing, safety, sanitation, and customer management — reducing the guesswork for new franchisees. -
Strong local visibility & brand heritage
Known for exceptional service, safety standards, and a compassionate approach, Kennelwood’s long-standing presence gives franchisees an immediate competitive advantage.
Background
Established Year: 1974
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Founder: Donald Danforth Jr.
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Brand Journey: Kennelwood Pet Resorts began as a single, high-standard pet boarding and grooming facility and gradually expanded into full-service pet resorts offering boarding, daycamp, grooming, spa, dog training, shuttle services, and enrichment programs.
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Ownership: Family-owned and operated, with leadership continuity through the Danforth family.
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Market Presence: Multiple locations across Missouri and Illinois, known for premium boarding, daycare, grooming, and training services.
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Industry Category: Pet services — boarding, daycare, grooming, spa, training, and enrichment.
- Franchise Active Units : Kennelwood Pet Resorts operates approximately 10 active locations across the Midwest region (company-owned + franchise/resort units).
Support Training
Kennelwood provides a comprehensive support system designed to help franchisees succeed from day one.
Pre-Launch Support
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Assistance in site selection, market analysis, and territory evaluation
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Facility planning from layout design to infrastructure needs
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Support with permits, compliance, and safety standards
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Guidance on equipment, kennels, daycare design, grooming stations, and training spaces
Initial Training
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Comprehensive operational training covering pet-handling, customer service, safety protocols, sanitation procedures, medication administration, and boarding procedures
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Front-desk training to manage bookings, check-ins, customer communication, and billing
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Staff management guidance to maintain a professional, caring, and trustworthy service environment
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Curriculum support for training programs, grooming services, and enrichment activities
Marketing & Launch Support
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Brand-approved marketing materials
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Local advertising support
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Digital marketing strategies to increase visibility and attract new customers
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Launch campaigns to build awareness in the first few months
Ongoing Support
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Continued operational assistance
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Staff training refreshers
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Updates to service protocols, sanitation standards, and operational processes
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Continuous marketing guidance
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Access to proprietary knowledge, systems, and industry best practices
Ideal Candidate
Kennelwood Pet Resorts is best suited for entrepreneurs who:
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Have a strong passion for animals and a genuine desire to improve pet well-being
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Are customer-service oriented and enjoy working with pet owners
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Possess strong management or leadership experience
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Are financially committed to investing in a high-quality facility and strong team
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Are willing to maintain high standards in safety, hygiene, and customer experience
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Want to operate in suburban or metropolitan areas with high pet ownership
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Seek a long-term business model that thrives on community trust and repeat customers
Financial Detail
| Category | Estimated Amount / Details |
|---|---|
| Total Investment Required | $650,000 – $1,500,000+ (varies based on land, buildout, facility size, and services offered) |
| Minimum Liquid Capital | $200,000 – $350,000 |
| Net Worth Requirement | $750,000 – $1,000,000 (recommended for multi-service pet resort operations) |
| Franchise Fee | $50,000 – $100,000 |
| Real Estate / Leasehold Improvements | $300,000 – $900,000 depending on new build vs. conversion, zoning, and indoor/outdoor area requirements |
| Equipment & Infrastructure | $150,000 – $350,000 (kennel suites, flooring, ventilation, grooming equipment, wash stations, fencing, play areas, training rooms, POS systems) |
| Initial Inventory | $5,000 – $15,000 (pet supplies, grooming products, cleaning materials, retail items) |
| Marketing (Grand Opening + Launch) | $15,000 – $40,000 |
| Training & Onboarding Costs | $10,000 – $25,000 |
| Working Capital (First 3–6 Months) | $50,000 – $150,000 depending on staffing and local labor costs |
| Royalty Fee | 5% – 8% of gross sales (industry standard for pet-care facilities) |
| Brand Marketing / Advertising Fee | 1% – 3% of gross sales |
| Average Facility Size | 5,000 – 12,000 sq. ft. (plus outdoor play areas) |
| Franchise Active Units | Approx. 8–10 units (company-owned + franchise/resort locations) |
| Break-Even Timeline | 24 – 48 months depending on occupancy, pricing, and upsell performance |
| Potential Revenue Streams | Boarding, daycare/daycamp, grooming, spa services, dog training, retail products, shuttle transportation, pet photography, enrichment add-ons, memberships |