Best Pet Franchises

It’s not exactly a secret that Americans love their animals. People spend a lot to keep their pets healthy and happy, from dogs and cats to birds and reptiles. That’s why the best pet franchises continue to thrive year after year.

For franchisees, that translates into steady demand, loyal customers, and a business model with staying power. To simplify the search, we’ve highlighted five of the best pet franchises, pulling from industry data and franchise disclosure documents (FDDs) to identify the strongest options available today.

Disclaimer: The information presented is based on the most recent Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDDs) available at the time of writing. In some cases, this may not reflect the latest version filed by the franchisor. Where applicable, data has been summarized or approximated to represent average gross sales for comparison purposes. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and transparency.

Best Pet Services Franchises

Dogtopia

Dogtopia is one of the bigger names in dog daycare and boarding, and for good reason. The membership model keeps customers coming back, which helps smooth out cash flow. Pet Parents like the transparency and clean, safe setup, making building long-term loyalty easier.

Startup costs: From $641,600 to $1,577,380, and the franchise fee is $49,500.

Training: Generally broken into clear stages. You start with orientation and then work through classroom, hands-on, and remote sessions. The program runs deep, and you have to pass tests before opening. That structure gives new owners confidence on day one.

Risk profile: Moderate. Real estate and payroll are no small commitments, but the recurring revenue from memberships helps balance the load.

WOOFIE’S​

Woofie’s takes pet care on the road with a mobile setup for grooming, walking, and sitting. It’s a leaner model that doesn’t require a storefront, making it more approachable if you want to enter the pet space without the big retail footprint.

Startup costs: Between $180,423 and $294,651, with a $57,500 franchise fee.

Training: Starts online, then moves into a week of in-person sessions in Virginia. You’ll cover CPR, operations, and team building. After launch, the brand sends trainers to work with you on van setup and grooming, which is a nice touch for new operators.

Risk profile: Moderate. Growth depends on building trust locally, but recurring pet care services steady the revenue base once you’re established.

Pet Supplies Plus

Pet Supplies Plus is the neighborhood big-box pet store offering grooming and self-wash stations. It pulls in substantial foot traffic with variety, convenience, and brand name recognition that most mom-and-pop stores can’t match.

Startup costs: Usually range from $498,320 to $1,978,605, with a franchise fee of $49,900.

Training: A serious retail boot camp. Expect 80 to 160 hours inside a corporate store, covering everything from merchandising and POS to animal care and inventory management. Grooming training is available if you want to add services.

Risk profile: Moderate to high. Build-out and staffing require real capital and planning, but national branding and strong marketing help push sales volume.

Wild Birds Unlimited

Wild Birds Unlimited has carved out a niche in backyard bird feeding. It may not sound mainstream, but birders are loyal customers who spend regularly. That hobby-driven demand gives this brand staying power.

Startup costs: Typically range from $185,101 to $334,477, with a $40,000 franchise fee.

Training: Includes three days in the Indiana classroom, online modules, coaching, just-in-time virtual training, and five days in-store at a certified location. Ongoing support carries forward through conferences and coaching.

Risk profile: Low to moderate. Although it’s a niche market, the customer base's loyalty and steady repeat sales create a strong foundation.

PET WANTS​

Pet Wants leans into the growing demand for natural, small-batch pet food. Delivery and local outreach offer a lower-cost entry point that still ties into recurring revenue.

Startup costs: range from $137,850 to $219,000, with a franchise fee of $48,500.

Training: Runs 40 hours in Cincinnati, where you’ll cover planning, marketing, nutrition, and finance. After that, there’s a two-day field session shadowing an experienced mobile operator.

Risk profile: Low to moderate. Lower overhead makes it easier to enter the market, but growth depends on building awareness and educating customers.

What Makes These the Best Pet Services Franchises (Our Criteria)

The appeal is pretty simple when you look at the best pet franchises. Americans spend hundreds of billions on their furry, feathered, and scaly friends every year, and that spending doesn’t pull back much, even when the economy does. Folks see their dogs, cats, fish, birds, and reptiles as family, which makes services like daycare, grooming, and premium food about as close to a “need” as it gets in this business.

We weighed a handful of factors to pick the standouts. These are the things that make a pet franchise worth a serious look if you’re thinking about jumping in:

Reasonable Entry Points: The best concepts keep overhead manageable, whether starting mobile with grooming vans or opening a full retail buildout.
Solid Training and Support: From daycare safety to retail operations, structured training gives owners the confidence to handle the day-to-day and scale up over time.
Unique Brand Edge: Each brand brings something different to the table. Whether it’s membership-driven daycare, all-natural pet food, or hobby-focused niches.
Performance Track Record: We examined sales numbers, renewal rates, and system-wide averages to ensure that the pitch was backed by real data.
Growth Potential: There is room to expand into more units, services, or territories, giving franchisees ways to expand beyond the first location.

When weighed together, the convergence of these qualities is what makes a pet franchise stand out for aspiring franchisees and entrepreneurs who want steady demand, strong, proven systems, and room to grow.

Your Next Chapter Starts Here

The brands highlighted here were chosen because they pair steady demand with proven systems and realistic paths to profitability for a wide range of franchisees.

Of course, these five aren’t the only options. Depending on your budget, background, and market, many other strong contenders are worth exploring. At Franchise.com, we make sorting through the data and details easier so you can choose the pet franchise that aligns with your needs and growth potential.

Whether you are starting fresh or expanding your portfolio, you can count on us to point you in the right direction.

Ready to take the next steps?

Reach out and start your search today.