Daycare & Boarding Franchises
6 franchises in this category
Category Overview
Dog daycare and boarding franchises provide care for dogs while owners are at work or traveling. This is one of the most capital-intensive and operationally complex categories in the pet franchise industry.
Staffing is the critical factor. Daycare operations typically require 15-20 employees to maintain safe dog-to-staff ratios. Boarding facilities need 24/7 coverage. This creates significant payroll, HR, and management overhead that directly impacts profitability.
Facilities require large footprints (often 5,000-15,000+ square feet), sometimes with outdoor space. Zoning is often industrial or special-use, limiting location options. Build-out costs are substantial due to HVAC, drainage, noise mitigation, and safety requirements.
The drop-off model means you take custody of animals without owners present. This creates liability exposure for injuries, illness, and accidents that drives up insurance costs and operational complexity.
Investment Range
$476K - $2M
Highest in the industry
Typical Staffing
10-20
Highest in the industry
Key Challenge
HR Complexity
Managing 15-20 employees requires dedicated management
Key Considerations for Daycare & Boarding
Staffing Requirements
Safe operations require strict dog-to-staff ratios. Most concepts need 15-20 employees minimum. This means constant hiring, training, scheduling, and managing turnover. Factor in payroll taxes, benefits, and workers' comp insurance.
Facility Requirements
Expect 5,000-15,000+ square feet with specialized build-out: commercial HVAC, drainage systems, noise mitigation, indoor/outdoor play areas, and separate spaces for different dog sizes. Zoning restrictions often limit locations.
Liability & Insurance
Drop-off models mean custody liability. Dogs can be injured, become ill, or cause injury to staff or other dogs. Owners aren't present to intervene. Insurance costs are significant, and incidents can generate costly claims.
24/7 Operations (Boarding)
Boarding requires overnight staffing, 365 days a year. Holidays are your busiest times—when everyone else is off, you're running at full capacity. This affects work-life balance and staffing costs significantly.
Competition & Saturation
Daycare is a crowded category with multiple well-funded national brands. Ask how many units already operate in your market and what's in the pipeline. Territory protection and market saturation matter.
Management Overhead
With 15-20 employees, you're running an HR operation. Scheduling, conflict resolution, performance management, and compliance become significant time commitments. Many owners hire managers, adding another cost layer.
Daycare & Boarding Franchises Compared
| Franchise | Investment Range | Royalty + Ad | Monthly Fees | Staff | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hounds Town USA | $475,875 – $1,278,489 | 8% | $1,050 | 2-8 | Dog daycare and boarding. Cage-free environment. |
| The Dog Stop | $543,000 – $1,037,300 | 8% | $500 | 8-12 | Daycare, boarding, grooming, and training services. |
| Central Bark | $569,200 – $1,394,250 | 8% | $495 | 15-20 | Dog daycare and spa services. High staffing requirements. |
| Camp Run-a-Mutt | $589,000 – $1,140,000 | 7% | $0 | 10 | Indoor/outdoor daycare facility. Large footprint required. |
| Dogtopia | $668,312 – $1,806,803 | 9% | $750 | 15 | Premium daycare with spa services. Significant staffing and facility requirements. |
| Camp Bow Wow | $1,216,577 – $2,037,471 | 8% | $550 | 15-20 | Daycare, boarding, and training. Largest investment in category. 24/7 staffing for boarding. |
Data sourced from official Franchise Disclosure Documents. Staff numbers represent minimum requirements for safe operations.
Consider the Alternatives
Before committing to a daycare or boarding franchise, consider whether your goals might be better served by a different category:
Want Pet Services Without HR Complexity?
Daycare requires 15-20 employees—that's a full HR operation. Training franchises typically run with 2-3 staff. Less hiring, less scheduling, less turnover, less management overhead. Your time goes to customers, not employee issues.
Explore Training Franchises →Want Customers Present, Not Dropped Off?
Drop-off models mean custody liability—you're responsible for every dog, every minute. Owner-present training means owners handle their own dogs. Dramatically lower insurance costs, fewer incidents, and built-in accountability.
Explore Training Franchises →