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Central Bark Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2026)

Central Bark is a doggy daycare franchise that focuses on providing a safe and engaging space for dogs to socialize, play, and receive care.

KEY FRANCHISE STATS

Franchisees

?

38
+
15%
15%
Franchise fee

?

$49,000
Investment

?

$522,000 - $1,040,000
Revenue (AUV)

?

Undisclosed

$552,000

+
n.a.
n.a.
Upgrade

Central Bark is a leading dog daycare and pet care franchise that was founded in 2003 by Jackie Jordan and Chris Gaba. Recognizing a gap in the market for comprehensive dog care services, they established Central Bark with a vision to provide a nurturing environment where dogs could play, exercise, and socialize.

The franchise has since grown into one of the largest networks of dog daycare facilities in the United States. Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Central Bark began franchising in the same year it was founded. 

Central Bark offers a range of services including dog daycare, boarding, grooming, training, and a specialty retail boutique. This holistic approach to pet care, underpinned by principles of canine behavioral science, sets Central Bark apart from its competitors.

Central Bark's business model has proven to be resilient, particularly because pet care remains a priority for many households, even during economic downturns. The franchise continues to grow, with plans to expand to 200 locations by 2027.

Initial investment

The initial investment required for a Central Bark franchise is $522,000 - $1,040,000. That is the total cost you would need to finance if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Type of Expenditure Amount (Low Estimate) Amount (High Estimate)
Initial Franchise Fee $49,000 $49,000
Leasehold Improvements $280,000 $575,000
Architectural Fee $15,000 $25,000
Equipment, Fixtures $55,000 $130,000
Store Signage $6,500 $12,000
Security Deposits $5,000 $10,000
Opening Inventory $3,000 $8,000
Initial Launch Advertising $26,000 $26,000
Pre-Opening Promotional Package $3,500 $6,500
Pre-Opening Training Travel and Lodging Expense $2,000 $5,000
Training Materials $1,500 $1,500
Misc. (legal, permits) $5,000 $10,000
Supplies $13,974 $24,974
Insurance $3,000 $8,000
Computer Hardware and Software $5,000 $8,000
Microsite Fees $4,000 $4,000
Lease Assignment Agreement Review Fee $0 $2,500
Rent $5,000 $8,000
Additional Funds (3 mos.) $40,000 $110,000
Vehicle $0 $22,000
Total $522,474 $1,039,974

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Type of Expenditure Amount (Low Estimate) Amount (High Estimate)
Initial Franchise Fee $49,000 $49,000
Leasehold Improvements $280,000 $575,000
Architectural Fee $15,000 $25,000
Equipment, Fixtures $55,000 $130,000
Store Signage $6,500 $12,000
Security Deposits $5,000 $10,000
Opening Inventory $3,000 $8,000
Initial Launch Advertising $26,000 $26,000
Pre-Opening Promotional Package $3,500 $6,500
Pre-Opening Training Travel and Lodging Expense $2,000 $5,000
Training Materials $1,500 $1,500
Misc. (legal, permits) $5,000 $10,000
Supplies $13,974 $24,974
Insurance $3,000 $8,000
Computer Hardware and Software $5,000 $8,000
Microsite Fees $4,000 $4,000
Lease Assignment Agreement Review Fee $0 $2,500
Rent $5,000 $8,000
Additional Funds (3 mos.) $40,000 $110,000
Vehicle $0 $22,000
Total $522,474 $1,039,974

Franchise Disclosure Document

Below is Central Bark's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document. Upgrade to Pro or purchase the FDD to view and download the document.

Number of units

Central Bark had 38 total units in 2024, of which 38 were franchised-owned and 0 company-owned.

Frequently Asked Questions

Competitors

Below are some of

Central Bark

key competitors in the

Pet Sitting

sector.

Franchise
Franchisees
Royalty fee
Total investment
Revenue
Upgrade
EBITDA
Upgrade

38

New
+
15%
15%

6.00%

$522,000

-

$1,040,000

$552,000

n.a.

$xxx,xxx

15.6%

xx%

n.a.

Training 

Central Bark provides comprehensive training to its franchisees to ensure they are well-prepared to operate their dog daycare and pet care facilities successfully. The training program includes a blend of both classroom and hands-on experiences, focusing on various aspects of the business.

  1. Initial Training at Central Bark University: Franchisees undergo initial training at Central Bark University, where they receive detailed instruction on day-to-day operations, customer service, and dog care techniques.
  2. On-Site Training: After the classroom training, franchisees receive on-site training at an existing Central Bark location. This hands-on experience allows them to apply what they've learned in a real-world setting, under the guidance of experienced Central Bark staff. This phase covers practical aspects like managing staff, interacting with customers, and maintaining the facility.
  3. Ongoing Support: Beyond the initial training, Central Bark offers ongoing support to its franchisees. This includes additional training sessions, regular updates on best practices, marketing support, and access to a network of other franchisees for advice and collaboration.

Territory Protection

Central Bark franchise offers territory protection to its franchisees. This protection ensures that each franchisee has an exclsusive area in which they can operate, preventing the establishment of another Central Bark location within a designated radius.

This territorial exclusivity helps franchisees maximize their market potential and reduces the risk of competition from other franchisees within the same brand.

The exact details of the territory protection, including the specific geographic boundaries and any conditions that apply, are outlined in the franchise agreement. This protection is a key component of the support Central Bark provides to its franchisees, helping to safeguard their investment and encourage the growth of their individual businesses.

Competitors

Below are some of Central Bark's key competitors in the Pet Sitting sector.

Dogdrop

Franchisees

?

1
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$356,000 - $645,000
Revenue

?

Upgrade

GoDog

Franchisees

?

0
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$1,987,000 - $3,696,000
Revenue

?

Upgrade

Snaggle Foot Dog Walks & Pet Care

Franchisees

?

11
+
-8%
-8%
Investment

?

$22,000 - $62,000
Revenue

?

Upgrade

Playful Pack

Franchisees

?

0
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$336,000 - $439,000
Revenue

?

Upgrade

PETU K9 HIGHER EDUCATION

Franchisees

?

0
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$318,000 - $514,000
Revenue

?

Upgrade

K9 Resorts

Franchisees

?

24
+
118%
118%
Investment

?

$1,480,000 - $2,446,000
Revenue

?

Upgrade

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