The Dog Stop

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The Dog Stop

The Dog Stop Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2025)

The Dog Stop offers boarding, daycare, grooming, and training services for dogs, providing a safe and enjoyable environment for pets to socialize and thrive.

Founded in 2009 by Jesse Coslov and Chris Kane, The Dog Stop has grown into a leading name in the pet care industry. Inspired by thorough research and a deep understanding of what pet owners need, they opened their first location in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania — which remains the company’s home base today.

In 2014, The Dog Stop launched its franchise program, opening doors for entrepreneurs eager to enter the growing pet care sector.

The brand provides a wide array of services, from dog daycare and overnight boarding to grooming, training, and in-home care. It also features a retail shop stocked with premium pet products. By offering everything under one roof, The Dog Stop delivers convenience and reliability that pet owners can count on.

Initial investment

Here's what you would need to invest if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Type of Expenditure	Amount
Initial Franchise Fee	$49,500 – $49,500
Lease Payments	$9,000 – $34,500
Leasehold Improvements	$275,000 – $475,000
Blueprints/Design Documents	$5,000 – $35,000
Furnishings, Fixtures, and Equipment	$145,000 – $252,300
Signage	$2,500 – $25,000
Initial Inventory	$8,550 – $20,000
Utility and Security Deposits	$3,500 – $15,000
Insurance – Annual Premium	$1,500 – $5,500
Grand Opening Advertising	$15,000 – $20,000
Travel and Living Expenses While Training	$2,500 – $5,000
Point-of-Sale and Computer System	$1,000 – $2,500
Technology Fees	$500 – $3,000
Permits and Licenses	$250 – $1,000
Professional Fees	$1,000 – $5,000
Employee Wages	$2,500 – $4,000
Financing Fees	$0 – $25,000
Additional Funds – 3 months	$20,700 – $60,000
Total Estimated Initial Investment	$543,000 – $1,037,300

Type of Expenditure	Amount
Initial Franchise Fee	$49,500 – $49,500
Lease Payments	$9,000 – $34,500
Leasehold Improvements	$275,000 – $475,000
Blueprints/Design Documents	$5,000 – $35,000
Furnishings, Fixtures, and Equipment	$145,000 – $252,300
Signage	$2,500 – $25,000
Initial Inventory	$8,550 – $20,000
Utility and Security Deposits	$3,500 – $15,000
Insurance – Annual Premium	$1,500 – $5,500
Grand Opening Advertising	$15,000 – $20,000
Travel and Living Expenses While Training	$2,500 – $5,000
Point-of-Sale and Computer System	$1,000 – $2,500
Technology Fees	$500 – $3,000
Permits and Licenses	$250 – $1,000
Professional Fees	$1,000 – $5,000
Employee Wages	$2,500 – $4,000
Financing Fees	$0 – $25,000
Additional Funds – 3 months	$20,700 – $60,000
Total Estimated Initial Investment	$543,000 – $1,037,300

Franchise Disclosure Document

KEY FRANCHISE STATS

All you need to know about this franchise

Started franchising

2013

Franchisees

20

+

18%

18%

Franchise fee

$49,500

Investment

$543,000 - $1,037,000

Revenue (AUV)

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$856,000

+

n.a.

Operating Profit

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12.5%

Home based

No

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No

Passive investment

Yes

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Yes

FDD

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Competitors

Below are some of

The Dog Stop

key competitors in the

Pet Retail

sector.

Franchise

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Upgrade

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20

New

+

18%

18%

18%

$49,500

$543,000

$1,037,000

$856,000

95.9%

12.5%

Pet Supplies Plus

$200K - $500K

485

$49,900

$498,000

$1,979,000

$2,632,000

37.7%

6.3%

Petland

$200K - $500K

67

$50,000

$313,000

$1,078,000

$2,698,000

n.a.

n.a.

Pet Depot

$100K - $200K

27

$45,000

$178,000

$913,000

$0

n.a.

n.a.

Three Dog Bakery

$100K - $200K

41

$40,000

$181,000

$314,000

$502,000

n.a.

n.a.

EarthWise Pet

$200K - $500K

108

$45,000

$467,000

$828,000

$755,000

67.8%

17.7%

Salty Paws

$50K - $100K

$25,000

$99,000

$176,000

$0

n.a.

n.a.

Waggles Puppy Boutique

$200K - $500K

0

$50,000

$341,000

$678,000

$986,000

n.a.

n.a.

Petsmart

$100K - $200K

38

$10,000

$191,000

$274,000

$0

n.a.

n.a.

Pet Evolution

Over $500K

8

$59,000

$801,000

$1,256,000

$706,000

n.a.

n.a.

Dogtopia

Over $500K

205

$49,500

$608,000

$1,269,000

$916,000

n.a.

19.0%

Pet Wants

$100K - $200K

159

$48,500

$138,000

$219,000

$437,000

n.a.

n.a.

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Training

The Dog Stop provides franchisees with a comprehensive set of training programs designed to ensure operational success:

Initial Training Program
Before opening, The Dog Stop offers a training course for the franchisee and at least two additional managers, covering approximately ten days at a designated training site. This includes classroom and hands-on training in areas such as computer operations, dog behavior, customer service, facility management, grooming, retail operations, and general operations.
Onsite Pre-Opening Training
Franchisees receive up to five days of additional training at their location to assist with opening preparations. This ensures the team is prepared to implement operational standards from day one.
Online Employee Training
All employees, such as handlers and receptionists, must complete online training courses and pass exams before starting employment. This helps maintain consistent service quality across all franchise locations.

Territory Protection

The Dog Stop provides its franchisees with a protected territory described in terms of zip codes or geographic boundaries, typically covering at least 40,000 households or 25,000 dogs.

Within this territory, the franchisor agrees not to open or authorize another The Dog Stop location, giving the franchisee a level of local market protection. However, the franchisee is not allowed to directly solicit customers outside of their territory but may serve customers who voluntarily seek their services.

Despite this protection, The Dog Stop retains broad rights to sell products and services through other channels inside and outside the territory, such as online sales, catalogs, fairs, expos, and telemarketing.

Competitors

Pet Depot

Pet Depot is a pet retail franchise offering pet supplies, food, and grooming services, catering to the needs of pets and their owners.

Franchisees

27

+

-7%

-7%

Investment

$178,000 - $913,000

$100K - $200K

Waggles Puppy Boutique

Waggles Puppy Boutique provides premium pet products and grooming services, catering to the comfort and style needs of dogs.

Franchisees

0

+

n.a.

n.a.

Investment

$341,000 - $678,000

$200K - $500K

Three Dog Bakery

Three Dog Bakery offers premium dog treats and products, providing wholesome and delicious options to enhance pets' nutrition and enjoyment.

Franchisees

41

+

17%

17%

Investment

$181,000 - $314,000

$100K - $200K

The Dog Stop

The Dog Stop offers boarding, daycare, grooming, and training services for dogs, providing a safe and enjoyable environment for pets to socialize and thrive.

Franchisees

20

+

18%

18%

Investment

$543,000 - $1,037,000

Over $500K

Salty Paws

Salty Paws is a pet grooming and spa franchise that offers professional grooming services, promoting pet well-being and a clean, refreshed appearance.

Franchisees

+

n.a.

n.a.

Investment

$99,000 - $176,000

$50K - $100K

Petland

Petland is a retail pet store franchise that offers a variety of pets, products, and services to meet the needs of pet owners and animal enthusiasts.

Franchisees

67

+

-11%

-11%

Investment

$313,000 - $1,078,000

$200K - $500K

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