Hounds Town USA

Hounds Town USA is a unique and established dog daycare and pet care franchise rooted in nearly four decades of expertise in canine behavior and psychology. The company was Established in 2001 by Mike Gould, a former NYPD K9 Unit Commander. The brand began franchising in 2015 and has since grown to include 74 franchised units (plus 1 company-owned unit).

Hounds Town USA differentiates itself by basing its model on the natural instincts and behavior of dogs, a system they call Houndology™. This mission-driven approach aims to transform the pet care industry by focusing on instinct-based care and minimizing stress, offering a model that is often described as being closer to childcare than traditional dog daycare.

Hounds Town USA provides multiple revenue streams through a comprehensive offering of pet-centric services:

• Interactive Dog Daycare: Features supervised, instinct-based playgroups organized by the proprietary Houndology™ system. Playgroups are specialized based on a dog’s size, temperament, energy level, and play style to ensure a safe and successful experience.
• Overnight Dog Boarding: Available in a secure, cage-free setting.
• Pet Spa Services (Grooming): Offerings include bathing and basic spa amenities.
• Cat Boarding: Separate amenities are provided for feline guests.
• Pet Taxi Services: Convenient transport services for pets.
• Retail Products: An in-house selection of pet products.

Hounds Town USA provides a straightforward, scalable, and essential business model designed to accelerate profitability.

• Business Model: Optimized for faster Return on Investment (ROI) and growth with streamlined operations, simple, durable, and cost-effective dog-friendly buildouts, and lower overhead costs compared to industry competitors.
• Transparency: The franchisor promotes radical transparency, sharing real P&L data openly with prospective owners.
• Owner Involvement: This is a full-time, owner-operator model. Franchisees are expected to be involved in all aspects of day-to-day operations; it is not a semi-passive or home-based opportunity.

• Incentives:
  • Veteran Discount: Hounds Town USA offers a 10% discount on the franchise fee to qualified veterans.

• • E2 Visa Candidates: The franchise works with E2 Visa candidates.
  • Growth: Multi-unit opportunities are available for expansion

Hounds Town USA seeks motivated individuals who are more than just pet lovers; they look for leaders, entrepreneurs, and community builders. The most successful franchisees share key qualities:

• Ambition and Accountability: A strong drive combined with a commitment to the business.
• Entrepreneurial Spirit: No prior business experience is required, but candidates must possess grit and drive.
• Talent for Team-Building: The ability to attract, lead, and inspire a strong, younger team.
• Passion for People and Pets: A dedication to providing exceptional care while building trust with pet parents.
• Community-Focused Mindset: A willingness to partner with local rescues and shelters, host adoption events, and engage in local causes.

The financial requirements for a Hounds Town USA franchise are as follows (based on the 2025 FDD):

• Initial Investment Range: $475,875 – $1,278,489
• Franchise Fee: $49,000
• Required Liquid Capital: $250,000
• Minimum Net Worth: $500,000
• Royalty Fee: 6% of Gross Sales
• Brand Fund Contribution: 2% of Gross Sales

Hounds Town USA offers a comprehensive support system, guiding franchisees from site selection through long-term operations.

Initial Training:

• The initial training program totals approximately 171 hours, covering all facets of the business.
• It includes 35 hours of in-person/virtual classroom training, 48 hours of hands-on immersion training at a corporate location, and 88 hours of on-site support at the franchisee’s location during opening.
• Over half of the training time is focused on the proprietary Houndology™ dog management system, including grouping, handling, and pack behaviors.
• The curriculum also covers hospitality, hiring, staff development, administration, finance, and liability issues.

Ongoing Support:

• Operational Coaching: Franchisees receive constant coaching and support during the first six months. They are assigned a dedicated “Guide Dog” mentor for ongoing guidance.
• Real Estate & Construction: The corporate team assists with site selection, connects owners with proven commercial real estate brokers, and helps find the right General Contractor.
• Finance: Support includes proprietary financial tools and a dashboard for benchmarking and data-based financial decision-making.
• Marketing: An omnichannel marketing plan is provided, encompassing digital, video, search, and print strategies. The team helps with Grand Opening offers and sustained local marketing and social media efforts to drive brand awareness.
• Field Support: The corporate team conducts scheduled calls and site visits to review sales data, operations, technology, and local marketing, and offers personalized coaching.

If you’re contemplating pursuing this franchise opportunity, simply send an enquiry and request further information. It’s easily done – fill out this form and submit it. It will take just seconds.

Disclaimer

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