Aussie Pet Mobile is now Bark & Mane

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Camp Bow Wow Franchise Cost vs. Bark & Mane: How They Compare

Americans love their furry friends and the booming pet care industry is proof. If you’re considering launching a franchise, a pet care business can be a profitable choice. Two top franchise performers, Camp Bow Wow and Bark & Mane, cater to the growing demand for premium pet services. Learn how the Camp Bow Wow franchise cost compares with Bark & Mane.

American households are expected to spend $1,445 per animal by 2026 and $1,733 by 2030, according to Morgan Stanley. Pet ownership is also on the rise, making demand for a pet care business strong. At least 34% of people ages 18 to 34 plan to get a pet this year, versus only 28% in 2022.

To determine which franchise is right for you, start with a side-by-side comparison:

  Camp Bow Wow* Bark & Mane*
Franchise Fee $50,000 $19,950
Total Investment $954,606 - $1,229,536 $167,325-$208,650
Royalty Fee 7% 6%-5%
Ad Royalty Fee 1% 2%
Services Dog daycare, boarding and grooming Dog and cat grooming
Storefront Yes No

*Entrepreneur 

Camp Bow Wow Franchise Facts

The first Camp Bow Wow location opened its doors in 2000. Owner Heidi Gahnal was inspired to start the business after being reluctant to leave her dog in a traditional boarding facility when she went on vacation. She envisioned a summer camp for dogs where pets play with other dogs all day under constant supervision. At night, each pet gets its own space with a cot and fleece and is lulled to sleep with music. Camp Bow Wow has more than 200 locations in the U.S. and Canada.

A Camp Bow Wow franchise requires a sizable facility. The Camp Bow Wow franchise cost for a location can be as high as $1.7 million.* To attract new franchisees, Camp Bow Wow offers a franchise incentive program, which includes some first-year discounts for qualified candidates. In addition to the high cost of owning a storefront, you’ll need a large staff to keep a close eye on the pets and provide grooming services. Finding reliable employees in a tight labor market can be challenging.

Bark & Mane: A Low-Cost Alternative

In a bid to make pet grooming convenient and less stressful for both pets and owners, husband-and-wife team Ian Moses and Vivienne McIntosh debuted Bark & Mane in Australia in 1996 (orginally named Aussie Pet Mobile). Only 28 years later, Bark & Mane is the largest mobile pet grooming business in the U.S. and ranks as the No. 1 Pet Grooming Franchise on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500. The brand now has more than 450 vans and is part of Home Franchise Concepts, a leader in the home services franchise industry.

Some of the benefits of partnering with Bark & Mane to open a franchise are:

  1. Management-based opportunity

  2. Mobile business

  3. Low overhead costs

  4. Recurring revenue

  5. Low inventory

  6. Assistance with certifying groomers

Our mobile pet grooming service eliminates the need for a physical facility, reducing both your initial investment and ongoing costs. Instead of waiting for clients to come to you, you bring your grooming services directly to them in a fully-equipped customized van. With an initial investment starting at less than $170,000*, you can get your business up and running in only 60 to 90 days. There’s no long buildout or real estate required. Bark & Mane requires an upfront 3-territory package that can support 9-12 mobile grooming units, and offer in-house financing of up to $80,000 for qualified candidates.

Get started to learn more about franchising with Bark and Mane!

*Consult the Camp Bow Wow website, or Bark & Mane FDD for details.