A new year brings a fresh outlook for many—some choosing to change careers or enhance their investment strategies. Franchising has gained popularity as a career and investment choice, and while it isn’t a new concept, it is a rapidly growing industry with an estimated 821,000 franchise units in the US in 2024, an increase of more than 15,000 units from the previous year.

With franchise systems spanning various industries, narrowing your investment selection can require time and careful attention. However, if you’re reading this, chances are you’re interested in pursuing a franchise in the pet industry, specifically the dog daycare and boarding market.

The pet care industry continues to thrive, as many pet parents seek high-quality daycare and boarding services for their furry companions. As we move through 2025, Dogtopia maintains its resilient reputation as the leading dog daycare concept and the fastest-growing franchise in the pet industry, with franchise opportunities offering investors the chance to tap into this thriving market and proven business model.

Whether you’re an existing Dogtopia customer, have a passion for working with dogs, or the pet care industry piques your interest, we’re excited to help you begin your franchising journey. Below, we’ll explore some of the reasons why choosing to franchise with Dogtopia this year could be the right choice for you.

THE BOOMING PET INDUSTRY IN 2025

We’d be remiss to start this list off any other way, as the success of the pet industry is a strong reason why investing in Dogtopia can be an excellent business move. The pet industry, which encompasses various markets, continues to grow year over year, and 2025 is shaping up to be no exception.

The US, the largest region in the global pet economy, is expected to reach more than $150 billion in 2025 and almost $200 billion by 2030. Meanwhile, the global pet industry is expected to reach $500 billion by 2030, demonstrating its impressive success on a local and global scale.

A recent report indicated that 64% of pet parents have a separate part of their budget for their pet(s), and 54% prioritize spending on their pet(s) over themselves. This creates an excellent opportunity for franchisees to offer quality services to customers eager to invest in their furry family members.

By investing in Dogtopia in 2025, you can enter this lucrative industry with the support of the largest provider of dog daycare in the world. Our popularity among pet parents allows you to benefit from a proven system from the moment you sign your franchise agreement, positioning you to thrive in the pet industry’s current and projected success.

ADVANCEMENTS IN TECHNOLOGY

Investing in a franchise that isn’t innovative with technology can be a significant downside for franchise owners, as it can place them at a competitive disadvantage in a rapidly evolving marketplace. Because of technology’s influence on daily life, consumers have higher expectations, ultimately influencing their experience with a brand. From a seamless 24/7 chatbot experience and tools powered by artificial intelligence to personalized tech experiences, technology is expected to play an even bigger part in customer service in 2025.

At Dogtopia, we continue to expand our technology to provide our franchise network with optimized solutions for daily business operations and products that help improve the customer experience, leading to quality, long-term relationships.

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For example, our new point-of-sale and customer relationship management software is a customized system that enhances daily processes for our franchisees. Having recently partnered with Salesforce, we’ve created a powerful tool that streamlines daily operations and ongoing customer management. Because Dogtopia owns this technology, our franchisees can access the latest updates that evolve to meet specific requirements, ensuring our technology is always meeting the needs and demands of our network and parents.

In 2024, we premiered our DASH wellness activity monitor, which we’ll continue rolling out and promoting within our playrooms in 2025. Several Dogtopia locations have begun offering this monitor to their customers, as it provides specific data that pet parents can access about their dog’s health (e.g., distance traveled at daycare, calories burned, etc.). This activity monitor is the first of its kind in the daycare space and has been rigorously tested to withstand the activity in a multi-dog playroom, other devices on the market were only built with a single dog mentality.  With 73% of consumers reporting that they expect better personalization as technology advances, our DASH monitor, powered by PitPat, helps meet this need by offering a personalized experience tied to our top-notch daycare services.

The Dogtopia website and app are also key elements that allow our franchisees to provide their customers with a positive, seamless online experience, which is crucial in today’s digital age. Pet parents can book daycare, boarding, and spa treatments directly from our app or schedule an initial meeting specific to their nearby location.

A recent digital consumer report found that 60% of US consumers indicate that online experiences will become more important than in-person ones, making it essential that a franchise can provide their franchisees the opportunity to offer robust tech solutions. Additionally, 89% of Millennials expect brands to use technology to shape their customer experiences. With this generation leading the share in pet ownership in the US, we recognize how crucial it is to uphold positive user experiences through our technology offering so that our franchisees are set up for success.

Find out more about Dogtopia’s advanced technology here. 

A BRAND WITH PURPOSE

Many consumers have growing concerns about where they’re spending their money and with what brands. 44% of Millennials and half of Gen-Z consumers reported that they almost always or often purchased brands, products, or services that support a social justice-related cause. Meanwhile, 61% of Americans say they prefer brands who help them “make a difference in the world” as they purchase their goods and services, 85% report it’s possible for brands to support a good cause and make money, and consumers are four times as likely to stay loyal to a brand that supports social issues.

Dogtopia maintains its work on the Dogtopia Foundation, which is integrated into the business model our franchisees follow. We strongly believe in our worthy causes to enable dogs to positively change our world, and showcase our purpose over profit.

Since 72% of consumers say that they’re being more thoughtful about what they spend their money on and are four to six times more likely to purchase from, trust, champion, and defend companies with a strong purpose, franchise owners in our network can feel confident the Dogtopia Foundation makes a difference in the world and creates meaningful connections with customers long term.

We are also firmly rooted in our focus on pet well-being. Our enriching daycare experience promotes physical activity, mental stimulation, and socialization while prioritizing the health and happiness of dogs, which resonates with our parents, who trust us to provide the absolute best care for their furry family members. By integrating this focus into our business model, franchisees can benefit from our strong brand reputation, making an investment with us even more beneficial.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH

Owning multiple franchise locations, especially in various geographical locations, can allow franchisees to expand their profit opportunities by reaching greater audiences with varying needs. Not only can becoming a multi-unit franchise owner help expand a franchisee’s investment profile, but it can offer economies of scale, help reduce costs with vendors, and allow for fewer learning curves, as you’re already aware of business practices and operations.

At Dogtopia, we have sustainable growth plans to open more than 400 stores by the end of 2026 and have the steps in place that allow our franchisees to expand their reach. In fact, our largest franchisee currently operates 35 units, further emphasizing the opportunities available with a franchise investment.

With our new cost-saving and efficient store design developed in early 2024, this year can be a great time to invest as we continue optimizing our offerings, reducing buildout costs, and improving our technology systems.

MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM

Did you know US consumers held an average of 19 loyalty program memberships in 2024? This is the highest rate in the past decade! As we continue into 2025, memberships appear to align with many consumers’ needs, as they value the exclusivity its perks can offer them, including discounts that only members can access. Additionally, almost half are willing to pay for a membership if the “right value” is offered.

Dogtopia offers a recurring membership to pet owners when they purchase our services. This model can increase customer retention rates by encouraging regular visits, as they’re more likely to return for continued services. Additionally, the predictable revenue stream generated through our subscription memberships allows franchisees to better forecast their earnings and plan for future growth.

FRANCHISE WITH DOGTOPIA

Is 2025 the year for you to pursue a franchise opportunity with Dogtopia? Our experienced franchise leadership team, along with unparalleled franchisee support from day one, can provide the confidence you need to feel good about your investment. Reach out today to get started!