What Does Central Bark Look for in a Franchisee?
For more than 25 years, Central Bark has been carrying on our commitment to enriching dogs and their parents lives by creating a safe environment for dogs to play, exercise and socialize.
Our brand has become an award-winning and industry-leading brand through hard work, determination and an uncompromising commitment to our customers, their four-legged companions and the communities in which we operate.
It’s not just our incredible facilities, services and business model that drives success – it’s the people. When it comes to Central Bark, our caliber of franchisees is second-to-none and that has never been more evident since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
So, what exactly does it take to own a Central Bark? Read on a little bit more to find out.
Community Involvement
“From day 1, franchisees quickly learn that owning and operating a Central Bark is more than just taking care of dogs,” said Chris Gaba, co-founder of Central Bark. “This is a people business as much as it is a dog care business. Our owners become community leaders in their own right and develop longstanding and mutually beneficial relationships with numerus organizations, groups and people within and beyond their markets because at Central Bark, dogs are only part of our story. We like to think of Central Bark as a place where your love of dogs actually means business, which is why we say a passion for dogs and a passion for business, go hand-in-paw.”
Business Acumen
A degree of business knowledge will absolutely help Central Bark owners achieve success. However, just because a prospective owner does not have the most developed business skills does not preclude them from ownership.
“Central Bark is proud of its diverse group of franchise owners and operators that is made up of families, business partners, spouses, and individuals,” said Chris Gaba. “Central Bark is the type of business that allows operators to combine all their accrued skill sets with a desire for business ownership. That combination allows us to bring together the business acumen we’re looking for. Also, owners must have an appreciation for the systems and procedures that a franchising model provides. It’s an understanding that owning a Central Bark is being in business for yourself, but not by yourself. That is the value of a proven, successful franchise model, like Central Bark.”
Commitment to the Operations
At Central Bark, we’re looking for franchise owners that are also operators. That means we expect you to be either working in, or on, your Central Bark business full time.
“We want someone who is going to be passionate about the business and who embraces the same values that Central Bark brings to the table,” said Gaba. “Our owners understand that our system works every day to deliver upon our brand promise while allowing our undeniable passion for whole dog care and our communities to shine through with every dog we care for.”
Financial Strength
“We’re looking for someone who is in the position to purchase and open a business,” explained Gaba.
With a strong brand identity, excellent franchise relationships, and a passionate executive leadership team, Central Bark has an industry competitive initial investment beginning at approximately $520,000 for a single facility, depending on the real estate selected.
“Our vetting process is designed to establish a really strong foundation from which to start a long-term relationship from to help franchisees deliver on their own business goals,” said Gaba. “You have to be willing to work the opportunities and challenges which are part of business ownership including the unforeseen and something as unprecedented as the current COVID pandemic.”
Since the onset of COVID-19, Central Bark continues to rebound at an unprecedented rate, experiencing strong sales across its system.
To learn more or inquire why Central Bark is one of the best franchises to buy, visit centralbarkusa.com/franchising.