In this FDD Talk post, you’ll learn the following:

• Section I – Background information on the Central Bark Doggy Day Care franchise opportunity, including relevant news updates

• Section II – Estimated initial investment for a Central Bark Doggy Day Care franchise, based on Item 7 of the company’s 2017 FDD

• Section III – Initial franchise fee, royalty fee, marketing fee, and other fees for a Central Bark Doggy Day Care franchise, based on Items 5 and 6 of the company’s 2017 FDD

• Section IV – Presentation and analysis of Central Bark Doggy Day Care’s financial performance representations, based on Item 19 of the company’s 2017 FDD, including information on the:

• 2016 average, median, high, and low gross sales for the 24 Central Bark Doggy Day Care facilities that were open the entire 2016 calendar year

• 2016 high and low size of facilities (in square feet), dog care capacity, and fee charged per day care visit  for the 24 Central Bark Doggy Day Care facilities that were open the entire 2016 calendar year

• 2016 average annualized utilized capacity of day care visits for the 24 Central Bark Doggy Day Care facilities that were open the entire 2016 calendar year

• 2016 system-wide revenue breakdown (day care, sleepovers, grooming, training, and others) for the 24 Central Bark Doggy Day Care facilities that were open the entire 2016 calendar year

• 2016 average rent and payroll expense for the 24 Central Bark Doggy Day Care facilities that were open the entire 2016 calendar year

• increase in annual gross sales (2016 as compared to 2015) for the 23 franchised Central Bark Doggy Day Care facilities that had been in operation for a full 24 months

Section I – Background Information

9 Things You Need to Know About the Central Bark Doggy Day Care Franchise

Offers Scheduled Activities Throughout the Day

1.  Central Bark Doggy Day Care is committed to providing high-quality doggy day care. Each franchise offers several daily activities that cover a dog’s every need. According to the company’s website, the daily day care schedule includes:

• Arrivals (7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.) – Dog check-ins. All belongings are checked into assigned cubbies and dogs wait in their individual spaces for play to begin.
• Morning Activities (8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.) – After all of that day’s dogs are settled in, morning activities begin. Dogs participate in ball-fetching, chasing games, wrestling, “A-Frame” climbing, tunnel running, etc.
• Individual Attention (11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.) – Each dog’s special needs are attended to and lunch/snacks are distributed.
• Nap Time (12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.) – The dogs are given time to unwind and relax after their full morning of activities. Dogs are put into their individual crates and classic music is played.
• Exercise (2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.) – Dogs participate in a less intense version of morning activities. They receive more one-on-one attention and care.
• Individual Attention (4:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.) – Dogs that are scheduled to sleep over receive dinner. All other dogs get cleaned up and any special needs are taken care of.
• Pick-Up Time (5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.) – Prior to pick up, each dog has an unwinding period.

Salon & Spa and Boutique Offerings

2.  In addition to day care services, Central Bark Doggy Day Care offers grooming services. Salon prices, products, and services vary by each Central Bark location. Typically, each salon offers the brand’s signature Barkley Dog Bath as well as the following services:

• Large dog cuts
• Small dog cuts
• Gland expression
• Ear cleaning
• Shave downs
• Brush outs
• Nail trims
• Furminator™ treatment

3.  Each location also has a boutique section where owners can purchase products to take home. The boutique offers treats, toys, accessories, and training aids. According to Central Bark, employees constantly check labels and look for the best dog foods and treats to make sure only high-quality products are offered. Some of the brand’s specialty items include:

• Vet-recommended dog food (with an emphasis on whole dog foods that use whole protein sources, grain-free formulas, and organic ingredients)
• Plush dog toys
• Unique dog collars
• Dog chew toys
• Dog travel accessories
• Fun dog fashion and accessories
• Treats
• Training aids
• Dog care and wellness products

Continually Works with Various Dog Charities

4.  Central Bark Doggy Day Care is dedicated to helping various dog charities around the country. The company’s charity program is called Barkley Cares, which is named after Central Bark’s mascot. All of the brand’s franchisees participate in local charitable and educational events and donate profits to canine charities. Central Bark’s endeavors include educating the public on responsible pet care, supporting local rescue groups, and encouraging positive canine development and growth.

5.  Central Bark founded Dog Bless America in 2002 and designed a tribute t-shirt and dog bandana. It donated 100% of the proceeds to service dogs working with the military. Since 2010, Central Bark has used its Dog Bless America t-shirts to help a different dog charity every year.

Company History

6.  Central Bark Doggy Day Care was founded in 2003 by Jackie Jordan and Chris Gabba and is headquartered in Oakland Park, Florida. The company was the result of a merger between Jordan’s Doggy Day Care, Inc. and Gabba’s Central Bark Dog Day Care and Training Center, Inc.

7.  Jordan started her business in 1997 while Gabba started his company in 1999. Both businesses were created to provide quality day care and training to dogs and their owners. At the time both companies started, doggy day care was an unknown industry.

8.  Jordan and Gabba started franchising the Central Bark Doggy Day Care concept a year after they formed the new company. Today, there are over 25 locations in states such as Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500

9.  Central Bark Doggy Day Care has ranked on Entrepreneur’s annual Franchise 500 list only once in the past 10 years – at No. 462 in 2010.

Section II – Estimated Costs

• Please click here for detailed estimates of Central Bark Doggy Day Care franchise costs, based on Item 7 of the company’s 2017 FDD.

Section III – Initial Franchise Fee, Royalty Fee, Marketing Fee, and Other Fees

• Please click here for detailed information on Central Bark Doggy Day Care’s initial franchise fee, royalty fee, marketing fee, and other fees, based on Items 5 and 6 of the company’s 2017 FDD.

Section IV – Financial Performance Representations (Item 19, 2017 FDD) and Analysis

• The following data includes all 24 Central Bark Doggy Day Care facilities that were open the entire 2016 calendar year (the “2016 Facilities”), which consists of 23 franchised Central Bark Doggy Day Care facilities (the “2016 Franchised Facilities”) and 1 affiliate-owned Central Bark Doggy Day Care facility (which has similar operations to the 2016 Franchised Facilities).

Part 1 – Gross Sales During 2016

2016 Franchised Facilities