Pittsburgh native and lifelong dog lover Jesse Coslov co-founded The Dog Stop in 2009 after recognizing major gaps in the pet care industry, from poor transparency and customer service to the lack of an all-in-one solution for grooming, boarding, and training. With years of experience fostering, volunteering, and understanding dogs’ needs, Coslov built the brand around the philosophy that everything you do for yourself, you should do for your dog.
His focus on transparency, science-backed care, innovative practices like advanced behavior evaluations and dedication to cultivating a safe space for pups through becoming the first nationwide boarding and daycare brand to become Fear Free certified, has set The Dog Stop apart as a trusted resource for both pets and their owners. Today, Coslov is leading the brand’s national expansion, bringing this award-winning concept to communities across the country.
Franchise Chatter (FC): Tell me about your background and founding of The Dog Stop.
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Most franchise buyers spend months researching brands and building excitement — unaware that their preferred territory could be snapped up at any moment. By the time they contact the franchisor, their preferred territory may already be taken. Enter your ZIP code — a territory specialist will verify exactly which franchises are still available right where you want to be.Jesse Coslov (JC): Back in 2009, I noticed something missing in the pet care space. Pet parents were running from one place to another to cover daycare, grooming, boarding, training, and retail needs. It was fragmented, inconvenient, and inconsistent. I believed there had to be a better way. So, we set out to build a place where dogs could get everything they needed under one roof, and where owners could feel completely confident in the care their pets were receiving.
That vision came to life with the opening of our first location in Pittsburgh, PA. Since then, we’ve grown The Dog Stop into a nationally recognized brand rooted in transparency, modern facilities, and uncompromising commitment to canine care.
FC: What are The Dog Stop’s differentiators in the industry?
JC: At The Dog Stop, we’ve built a truly all-inclusive pet care concept, offering daycare, boarding, grooming, training, and a curated retail store, all under one roof. What really sets us apart is our transparent, expert-led approach: pet parents are welcome to tour any area of our facilities at any time, and we provide live webcams so they can check in on their pets while in our care.
We’re also proud to be the first nationwide boarding and daycare brand to be Fear Free certified, which means our staff is trained to recognize and reduce stress in dogs, creating a safer, more positive experience for pets and their owners. We know that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to pet care and welcome dogs of all temperaments, including those that others won’t. By offering customized care plans tailored to each dog’s unique needs, we are able to ensure comfort, safety, and enjoyment for every pup in our care, even ones that may struggle with anxiety or aren’t comfortable with other dogs.
Our VIP (Very Independent Players) program is designed to accommodate those dogs which are not quite as social and prefer the one-on-one time with a human care giver. No other brand in the dog care space is able to provide this level of service for ALL dogs and all owners… and of course, all of our employees are canine first aid and CPR certified. This ensures the safety and well-being of all our guests.
Our team brings breed-specific knowledge, advanced training, and industry-leading systems to the table. Combined with our proprietary technology, The Dog Stop has created a streamlined operation that delivers a premium, trusted service that keeps pets happy and franchisees thriving.
"If I were considering buying a franchise today, checking territory availability would be one of my first steps — yet most buyers leave it until last." — Ambrosio, Franchise Chatter
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When I owned a UPS Store, I learned firsthand how much your ZIP code shapes your outcome. I sold my store at a premium because my territory was in a high-value area. The best areas go first, and once they're gone, they're gone. Enter your ZIP code, and a territory specialist will walk you through the franchises still available near you, drawing on information that isn't publicly accessible — saving you months of wasted research.FC: What makes The Dog Stop an attractive opportunity for multi-unit franchisees looking to diversify their portfolio?
JC: We’ve been growing fast; since launching franchising in 2014, we have sold 77 territories and continue to see high market demand nationwide. With 41 thriving locations open and 12 more planned for 2025, we offer franchisees a chance to join an established, accelerating concept with strong momentum within the booming pet care industry.
But it’s not just about growth, it’s about how we support that growth. Our model is built for scalability with multiple revenue streams under one roof and operational systems that allow for seamless replication. As someone who’s been in the franchising space for a long time, I know how important that foundation is for success.
We’ve built a leadership team with deep franchise experience, and we provide unmatched support every step of the way, from initial training to ongoing guidance. Developed by dog care professionals, The Dog Stop provides an ideal platform for growth-minded franchisees looking to expand within a high-demand, emotionally rewarding category.
FC: How does The Dog Stop complement other franchise investments? Are there specific industries or concepts that align particularly well with The Dog Stop?
JC: The Dog Stop pairs well with a wide range of other service-based franchise investments, especially those in health and wellness, family-oriented services, or home-related models. It’s a natural fit for operators who understand the value of community engagement and recurring revenue streams.
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Every month we feature 6 standout franchises that could be the opportunity you've been looking for — each evaluated on disclosed financials and matched to the type of buyer most likely to succeed with it. You'll walk away knowing exactly how to analyze franchise fit. Join us live on September 29 at 6PM EST, or receive the recording the next day. Reserve your spot here.I often hear from multi-unit owners that they appreciate how The Dog Stop adds diversity to their portfolio without adding operational headaches. Our systems are strong, our support is reliable, and the consumer demand for quality pet care continues to rise. If you’re already invested in a service or retail brand, The Dog Stop brings a loyal customer base, high emotional engagement, and an opportunity to expand into a purpose-driven, rapidly growing sector.
FC: What kind of training and support does The Dog Stop provide, and how does that benefit experienced multi-unit owners?
JC: We offer robust initial training and ongoing support tailored to the needs of both new and experienced franchisees. That includes pre and post opening guidance, hands-on in-store training, and continued access to our operations, marketing, and technology teams.
For multi-unit owners, we provide dedicated franchise support, scalable systems, and resources to help streamline staffing, performance tracking, and local marketing across all locations. Our learning management system ensures consistency in staff training and operational standards from one store to the next.
FC: What are the scalability factors for franchisees looking to open multiple units?
JC: We are built for strong growth at The Dog Stop. Our proprietary technology and centralized systems for scheduling, inventory, and customer management and lead generation reduce administrative burdens and allow our franchisees to monitor and manage multiple units.
Knowing how important site selection is to the success of our franchisees, I knew we needed to cultivate a tremendous real estate team to help owners secure strategic locations with high visibility and access to target demographics, making sure we’re setting up our owners for success from the very start.
FC: What challenges should multi-unit franchisees be aware of when adding a pet services brand to their portfolio? How does The Dog Stop help mitigate these challenges?
JC: Pet care is a highly personal industry, requiring strong team management and consistent customer service. I founded this brand based on my passion for providing pups and their parents with a superior dog-care option. Franchisees entering this space need to ensure their teams are well-trained and share that same dedication to providing animals with the level of care we require, and they deserve.
We help address this through our intensive training programs, detailed operational manuals, and hiring best practices, as well as ongoing field support to assist with maintaining quality and culture across all locations. Our franchisees are never walking this journey alone; we are committed to standing by them every step of the way.
FC: What does the future of The Dog Stop look like in terms of national growth and franchisee success?
JC: Our future is incredibly bright. The Dog Stop is positioned for significant national expansion, and we’re currently targeting key growth markets across the country in New Jersey, New York, Florida, Texas and California, with a focus on both single and multi-unit development.
As pet ownership continues to rise and spending on pets grows year-over-year, we offer a recession-resistant, community-rooted business model with strong consumer demand. Our commitment to innovation, franchisee support, and customer satisfaction is at the heart of our growth strategy. For the right partners, The Dog Stop offers a chance to be part of something meaningful, profitable, and built to last.
"Multi-unit ownership is where the real wealth in franchising is built — and it starts with one key decision: choosing a brand with enough territory runway to grow into." — Ambrosio, Franchise Chatter
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Colin started as a team member at 21 — he now owns 6 locations in Tampa Bay. Lisa came from marketing and built 21 in San Diego. The most successful multi-unit owners move early and secure markets with room to grow. Use our free tool to search multiple ZIP codes and find franchises where you can still stack locations — before someone else does. A franchise specialist will be in touch to present what's available.
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