This upscale franchise concept takes dog boarding to an entirely new level
In 1999, the world may have been worrying about Y2K, but the only thing Jason and Steven Parker were thinking about was how to convince their parents to get a dog. To show that they could care for a pet, they started a dog walking business. “We had no intention of making it a career,” says Steven. “We didn’t even charge our clients in the beginning. We did it for free. We just wanted to prove to our parents that we had enough responsibility to care for our own dog.” Their business grew, and before long, they had 50 clients. Despite their success, the brothers never did get a dog. But they did discover a passion for pet care. They went on to start their first business, Canine Guardians Professional Pet Sitting, and cared for dogs throughout their high school career.
Then something happened that made Steven realize just how big of a growth opportunity existed for their pet care business: He decided to attend the Pet Sitters National Conference. He had no idea what to expect but was eager to learn more about the industry. Upon arrival in Nashville, Tennessee, he was shocked to learn from his cab driver that the President was giving a speech at the same hotel where the conference was being held. “And that’s when it really hit,” says Steven. “I said, ‘Wow, we’re having a dog walking conference at the same hotel that the President of the United States was just speaking at.’”
Encouraged by what they learned, the brothers decided to make their company a full-time job in the fall of 2002. It was an immediate success, quickly hitting six-figure sales numbers. But it didn’t stop there. One day, a client asked them to pick up her dog from a dog hotel. Jason and Steven had never been to a dog hotel, so they walked in and started asking the owner questions. Quickly realizing the earning potential in dog boarding, the brothers decided that they wanted to start their own dog hotel. But not just any dog hotel — they wanted to create a five-star, luxury oasis for dogs. “Jason and I thought, if there can be five-star hotels for people, why can’t there be five-star hotels for dogs?” says Steven. “We took the idea of a traditional boarding kennel, we transformed it into a luxury pet resort, and that is how K9 Resorts Luxury Pet Hotel was born.”
A dog boarding experience like no other
With their K9 Resorts concept, Steven and Jason created the luxury dog boarding category. There’s nothing else quite like it, and the business has no direct competitor. Dogs are truly pampered during their stay in one of K9 Resorts’ private luxury dog boarding suites. This cage-free space is furnished with a premium Kuranda dog bed and a TV playing canine favorites like Animal Planet. Days are spent enjoying group and/or individual play time in the indoor and outdoor play yards. Fresh dog food is provided for every meal, and bath time uses premium shampoo products. The K9 Clean System ensures a spotlessly clean facility, using hospital-grade disinfectants and state-of-the-art air filtration systems to prevent the spread of airborne contaminants and odors.
But the luxury care experience at K9 Resorts is more than just fancy accommodations. The brand promises to treat your dog like family and provide a true home away from home for your beloved pet. Their goal is to provide every customer with an experience that is on par with Disney, the Ritz-Carlton and other well-known luxury brands. Staff members truly love dogs and strive to provide an exceptional experience from the moment someone walks through the door. “We are obsessed with providing an extraordinary experience to everyone who visits,” says Steven.
Certified dog care professionals
Every K9 Resorts location provides its staff with extensive training on how to take the best possible care of dogs. The company is a member of the International Boarding & Pet Services Association (IBPSA), which offers top-tier training, tools and support to all team members. Employees hold a variety of certifications in everything from professional animal care and customer service to pet first aid and CPR. Two Professional Pet Boarding Certifications are required, helping K9 Resorts staff better understand what is involved in daily pet care and best practices to help insure an incident-free facility.
A unique niche in a booming market
According to a Pew Research Center survey, 97% of U.S. pet owners consider their pets part of the family.* And they are willing to spend big when it comes to furry family members, dropping nearly $147 billion on their pets in 2023. That number is projected to grow to $151 billion by the end of 2024. Of that figure, $12.6 billion is expected to be spent on services like boarding, grooming and pet sitting.**
Seeing pets as family members is also driving demand for more elite products and services. The luxury pet care segment is exploding, with everything from designer leashes and collars to fresh, human-grade food available to pamper your furry friend. With their luxury dog hotel, Jason, Steven and the K9 Resorts concept are perfectly positioned to take advantage of this trend.
Growing through franchising
Steven and Jason are ready to bring their luxury dog hotel concept to markets across the U.S. Smart dog lovers that want to turn their passion for pets into a business will find an amazing investment opportunity with K9 Resorts. The business model is backed by years of research and the concept is a perfect fit with the growing luxury pet care market. Markets are available across the U.S., and the time is right to partner with this innovative brand. “People always ask us what our favorite part of the job is. And without a doubt, it’s giving others the opportunity to realize the American dream of being your own boss and owning your own business,” says Steven.
References:
**www.americanpetproducts.org/industry-trends-and-stats
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