Petbar Franchise: Own a Boutique Pet Grooming Business

With more Americans than ever treating their pets like family, the pet care industry has exploded — and petbar is offering entrepreneurs a chance to grow with it. The boutique grooming brand combines recurring revenue, multiple service options, a clear brand identity and hands-on support to create a franchise model that stands out in a rapidly growing market.

According to Grand View Research, the U.S. pet grooming services market hit $11 or 12 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow at a 6.7% annual rate through 2030. Petbar’s polished yet approachable concept is designed to meet that demand with a customer-first experience and a scalable business plan.

Brand concept

A Brand With Real Consumer Pull

petbar was born when Dan and Ashley O’Loughlin went searching for a groomer for their dog, Bella — and instead found a business opportunity.

“We stumbled into a self-wash facility here in Dallas, and I felt that energy that I really loved — boutique fitness, maybe that Starbucks coffee shop,” Dan said. “At that point in time I told Ashley, ‘Hey, this is worth exploring, let’s look into it.’”

What they built was more than just another grooming salon. Petbar offers both self-service and full-service grooming in a clean, friendly environment where pets feel welcome and owners feel seen.

“We are trying to make ours happy and fun and clean — and not only have a good experience for the pet parents, but also for the pets as well,” Ashley said. “We want them to feel like we know their name, we know their dog’s name, we know everything.”

The concept taps into a powerful shift in consumer behavior. More people are getting dogs before having kids and treating them like full-fledged family members. They’re not just pets anymore — they sleep in the bed, go on vacations and even have birthday parties. Owners want their dogs to look and feel their best, not just occasionally, but all the time.

This growing trend toward “humanizing” pets has helped turn grooming into a recurring, lifestyle-driven service — and petbar is positioned to meet that demand in a way that feels personal and fun.

Recurring revenue

Recurring Revenue and Broad Appeal

One of petbar’s biggest differentiators is its membership model, which gives owners a predictable income stream while encouraging customer loyalty and frequent visits. With services tailored for busy professionals, hands-on pet parents and everyone in between, the model works in a wide variety of markets.

“Imagine the ‘Disney World for dogs,’” Dan said. “That’s what we really want to be. That’s what we’re excited about and really try to emulate in some way.”

The brand has already grown to 32 units, including 28 franchised and four corporate locations, and has room to expand in nearly every state.

Investment and support

An Accessible Investment With Powerful Support

petbar franchisees can expect an initial investment between $256,700 to $585,950 depending on store size, with a smaller footprint option available to reduce startup costs. The team provides robust training, operational support and marketing guidance — including a suggested $15,000 to $25,000 for grand opening marketing.

“Marketing is such a huge part of any business,” Dan said. “Getting that community awareness is so big, especially if we’re going into a cold market.”

Petbar franchisees benefit from a team that understands the challenges of scaling. The O’Loughlins seriously considered keeping the brand corporate-owned but decided that franchising was the better growth strategy — as long as they found the right partners.

“We’re always trying to change with it and trying to find that right person for that right community for that right storefront,” Dan said. “It’s sometimes difficult finding the right person for those.”

A Culture That Attracts the Right Owners

Company culture

Franchisees don’t just join a brand — they join the O’Loughlin family. Dan and Ashley now run the business alongside their children and have built a culture that prioritizes long-term relationships over short-term sales.

“We want to grow this company and build something special for the family and all of us,” Dan said. “We love that about it.”

That mindset carries into franchise development, where petbar looks for candidates who care about the brand’s mission and want to scale responsibly — not just flip stores.

The Bottom Line

Petbar is more than a fun idea — it’s a well-run business in a high-growth industry. With multiple revenue streams, strong support systems and a customer experience that keeps people coming back, it offers entrepreneurs a rare opportunity: a chance to build something meaningful, profitable and undeniably lovable.