Franchising with Skedaddle: How Much Can Owners with the Brand Make?

Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control, a wildlife control and home protection franchise serving 30-plus territories in North America, is eager to continue growing its presence in the United States with more franchise owners. With the pest control industry slated to reach over $30 billion in the next five years and a need for the brand’s humane services in every urban market, the concept is primed for success.

To accelerate the brand’s development efforts in the U.S., Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control has partnered with Denver-based franchise growth company Raintree. Linton Dowling, Vice President of Marketing at Raintree, and Tyler Woodard, Development Manager, refer to the concept as “easy to sell.” The Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) outlines the clear-cut opportunities available, including a quick return on investment, an immense amount of support and multiple streams of revenue.

Skedaddle’s U.S. franchisee Marcus Mueller owns two territories in Milwaukee and Madison, Wisconsin. He is coming up on his fifth year as a Skedaddle owner and has seen significant growth each year in business.

Financial performance data

The Item 19 in the brand’s 2022 FDD shows that in 2021, Mueller had $823,738 in gross sales between the two territories he serves. After the “Disclosed Expenses” listed in Table 1 (which include costs of advertising, marketing, insurance, materials, fees, vehicle expenses, rent/utilities, royalties, wages and benefits), Mueller netted 21.25% for operating income, or $175,081.

“This margin is incredible; it's a high number that is usually representative of the top franchisees in a system. Marcus is doing very well, and this shows what’s possible for Skedaddle owners in America,” Dowling said.

And the opportunity keeps growing — Mueller is on track to hit seven figures in gross sales this year. The four Canadian franchises that had data reported in the Item 19 show the average annual gross sales per territory is $385,781, with an average operating income margin of 28.65%. These profitability figures show that Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control can be a smart investment with high returns in any market.

Growth and investment opportunities

“The average ticket price per job is $1,500 to $2,500. The return on investment can be under a year for the right kind of operator,” noted Woodard.

The amount that new franchise owners pay depends on the type of franchise package they sign for; Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control offers discounted franchise fees for multi-territory deals and veterans. The initial franchise fee is $49,500 for one unit, $74,500 for two, $99,500 for three, $120,500 for four and $144,500 for five. Other expenses include an estimated $39,600 for travel, inventory and supplies, insurance, permits, fees, licenses and a vehicle — equaling a total of $89,100 total investment to start one territory.

“This is a fairly low investment when you consider that you will start generating revenue right away,” explained Dowling. “That covers assets like the 24/7 call center that handles questions and booking appointments and the advertising work that has already been done to establish awareness for your business. It’s the true cost of good marketing, and it’s worth it because the phone will ring from day one.”

Skedaddle has invested large sums of money in a robust SEO strategy to market in the United States. Dowling points out that many Google searches for “wildlife removal” in certain cities will have Skedaddle in the results without a franchise even established there yet. Requests for business are sure to come in right away, and the franchise’s center is always open to field the 600-plus calls the company receives each day.

Brand differentiators and values

In addition to the opportunity that the brand presents financially, there are a number of other differentiators that set Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control apart from others in the pest removal industry. The company is one of the only businesses that do not trap animals but handle them in a humane manner, removing and relocating them while also ensuring that the structure is protected from future incidents.

“The brand is really focused on protecting the homeowners' largest investment, which is their house, and does so by giving them a lifetime guarantee. They ensure it will never happen again, but in a way that protects the animals and avoids trapping and killing them. That's not a part of their ethos, and that’s something that clients find really admirable,” said Woodard.

With a no-kill policy, Skedaddle owners are also afforded the chance to partner with local humane societies, which brings in additional interest and leads for business. The demand for these services is such that the brand is prepared to open a territory in “every metro area of the US.”

“Bill Dowd started this company over 33 years ago. He is very team-driven and wants everybody to be part of this great successful brand,” said Woodard. “Bill and Barry [Dowd, Chief Operating Officer] have ambitious goals because they realize there is a need for Skedaddle’s services in every single city.”

The initial investment to franchise with Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Removal ranges from $89,100–$232,600, including a $49,500 franchise fee. For more information, please visit *