How DOGPerfect Builds Community Connections Through Franchising

For DOGPerfect, the Florida-based pet wellness and retail franchise, building a local presence means more than opening a store and waiting for pet parents to walk through the doors. The franchise has made local engagement part of its identity, building relationships with animal rescues, participating in community events and creating experiences that give pet owners reasons to connect with the brand beyond a typical shopping trip.

This reflects the vision of Rob and Linda Emery, who opened DOGPerfect's first three locations in Florida in 2019. As the company has grown, community involvement has remained an important part of the model, something DOGPerfect wants future franchise owners to carry into their own markets.

"We would go to events and ask people, 'Have you ever heard of DOGPerfect?' And they would say no, even though we had four stores in the city," Linda said. “We realized we had to get out more. I started finding different events and reaching out to ask how we could be involved. Now I'm on the board of the Humane Society, and I go to many networking events, whether they're smaller women's groups or chamber events. Just trying to be present in the community so that people know who DOGPerfect is has really made a huge difference.”

Community engagement strategies

DOGPerfect stays connected to its communities in a variety of ways. The brand works with local rescues, hosts adoption events in its stores and gives customers opportunities to support local organizations through round-up donations. Team members also take DOGPerfect into the community by participating in pet-friendly events like Barks and Brews and yappy hours.

Building those relationships allows franchisees to both support organizations that help pets and put DOGPerfect in front of the local pet parents the business is designed to serve.

Community building also happens inside DOGPerfect locations. The stores are intentionally designed to encourage customers to spend time with their dogs rather than simply grab a product and leave. Wide pathways give dogs room to move comfortably, while lower cabinetry creates better sight lines throughout the store. Interactive features such as the Chew Bar allow dogs and their owners to explore products while giving customers opportunities to talk with team members. DOGPerfect also hosts experiences such as adoption events and ice cream socials inside its stores.

Experiential and trust‑building

"Another super effective thing for a new franchisee to do would be to have an adoption event in the store," Linda said. “Inviting the community into the store and having the rescue collaborate on social media helps reach people who wouldn't necessarily be your customers. There's a ripple effect, and it's important. Having those events in the store makes a difference as well.”

That experiential component has become particularly important to the brand. DOGPerfect is built for customers who want to bring their dogs somewhere, explore products, try something new and interact with people who understand pet health and wellness.

Trust is an important part of DOGPerfect's model because employees are expected to help customers navigate nutrition, grooming and other wellness needs. The brand has developed around an "inside-out" approach to pet wellness, combining nutrition with grooming and other services. DOGPerfect employees help customers navigate premium nutritional products and provide guidance based on individual dogs' needs.

Business benefits and brand recognition

A pet parent seeking help with nutrition, grooming or another wellness concern needs to trust the person providing the guidance. Consistent community involvement gives DOGPerfect another chance to build familiarity before or between store visits.

DOGPerfect's community work is an important part of its culture, but it also brings clear business benefits. Attending local events helps franchisees build awareness, introduce more pet parents to DOGPerfect and show what makes the brand different. Those interactions also help the brand establish a stronger presence in individual markets through local relationships.

"Being involved in any event is so important for brand recognition," Linda said. “From the time we started doing these events just a few years ago to now, there's been an amazing difference in the number of people who say, 'Oh, I know DOGPerfect.' Just being out in the community has made a huge difference.”

Expansion and future outlook

The strategy also complements the repeat nature of the business. DOGPerfect generates revenue through premium pet food, treats and toys, professional grooming and self-service dog washes, among other offerings. Customers who buy food or use grooming services have reasons to return regularly, giving stores ongoing opportunities to strengthen those relationships over time.

As the franchise expands, the specific relationships will naturally be local. One market may offer opportunities to work with rescues, while another may have community events where DOGPerfect can connect with pet owners. What remains consistent is the expectation that franchise owners and their teams become visible participants in their markets.

"I think it's critical that somebody be involved in the community in whatever way they can," Linda said. “People have different niches that they know. If they have kids, schools are someplace they could market because those are active families who have pets. I think it's really important for a franchisee to know that they need to be out and about.”

The Emerys have seen firsthand how relationships developed over time can create a foundation around a store. Now, as they introduce DOGPerfect to new markets through franchising, they are looking for owners who understand that some of the strongest customer relationships can begin well beyond the checkout counter.