Franchise Times: K-9 Resorts Investor Aims to Trump Market

It began with a simple dog-walking business to prove that they were responsible enough to have a pet of their own, but brothers Steven and Jason Parker turned that inspiration into what is now K-9 Resorts Daycare & Luxury Hotel, a franchise concept with six resorts across two states and poised for significant growth.

In their May issue, Franchise Times profiled the young company which just gained an investment partner in New Jersey-based private equity firm, Navigator Partners, LLC. "We know we have a proven model that is highly profitable, and no one is doing it to the level of luxury that we are," Steven Parker told Franchise Times. "So if you have something that's never been done before, why not be the first?"

The investment from Navigator Partners will be used to increase brand awareness. Bill Stewart, Managing Partner of Navigator Partners, told Franchise Times that they like to buy a brand and then hold on for a long time and believe that the segment is wide open for K-9 to own.

“They have an awful lot of experience for two 30-year-olds in this segment,” Steward said. “In the franchise business, if you’re not able to demonstrate strong unit economics for the franchisee, you really don’t have anything. That’s something we pound away on.”

The brothers believe they will find franchise prospects to invest the $1.2 million in order to expand across the country—the type of big thinking that would make their boyhood hero, Donald Trump, very proud.