Canine-friendly bars are rising within the United States, and a Florida-based model launched a franchise system to get forward of the curve.
Husband-and-wife entrepreneurs Alex Wright and Sheila Suhar based Pups Pub, an off-leash indoor and out of doors canine sports activities bar, in 2020. After building their careers in actual property and managerial roles, they felt the time was proper to start out their very own enterprise, however needed to ensure it was one thing they had been keen about.
“We started looking and saw dog bars becoming a fun trend and visited a few,” Wright mentioned. “We immediately loved the concept and felt that we could vastly improve on it with our skills. We started putting things together in 2020 and then the whole world shut down for COVID.”
Wright mentioned they stored workshopping the model through the pandemic, although, from creating the corporate’s brand and id to securing their first location in Tampa. After a number of months of prep work, the primary bar opened in December 2020.
“We were really well-received by the community,” Wright mentioned. “After opening, we started establishing some great relationships with other dog businesses and adoption agencies. We built a brand and proved the concept and felt like we could move forward with expansion and looked into the next closest market, which was Orlando.”
Introducing the model to Orlando was simpler from Wright’s data of the neighborhood, having labored for the town’s NBA group, the Magic. Wright mentioned that they had plans to proceed enlargement, however already operating two places was difficult. That’s when franchising entered the image.
“It’s all about time and money,” Wright mentioned. “For us to do it ourselves, we would only be able to open one every couple of years. More importantly, we didn’t have the bandwidth to do so. We felt that way wouldn’t work for us, so we decided to go with franchising, which allows you to expand much faster.”
To help in building their system, the Pups Pub founders enlisted consulting agency Franchise Well. Ben Litalien, the founder and principal of the agency, mentioned he was excited concerning the alternative due to the potential to draw future house owners.
“I think there are thousands of like-minded people out there who enjoy going to a local, neighborhood bar and also appreciate dogs and pets,” Litalien mentioned. “I think they would welcome the opportunity to not just be a customer, but own something in their own community.”
To entice future house owners, Pups Pub began a program referred to as Pack Leaders, providing a reduced franchise charge of $35,000 for the primary 10 franchisees, moderately than the conventional $50,000. Additionally, Wright, a U.S. Air Force veteran, mentioned the model presents a 25 p.c low cost on franchise charges for house owners who’ve served within the navy.
“The growth strategy is centered on owner-operators,” Litalien mentioned. “We want to build a foundation of the business with people who are there every day and making it part of the fabric of the community. From there, we anticipate the business model will evolve to where it’s attractive to investors and that opens the door to multi-unit, regional development.”
The model is focusing on communities within the southeast for enlargement, and potential franchisees can both build new places or convert present constructions which are 4,500 sq. ft or bigger.
The preliminary charge for a conversion is between $300,000 and $500,000, whereas building new is between $500,000 and $750,000. Wright mentioned house owners with bar and restaurant expertise are superb, however they’re additionally open to franchisees with a ardour for the idea and success in different ventures.
“We’ve heard from potentially interested franchisees already,” Wright mentioned. “There’s a lot of demand, and that’s given us confidence. We feel like this category is the Wild West out there—it’s all about who’s going to be first to market and capture the dog bar space. Our plan is to be first and set the bar.”
Mutts Canine Cantina, which received its begin 10 years in the past, is one other bar and grill franchise with a canine park element. Four places are open and the idea makes use of prefabricated, modular items to hurry up building.
