HydroDog^®

Pet Services • Year: 2024

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What Is HydroDog?

HydroDog is a franchise in the Pet Services category that offers mobile pet grooming services. The operational model is fully mobile, requiring franchisees to operate HydroDog Vehicles outfitted and painted to franchisor specifications and to operate under the HydroDog System. It targets individual consumers (B2C) with on-site grooming and related products, with the HydroDog Vehicle and the System (designs, equipment, inventory and service standards) as the core asset/service bundle.

HydroDog Franchise: Pros and Cons

A major strength is the brand's clean legal record—no disclosed lawsuits or government penalties—and very low entry requirements ($0 reserve, $1,099 minimum assets), which reduce litigation and cash-on-hand risk; the biggest risk is the high Item 7 franchise fee (up to $195,693) and a 20% manager equity mandate that increase upfront capital needs.

Pros

No disclosed lawsuits or government penalties—well below typical for pet services—gives the brand a clean legal record and lowers litigation and regulatory risk for operators.

The $0 reserve requirement and the $1,099 minimum asset requirement are both well below industry norms, meaning you need less cash on hand and a smaller asset base to qualify to open a unit.

Zero formal terminations and zero non‑renewals—both unusually low for this sector—indicate few recorded formal exits from the system.

Cons

The Item 7 maximum franchise fee of $195,693 is well above typical for pet services, meaning the upfront cost to buy into the system is higher than peers and raises your initial cash requirement.

A 20% manager equity requirement, plus a mandate that the manager must hold equity (an uncommon demand), increases the personal capital you must commit to operate a location.

Four reacquired outlets is unusually high for this sector and primarily reflects franchisees exiting the system, which signals operator turnover despite the lack of formal terminations.

Lawsuits & Legal Risk

100

Excellent

The franchise reported no material legal proceedings.

Territory Protection

45/100

NORMAL

Grants a protected operating area where the franchisor will not place other physical units. The franchisor retains the right to develop additional units in the surrounding market, sell via e-commerce and alternative distribution channels, operate or convert sites and use different trademarks, with protection contingent on performance quotas.

Training & Support

68/100

NORMAL

The brand provides an Extensive 137-hour training curriculum designed to prepare the 0 individuals included in the initial fee for launch, delivered through classroom instruction and on-site components. The program includes on-site launch support as an operational readiness tool; travel and lodging expenses are the franchisee’s responsibility and on-site support is subject to additional costs, while specific pre- and post-launch on-site day counts were not provided.

How Much Does It Cost to Open a HydroDog Franchise?

Opening a HydroDog franchise requires a total initial investment of $153,847 to $461,573, according to the 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document. This range covers the franchise fee, real estate, equipment, training, and initial working capital needed to launch and operate through the early months.

Minimum Investment

$153,847

Franchise Fee

Real Estate

Equipment & Assets

Reserves

Training

Other

Maximum Investment

$461,573

Minimum Investment Breakdown

Franchise Fee$40,198

Real Estate$0

Equipment & Assets$1,099

Reserves$0

Training$5,000

Other$107,550

Maximum Investment Breakdown

Franchise Fee$195,693

Real Estate$1,750

Equipment & Assets$164,175

Reserves$50,000

Training$5,000

Other$44,955

Investment Analysis

This investment analysis is coming soon. Have ideas for other analyses you'd like us to add? Get in touch.

The initial investment amounts shown are estimates only. Actual costs may vary based on location size, business model, and multi-unit ownership arrangements. We recommend reviewing the full Franchise Disclosure Document for complete details.

How Much Do HydroDog Franchise Owners Make?

HydroDog franchise locations reported average gross sales of $139,666 and median gross sales of $126,242 in 2024, based on financial performance data disclosed in Item 19 of the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Average Gross Sales:

$139,666

Median Gross Sales:

$126,242

High Gross Sales:

$233,704

Low Gross Sales:

$80,697

Sample Size:

Percent Attaining Average:

33.0%

Franchise vs Corporate Performance: Only franchisee-owned data are reported for 2023, so no direct comparison to company-owned outlets is possible; the franchised sample shows an average gross sales of 139666.46 for full-year operators.

Performance Variability Analysis: There is substantial variability across outlets with a high of 233703.95 and a low of 80696.75, and the mean (139666.46) exceeding the median (126242) which indicates a right-skew driven by higher-performing locations.

Data Scope and Limitations: The reported figures cover only nine full-time franchisee-owned units for calendar-year 2023 (two additional partial-year outlets are listed separately), results are unaudited, and no expense or net income data are provided.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to open a HydroDog franchise?

The total initial investment for a HydroDog franchise ranges from $153,847 to $461,573, according to the 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document. This includes the franchise fee, real estate, equipment, training, and working capital.

What is the HydroDog initial franchise fee?

The initial franchise fee for HydroDog is $40,000, as stated in the 2024 FDD. This fee is paid upon signing the Franchise Agreement.

How much do HydroDog franchise owners make?

HydroDog franchise locations reported average gross sales of $139,666 and median gross sales of $126,242 in 2024, based on Item 19 of the Franchise Disclosure Document. Actual earnings vary by location, market, and operator experience.

Does HydroDog have any franchise lawsuits or legal issues?

HydroDog received a legal risk score of 100 out of 100 in the 2024 FDD analysis. The franchise reported no material legal proceedings.

Does HydroDog offer exclusive franchise territories?

HydroDog received a territory protection score of 45 out of 100. Grants a protected operating area where the franchisor will not place other physical units.

What training does HydroDog provide to new franchisees?

HydroDog received a training and support score of 68 out of 100. The brand provides an Extensive 137-hour training curriculum designed to prepare the 0 individuals included in the initial fee for launch, delivered through classroom instruction and on-site components.

How many HydroDog franchise locations are there?

HydroDog had 17 total locations as of the 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document.

What type of business is HydroDog?

HydroDog is a franchise in the Pet Services category that offers mobile pet grooming services.

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